Minutes for January 9, 2006History icon Archived Minutes

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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 Vice- President, Mrs. Coley. .

OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT – Mrs. Coley 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.

II.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mrs. Coley led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. ROLL CALL
Present:  Pamela Coley, Roberta Monahan, Mildred Spiller, Jay Wilpon,   Dr. Ellen Zimmerman
Absent:   Peter Fallon, John Henschel, Gina Voorhees, Kathleen Winter
Also Present:Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary and members of the public and press  

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES   Mrs. Monahan moved the following.
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes of the following meetings as printed and distributed:
December 12, 2005: Open Session
December 12, 2005: Closed Session
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Spiller and approved by unanimous voice vote.

V. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION – The superintendent reported the following fire drills had been held:

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

December 5, 14

December 19, 22

December 16, 23

December 19, 23

December 16, 19
  • Grade 8 Pilot Assessment Project - World Languages
    Middle School was accepted into the State’s 8th grade World Language pilot assessment   program for standardized tests.

VI. PRESIDENT’S REMARKS – tabled as Mrs. Voorhees was not present.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS – Mrs. Monahan reported that the Policy Committee held a kick-off meeting on January 9, 2006 to address the State’s policy changes on nutrition. 

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTARY – Members of the public expressed concern over head lice in the schools.  Dr. Crisfield stated the district’s plan to establish a baseline to combat the issue.

IX.  PRESENTATION – none
Mr. Fallon arrived at 7:25 p.m. and was marked present.

X. DISCUSSION

  • 2005-2006 Goals - Progress Report (ATTACHMENT 1 on file in the Superintendent’s office)
    Dr. Crisfield discussed the progress report on the Board & District Goals.
  • 2006-2007 Budget - Initial Draft
    Mr. Wilpon spoke briefly on the initial budget from the Finance Committee’s perspective of putting together the budget draft.

    Dr. Crisfield distributed a hand out summary of the initial budget and discussed budget issues and primary cost drivers of the budget.  No word yet on State aid, budget cap and S1701.

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)
Mrs. Fallon moved, and Mrs. Monahan seconded the following as a consent agenda.  The consent agenda was approved by unanimous role-call vote.

A. Education

A.1.Out-of-District Tuition Adjustment Increase
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the tuition adjustment increase for one out of district student (ID #0000251) attending Cherokee Creek Boys School from $3,937.50 per month to $4,437.50 per month effective January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2006.

A.2.Home Instruction
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID #0000286) to receive 10 hours per week of home instruction for four weeks beginning December 20, 2005.  Cost to district will be $1,200.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills (Attachment 2)
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the partial payment of bills for December 2005 (Check Numbers 020722-020884) in the amount of $2,805,207.51.  The Board previously approved December payments (12/12/05) in the amount of $174,471.39.

B.2. Board Secretary & Treasurer’s Reports – November 2005 (Attachment 3)
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the attached reports of the secretary and treasurer for the month of November 2005, and

WHEREAS, these reports show the following balances on November 30, 2005:

FUND CASH BALANCE APPROPRIATION BALANCE FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund $1,364,956.14   $678,873.29
     (11) Current  Expense   $1,493,475.95  
     (12) Capital Outlay   $121,393.76  
     (13) Special Schools   $809.43  
     Capital Reserve     $110,897.79
(20) Special Revenue Fund ($191,326.20) $47,519.58 $0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund $492,179.50 $753,464.54 $227,005.47
(40) Debt Service Fund $157,311.93 $0.50 $0.68
TOTAL $1,823,121.37 $2,416,663.76 $1,016,777.23

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.4. Camp Invention 2006 (Attachment 5)
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the attached agreement for the use of Woodland School for Camp Invention scheduled for the week of July 31 through August 4, 2006.

B.5. FirstEnergy Corporation NJ Math Science & Technology Education Grant
RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts with appreciation the FirstEnergy Corporation NJ Math Science & Technology Education Grant awarded to Susan Cooper in the amount of $484.

B.7. Long Term Substitute Teacher Pay
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an increase in the daily rate of pay for long term substitute teachers from $105 a day to $150 a day effective January 1, 2006.

C.Personnel/Student Services

C.1.Summer Fun Principal 2006
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Meryl Lettire as Summer Fun Principal for the summer of 2006 at a salary of $7,000.

C.2.Amendments on Salary Guide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following amendment on the teachers negotiated salary guide effective December 1, 2005:
Katherine Boraski to BA+15

C.3.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.

