Warren Township Schools: Minutes for March 1, 2021

Minutes for March 1, 2021 Archived Minutes

Due to the public health crisis, the regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day virtually through the online Zoom platform. The Board of Education, administration and the public were present and participating through logon to that platform. 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

Marc Franco

Open Public Meeting Statement – Mrs. Leonhardt 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 6, 2021. 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 – ALT student Harry Franco led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Roll Call

Present: Aaron Bellish, Mark Bisci, David Brezee, Lori Clar, Lisa DiMaggio,

Laura Keller, Todd Weinstein, Patricia Zohn and Marc Franco

Absent:

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

Board Secretary, and members of the public and press.

IV. Minutes

● Mr. Bisci moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public session minutes of the February 16, 2021 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Franco and approved by a 9-0 roll-call vote.

V. Correspondence and Information

Dr. Mingle reported on Board of Education correspondence.

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:			Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:
	0			0

· Suspension Report

In School:			Out of School:
	0			0

· Fire Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
Cohort A	Cohort A	Cohort A	Cohort A	Cohort A
February 16	February 16	February 23	February 17	February 16

Cohort B	Cohort B	Cohort B	Cohort B	Cohort B
February 12	February 24	February 25	February 24	February 25

· Security Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
Cohort A	Cohort A	Cohort A	Cohort A	Cohort A
February 25	February 24	February 24	February 9	February 23
Non-Fire	Non-Fire	Non-Fire	Non-Fire	Non-Fire
Evacuation Drill	Evacuation Drill	Evacuation Drill	Evacuation Drill	Evacuation Drill
ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
Cohort B	Cohort B	Cohort B	Cohort B	Cohort B
February 25	February 24	February 24	February 25	February 24
Non-Fire	Non-Fire	Non-Fire	Non-Fire	Non-Fire
Evacuation Drill	Evacuation Drill	Evacuation Drill	Evacuation Drill	Evacuation Drill

VI. President's Remarks - Mr. Marc Franco

Mr. Franco commented on upcoming evening’s presentations.

Mr. Franco addressed various aspects of the district’s Return to School Plan, noting that:

● Today marks the return of 3rd graders to 5 days a week in person attendance.

● Motion A.2. requests board approval for implementation of 5 day a week attendance for 4th and 5th graders.

● Motion A.3. reflects a directive affecting Middle School student in person attendance.

VII. Superintendent’s Remarks - Dr. Matthew Mingle

Dr. Mingle welcomed all and thanked everyone involved in successfully managing last week’s weather related transportation delay.

Dr. Mingle also noted Governor Murphy’s expansion of Covid vaccine eligibility to include teachers as of March 15th.

VIII. Presentations

● Angelo L. Tomaso School Student Feature - Students and staff from ALT discussed the role of the morning meeting and its Covid - related modifications.

● Grades 4 and 5 Return to School Proposal - Dr. Matthew Mingle provided an overview of the proposed plan for the return of Grade 4th and 5th graders to in-person 5 days a week instruction.

● Proposed Referendum - Mrs. Patricia Leonhardt and Parette Somjen Architects provided an overview of the proposed December 2021 referendum project list and cost estimates.

IX. Discussion

● Proposed Referendum - The board discussed the proposed referendum projects, asking questions of the district’s architect.

X. Committee Reports

● Finance, Operations and Security Committee - Mr. Brezee reported on the committee’s February 25th meeting at which dental insurance, the Building and Grounds roof bid, regionalization, capital projects, and the 2021-2022 budget were discussed.

● Personnel Committee - Mrs. Zohn reported on the committee’s February 16th meeting at which job descriptions and the Superintendent’s evaluation timeline were discussed.

● Ad Hoc Return to School - Dr. Mingle reported on the February 24th meeting which was the basis for motion A.3. on tonight’s agenda, Hybrid 1.2. and physical distancing guidelines.

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;
When the Board of Education is conducting its meetings either virtually or in a hybrid environment, members of the public may also submit comments no later than 9:00 AM the day of the board meeting via email to BA@warrentboe.org or hardcopy mail to the district office.

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).

● Peter Fallon, Gregory Lane, Watchung Hills Regional High School Board of Education member, congratulated the board on its fiscal management.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Mr. Brezee asked that motion C.7. be pulled for separate vote.

Mr. Bisci asked a question regarding the process for proposed policy changes.

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby requests a change in process whereby proposed policy changes are posted on the district’s website for public view.

On motion by Mr. Bisci, seconded by Mr. Brezee, motion was approved by a 9-0 roll-call vote.

After discussion, Policy 6360 was removed from motion D.1.

