Minutes for April 23, 2007History icon Archived Minutes

Skip Navigation

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.

Oath of Office
Mr. Daquila administered the Oath of Office to Mrs. Monahan, Mr. Ricci, and Mrs. Voorhees.

II. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Board of Education Business Administrator, Mr. Daquila. .
OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT – Mr. Daquila 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 – Mr. Daquila led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

IV. ROLL CALL
Present:
Susan Burman, Pamela Coley, Roberta Monahan, Dr. Gregory Przybylski, David Ricci, Mildred Spiller, Patricia Toubin, Gina Voorhees, and Kathleen Winter
Absent:
Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, members of the press and public

V. ELECTION RESULTS
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the combined statement of April 2007 election results to be read aloud and made a part of the reorganization meeting minutes.
Mr. Daquila read the election results and thanked the board and the PTO’s for their hard work.

VI. ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS
Mrs. Winter nominated Mrs. Spiller and Mrs. Voorhees seconded the nomination. Mrs. Spiller was elected President on a 9-0 roll call vote.
1. President: ___Mrs. Spiller_______________
(newly elected president presiding)

Mrs. Spiller nominated Mrs. Monahan for vice-president and Mrs. Winter seconded the nomination. Mrs. Monahan was elected Vice-President on a 9-0 roll call vote.
2. Vice President: __Mrs. Monahan_____________

VII. Annual Reorganization Action Items
On motion by Mrs. Monahan, seconded by Mrs. Burman and approved by a 9-0 roll call vote, the board approved all the reorganization items.
1. Policies
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves adoption of current Board Policies & Bylaws for the 2007-2008 school year.

2. Curriculum
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves adoption of the K-8 curriculum guides, as aligned with NJ Core Content Standards, for the 2007-2008 school year.

3. Textbooks
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves adoption of existing district textbooks for the 2007-2008 school year.

4. Service Appointments
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following:
a. the Echoes Sentinel as the official school district newspaper for the 2007-2008 school year.
b. the Courier News and Star Ledger as official alternate newspapers to be used in lieu of Echoes Sentinel, when necessary, for the 2007-2008 school year.
c. the appointment of Peter Daquila as Board Secretary of the Warren Township Board of Education for the 2007-2008 school year.
d. the appointment of Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent of Schools, as Acting Board Secretary for the 2007-2008 school year in the absence of the Board Secretary.> e. the appointment of Ruth Davies as Treasurer of School Monies for the Warren Township Board of Education for the 2007-2008 school year.
f. the appointment of Peter Daquila, Board Secretary, as Acting Treasurer of School Monies for the 2007-2008 school year for the Warren Township Board of Education in the absence of Ruth Davies.
g. the appointment of Anthony Sciarrillo of Lindabury, McCormick and Estabrook as Board Attorney for the 2007-2008 school year at an hourly rate of $150.
h. the appointment of Dickinson, Vrabel & Cassels, P.A. as the auditing firm for the Warren Township Board of Education for the 2007-2008 school year at an annual cost of $19,700.
i. The appointment of USA Architects as the architect of record for the 2007-2008 school year at the following hourly rates of $160 Sr. Partner, $135 Partner; $115 Senior Field Rep, $95 Project Architect; $80 Senior Architect or Interior Designer, $70 Architect Designer; $60 Designer/CAD; $55 Architect Support.
j. the appointment of Dr. Richard as District Medical Inspector for the 2007-2008 school year at the annual cost of $7,500
k. the appointment of Dr. Ronald Frank as Alternate District Medical Inspector for the 2007-2008 school year at a cost to be determined at the time of service provided (if need be).
l. the election of _Mrs. Coley (alt. Mrs. Winter) as the Board Representatives to the Somerset County Educational Services Commission for the 2007-2008 school year.
m. the election of Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent of Schools,as the Board Representative to the Morris Union Jointure Commission Board of Education for the 2007-2008 school year.
n. the election of _Mr. Ricci_______ as Board Representative to the NJSBA Delegate Assembly for the 2007-2008 school year.
o. the appointment of Dr. Laura Weitzman as the district’s Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX coordinator and 504 Officer for the 2007-2008 school year.
p. the appointment of William Kimmick as ESL Coordinator for the 2007-2008 school year.
q. the appointment of G.R. Murray as the district’s board and general liability insurance agent for the 2007-2008 school year.
r. the appointment of Grinspec Inc. as the district’s health insurance agent for the 2007-2008 school year.
s. the appointment of Tyler Tribelhorn as the district’s Right to Know contact, AHERA representative, and Integrated Pest Management Coordinator for the 2007-2008 school year.
t. the appointment of Peter Daquila as the district’s Public Agency Compliance Officer (PACO) for the 2007-2008 school year.

