Minutes for October 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 7:05 p.m. by the Board 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, Patricia Toubin, and Dr. Ellen Zimmerman
Absent: Susan Burman
Kathleen Winter
Dr. Gregory Przybylski arrived at 7:10 P.M.
Gina Voorhees arrived at 7:05 P.M.
Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, members of the press and public

IV. Recognitions
None

V. Minutes
Mrs. Spiller moved the following:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes of the following meeting as distributed:

September 25, 2006 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by 5-0 voice vote.

Mrs. Spiller moved the following:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes of the following meeting as distributed:

October 3, 2006 public session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Monahan and approved by 4-0-1 voice vote. (Mrs. Toubin abstained)

VI. Correspondence and Information

  • Fire Drills -– The superintendent reported the following fire drills had been held:
     
    ALT Central Mt. Horeb Woodland Middle
    September 19, 26 September 8, 26 September 18, 25 September 8, 22 September 18, 22

   
Dr. Crisfield noted that today was a successful staff in-service .

Mr. Daquila gave the following construction updates:

Central School - Addition
A temporary certificate of occupancy has been issued. The contractor is in process of obtaining the final certificate of occupancy. The contractor still needs to complete his punch list.

Central School - Gym
The wood floor has been installed and the lines have been painted. The floor still needs two additional seal coats which are being done today and should be completed by Tuesday. After the sealer’s two day drying period the wall pads and bleachers can be installed. There is a delay in the delivery of the HVAC unit. It will be installed as soon as it is delivered. He reported that he is hopeful that the gym will be available on Friday, October 20th.

ALT - Roof
The contractor has to complete his punch list.

VII. President's Remarks
Mrs. Coley commented that the board retreat was successful and that Diane Morris will attend a January BOE meeting as a follow up.

VIII. Committee Reports
Communications Committee
Mrs. Spiller noted that the BOE Committee met with the district Communications Committee to ensure the coordination of the combined goals.
Mrs. Spiller distributed a draft of the Communications Committee’s survey questions.

IX. Discussion

  • Language Arts Committee Update
    Curriculum Supervisor, Sondra Markman, and Language Arts Coordinator, Stacey Hann-Modugno, presented an update on the Language Arts Committee’s work on the curriculum and the programs that are being piloted.
  • Long Range Capital Planning Update (USA Architects)
    Andrew Adornato of USA Architects presented a facilities analysis study to the BOE.
  • 2005-2006 Quality Assurance Annual Report-QAAR (See Motion A.1.)
    Dr. Crisfield discussed the QAAR and presented it to the BOE.
  • Annual Violence and Vandalism Public Hearing -Dr. Crisfield (See Motion A.2.)
    Dr. Crisfield reviewed the summary of the Violence and Vandalism report with the BOE.
  • Assignment Plan for Certified and Non-Certified School Nurses 2005-2006 (See Motion A.3.)
    Dr. Crisfield reviewed the assignment of nurses plan. There is one nurse per school

X. Public Commentary
None

X. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)
Prior to voting Mrs. Toubin asked to pull agenda item C.8. for discussion in executive session
Mrs. Spiller moved, and Mrs. Voorhees seconded, the following as a consent agenda:
The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 7-0 role-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Quality Assurance Annual Report
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2005-2006 Q.A.A.R. for submission to the Somerset County Superintendent of Schools.

A.2. Violence and Vandalism Report
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Violence and Vandalism Report for the 2005-2006 school year.

A.3. Assignment Plan for Certified and Non-Certified School Nurses 2006-2007
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Assignment Plan for Certified and Non-Certified School Nurses for the 2006-2007 school year.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. School Alliance Insurance Fund Indemnity and Trust Renewal Agreement
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the renewal of the Board's membership in the School alliance Insurance Fund for excess liability, property, boiler and machinery, general and auto liability, and environmental impairment liability for a three year period beginning July 1, 2006 and ending July 1, 2009.

B.2 Membership in the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves membership in the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council for the five (5) year period of October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2011. The annual fee is $1,000.00.

B.3. No Child Left Behind Grant Application
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the submission of the 2006-2007 NCLB Application to the Department of Education with the following amounts:
· Title II-A $25,400.00
· Title III $11,005.00
· Title IV $ 4,163.00
· Title V $ 3,020.00

B.4. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education authorizes the school business administrator/board secretary, pursuant to policy 3326, to audit pending bills and claims, to pay qualifying bills and claims within approved budget line item amounts, and to submit those bills to the Board of Education for approval at its next regular meeting.

B.5. Warren Township Education Foundation Grants:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts, with appreciation, the following grants totaling $875 awarded by the Warren Township Education Foundation:
a) Colleen Krumm (Woodland - Grade 4) - $125 for Writer's Workshop
b) Barbara Novak (ALT - Grade 4) - $250 for Celebrate Warren's History
c) Debra Tambor (Middle - E2) - $500 for Field Trip Feasibility

B.6. Amendment of Transportation Contracts for Out of District Students
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education amend the transportation contracts for Out of District Students with Somerset County ESC for the 2006-2007 school year as follows:

Student ID # SCHOOL FROM COST TO COST
298/23 Midland/No. Branch 21,837.00 22,930.00
120483 DLC/Union 27,900.00 29,295.00

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2006-2007 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the application for emergent hiring for the following positions for the 2006-2007 school year under the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:16-1 et seq., N.J.S.A. 18A:39-17 et seq., and N.J.S.A. 6-4.14 et seq., as listed below:
a) Christina Simoes, Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, step 6, 30 hours per week with a stipend of $1,800 for a teaching certificate, effective October 21, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Ms. Simoes is replacing Suzanne Lieto who resigned.

