Warren Township Schools: Minutes for March 9, 2020

Minutes for March 9, 2020 Archived Minutes

A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day at the Middle School,

114 Stirling Road. The following is a record of that meeting.

I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Board President Christian Bellmann.

Open Public Meeting Statement – Board President Christian Bellmann read the following statement:

Re: Chapter 231 P.L. 1975: “The adequate notice of this regular meeting as required by the open public meetings act was provided by the posting, mailing/delivery, and filing of this notice on January 7, 2020. This notice was on that date was posted on the Courier News, and TAP into Warren, all in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act.”

II. Pledge of Allegiance – Mr. Bellmann led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Roll Call

Present: Aaron Bellish, Mark Bisci, David Brezee, Susie Chu, Lisa DiMaggio,

Marc Franco, Patricia Zohn and Christian Bellmann

Absent: Ayanna Taylor-Venson

Also Present: Dr. Matthew Mingle, Superintendent, and Patricia Leonhardt,

Board Secretary, and members of the public and press.

IV. Minutes

● Mrs. Zohn moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and executive session minutes of the February 24, 2020 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio and approved by a 7-0-1 roll-call vote.

(Mr. Bellmann abstained.)

V. Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

· Suspension Report

In School:

Out of School:

· Fire Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
February 3	February 19	February 28	February 19	February 19

· Security Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
February 18	February 27	February 19	February 4	February 20
Modified	Modified	Modified	Modified	Modified
Lockdown	Lockdown	Lockdown	Lockdown	Lockdown

VI. President's Remarks – Mr. Christian Bellmann

Mr. Bellmann referenced last week’s Read Across America, which included a visit from the Cat In The Hat. Mr. Bellmann was struck by the staff’s enthusiasm.

Referencing tonight’s board approval of the budget, Mr. Bellmann referenced the work of the Finance Committee, which was able to craft a budget without using the available banked cap.

Mr. Bellmann congratulated Ms. Fraumann on her retirement from the district after 26 years of service.

Lastly, Mr. Bellmann referenced the anxiety surrounding the Coronavirus and assured all that the district is closely monitoring guidance and he personally recommended that all heed preparation advice.

VII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Dr. Matthew Mingle

Dr. Mingle referenced the COVID-19 presentation, which was shared with staff earlier in the afternoon.

Dr. Mingle acknowledged the successes of Michael McAusland (3rd Place History Bee, 2nd Place Academic Bee and 1st Place Geography Bee) and Neelesh Thanasegaran (1st Place Geography Bee).

VIII. Presentation

● Tentative Budget - Dr. Mingle and Mrs. Leonhardt provided an overview of the proposed 2020-2021 budget.

● Comparative Student Achievement Data - Mr. Kimmick provided an overview of the district’s standardized testing results in relation to peer districts.

● COVID-19 Preparedness - Dr. Mingle provided an overview of the district’s response to COVID-19.

IX. Discussion

● The board discussed the role of the district’s capital projects needs and the decision to allow banked cap to expire.

● The board asked follow up questions regarding Math tracks and the dissimilarity of comparison districts and scores.

● As a possible response to the virus, the board discussed the options for those without access to technology. The board thanked Dr. Mingle for his leadership on this matter.

X. Committee Reports

● Personnel and Negotiations - Mr. Franco reported on the meeting with the WTEA, at which proposals were exchanged.

● Curriculum/Communications & Technology Committee - Mrs. DiMaggio reported on the evening’s meeting, at which the proposed new Math curriculum was discussed.

● Strategic Planning Ad Hoc - Dr. Mingle provided an overview of the recent meeting which helped shape the Board of Education presentation to be held on March 23, 2020.

XI. Public Commentary (agenda items only)

Note on public input at BOE meetings: Board Policy #0167, adopted on June 18, 2018, provides for public participation in Board of Education meetings. Such participation is governed by the following rules:

A participant must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface comments by an announcement of his/her name, address, and group affiliation, if applicable;
Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to three minutes’ duration. If necessary, the public comment portion of the meeting may be extended fifteen minutes with Board approval;
No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard;
All statements, questions, or inquiries shall be directed to the presiding officer and any questions or inquiries directed by a participant to another Board member shall be redirected to the presiding officer who shall determine if such statement, question, or inquiry shall be addressed by the presiding officer on behalf of the Board;

The portion of the meeting during which participation of the public is invited shall be limited to fifteen minutes (limit may be adjusted at the discretion of the presiding officer as circumstances dictate).

N/A

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

On motion by Mrs. Zohn, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the consent items A.1. through A.4., B.1. through B.6., and C.1. through C.15. were approved by a 8-0 roll-call vote.

The Superintendent recommends that it be:

A. Education

A.1. HIB Report

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the HIB Report submitted by the Superintendent for the period ending on February 24, 2020.

