Minutes for March 23, 2020History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day at the Board of Education Office, 213 Mt. Horeb Road. Due to the public health crisis, only Dr. Mingle, Superintendent, was present at that location. All others participated virtually. 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 March 17, 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, David Brezee, Susie Chu, Lisa DiMaggio,

Marc Franco, Ayanna Taylor-Venson, Patricia Zohn and Christian Bellmann

Absent:

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

Board Secretary, and members of the public and press.

Mark Bisci arrived at 7:08 p.m.

IV. Minutes

● Mrs. Zohn moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and executive session minutes of the March 9, 2020 Board Meeting.

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

(Mrs. Taylor abstained.)

V. Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

2

0

· Suspension Report

In School:

Out of School:

0

0

VI. President's Remarks – Mr. Christian Bellmann

Mr. Bellmann welcomed all to this new format for a Board of Education meeting.

Mr. Bellmann praised everyone who has helped transition the district to Virtual Teaching and stressed the continued need for social distance.

Mr. Bellmann noted this meeting has a rather short agenda consisting of essential items only. Additional items will be on future agendas.

VII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Dr. Matthew Mingle

Dr. Mingle also welcomed all and mentioned that the Central School student presentation originally scheduled for tonight will hopefully occur at a future meeting.

VIII. Presentation

N/A

IX. Discussion

N/A

X. Committee Reports

● Personnel and Negotiations - Mr. Franco reported on the March 17th ‘virtual’ meeting with the WTEA, with another meeting scheduled for the week of March 30th.

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:

  1. 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;
  2. 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;
  3. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard;
  4. 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

Mr. Bisci requested that motion B.2. be pulled for a separate vote.

On motion by Mrs. Zohn, seconded by Mrs. Taylor, the consent items A.1., B.1., and C.1. through C.3. were approved by a 9-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mrs. Zohn, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the consent item B.2., was approved by a 8-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mr. Bisci abstained.)

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 9, 2020.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of March 2020 in the amount of $3,865,518.28.

B.2. Joint Agreements between SCESC and Warren BOE

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves entering into the following joint agreements between Somerset County Educational Services Commission (SCESC) and the Warren Township Board of Education for the 2020-21 School Year:

● Nonpublic School Textbook Services agreement, dated July 1, 2020, with no administrative fee charged;

● Nonpublic School Technology Initiative Program agreement, dated July 1, 2020, with a state-approved administrative percentage (5% in 2019-20);

● Nonpublic School Nursing Services agreement, dated July 1, 2020, with an administrative fee of 6%

● Nonpublic School Security Aid Program agreement, dated July 1, 2020, with no administrative fee charged;

● Coordinated Transportation Services agreement, dated July 1, 2020, with an administration fee of 4.5%

● Nonpublic Instructional Services Agreement and Addendum for Chapters 192/193, with no administrative fee charges;

● Nonpublic Instructional Services Agreement for Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, dates July 1, 2020, with no administrative fee.

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

Michelle Ceccato

1:1 Paraprofessional

32.5 hours

08-30-08/bjg

CS

N/A

4-8

$28,655

(with stipend)

On or about: 4/13/2020 - 6/30/2020

No

Replacing employee #3254

C.2. Retirement/Resignation

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

of the following staff:

Name

Position

Location

Retirement/Resignation

Dates of Service

Jeanne Vecchione

Special Education Teacher

02-50-19/bct

WS

Retirement

1/12/1998 - 6/30/2020

C.3. Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following leave requests:

Employee ID

Paid/Unpaid

#3450

Extended Leave of Absence - April 13, 2020 through April 23, 2020 (paid)

Extended Leave of Absence - April 24, 2020 through on or about June 1, 2020 (unpaid)

(This motion supersedes the previous motion approved October 28,2019)

#3201

FMLA - February 28, 2020 through March 17, 2020 (paid)

(This motion supersedes the previous motion approved February 24, 2020)

XIII. Unfinished Business

N/A

XIV. New Business

● Flexible Instruction Days (FID) - Dr. Mingle provided a comprehensive overview of Flexible Instruction Days, noting that planning for additional functionality is underway should remote learning continue. Also reviewed was the communication schedule and surveys.

● FID Questions/Answers - Dr. Mingle also answered some questions he has received regarding the current operating environment, many of which addressed special education topics. The board asked follow up questions. Discussion ensued.

● FID Related Topics - Also discussed was the need to, moving forward, address district contracts, standardized testing, and teacher evaluations, as well as any potential financial implications.

XV. Public Commentary (any topic)

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:

  1. 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;
  2. 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;
  3. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard;
  4. 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).

● Mrs. Leonhardt read questions regarding the district’s budget which had been submitted in advance by Ms. Bariso. Mr. Bellmann responded on behalf of the Board.

XVI. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Zohn, seconded by Mrs. Taylor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary