Minutes for November 28, 2005History icon Archived Minutes

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MINUTES – REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING
Monday, November 28, 2005
7:00 p.m.

A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Board of Education Administration Building, Mt. Horeb Road. The following is a record of that meeting.

I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Board of Education President Gina Voorhees.

II. OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT – Mrs. Voorhees read the following statement:

In accordance with the provisions New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law, the Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be posted in the Board Office and in the Township Office, mailed to the Courier News and Echoes Sentinel, and filed with the Clerk of the Township of Warren.

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mrs. Voorhees led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

IV. ROLL CALL

Present: Pamela Coley, Roberta Monahan, Mildred Spiller,   Gina Voorhees, Jay Wilpon, Kathleen Winter,

Absent: Peter Fallon, John Henschel, Dr. Ellen Zimmerman

Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, superintendent, Steve Gillingham, school business administrator/board secretary, public and press.

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  Mrs. Coley moved the following.

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes of the following meetings as printed and distributed:

November 14, 2005: Open Session
November 14, 2005: Closed Session

 The motion was seconded by Mrs. Monahan and approved by voice vote with Mrs. Winter abstaining.

Mr. Fallon arrived at 7:08 p.m. and was marked present.

Dr. Zimerman arrived at 7:12 p.m. and was marked present.

Mr. Henschel rrived at 7:15 p.m. and was marked present.

VI. AWARD PRESENTATION – The Board honored the Warren Middle School Quiz Bowl Team which had recently won a prestigious competition.

VII. DISCUSSION – The Board heard reports and discussed the following:

· Social Studies Curriculum (S. Markman)
· Audit (S. Gillingham)
· After School Activities (J. Crisfield)

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTARY – Members of the public joined the Board’s discussion of after school activities

 IX. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Mrs. Coley moved the following as a consent agenda:

A. Education

A.2. K-8 Social Studies Curriculum
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the revised K-8 Social Studies Curriculum as presented and filed in the office of the superintendent.

A.3. Professional Development Plan
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the revised Professional Development Plan for the 2005-2006 school year.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Acceptance Of Audit For The School Year 2004-2005
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has engaged the firm of Dickinson, Vrabel, & Cassells, P.A., Denville, New Jersey, to audit the district’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 in compliance with N.J.S.A.18A:23-1 et seq, and,

WHEREAS, this audit has been completed and the CAFR filed with the State Department of Education and submitted to the Warren Township Board of Education along with a synopsis of the audit report and recommendations, which synopsis and recommendations are available for public review, and,

WHEREAS, pertinent results of operations during the 2004-2005 school year are:

REVENUES

Budget

Actual

Local Sources

 $27,112,120

 $27,155,976

State Sources

 $2,027,556

 $3,800,224
TOTAL

 $29,139,676

 $30,956,200

EXPENDITURES

    

Regular Instruction

 $10,175,130

 $10,176,630

Special Education

 $2,663,166

 $2,661,551

Other Instruction

 $932,754

 $932,333

Undistributed Expenditures

 $13,975,649

 $15,580,643

Capital Outlay

 $638,441

 $557,871

Special Schools

 $121,391

 $120,803

Charter Schools

 $8,100

 $0
TOTAL

 $28,514,631

 $30,029,831

OTHER SOURCES/USES

    

Transfer from Capital Projects

 $0

 $19,378

Transfer to Capital Projects

 ($1,950,000)

 ($1,950,000)
EXCESS (DEFICIENCY)

 ($1,324,955)

 ($1,004,253)
     

Fund Balance July 1, 2004

 $2,318,248

$2,318,248

     

Fund Balance June 30, 2005

 $993,293

$1,313,995

     

Analysis of Fund Balance

Reserved

    

Encumbrances

   $72,510

Excess Surplus

   $7,492

Capital Reserve Account

   $110,898

Unreserved

    

Budgeted for 2005-2006

   $451,714

Undesignated/Unreserved

   $671,381
TOTAL

   $1,313,995

now therefore be it,

RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby accepts the report, notes the following recommendations, and directs that appropriate corrective action be taken:

Recommendations

1.  Districts should reference The Uniform Minimum Chart of Accounts for New Jersey Public Schools, 2003 Edition and other available reference materials, such as the Budget Guidelines for the proper classifications required to be in compliance with N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.2(g)

2.  County Superintendent approval should be requested for any transfer from an advertised appropriation account as defined under  N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-2(d) which is cumulatively more that 10 percent of that amount and for all transfers to Capital Outlay line items except for equipment. The district should maintain documentation that substantiates the request was received by the county superintendent when written approval is not received.

