Warren Township Schools: Minutes for April 26, 2021

Minutes for April 26, 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 – Mr. Franco 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 – Mt. Horeb School Principal Scott Cook, introduced student Sana Shankar who 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 and executive session minutes of the April 12, 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 that he received nine emails regarding the district’s Return to School Plan.

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:			Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:
	1			1

· Suspension Report

In School:			Out of School:
	0			0

VI. President's Remarks - Mr. Marc Franco

Mr. Franco welcomed those attending, especially those from Mt. Horeb School, whose students will be the evening’s presentation.

Mr. Franco noted that the 5 day a week Return to School expansion is proceeding smoothly.

VII. Superintendent’s Remarks - Dr. Matthew Mingle

Dr. Mingle welcomed the Mt. Horeb School staff and students in advance of their presentation.

Dr. Mingle referenced the Summer Fun motions, noting that registration is exceeding past levels at the same point in time.

Dr. Mingle congratulated Dr. Cooper and the Warren Middle School 7th grade Quiz Bowl team, which placed 1stnationally among 7th graders and 8th nationally among all Middle School grades.

Dr. Mingle referenced that today was Day 1 of consolidated classes at Middle School and all went well.

Lastly, Dr. Mingle noted that afternoon extra help sessions are operating successfully.

VIII. Presentations

● Mt. Horeb School Student Feature - Principal Scott Cook introduced a video montage of A Day in the Life of Mt. Horeb.

● Final Budget Presentation - Dr. Matthew Mingle and Mrs. Patricia Leonhardt presented the proposed 2021-22 budget.

IX. Discussion

● Return to School - Dr. Mingle provided an overview of the process regarding Return to School planning. The board discussed.

X. Committee Reports

● Finance Operations and Security Committee - Mr. Brezee reported on the committee’s April 19th meeting at which Chapter 44 proposed legislation, the B&G building roof re-bid, the 2021-2022 budget, the NJSIG Safety Grant, undesignated fund balance and collaboration with the township were discussed.

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).

The following members of the public addressed a variety of topics:

● Ms. Nipa Patel, Briarwood Drive, discussed after school activities.

The following members of the public discussed various aspects of the district’s current operating environment and future planning:

● Ms. Mariette Dzeletovic, King George Road

● Ms. Alina Bergners, Casale Drive South

● Ms. Jennifer Armao, Briarwood Drive East

● Ms. Gretchen Minieri, Mundy Lane

● Ms. Jaqueline Brothers, Trinity Place

● Ms. Nelly Pucci, Washington Valley Road

● Ms. Nicole Opdenbosch, Wells Lane

● Ms. Heather Silver, Quail Run

● Ms. Rachel Singleton, Deerwood Trail West

Dr. Mingle responded to the wide array of questions.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

On motion by Mr. Bisci, seconded by Mr. Franco, the consent items A.1., A.2., B.1., through B.8., C.1., through C.8., and D.1., were approved by a 9-0 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 April 12, 2021.

A.2. 2022-2023 Calendar

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2022-2023 calendar.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of April 2021 in the amount of $3,921,924.43.

B.2. 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
Matthew Mingle	BOE	New Jersey Association of School Administrator Mentor Training Program	Online	April 2021	$395

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.3. Technology Purchase

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following purchase:

● Dell R640 servers (2) - $11,355.01 each, total of $22,710.02. Purchase from Dell through NJ State Cooperative Purchasing agreement M0483.

● Nimble Storage HF20H - $24,611.17. Purchase from Glencom Systems Inc.

(This motion supersedes previous motion from March 15, 2021.)

B.4. District School Street Zoning

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves zoning the following street to the Woodland School Zone, beginning in September, 2021:

● Silver Leaf Court

No current students are affected by this change.

B.5. NJSIG - ERIC North Sub-Fund Application for Safety Grant Program

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the submission of a grant application for the Safety Grant Program through the New Jersey School Insurance Group’s ERIC North Sub-Fund for the qualified purposes of offsetting the cost district-wide radio communications. The grant monies, in the amount of $10,810, are for the period of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

B.6. Adoption of the 2021-2022 Budget

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the 2021-2022 Warren

Township School District Budget as approved by the Executive County

Superintendent of Schools for Somerset County.

The 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.

Final 2021-2022 Budget
Appropriations:		Revenue:
Fund 10
Operating Budget	$43,971,392	State Aid: General Fund	$2,047,299
Deposit to Capital Reserve	$500	Tax Levy: General Fund	$41,523,430
Capital Outlay	$237,700	Other Revenues	$498,415
Summer School	$321,552	Fund Balance	$462,000
FUND 10 TOTAL	$44,531,144	FUND 10 TOTAL	$44,531,144

Fund 20
Special Revenue Appropriations	$413,521	Grants - Local	$1,000
		Grants - Federal	$412,521

Fund 40	$0	Fund 40	$0

GRAND TOTAL	$44,944,665	GRAND TOTAL	$44,944,665

FURTHER RESOLVED, per NJAC 6A:23B-1.2(b), the budget provides for a maximum expenditure amount that may be allotted for travel and expense reimbursement. The 2021-2022 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 authorizes the Superintendent and Business Administrator to implement the 2021-2022 budget as hereby approved.

