Warren Township Schools: Minutes for October 3, 2022

Minutes for October 3, 2022 Archived Minutes

A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day at the Warren Middle School, 100 Old Stirling Road, Warren, NJ. 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, Laura Keller, Todd Weinstein, Patricia Zohn and David Brezee

Absent: Lisa DiMaggio and Ryan Valentino

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

Mehul Desai arrived at 7:07 p.m.

IV. Minutes

● Ms. Keller moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the September 19, 2022 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Croson and approved by a 6-0 roll-call vote.

V. Correspondence and Information

● Dr. Mingle reported on correspondence and suspensions.

· HIB Information

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

· Suspension Report

In School:			Out of School:
	0			2

· Fire Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
September 9	September 2	September 8	September 8	September 8

· Security Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
September 7	September 9	September 14	September 14	September 12
Lockdown	Lockdown	Lockdown	Lockdown	Lockdown

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
September 16	September 14	September 8	September 9	September 14
Bus Evacuation	Bus Evacuation	Bus Evacuation	Bus Evacuation	Bus Evacuation

VI. President's Remarks – Mr. David Brezee

● Mr. Brezee welcomed new full-time and substitute staff members to Warren Township Schools.

VII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Dr. Matthew Mingle

● Dr. Mingle noted that yesterday was National Custodian’s Day. He commended our custodial staff for the good work that they perform for our district each day.

● Dr. Mingle addressed a recent letter circulating in the community which included several misstatements about the Warren Township School District health curriculum.

VIII. Presentation

None

IX. Discussion

None

X. Committee Reports

● Curriculum, Communications, and Technology Committee - September 19, 2022

○ Laura Keller - Chair, Mark Bisci, Daniel Croson, Lisa DiMaggio:

Mrs. Keller reported that the committee met on September 17. The committee discussed revisions to report cards and the committee’s goals for the current school year. The committee’s goals are on the agenda for approval tonight.

● Finance, Operations, and Security Committee - No meeting

○ Patricia Zohn - Chair, Mark Bisci, David Brezee, Ryan Valentino

● Personnel and Negotiations Committee - August 29, 2022

○ Todd Weinstein - Chair, Mehul Desai, Laura Keller:

Mr. Weinstein reported that the personnel committee met on August 29 to discuss job

descriptions and the upcoming Warren Township Administrators Association (WTAA) negotiations.

● Ad Hoc Planning for Elementary Growth Committee - September 22, 2022

○ Mark Bisci, Laura Keller, Todd Weinstein:

Mrs. Keller reported that the committee met on September 22. Mrs. Keller gave the public a brief review of activities to date, which ended in a recommendation to the board to approve a revision to the attendance zones. At its most recent meeting, the committee reviewed the new attendance zones, which are preliminary at this time. Additional findings of the committee will be communicated to the public in the near future.

Mr. Mehul Desai arrived at 7:07 p.m.

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 Mrs. Zohn to close public commentary, seconded by Mr. Weinstein, the motion was approved by a 7-0 voice vote.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Dr. Mingle commented that two additional staff members will attend the New Jersey School Board Association Workshop. Warren Township is making a presentation on Covid collaboration at Warren Township Schools (Motion B.1.).

On motion by Ms. Keller, seconded by Mrs. Zohn, the consent items A.1. through A.3., B.1., C.1. through C.15., and D.1., were approved by a 7-0 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 September 19, 2022.

A.2. School Safety Data System (SSDS) Summary Report

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the SSDS Summary Report submitted by the Superintendent for the Report Periods 1 and 2 of the 2021-2022 school year.

A.3. Curriculum Committee Goals

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Curriculum, Communications, and Technology Committee goals for the 2022-2023 School

Year:

● Support the implementation of year three strategic plan priorities that focus on Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology:

○ Student Achievement

■ Prioritize social emotional learning as a foundational component of academic growth and success.

○ Belonging

■ Increase staff capacity to understand and engage with equity issues in order to support staff and students.

■ Create a culture that values belonging and community.

■ Incorporate student voice in the concept of belonging.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. 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
Nancy Andrews	WS	New Jersey School Board Association Workshop 2022	Atlantic City	Oct 24 - 25, 2022	$297
Jeffrey Heaney	WS	New Jersey School Board Association Workshop 2022	Atlantic City	Oct 24 - 25, 2022	$344

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.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2022-2023 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
Ivonne Aviles	School Bus Driver 7 hrs 12-00-24/aqx	Transportation	N/A	N/A	$31,850	On or about October 10, 2022 through June 30, 2023 (Pending Pre-employment Post-offer Testing)	No	To replace employee #3454
Josue Villatoro-Reyes	Custodian 04-35-10/ajg	MH	N/A	N/A	$41,600	On or about October 4, 2022 through June 30, 2023 (Pending Pre-employment Post-offer Testing)	No	To replace employee #3544
Dormi Borrayes	Custodian 04-35-10/apz	MH	N/A	N/A	$43,680	On or about October 12, 2022 through June 30, 2023 (Pending Pre-employment Post-offer Testing)	No	To replace employee #3431

C.2. Substitute Teachers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as substitute teachers for the 2022-2023 school year.

