Warren Township Schools: Minutes for March 28, 2022

Minutes for March 28, 2022 Archived Minutes

A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day at the Woodland School, 114 Stirling Road. The public was welcome to attend in person or virtually through the online Zoom 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 David Brezee.

Open Public Meeting Statement – Mr. Brezee 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 5, 2022. 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. Brezee led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Roll Call

Present: Mark Bisci, Daniel Croson, Mehul Desai, Laura Keller, Ryan Valentino,

Patricia Zohn and David Brezee

Absent: Lisa DiMaggio and Todd Weinstein

Also Present: Dr. Matthew Mingle, Superintendent, Christopher Heagele, Board Secretary, and members of the public and press.

IV. Minutes

● Ms. Keller moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the March 14, 2022 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Bisci and approved by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

V. Correspondence and Information

● Mr. Mingle gave HIB / Suspension Report

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:			Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:
	2			1

· Suspension Report

In School:			Out of School:
	1			0

VI. President's Remarks – Mr. David Brezee

● Mr. Brezee thanked the Woodland School for hosting this evening’s meeting, and thanked Mr. Jeff Heaney for providing a tour to board members prior to the meeting.

● Mr. Brezee congratulated Warren Middle School students and staff on a successful spring play.

● Mr. Brezee appointed the Ad Hoc Dress Code committee: Mrs. Zohn (Chair), Ms. Keller, Mr. Croson, and Mr. Valentino

● Mr. Brezee congratulated the retirees listed on tonight’s agenda.

VII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Dr. Matthew Mingle

● Dr. Mingle welcomed Woodland School students and parents.

● Dr. Mingle also congratulated Warren Middle School students and staff on a successful spring play.

● Dr. Mingle offered congratulations to the following Warren Middle School students for various achievements:

Sanjay Joshi, Ben Carr, Brandon Bellish, Alex Liu, Phillip Liu and Devin Dave

VIII. Presentations

● Woodland School Feature - Mr. Jeff Heaney introduced the Woodland School feature which was presented by six REACH 5th grade students. Ms. Nancy Andrews introduced her class, who presented on how to have a “growth mindset”.

● Planning for Elementary Growth Working Group Recommendation - Mr. Scott Cook and Mr. Bill Kimmick. Mr. Cook presented the recommendation of the Planning for Elementary Growth Working Group.

The Board thanked Mr. Cook, Mr. Kimmick,and the Working Group for their hard work and dedication.

● Tentative Budget Presentation - Mr. Chris Heagele and Dr. Matthew Mingle - Dr. Mingle and Mr. Heagele presented the preliminary budget. Board members asked questions and made comments on the district’s discretionary spending.

IX. Discussion

None

X. Committee Reports

● Curriculum, Communications, and Technology Committee - No meeting

● Finance, Operations, and Security Committee - March 24, 2022 - Mrs. Zohn stated the committee met on March 24, 2022 to discuss the budget, including a discussion on the Chapter 44 health care levy adjustment. Mrs. Zohn thanked district supervisors, district office staff, and committee members for their hard work and dedication throughout the budget process. She stated that the committee recommended the adoption of the budget by the full board. Mrs. Zohn also stated that the committee discussed the progress on options for food service working group. The committee’s next meeting will be on April 11, 2022 at 5 p.m. followed by a committee open house with the public at 6 p.m.

● Personnel and Negotiations Committee - No meeting

● Ad Hoc Planning for Elementary Growth Committee - No meeting

● Ad Hoc Return to School Committee - March 23, 2022 - Dr. Mingle stated that the committee did not meet because a quorum of members was unavailable. He further stated that he did not expect a need for future meetings.

● Ad Hoc Committee on Dress Code - No meeting

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).

None

On motion by Mr. Valentino to close public commentary, seconded by Mr. Croson, the motion was approved by a 7-0 voice vote.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Dr. Mingle thanked Mrs. Sandy Dodd for her hard work in adding substitutes mid-year because of the incentive program.

Mr. Croson asked for motion B.3. be pulled for a separate vote.

On motion by Ms. Keller, seconded by Mr. Croson, the consent items A.1., B.1., B.2., C.1., through C.7., and D.1. were approved by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Ms. Keller, seconded by Mr. Brezee, motion B.3. failed by a 4-2-1 roll-call vote. (Mr. Croson and Mr. Desai voted no. Mr. Valentino 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 March 14, 2022.

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 2022 in the amount of $4,798,551.51.

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
Achau Nguyen	WS	New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages/New Jersey Bilingual Educators 2022 Spring Conference	Virtual	June 10, 2022	$399*

(* This motion supersedes the previous motion approved on February 28, 2022.)