B.7. Purchasing Approval

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following annual Cooperative purchasing:

● School Specialty, through State Contract 17DPP00111, for school supplies, at an amount not to exceed $100,000.

(This motion supersedes the School Specialty approval from October 5, 2020.)

B.8. Contract Approval

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a contract for the provision of nursing services for Student #3138342376 through Bayada Home Health Care, Inc. for May 3, 2021 through June 30, 2021. Hourly rate not to exceed $54.50, for an approximate total cost of $10,464.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2021-2022 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

Achau Nguyen

ELL Teacher

02-00-22/bls

District

$69,458

August 30, 2021 through June 30, 2022

New Position

C.2. ELL Virtual Parent Night Staff Stipend 2020-2021

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for reimbursement to participate in the ELL Virtual Parent Night event. The staff member will be reimbursed at the WTEA contractual rate $50.00 per hour. The total cost shall not exceed $200.00. Cost to be fully funded by ESEA Title III.

Name	Event	Total Hours	Total Cost
Lauren Valera	ELL Virtual Parent Night	4	$200.00

C.3. Long Term Substitute

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following individual as a Long Term Substitute:

Name	Effective Date	Replacing Employee #
Maryann Minervini	May 3, 2021 through June 17, 2021	#3207

C.4. Appointment of Summer Fun 2021 Certificated Staff

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of Summer Fun certificated staff at the following hourly rates:

a. Teachers and Guidance Counselors - $45.00

b. Speech Teachers - $72.50

c. Substitute Teachers - $17.00

d. Nurse and Substitute Nurse - $45.00

All certificated staff are also approved as Summer Fun substitutes as applicable.

C.5. Appointment of the 2021 Summer Fun Paraprofessional Staff

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of Summer Fun paraprofessionals at the following hourly rates:

Paraprofessional/Substitute Paraprofessional - Adult - $16.00
Paraprofessional/Substitute Paraprofessional - College Student - $13.00
Paraprofessional/Substitute Paraprofessional - High School Student - $11.00

All paraprofessionals are also approved as Summer Fun substitutes as applicable. (*Updated list dated April 23, 2021.)

C.6. Appointment of the 2021 Summer Fun Volunteers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of Summer Fun Volunteers.

C.7. Leave Request

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

Employee ID	Paid/Unpaid
#0682	FMLA - April 13, 2021 through on or about May 7, 2021 AM (½ days and paid)
#3207	FMLA - April 21, 2021 through May 5, 2021 (paid) FMLA - May 6, 2021 through June 17, 2021 (unpaid)
#3504	FMLA - May 27, 2021 through June 17, 2021(paid)

C.8. Approval to Create Positions

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the creation of the following positions for 2021-2022 school year:

Location

Position

Full-Time Equivalent

District

ELL Teacher

02-00-22/bls

1.0

D. Policy

D.1. Policies - Second Reading

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education amends the following policy and approves the second reading of the following policy.

Number	Name	New/Revision	Source of Changes
P1648.01	Quarantine For Employees Upon Return From Travel	R	Legal Counsel

XIII. Unfinished Business

N/A

XIV. New Business

● Board Seat - Mr. Franco reminded all that the filing date for board seats on the November ballot is July 26th.

● Return to School Expansion - After discussion, Mr. Weinstein made the following motion:

RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby tasks administration to create a plan, to be delivered at the next board meeting, for a return to a full school day in the remaining months of the 2020-2021 school year.

Seconded by Mrs. Clar, the motion failed by a 2-6-1 roll-call vote. (Mrs. Clar and Mr. Weinstein voted yes. Mr. Bellish, Mr. Brezee, Mrs. DiMaggio, Ms. Keller, Mrs. Zohn and Mr. Franco voted no. Mr. Bisci abstained.)

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;

● Ms. Mariette Dzeletovic, King George Road, addressed mental health concerns.

● Ms. Rachel Singleton, Deerwood Trail West, discussed Return to School planning.

● Ms. Nicole Opdenbosch, Wells Lane, addressed mental health concerns.

● Ms. Gretchen Minieri, Mundy Lane, asked questions regarding 2021-2022 plans.

● Mr. Michael Minieri, Mundy Lane, also referenced 2021-2022 plans.

● Ms. Nelly Pucci, Washington Valley Road, discussed Return to School planning.

● Mr. Mark Pucci, Washington Valley Road, discussed Return to School planning.

Dr. Mingle responded to the wide array of questions.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mr. Franco, seconded by Mr. Bisc, the meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Patricia Leonhardt