Angelo L. Tomaso School
Homework Help Club - Grades 3-5 - One hour once per week, for fifteen weeks beginning January 30, 2006 through May 22, 2006, instructor will be Mary Beth Greco.
Computer Club - Grades 1-3 - One hour, once per week, for fifteen weeks beginning February 6, 2006 through May 30, 2006, instructor will be Ron Rodd.

Central School
Computer Club - Grade 3 - One hour, once per week, for fifteen weeks beginning January 4, 2006 through June 7, 2006, instructor will be Susan Leonard.

C.4.Independent Consultant
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the employment of Judy Armus as Speech Specialist/Consultant for student (ID #0120295) for two hours per week and one hour per month for consultation beginning January 4, 2006.  Cost to district will be $4,290.

C.5.Home Instructor
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Catherine Lazas to act as a home instructor for the 2005-2006 school year.

C.6.Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2005-2006 school year:
a) Alice Morgan (Mrs. Morgan is a Classroom Paraprofessional)

C.7.Per Diem Deduct Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves per diem deduct request for Donna Fitzgerald, Multi Duty Para, Central School, for 5 days, March 20 - 24, 2006 (chaperoning a class trip to Florida).

D.Policy

D.1.Regulation #1250 - Visits to the Schools (Attachment 6)
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first reading of the attached new Regulation #1250 entitled Visits to the Schools.

D.2.Regulation #5113 - Absences and Excuses (Attachment 7)
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first reading of the attached new Regulation #5113 - Absences and Excuses.
After voting on their consent agenda the board discussed the following:

B.6. Contract Amendment: USA Architects
Mr. Fallon asked for details and information on item B-6.  Dr. Crisfield explained and clarified the revision of architect expenses in item B-6.
It was moved by Mr. Fallon, seconded by Mrs. Monahan and the Board unanimously approved the following modifications to its contracts with USA Architects:

Project

Current Status

Amendment

Reason

Central School Addition & Renovations – South Wing

$1,200/month for extended construction supervision during 9/2005 to 2/2006

$1,200/month for extended construction supervision during 3/2006 & 4/2006

Project completion extended to 4/30/2006

Roof Replacement ALT School

Project fee: $37,800

$1,500 for additional services

Project extended one year, additional roof areas added, actual value of project  35% more than estimated

Central School Renovations (Phase 2)

Project fee: $140,000

Project Fees:

Phase 2A - $70,000

Phase 2B - $141,500

Construction work has been divided into two projects increasing the scope of the architects work.

B.3. Watchung Hills Regional High School Referendum Materials (Attachment 4)
Mrs. Monahan discussed item B-3 and reasons for distributing the WHRHS fact sheet.  She suggested a cover letter to state that the Warren Township BOE was requested to distribute the letter.  The Board then discussed the issue of distributing high school information via the K-8 schools.

It was moved by Mr. Wilpon and seconded by Dr. Zimmerman that the Board of Education approves distribution of the attached Watchung Hills High Regional School Referendum fact sheet and absentee ballot to K-8 households via student backpacks.  The motion failed by a 3-1 vote with 2 abstentions due to legal counsel recommendation.

XII.Public Commentary
Margie Bultman, President of the WTEA, spoke regarding passing of the 06-07 budget and wants to support the process.  She expressed belief that it was very important that the budget pass.

XIII.Old Business
Mr. Fallon asked for an update of the Central School construction.  Dr. Crisfield provided an update indicating a current contractual completion date of March 1, 2006.
Mrs. Coley mentioned the issue of televising the board meetings brought up by Mary Ellen Flory.  Meetings to discuss the matter have been scheduled but not attended by John Runfalo.

XIV.New Business

  • Annual Architect and Attorney Review - Scheduled for January 23, 2006.
    Dr. Crisfield mentioned the annual review of architect and attorney is scheduled for January 23, 2006.
  • Summer Fridays
    Dr. Crisfield wants to meet with the principal of Summer Fun before discussing the matter.

Mrs. Monahan mentioned that the Warren Township Education Foundation Bicentennial is sponsoring its annual Valentines dance on February 11, 2006 at Forest Lodge.

XII.EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 8:45 p.m. Mr. Wilpon 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) a matter rendered confidential by federal or state law
2) pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiation and/or matters of attorney-client privilege
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. Monahan and approved by unanimous voice vote.
The Board reconvened in open session at 9:09 p.m.

XV. ADJOURNMENT:   On motion by Mrs. Spiller and seconded by Mrs. Monahan the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Peter Daquila, Board Secretary