Name

Constance VanArsdale

Laura Lofling

Barbara Savage (Nurse)

C.3. Leave Request

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

Employee ID	Paid/Unpaid
#3059	FMLA - January 23, 2023 through February 17, 2023 (paid) FMLA - February 20, 2023 through March 24, 2023 (unpaid) NJFLA - March 27, 2023 through June 30, 2023
#2529	FMLA - February 27, 2023 through May 5, 2023 (paid) NJFLA - May 8, 2023 through June 30, 2023
#0095	FMLA - October 24, 2022 through on or about January 23, 2023 (paid)
#2058*	FMLA - August 29, 2022 through on or about October 16, 2022 (paid)
#2714	FMLA - October 6, 2022 through October 7, 2022 (paid) FMLA - October 10, 2022 through October 14, 2022 (unpaid)

*(This motion supersedes previous motion from August 29, 2022)

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

Alicia Freidinger

Preschool Paraprofessional

30 hrs

08-35-08/bnt

Resignation

August 29, 2022 through October 21, 2022

Thomas Ronkowitz

Custodian

04-35-10/apz

Resignation

October 26, 2020 through October 20, 2022

C.5. WTEA Stipend Position 2022-2023

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following WTEA stipend position per the contracted rate for the 2022-2023 school year:

Club/Activity	Name
Yearbook Advisor	Jamie Einiger

*(This motion supersedes previous motion from July 18, 2022.)

C.6. Employment Rescission

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education rescinds the appointment of Maria Trochez as School Bus Driver for Warren Township Schools effective September 21, 2022.

C.7. Long Term Substitutes

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

Name	Effective Date	Replacing Employee #
*Kathryn Magnier	On or about August 29, 2022 through on or about October 17, 2022	#2058

*(This motion supersedes previous motion from August 29, 2022)

C.8. After School Activities/Clubs

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2022-2023 after school activities/clubs, and the instructors for each, at the negotiated stipend rate. *(This motion supersedes previous motion from September 19, 2022)

C.9. Crisis Prevention Intervention Repeat/Refresher Training Instructor Stipend

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff as Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Instructor. Each staff member will be reimbursed at the WTEA contract rate $50.00 per hour. For a total cost shall not exceed $1,200.00.

Course

Staff Members

Date

First Offering Prep hours

Instructor Hours

Total Cost

CPI Initial Training

Jessica Decelle and

Rebecca Hartman

10/11/2022

6 hours each

Within contract day paid for prep only

$600.00

CPI Refresher Training

Jessica Decelle

and

Rebecca Hartman

11/7-8/2022

6 hours each

Within contract day paid for prep only

$600.00

C.10. October Inservice Facilitators

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for their participation in the October Inservice as Course Facilitators at the WTEA contractual rate for prep and delivery per employee, for a total cost not to exceed $11,000.00.

Names
Danielle Buzby	Cynthia Cassidy	Susan Sage
Catherine Lazas	Kristen Stoyanov	Marissa Marton Sarao
John Tshilas	Beatrice Schwarzkopf	Alyssa Pech
Andrew Ahimovic	Timothy Fabiano	Cheryl Plager
Nancy Andrews	Michele Wolkun	Lauren Rowling
Lyndsay Carroll	Patricia Iannacone	Lisa Carlson
Lauren Floroff	Lisa Lontai	Carol Brown
Lauren Valera	Julie Costa	Kim Bostory
Simone Miller	Francesca Frosoni	Kathy Boraski
Martha Mendez	Jan Brennan	Justina Thomson
Myranda Shimko	Michelle Zgombic	Sarah Kolesar
Christine Cirrotti	Susan Cooper	Rebecca Sutherland
Kelly Stankiewicz	Jennifer Ronkiewicz	Sean Convery

C.11. Virtual English Language Learner Parent Information Nights - Staff

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following employees for their participation in the three ELL Parent Information Nights at the WTEA contractual rate of $50 per hour per employee, for a total cost not to exceed $2,000.00 fully funded using ESEA Title III. Dates TBA.

Names
Minelli De Matos	Achau Nguyen
Paula Williams	Lauren Valera

C.12. Approval to Create Position

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves to create the following position for 2022-2023 school year:

Location

Position

Full-Time Equivalent

Classroom Paraprofessional

08-50-08/bnx

30 hrs per week

C.13. Warren Middle School Musical

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following personnel in support of the Warren Middle School production:

Name	Position	Cost
Kelly Backus	Choreographer	$1,470
Michael Gasko	Assistant Director	$1,470

C.14. Warren Academy Courses - Instructor Stipend 2022-2023

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.

Staff Members	Course	Date	Prep Hours	Instructor Hours	Cost Total Not to Exceed
Francesca Frosoni	All About Reading Workshop	10/13 and 10/25, 2022	1	1	$100.00
Michelle Zgombic	Classroom Management During Online Instruction	10/18-19/2022	4	2	$300.00
Francesca Frosoni	Alternate Observation	10/18/2022	3	1	$200.00
Cynthia Cassidy	Digital Resources to Engage and Challenge	10/18/2022	1	1	$100.00
Cynthia Cassidy	Making ClassLink Work For You	10/20/2022	3	1	$200.00

C.15. Long Term Substitute

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

Name	Effective Date	Replacing Employee #
Crystal Kruse	October 24, 2022 through on or about January 23, 2023	#0095

D. Policy

D.1. Policies/Regulations – Second Reading

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the second reading of the following policy and regulation:

Number	Name	New/Revision	Source of Changes
P2425	Emergency Virtual or Remote Instruction Program	R	SEA
R2425	Emergency Virtual or Remote Instruction Program	R	SEA

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;

None

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

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Zohn, seconded by Mr. Croson, the meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Christopher Heagele

Board Secretary