C.2. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2006-2007 school year:
a) John Benvenuto
b) Kelly Oakes
c) Sharon Apgar
d) Kim Popik-McLeod
e) David Arnold
f) Jennifer Dawson
g) Cynthia Helmers

C.3. Per Diem Deduct Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves per diem deduct request for:
a) Pat LaMorte, Special Education Teacher, Middle School, for 1 day, February 22, 2007.
b) Michelle Roth, Classroom Paraprofessional, Woodland School, for 1 day, October 16, 2006.

C.4. Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following resignations:
a) Suzanne Lieto, Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, effective October 20, 2006.

C.5. CPR and AED Training
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Harriet Stambaugh, Nurse, Woodland School, to provide 6 hours of CPR and AED training in Middle School, October 12, 2006 at $30 per hour for a total cost to the district of $180.

C.6. Employee Leave of Absence
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves that Carrie Grapstein will be out on medical leave for a period of six to seven months effective October 30, 2006. In her absence, Sarabet Gomez will be working in the board office. Sarabet Gomez will be paid $15.00 per hour for the time worked in the board office during Carrie Grapstein’s absence.

C.7. Family Leave Request
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the Family Leave request for O'Brien Speckin, Grade 7 Math Teacher, Middle School, Family Leave (unpaid with benefits) from December 15, 2006 through February 28, 2007. Returning March 1, 2007.

C.8. After School Clubs
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following after school clubs for the 2006-07 school year and the instructors for each club at the negotiated stipend rate.
Angelo L. Tomaso School
a) Art Club - advisor Donna Pellagrino at a stipend of $650.
b) Chorus - advisor Amy Myers at a stipend of $650.
c) Computer Club - advisor Ron Rodd at a stipend of $1,300 (grades 3-5).
d) Computer Club - advisor Ron Rodd at a stipend of $1,300 (grades 1-2).
e) Homework Club - advisor Mary Beth Greco at a stipend of $650.
f) Homework & Board Games - advisor Mary Lynch at a stipend of $650.

Central School
a) Art Club - advisor Meryl Lettire at a stipend of $1,300.
b) Latin Playground - advisor Hildy Jackson at a stipend of $650.
c) Musical Theater - advisor Laura Schachman at a stipend of $650.

Mt. Horeb School
a) Chorus - advisor Mark Weber at a stipend of $1,300.
b) Computer Club - advisor Janice O'Connor at a stipend of $650.
c) Cup Stacks - advisor Shannon Zurka at a stipend of $1,300.
d) Writing Workshop - advisor Wendy Piller at a stipend of $650.
e) Art Club - advisor Susan Sage at a stipend of $650.
f) World Travelers - advisor Michele Stora de Cruz at a stipend of $650.

Woodland School
a) Homework Club - advisor Christina Beekman at a stipend of $650.
b) Library Club - advisor Nancy Darby at a stipend of $1,300.
c) Video Production - advisor Suzanne Wisher at a stipend of $1,300.

Middle School
a) Peer to Peer - advisors Susan Cooper and Robin Savage at a stipend of $1,300 each.

XII. Public Commentary
Dr. Mary Lou Cebula, Central School Principal, commented that a majority of the in-service presenters were district staff members. This is great for the district.

XIII. Old Business
None

XIV. New Business

  • Three Year School Calendar Development Process.
    Dr. Crisfield presented the current school calendar, the approved calendar for 2007/08, and a draft for 2008/09 and 2009/10. The BOE discussed the 2 drafts.

Mrs. Monahan noted that on October 22nd the Education Foundation is doing the road show.

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At 9:10 p.m. Mrs. Spiller 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
3) a matter in which release of information would impair the right to receive government funds
4) material the disclosure of which constitutes an unwarranted invasion of individual privacy
5) a collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it
6) a matter involving the purchase, lease, or acquisition of real property with public funds
7) protection of public safety and property and/or investigations of possible violations or violations of law
8) specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session
9) deliberation after a public hearing that could result in a civil penalty or other loss
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. Voorhees and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller and seconded Mrs. Voorhees, the Board reconvened in open session at 9:25 p.m.

Mrs. Voorhees questioned the possibility of a language arts coordinator position being created or the possibility of creating an assistant to the curriculum supervisor. This item will be addressed at budget time.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Dr. Przybylski and approved on a 7-0 voice vote, agenda item C-8 was approved.

Mrs. Voorhees asked if the district was going to solicit feedback on the collection of data via the web.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller and seconded by Dr. Przybylski the meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Peter Daquila, Board Secretary