On motion by Mr. Bisci, seconded by Mr. Franco, the consent items A.1., through A.3., B.1., through B.3., C.1., through C.6., C.8., and D.1., (excluding Policy 6360) were approved by a 9-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mr. Bisci, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the consent item C.7., was approved by a 8-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mr. Brezee 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 16, 2021.

A.2. Return to School Plan

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the revised Return to School plan and authorizes its submission to the New Jersey Department of Education.

A.3. Warren Middle School Return to School Planning

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education directs the Superintendent to develop a plan, to be presented at the Board’s March 15, 2021 meeting, that transitions the greatest number of Warren Middle School students from Cohorts A and B to Cohort C as possible given existing resource constraints and health and safety guidelines.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if that plan does not include all Warren Middle School students, the Board of Education directs the Superintendent to develop a plan that addresses the existing resource constraints and health and safety guidelines that need to be overcome in order to offer the opportunity for all Warren Middle School students to move to Cohort C.

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 January 2021; and

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on January 31, 2021:

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$12,014,198.80		$1,275,641.28
(10) General Current Expense		$0.00
(11) Current Expense		$3,166,513.87
(12) Capital Outlay		$246,232.71
(13) Special Schools		$166,179.24
(20) Special Revenue Fund	-61838.31	$31,792.89	$0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$754,209.49	$98,493.55	$355,825.94
(40) Debt Service Fund	$0.65	$0.65	$60,336.00
TOTAL GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS	$12,706,570.63	$3,709,212.91	$1,691,803.22
(60) Milk Fund	$4,049.49	$ (26,000.00)	$ 17,207.49
(61) Juice and Water Fund	$1,358.13	$ (11,000.00)	$ 1,358.13
TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS	$5,407.62	($37,000.00)	$18,565.62

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. Competitive Grant Monies

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Competitive Grant Monies from the Warren Municipal Youth Services Commission in the amount of $2,934.91. The funds will be utilized to implement a Mentoring Program for Middle School students.

B.3. Buildings and Grounds Roof Replacement Project - Rejection of Bids

WHEREAS, the Warren Township School District solicited bids for its Buildings and Grounds Partial Roof Replacement Project as authorized by the Warren Township Board of Education (“Board”) at its September 21, 2020 meeting; and

WHEREAS, the Project was properly advertised to prospective bidders in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-4; and

WHEREAS, on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 the Board received bids in accordance with N.J.S.A.18A:18A-1, et seq.;

HOWEVER, whereas the lowest bidder had a material defect in its submission, and all other bidders were above the project’s budget; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-22, a Board may reject all bids for one of a specified list of reasons which includes the lowest bid exceeding the cost estimate;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby rejects all bids for the reasons as noted above, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board hereby authorizes the project be re-bid and published and distributed pursuant to New Jersey Public Contract Laws, N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-1, et seq.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2020-2021 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

*Lam Wong

.6 Leave Replacement Mandarin Teacher

WMS

$39,403.20

1/19/2021 -

3/26/2021

To replace employee #2580

**Rebecca Leschinsky

Leave Replacement Teacher

ALT

BA+15

$61,784

8/31/2020 - 6/30/2021

To replace employee #0485

*(This motion supersedes the previous motion approved on January 25, 2021.)

**(This motion supersedes the previous motion approved on June 22, 2020.)

C.2. Leave Request

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

Employee ID	Paid/Unpaid
#0758	FMLA - March 16, 2021 through March 26, 2021 (paid)
#2885	FMLA - March 25, 2021 through on or about May 3, 2021 (paid)
#3228	FMLA - February 26, 2021 through March 23, 2021 (paid) FMLA - March 24, 2021 through May 14, 2021 (unpaid) Extended Leave - May 17 through May 25, 2021 (unpaid)
#2580	FMLA - January 7, 2021 through March 26, 2021 (paid) (This motion supersedes the previous motion approved on January 25, 2021)
#3059	FMLA - On or about June 4, 2021 through June 30, 2021(paid) NJFLA - August 30, 2021 through November 19, 2021 (unpaid)
#3482	FMLA - May 17, 2021 through June 3, 2021 (paid) FMLA - June 4, 2021 through June 30, 2021 (unpaid) NJFLA - August 30, 2021 through November 19, 2021 (unpaid)
#2818	FMLA - October 8, 2020 through December 18, 2020 (paid) NJFLA - December 21, 2020 through March 5, 2021 (unpaid) Extended Leave - March 8, 2021 through October 15, 2021 (This motion supersedes the previous motion approved on June 22, 2020)
#0477	FMLA - March 1, 2021 through March 12, 2021 (paid)

C.3. Approval to Create Positions

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the creation of the following positions for 2020-2021 school year:

Location

Position

Full-Time Equivalent

ALT

1:1 Paraprofessional

32.5 hrs

08-40-08-/blq

1.0

1:1 Paraprofessional

32.5 hrs

08-50-08/blr

1.0

C.4. Assignment of WTEA-Eligible Staff for Hybrid 1.2

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the assignments of WTEA-eligible staff employment, dated February 23, 2021 for the 2020-2021 school year.