A.2. Field Trip Destinations

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following field trip destinations for the 2019-2020 School Year:

● Reed Henderson High School

● Union Catholic High School

● CSI Somerset County Crime Lab

● Alexandria, VA

A.3. Out-of-District Placement

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out-of-district placement for Student #6951876656 and Student #4137825245, to New Dawn Academy beginning on or about March 3, 2020 through June 30, 2020, at a cost not to exceed $18,580 per student.

A.4. Contracted Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an independent Neurodevelopmental Evaluation by Dr. Jesse Mintz, for Student #2926811778, at a cost not to exceed $450.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the report of the secretary for the month of February, 2020; and

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on February 29, 2020:

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$12,896,071.47		$1,063,861.93
(10) General Current Expense		$38,614.00
(11) Current Expense		$2,610,648.37
(12) Capital Outlay		$64,450.72
(13) Special Schools		$16,076.43
(20) Special Revenue Fund	($45,030.60)	$35,437.15	$0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$4,568,319.40	($1,857,055.58)	($1,763,502.48)
(40) Debt Service Fund	$60,336.00	$0.00	$0.00
TOTAL GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS	$17,479,696.27	$908,171.09	($699,640.55)
(60) Milk Fund	$14,036.76	$ (26,000.00)	$ 5,198.02
(61) Juice and Water Fund	$4,114.19	$ (11,000.00)	$ 1,811.56
TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS	$18,150.95	($37,000.00)	$7,009.58

WHEREAS, in compliance with law and code the secretary has certified that, as of the date of the reports, no budgetary line item account has obligations and payments (contractual orders) which in total exceed the amount appropriated by the district board of education, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts the above reference reports and certifications and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, in compliance with law and code, the Board of Education certifies that, after review of the secretary's monthly financial report (appropriation section), to the best of its knowledge, no major account or fund has been over expended in violation of law and code and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district's financial obligations for the remainder of the year.

B.2. Budget Transfers for Month of February 2020

RESOLVED, the Board of Education ratifies the following transfers between budget line items that have been approved by the Superintendent of Schools and that are now being reported to the Board pursuant to Policy 6422:

	TO:		FROM:
1.	11-000-218-600-035-04-00	Guidance Supplies - Mt. Horeb	11-190-100-610-035-04-10	Instructional Supplies - Mt. Horeb	$100
2.	11-000-252-330-000-11-01	Technology - Professional Services	11-000-252-500-000-11-01	Technology - Other Purchased Services	$440
3.	11-000-270-615-000-10-00	Transportation Supplies	11-000-270-610-000-10-00	General Transportation Supplies	$1,500
4.	11-000-291-280-000-00-00	Tuition Reimbursement	11-000-291-270-000-00-00	Health Benefits	$13,500
5.	11-214-100-800-033-08-00	Autism - Field Trips - MS	11-214-100-610-033-08-00	Autism Supplies - MS	$540
6.	11-219-100-101-033-07-00	Special Ed - Home Instruction - Salaries - MS	11-219-100-320-050-08-00	Special Ed - Home Instruction - Purchased Services.-WS	$4,000
7.	12-000-266-730-000-09-00	Security - Equipment	11-000-266-300-000-09-00	Security - Purchased Services	$10,400
8.	12-120-100-730-050-06-00	Instructional Equipment - WS	11-000-262-107-050-06-00	Salaries- Lunch & Playground Aides- WS	$6,900

B.3. Travel Approval

Whereas, in accordance with State of New Jersey School District Accountability Act (A-5) and the Warren Township Schools’ Policy 6471-School District Travel, travel by school district employees and Board of Education members must be approved in advance.

Now Therefore Be It RESOLVED, the Warren Township Schools Board of Education approves the following expenses for faculty, staff, administrators, and board members for seminars, conferences and workshops. The expense includes travel costs, if applicable:

Name	School	Workshop/ Conference	Location	Month/Yr	Cost
Nicole Runfola	MH	New Jersey Speech-Language Hearing Association 2020 Convention	Long Branch	Apr 2020	$278
Danielle Buzby	MS	Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - First Aid Instructor Certification	Metuchen	Jan 2020 and Mar 2020	$395*
Michele Lepore	MS	Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - First Aid Instructor Certification	Metuchen	Jan 2020 and Mar 2020	$403*
Susan Cooper	MS	National Academic Championship	Alexandria, VA	May 2020	$730

*(This motion supersedes previous motion from November 25, 2019.)

All of the above travel has been approved by the Superintendent. The School Business Administrator shall track and record these costs to ensure that the maximum amount is not exceeded.

B.4. Contract Renewal

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a contract extension, per N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-42, with AlphaBEST Education, Inc. for the provision of before and after school care, for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years.