Corrective Action

The Uniform Minimum Chart of Accounts for New Jersey Public Schools, 2003 Edition and other available reference materials, such as the Budget Guidelines will be used to ascertain the proper classifications required to be in compliance with N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.2(g).

County Superintendent approval will be requested for any transfer from an advertised appropriation account as defined under  N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-2(d) which is cumulatively more that 10 percent of that amount and for all transfers to Capital Outlay line items except for equipment. The district will maintain documentation that substantiates the request was received by the county superintendent when written approval is not received.
   

3.  That greater care be utilized in the approval of free milk applications.

Persons responsible for the review and approval of free milk applications will be provided with additional training
   

4.  That the written procedures developed by the Board for the recording of student enrollment data be fully implemented to ensure reporting errors do not occur.

The written procedures developed by the Board for the recording of student enrollment data will be fully implemented to ensure reporting errors do not occur.

B.2. Budget Transfers for Month of October 2005

RESOLVED, the Board of Education ratifies the following transfers between budget line items that have been approved by the Superintendent of Schools and reported to them pursuant to Policy 3160:

FROM

TO

AMOUNT

11-000-100-562-08-01

11-000-218-390-08-00

 2,000.00
 

11-000-218-390-11-01

 5,000.00
 

11-000-219-390-08-00

 2,000.00
 

11-000-230-339-01-00

 10,000.00
 

11-213-100-610-08-00

 2,000.00
 

11-230-100-101-00-00

 16,000.00
    37,000.00
     

11-000-217-320-08-00

11-000-230-331-01-00

 8,000.00
 

11-000-262-100-09-00

 1,800.00
 

11-000-262-420-09-41

 20,000.00
 

11-000-262-520-01-00

 17,000.00
 

11-000-291-270-00-00

 15,000.00
 

11-213-100-101-00-00

 6,700.00
 

13-422-100-101-00-00

 1,300.00
 

13-422-100-500-00-00

 400.00
 

13-422-100-610-00-00

 300.00
    70,500.00
     

11-000-291-220-00-00

11-000-221-102-00-00

 2,500.00
 

11-000-230-104-01-00

 4,000.00
 

11-000-240-105-00-00

 5,000.00
 

11-000-262-100-00-00

 6,800.00
 

11-120-100-101-00-01

 7,600.00
 

11-204-100-101-00-00

 18,500.00
 

11-213-100-106-00-00

 20,000.00
    64,400.00
     

11-000-219-104-00-01

11-000-219-104-00-00

 9,500.00

11-000-270-518-10-00

11-000-270-515-10-00

 47,000.00

11-000-251-600-01-00

11-000-251-800-01-00

 300.00

11-000-222-600-06-13

11-000-222-600-06-12

 250.00

11-000-261-610-09-07

11-000-262-340-09-00

 5,000.00

B.3. Payment of Bills (ATTACHMENT 3)
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves payment of the attached bills (Check Numbers 020165, 020208, 020265, 020426, 0202443, 020446-020602) in the amount of $2,593,336.46

B.4. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the Reports of the secretary and treasurer for the month of October 2005, and

FUND CASH BALANCE APPROPRIATION BALANCE FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund $706,055.87   $678,873.29
 (11) Current  Expense $1,720,374.31  
 (12) Capital Outlay $124,793.76  
 (13) Special Schools $809.43  
 Capital Reserve     $110,897.79
(20) Special Revenue Fund ($132,883.41) $53,589.77 $0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund $493,465.00 $889,646.75 $227,005.47
(40) Debt Service Fund $157,311.93 $0.50 $0.68
TOTAL $1,223,949.39 $2,789,214.52 $1,016,777.23

WHEREAS, these reports show the following balances on October 31, 2005:

and

WHEREAS, in compliance with N.J.A.C.6:20-2A.10(d) 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 referenced reports and certifications and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, in compliance with N.J.A.C.6:20-2A.10(e), 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 N.J.A.C.6:20-2A.10(a)(1), and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of the year.