C.5. Summer Technology Positions - 2021-2022

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Summer Technology positions for the 2021-2022 school year.

Name	Position	Location	Salary
Joel Van Tine	Summer Technology Assistant	District	$20 per hour
Kevin Speckin	Summer Technology Assistant	District	$20 per hour

C.6. After School Activities

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following After School Activities Advisors:

Name	Club	Stipend
David Arnold	Boys Council - ALT & Woodland	$588
Timothy Fabiano	Boys Council - ALT & Woodland	$588

These stipends will be paid through Title IV funds.

C.7. Mentoring Program

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff as mentors in the Mentoring Program at Middle School:

Name
Karen Balich	Timothy Fabiano
Gina Banks	Amy Jensen
Jennifer Benn	Mary Kovac
Emily Bruno	Celeste Ostry
Lisa Carlson	Dan Ticchio
Christine Cirrotti	Eileen Sebor
Jessica Decelle	Linda Yu

The mentors will be paid through a Competitive Grant awarded by the

Warren Municipal Youth Services Commission and at a rate of $49 per hour.

C.8. Contracted Services - ATX Learning LLC

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves ATX Learning as a provider of a substitute Speech Language Pathologist, starting on or about March 8, 2021 through on or about June 30, 2021, at an hourly rate of $90.00, at a cost not to exceed $47,250.

D. Policy

D.1. Policies – First Reading

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first reading of the following policies and regulations:

Number	Name	New/Revision	Source of Changes
P0145	Board Member Resignation and Removal	R	SEA
P1643	Family Leave	N	SEA
P2415	Every Student Succeeds Act	R	SEA
P2415.02	Title I - Fiscal Responsibilities	R	SEA
P2415.05	Student Surveys, Analysis, and/or Evaluations	R	SEA
P2415.20	Every Student Succeeds Act Complaints	R	SEA
P4125	Employment of Support Staff Members	R	SEA
P5330.01	Administration of Medical Cannabis	R	SEA
TABLED P6360	Political Contributions	R	SEA
P7425	Lead Testing of Water in Schools	R	SEA
P8330	Student Records	R	SEA
P9713	Recruitment by Special Interest Groups	R	SEA
R1642	Earned Sick Leave Law	R	SEA
R2415.20	Every Student Succeeds Act Complaints	R	SEA
R5330.01	Administration of Medical Cannabis	R	SEA
R7425	Lead Testing of Water in Schools	N	SEA

XIII. Unfinished Business

N/A

XIV. New Business

● Regionalization Study Request - Mr. Bisci reported on the meeting which he and Mr. Franco attended with Watchung Hills Regional High School Board of Education leadership regarding a regionalization study. The study would be paid for by the state. The board discussed.

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;

● Peter Fallon, Gregory Lane, WHRHS Board of Education member, thanked the board for its consideration of the regionalization study.

● Mark Pucci, Washington Valley Road, thanked the board and staff for its efforts and prioritization of Return to School.

● Nelly Pucci, Washington Valley Road, addressed the Return to School timeline.

● Jennifer Armao, Briarwood Drive East, discussed the Return to School timeline.

● Todd Joki, Heritage Drive, thanked the board for its survey.

● Rachel Singleton, Deerwood Trail West, discussed the Return to School survey and timeline.

Upon notice that this Public Commentary portion of the meeting had reached 15 minutes,

Mr. Franco made the following motion:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves to extend Public Commentary to include the 3 people currently in the queue.

Seconded by Mr. Bisci, the consent item was approved by a 9-0 voice vote.

● Mike Ryder, Mountainview Road, discussed the Return to School expansion timeline and the need for transparency.

● Gretchen Minieri, Mundy Lane, discussed the Return to School timeline and transition to Watchung Hills Regional High School for Warren students.

● Adam Gioia, Sherwood Way, discussed a perceived lack of transparency and expansion of Return to School.

Dr. Mingle responded to the array of questions and topics.

XVI. Adjourn

On motion by Mr. Franco, seconded by Mr. Bisci, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary

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