B.5. Tentative 2020-2021 Warren Township School District Budget

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the tentative 2020-2021 Warren Township School District Budget and approves the tentative budget for submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools for Somerset County for review.

The tentative budget includes sufficient funds to provide curriculum and instruction which will enable all students to achieve the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and is in compliance with N.J.S.A. 18A and N.J.A.C Title 6 and 6A.

Proposed 2020-2021 Budget
Appropriations:		Revenue:
Fund 10
Operating Budget	$43,528,004	State Aid: General Fund	$1,915,420
Transfer to Charter Schools	$0	Tax Levy: General Fund	$41,703,731
Deposit to Capital Reserve	$357,761	Other Revenues	$582,957
Capital Outlay	$4,777,287	Fund Balance	$461,000
Summer School	$320,658	Withdrawal from Capital Reserves for Debt Service Payment	$4,320,602
TOTAL	$48,983,710		$48,983,710

Fund 20
Special Revenue Appropriations	$408,551	Grants - Local	$1,000
		Grants - Federal	$407,551

Fund 40	$6,606,703	Debt Service Fund Balance	$60,336
		Transfer from Capital Reserve	$4,320,602
		State Debt Service Aid	$2,225,765

FURTHER RESOLVED, per NJAC 6A:23B-1.2(b), the tentative budget provides for a maximum expenditure amount that may be allotted for travel and expense reimbursement. The 2020-2021 tentative budget includes a maximum travel appropriation of $125,000. The School Business Administrator shall track and record these costs to insure that the maximum amount is not exceeded, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, a Board of Education may, and this Board does, establish, for regular district business travel only, an annual school year threshold of $1,500 per staff member where prior Board approval shall not be required for regular business travel, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby establishes May 11, 2020 as the date for the Public Hearing on the budget and authorizes the Superintendent and Board Secretary, after approval by the Executive County Superintendent of Schools, to advertise the budget and the budget hearing as required by law.

B.6. Transportation for Out-of-District Students

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contracts with Somerset County Educational Services Commission for 2019-2020 school year transportation for out of district students as follows:

Contractor	School	Student Id	Cost
SCESC	New Dawn Academy	6951876656 & 4137825245	$9,216.48

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2019-2020 School Year

RESOLVED, upon recommendation from the Superintendent that the Board of Education approve the following Personnel items including the emergent employment of the following employees (indicated by *) conditional upon the final approval by the New Jersey Department of Education The Board further authorizes the submission of an application for emergency hiring pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1, et. Seq., N.J.S.A. 18A:6.14.12, et. Seq., if applicable Staff members shall be paid in accordance with provisions in their collective bargaining agreement and/or in accordance with a schedule provided to all employees prior to the beginning of the contract or school year.

Name

Position/PCR

Location

Degree

Step

Salary

Effective Date

Tenure

Discussion

Christina Mancino

Leave Replacement Teacher

$64,064 (prorated)

November 11, 2019 - February 25, 2020

To replace employee #1464

James Witzel

Skilled Maintenance Mechanic

04-00-21/bhn

District

N/A

$38,000

(prorated)

On or about March 13, 2020 - June 30, 2020

To replace employee #1550

C.2. Long Term Substitutes

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following individuals as a Long Term Substitutes:

Name	Effective Date	Replacing Employee
Christina Mancino	May 4, 2020 - June 30, 2020	#2693
Rebecca Leshchinsky	April 13, 2020 - June 30, 2020	#3159
Michelle Ceccato	January 29, 2020 - March 13, 2020	#2085
Lauren Webster	March 18, 19, 2020, and March 24, 2020 - on or about June 5, 2020 *	#3450
Aditi Patel	April 3, 2020 - June 30, 2020	#3218

*(This motion supersedes previous motion dated January 27, 2020.)

C.3 After School Activities/Clubs

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

Name	Club	Location	Sessions	Cost
Alexandra Pranzo	Girls Circle	WS	10	$490*
Sara von Bartheld	Girls Circle	WS	10	$490*

*(Paid for by Somerset County Municipal Youth Services Commission Grant)

C.4. Retirement/Resignation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the retirement/resignations

of the following staff:

Name

Position

Location

Retirement/Resignation

Dates of Service

Keith LaBadie

1:1 Paraprofessional

08-30-08/bjg

Resignation

9/1/2017 -3/29/2020

Ellen Fraumann

Special Education Teacher

02-30-19/bcj

Retirement

9/1/1994 - 6/30/2020

C.5. 2019-2020 Approval of Title I - Extended Day Tutor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of the following staff members as Title I - Extended Day Tutors, to be paid the contractual rate of $50 per hour. Total cost dependent upon the needs of identified students in the district’s Title I school(s), which are Central and Mt. Horeb Schools, at a total cost not to exceed $40,800. Cost to be fully funded by ESEA Title I.

Name

Dianne Harris

Rebecca Maag

C.6. Social Studies Curriculum Instruction Projects 2019-2020

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for the 2019-2020 curriculum writing projects, as per the WTEA negotiated agreement, at a rate of $50 per hour, at a cost not to exceed $3,000.00:

Name
Jill Andrews	Cheryl Plager
Francesca Frosoni	Kristen Stoyanov
Jessica Nathan	Christina Tomasso
Hannah Nizri	Christina Trump
Megan O'Donnell	Michele Wolkun

C.7. CPR Certification of Instructors Stipend

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for a stipend for their participation in CPR Instructor Certification at Community Safety Consultants on January 20, 25 and March 21, 2020. Each of the staff will be paid at the WTEA contract rate of $20.00 per hour, due to the fact that these courses are outside contract hours, for a total cost not to exceed $640.00.

Staff Member	Date	Total Hours	Cost Total
Danielle Buzby	January 20, 25 and March 21, 2020	16	$320 *
Michele Lepore	January 20, 25 and March 21, 2020	16	$320 *

* (This motion supersedes previous motion from November 25, 2019.)

C.8. Administrator Vacation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the the use of vacation days for Employee #3348 from March 26-31, 2020, in accordance with the terms of the Warren Township Administrators Association contract.

C.9. Warren Middle School Bus Arrival Supervision - Rescind

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education rescinds the appointment of the following staff member for morning supervision at Warren Middle School:

a. Sangita Oboh, effective January 29, 2020

C.10. Warren Middle School Bus Arrival Supervision

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff member for morning supervision at Warren Middle School at a stipend amount of $500:

a. Celeste Ostry, effective January 29, 2020

C.11. 2020-2023 WTAA Collective Bargaining Agreement Approval

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2020-2023 WTAA Collective Bargaining Agreement which was ratified by the WTAA membership on February 25, 2020.

C.12. Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following additional hours:

Name	Student #	School	Club/Purpose	Starting Date	Cost
Nancy Lauber	8433407152	CS	Drama Club Evening Performance	June 3, 2020	$70
Josephine Maccagnan	1363196692	ALT	Gardening CLub	March 5, 2020	$375

C.13. Warren Staff Academy Courses Instructor Stipend 2019-2020

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for reimbursement as an Instructor. Each instructor will be reimbursed at the WTEA contractual rate $50.00 per hour. The total cost shall not exceed $200.00.

Name	Course	Date	Prep Hours	Instructor Hours	Cost Total
Michelle Zgombic	Digital Designer via Google Docs	Mar 31, 2020	1	1	$100
Michelle Zgombic	Video Creation with Screencastify	Apr 16, 2020	1	1	$100

C.14. Substitute Teacher

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as a substitute teacher for the 2019-2020 school year.

Name

Braishna Khattak

C.15. Approval to Create Position

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the creation of the following positions for 2019-2020:

Location

Position

Full-Time Equivalent

1:1 Preschool Paraprofessional

08-35-08/blc

0.5 FTE

XIII. Unfinished Business

● Middle School Fields - The board discussed the proposal from PSA regarding the Middle School Fields.

On motion by Mr. Bellish, seconded by Mr. Franco:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education requests that administration readdress the scope of the Middle School field work with PSA with an initial phase of site survey review and creation of general cost estimates only.

The motion was approved by a 8-0 roll-call vote.

XIV. New Business

N/A

XV. Public Commentary (any topic)

A participant must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface comments by an announcement of his/her name, address, and group affiliation, if applicable;
Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to three minutes’ duration. If necessary, the public comment portion of the meeting may be extended fifteen minutes with Board approval;
No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard;
All statements, questions, or inquiries shall be directed to the presiding officer and any questions or inquiries directed by a participant to another Board member shall be redirected to the presiding officer who shall determine if such statement, question, or inquiry shall be addressed by the presiding officer on behalf of the Board;

N/A

XVI. Executive Session

● At 8:51 p.m. Mrs. Zohn moved the following:

WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A.10:4-11, permits the Board of Education to meet in closed session to discuss certain matters, now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, the Board of Education adjourns to closed session to discuss:a matter rendered confidential by federal or state law

a collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it and

specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session

Action will not be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 30 minutes; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the minutes of this closed session be made public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Franco and approved by unanimous voice vote.

Mrs. DiMaggio left the room at 9:52 p.m.

On motion by Mrs. Zohn, seconded by Mr. Brezee, the Board reconvened in open session at 10:03 p.m.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Zohn, seconded by Mr. Brezee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:04 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary

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