B.5. Central School PTO Donation
RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts with appreciation a gift from Central School PTO of microscopes at a cost of $2,350.

B.6. Disposal of Vehicle
RESOLVED, the Board of Education authorizes the disposal of a 1987 Chevrolet van at no cost to the district.

B.7. Award of Contract For Replacement of Toilet Room Fixtures at Middle School
WHEREAS, On March 15, 2005, the Board of Education received bids for the replacement of toilet fixtures at Warren Middle School, and

WHEREAS, the bids were opened and read aloud with the following results:

L.G. II Co., Inc

Cedar Grove

 $169,506

Parkis Construction

Bloomfield

 $173,499

Grafas-GPC

Millburn

 $181,000

Hilt Construction Inc

Monmouth Junction

 $182,000

A.B. Designs Contracting

Summit

 $183,700

SBN Enterprises

Toms River

 $190,000

C & E Contracting

Boonton

 $208,900

Arco Construction Group

Elizabeth

 $212,000

G Pacillo Contracting

Hillside

 $225,878

Competitive Plumbing & Heating

Bound Brook

 $49,500 N/A
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, the Board of Education awards a contract for replacement of toilet fixtures at Warren Middle School to the low bidder, L.G. II Co., Inc, Cedar Grove

B.8. Middle School Toilet Rooms Renovation Project Funding
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the transfer of $120,000 from Capital Reserve to Fund 30 in support of the Middle School Toilet Rooms Renovation Project.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. After School Clubs
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the continuation of the following after school clubs for the 2005-06 school year and the instructors for each club at the negotiated stipend rate.

Mt. Horeb School
a) Culture Club - Grades 2-3 - One hour and 30 minutes, twice per week, for twenty sessions beginning January 23, 2006 through April 3, 2006, instructor will be Michele Stora de Cruz.
b) Sports Club - Grades 4-5- One hour twice per week 8 weeks beginning January 3, 2006 through February 26, 2006, instructor will be Gina Vintalore.
c) Homework Club - Grades 3-5 - One hour, twice per week, 8 weeks beginning January 2, 2005 through February 27, 2006, instructor will be Gina Vintalore.
d) Fit Club - Grades 3-5 - One hour, twice per week, 8 weeks beginning January 2, 2005 through February 27, 2006, instructor will be Gina Vintalore
e) H.E.A.L.T.H. Club - Grades 4-5 - One hour, twice per week, 8 weeks beginning January 3, 2005 through February 28, 2006, instructor will be Gina Vintalore

C.2. Resignation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts with appreciation for her years of service to the children of Warren, the resignation of Clarissa Wagner, Multi Duty Paraprofessional, Woodland School, effective January 1, 2006.

C.3. Substitute Teachers (ATTACHMENT 6)
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2005-2006 school year:
a) Lori Vigiotti

D. Policy
D.1. Regulation 5131 Conduct/Discipline
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the second reading of revised Policy 5131 entitled Conduct/Discipline

The motion was seconded by Mr. Wilpon and the consent agenda approved by unanimous roll-call vote.

Mr. Wilpon then moved the following:

A.1. Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission Contract for the 2005-2006 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a contract with the Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission for the provision of special education services, as needed, during the 2005-2006 school year.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Coley and approved by voice vote with Mr. Fallon, Mr. Henschel, and Mrs. Winter opposed.

Mrs. Monahan then moved the following:

A.4. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves substitute teacher pay and conditions of employment as per the attached "Substitute Rates of Compensation" dated 11/28/05.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Fallon and approved by roll-call vote with Mr. Fallon opposed.

XII PUBLIC COMMENTARY

XIII  OLD BUSINESS: The Board discussed the use of school facilities by the recreation commission, community organizations, and other members of the public.

XV.  EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 9:25 p.m. Mrs. Winter 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

RESOLVED, the Board of Education adjourns to closed session to discuss:

1)  specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session, 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. Spiller and approved by unanimous voice vote.

The Board reconvened in open session at 9:50 p.m. and discussed the process for developing a budget for the 2006-2007 school year and strategies for winning voter approval.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Steve Gillingham, Board Secretary