Warren Township Schools

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The Warren Township Board of Education met in public session on Monday, December 8, 2003 at 6:35 P.M. in the Angelo L. Tomaso School.

I. CALL TO ORDER AND STATEMENT OF PRESIDING OFFICER
Re: Chapter 231 P.L. 1975
Board President Mr. Fallon called the meeting to order and read the following statement:
The adequate notice of this special meeting as required by the Open Public Meetings Act was provided by the posting, mailing/delivery, and filing of the notice on October 14, 2003. The notice was on that date posted on the bulletin Board in the Township Office, faxed/mailed to the Courier News and the Echoes Sentinel, and filed with the Warren Township Clerk, all in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Fallon led the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. ROLL CALL
Present: Mr. Brenn, Mrs. Beninati, Mrs. Coley, Mr. Fallon, and Mrs. Monahan
Absent: Mr. Henschel (arrived at 7:33 P.M.)
Mrs. Voorhees (arrived at 6:40 P.M.)
Dr. Zimmerman (arrived at 6:50 P.M.)
Mr. Wilpon
Also Present: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Parenty, and School Business Administrator Dr. James Crisfield

IV. MINUTES
November 24, 2003, Public & Private Session
On motion by Mrs. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Brenn and approved 4-0-1, the Board approved the public and private session minutes for the November 24, 2003, Board meeting. (Mrs. Beninati abstained.)

V. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
Fire Drills

A.L.T. Central Mt. Horeb Woodland Middle
11/14/03
11/17/03 11/03/03
11/21/03 1103/03
11/21/03 11/03/03
11/21/03 11/11/03
11/24/03
Mr. Fallon noted the November 2003 fire drills for the record.

VI. PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
Mr. Fallon read a statement of thanks and praise for Dr. Parenty’s 5 ½ years of service as Superintendent of Schools in Warren.

Mrs. Voorhees arrived at this point in the meeting (6:40 P.M.)

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr. Fallon noted that the Land Committee is moving forward with efforts to identify a parcel of land for possible donation to the Board of Education for future needs.

VIII. Presentation
ALT Tour and Student Presentation
Dr. Zimmerman arrived at this point in the meeting (6:50 P.M.).

Ms. Kline’s REACH students presented a simulation of a day in ancient Egypt.

Tomaso School Principal, Mr. Mike Gallina, led the Board on tour of ALT School.

IX. DISCUSSION
Professional Development Plan (Refer to Motion C.3.) (Attachment 1)
Dr. Parenty highlighted key aspects of the plan for the Board.

Highly Qualified Teacher Summary Report (Attachment 2)
Dr. Parenty discussed the report with the Board and noted that all Warren teachers are expected to meet the standards by the required deadline.

X. PUBLIC COMMENTARY ON ACTION ITEMS
Nancy Levine expressed concerns about communication between home and school during the recent early dismissal due to snow. Dr. Parenty and Dr. Crisfield discussed measures taken to ensure the safety of all Warren students on that day.

XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
See later in meeting

Mr. Henschel arrived at this point in the meeting (7:33 P.M.).

Dr. Zimmerman moved to approve a resolution (see attached, Mrs. Voorhees seconded) of appreciation in honor of Dr. Patrick Parenty, which was read aloud by Mr. Fallon and approved by the Board via an 8-0 roll call vote.

XII. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION
The Board identified its consent agenda and took action as follows:
On motion by Mrs. Voorhees, seconded by Mr. Henschel and approved 8-0 on roll call, the Board approved the consent agenda. Consent items are so noted below.

A. EDUCATION/TECHNOLOGY/STUDENT SERVICES
A.1. Morris Union Jointure Commission Evaluation Services
Approved the use of the Morris Union Jointure Commission for behavior management services during the 2003-04 school year at a rate of $139.00 per hour. - Consent 8-0

B. FINANCE/OPERATIONS/TRANSPORTATION
B.1. December 2003 Bill List
Approved the release of payments on 12/30/03 against the December 2003 bill list, which will be approved retroactively at the first BOE meeting in January. - Consent 8-0

B.2. PEACE Grant
Approved the acceptance of a PEACE grant from the Somerset County United Way in the amount of $2,000.00 to be used for the purchase of Discipline Without Stress, Punishment, or Reward books district-wide. - Consent 8-0

B.3. Appropriation Transfers (Attachment 3)
Approved the attached list of appropriation transfers for the 2003-04 school year, dated 11/26/03 (including a transfer of $400,000 from unreserved fund balance into the general fund for the upcoming Central School Remote Parking Lot Project).- Consent 8-0

B.4. PTO Activities (Attachment 4)
Prior to voting, Mrs. Monahan asked why this is being done. Dr. Crisfield explained that formal BOE approval of the PTO activities further clarifies that the activities will fall under the Board’s liability insurance coverage policies.
Approved the attached list of PTO activities for the 2003-04 school year. - Consent 8-0

Prior to voting on items B.5., B.6., and B.7., Mrs. Coley asked if any of these three projects would be financed with lease-purchasing (Dr. Crisfield indicated that they would not).