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. Adoption of the 2022-2023 Tentative Budget

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the tentative 2022-2023 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 2022-2023 Budget
Appropriations:		Revenue:
Fund 10
Operating Budget	$45,106,168	State Aid: General Fund	$2,169,770
Deposit to Capital Reserve	$500	Tax Levy: General Fund	$42,115,485
Capital Outlay	$24,700	Other Revenues	$704,665
Summer School	$321,552	Fund Balance	$463,000
FUND 10 TOTAL	$45,452,920	FUND 10 TOTAL	$45,452,920

Fund 20
Special Revenue Appropriations	$481,972	Grants - Local	$21,000
		Grants - Federal	$460,972

Fund 40	$0	Fund 40	$0

GRAND TOTAL	$45,934,892	GRAND TOTAL	$45,934,892

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 2022-2023 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 April 25, 2022 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.

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

Adam DiPaolo

Preschool Paraprofessional

32.5 hrs

per week

08-35-08/bne

N/A

17-18

$33,823 (with stipend)

March 21, 2022 through June 30, 2022

N/A

New Position

C.2. Substitute Teachers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as substitute teachers for the 2021-2022 school year.

Name

Ethan Goldring

Crystal Kruse

Emily DelSordo

Lily Ta

C.3. Leave Request

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

Employee ID	Paid/Unpaid
#0547	FMLA - March 31, 2022 through April 8, 2022 (paid)
#1128	FMLA - August 30, 2021 through October 29, 2021 (½ day) (Paid) FMLA - October 29, 2021 (½ day) through November 19, 2021 (paid) Extended leave - November 22, 2021 through January 14, 2022 (paid) Extended Leave - January 25, 2022 through March 18, 2022 (paid) (This motion supersedes the previous motion approved on August 23, 2022)
#2277	FMLA - March 16, 2022 through April 14, 2022 (paid)

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
Sharon Carroll	School Nurse 02-30-09/ani	CS	Resignation	December 6, 2016 through June 30, 2022
Lauren Lee	Coordinator of Guidance Services 03-33-07/abk	WMS	Retirement	March 18, 2014 through June 30, 2022
Marianna Janasek	Paraprofessional 08-40-15-bet	ALT	Retirement	October 9, 1996 through June 30, 2022

C.5. Warren Academy Courses - Instructor Stipend 2021-2022

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 of $50.00 per hour.

Name	Course	Date	Prep Hours	Instructor Hours	Cost Total Not to Exceed
Elena Marinello	Double Dose	April 6, 2022	3	1	$200.00
Josephine Maccagnan	Double Dose	April 6, 2022	3	1	$200.00

C.6. Summer Fun 2022 Certificated Staff Pay Rates

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Summer Fun hourly rates as follows:

a. Teachers and Guidance Counselors - $46.35

b. Speech Teachers - $74.68

c. Nurse and Substitute Nurse - $46.35

C.7. Summer Fun 2022 Paraprofessional Staff Pay Rates

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Summer Fun paraprofessionals hourly rates as follows:

1. Paraprofessional/Substitute Paraprofessional - Adult (60+ College Credits) - $20.00
2. Paraprofessional/Substitute Paraprofessional - Adult - $16.48
3. Paraprofessional/Substitute Paraprofessional - College Student - $13.39
4. Paraprofessional/Substitute Paraprofessional - High School Student - $13.00

D. Policy

D.1. Policy – Abolish

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the abolishment of the following policy:

Number	Name	New/Revision	Source of Changes
1648.01	Quarantine For Employees Upon Return From Travel	Abolish	Committee

XIII. Unfinished Business

None

XIV. New Business

None

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;
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.

● Ms. Heather Silver, Quail Run - Spoke on the preliminary budget.

On motion by Mr. Croson to close public commentary, seconded by Mr. Desai, the motion was approved by a 7-0 voice vote.

Following public comment at 8:31 p.m., the board held a brief recess for approximately 5 minutes.

At 8:40 p.m., Mr. Brezee made an announcement to extend the recess for an additional 10 minutes.

At 8:50 p.m. the board reconvened.

On motion by Ms. Keller, seconded by Mr. Zohn, the consent item B.3. was approved by a 5-2 roll-call vote. (Mr. Croson and Mr. Desai voted no.)

XVI. Executive Session

● At 8:53 p.m. Ms. Keller 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

pending or anticipated litigation or contract or other negotiations and/or matters of attorney-client privilege

Action will not be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 20 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 Mrs. Zohn and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Ms. Keller, seconded by Mr. Valentino, the Board reconvened in open session at 9:11 p.m.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Ms. Keller, seconded by Mr. Croson, the meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Christopher Heagele

Board Secretary

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