B.5. Central School South Wing Expansion Project
Approved the following resolution:
Be it resolved that the Warren Township Board of Education hereby approves the educational specifications and schematic plans for the proposed additions to Central School’s South Wing, dated 12/8/03; and be it further resolved that the Board authorizes its architect of record, USA Architects, to forward the educations specifications and schematic plans, for the school project listed above, to the State of New Jersey for review and approval. - Consent 8-0

Finance/Operations/Transportation (cont.)

B.6. Middle School Roof Replacement Project (Part II)
Approved the following resolution:
Be it resolved that the Warren Township Board of Education hereby approves the schematic plans and drawings for the Middle School Roof Replacement Project (Part II), dated 12/8/03; and be it further resolved that the Board authorizes its architect of record, USA Architects, to forward the schematic plans and drawings, for the school project listed above, to the State of New Jersey for review and approval. - Consent 8-0

B.7. Central School Remote Parking Lot Project
Approved the following resolution:
Be it resolved that the Warren Township Board of Education hereby approves the schematic plans and drawings for the proposed Central School Remote Parking Lot Project, dated 12/8/03; and be it further resolved that the Board authorizes its architect of record, USA Architects, to forward the schematic plans and drawings, for the school project listed above, to the State of New Jersey for review and approval. - Consent 8-0

PERSONNEL/STUDENT SERVICES
C.1. Employment (Attachment 5)
Approval of application for emergent hiring for the following position for the 2003-2004 school year under the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:16-1 et seq. N.J.S.A. 18A:3917 et seq., N.J.S.A. 18A-6-4.13 et seq., as listed below: - Consent 8-0
a. Philip Quaschnik, Substitute Teacher
b. Jane Brown, Substitute Teacher

C.2. Resignation
Accepted the resignation of Philip Jones, Mt. Horeb Classroom Para, effective January 16, 2004. - Consent 8-0

C.3. Professional Development Plan
Approved the Warren Township Schools' Professional Development Plan dated December 2, 2003, and submitted to the Somerset County Department of Education November 19, 2003.
- Consent 8-0

C.4. After School Club
Approved Michele Stora deCruz as supervisor for Mt. Horeb School Culture Club, twice each week, beginning January 7, 2004 for a total of 30 sessions. - Consent 8-0

C.5. Amendment of Family Leave Dates
Approved the amended dates of Family Leave for Lauren Stephen as follows: - Consent 8-0
December 9, 2003 through March 9, 2004 (unpaid, with benefits). Thirty-four sick days will be used. Child rearing leave (unpaid, without benefits) will commence March 10, 2004 through June 30, 2004. (Mrs. Stephen originally planned to leave December 12.)

C.6. Amendment of Contract
Approved the amended contract for Kerry Castles, Mt. Horeb Grade 1 teacher, from a starting date of December 15, 2003 to December 8, 2003. - Consent 8-0

C.7. Per Diem Deduct Request
Approved December 23, 2003 as a per diem deduct day for Sandi Newman, Mt. Horeb Classroom Para. Mrs. Newman is going out of town. - Consent 8-0

D. Policy
D.1. Policy 5346.3 - Personal Communication Devices (Attachment 6)
Not part of Consent – see below
Accept the Second Reading and approval of Policy 5346.3, Personal Communication Devices.

XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion by Mrs. Voorhees, seconded by Mrs. Monahan, and approved 8-0, the Board moved into Executive Session at 7:40 P.M. for the purpose of discussing personnel.

RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
On motion by Mrs. Voorhees, seconded by Mr. Brenn and approved 8-0, the Board returned to public session at 8:40 P.M.

Mr. Fallon responded to questions and expanded on his earlier report about the Land Committee’s efforts to identify a parcel of land that might be donated to the Board of Education for future purposes. Mr. Brenn moved (Mr. Henschel seconded) a resolution that the Land Committee be authorized to identify the necessary steps to be taken by the Town Council of Warren to facilitate a donation of land to the Board of Education and to then ask the Town Council to take those identified steps. Approved by an 8-0 vote.

Mrs. Beninati reminded the Board about the 1/12/04 World Language Education Discussion and asked that Board members email or call her with any additional concerns or topics that they would like incorporated into that night’s discussion.

Mr. Fallon and Dr. Parenty elaborated on the background and history of the proposed policy in agenda item D.1. Mr. Henschel asked about the differences in how the policy treats pagers and cell phones and expressed concerns about the control of cell phone possession and use in Middle School. Mrs. Monahan then moved agenda item D.1, Mrs. Coley seconded, and the Board approved the motion via a 7-1 roll call vote (Mr. Henschel voted no).

XIII. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XIV. OLD BUSINESS
None

XV. NEW BUSINESS
Dr. Crisfield noted that a possible residency question is being investigated and that the Board will be kept apprised of the outcome.

Dr. Crisfield noted that the Board needed to discuss the updated capital projects list and plans for financing and prioritizing the various projects, being that the budget season is here. Board consensus was to devote a dedicated chunk of time at the 1/26/04 BOE meeting to discuss the topic in detail.

Dr. Parenty discussed with the Board some ideas and recommendations for the future that came from his perspective as Superintendent over the past 5 ½ years.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved by Mrs. Coley, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees and approved 8-0, that the Board adjourn its meeting at 9:50 P.M.

Secretary