5. Finance
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following:
a. the designation of the following banks as depositories for district funds for 2007-2008, pending certification of approval by the Governmental Unit Deposit Protection Act: Bank Of America
b. authorization for the Board Secretary to invest school funds in accordance with the limitations of State law and Board Policy.
c. authorization for the following persons to sign checks:

Account Name

No.

Signatory(s)

General Operating (Current) Account

3

Treasurer of School Monies and Board Secretary and Board President

Salary Account

1

Treasurer of School Monies

Payroll Deduction Account

1

Treasurer of School Monies

Unemployment Account

1

Board Secretary or Superintendent

Ice Cream Account

1

Board Secretary or Superintendent

Milk Account

1

Board Secretary or Superintendent

Flexible Spending Account

1

Board Secretary or Superintendent

Maintenance Petty Cash Account

1

Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds or Board Secretary

Superintendent Petty Cash Account

1

Superintendent or Board Secretary

Municipal Money Market Account

1

Treasurer of School Monies

Capital Reserve Account

1

Treasurer of School Monies

Middle School Student Activity Account

2

Middle School Principal and Middle School Dean or Board Secretary

Middle Student Athletic Account

2

Middle School Principal and Middle School Dean or Board Secretary

6. Board Committees
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the plan to work generally as a committee of the whole, with a limited number of standing committees to be designated at a future Board meeting.

7. Board Meeting Dates
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following list of meetings for the 2007-2008 school year. {NOTE: All meetings will be held on a Monday in the BOE Admin. Bldg. unless otherwise noted.}

DATE

TIME

TOPICS/NOTES

July 23

7:00pm

August 27

7:00pm

September 10

7:00pm

September 24

7:00pm

October 8

7:00pm

SCHOOLS CLOSED (In-service)

November 12

7:00pm

November 26

7:00pm

December 10

7:00pm

January 14

7:00pm

January 28

7:00pm

February 11

7:00pm

February 25

7:00pm

March 10

7:00pm

March 25

7:00pm

(NOTE: TUESDAY) BUDGET HEARINGAT WMS

April 14

7:00pm

April 28

7:00pm

REORGANIZATION

May 12

7:00pm

May 27

7:00pm

(NOTE: TUESDAY)

June 9

7:00pm

June 23

7:00pm

8. Petty Cash Accounts
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the establishment of the following petty cash accounts for 2007-2008:
a. Superintendent’s Office $500
b. Buildings and Grounds $500
c. Schools $200 (each school)
d. SPS $100
e. Curriculum $100
f. Summer Fun $100

VIII. MINUTES
Mrs. Winter moved the following:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes of the following meeting:
April 10, 2006 public and private session
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by 8-0-1 voice vote. (Mr. Ricci abstained.)

IX. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
None

X. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Spiller thanked out going President Mrs. Coley for a great job. She thanked the board for their hard work last year and their confidence in appointing her as president. She again thanked the PTO, BOE, Dr. Crisfield and Mr. Daquila for their hard work in the budget process. She discussed with the board the BOE committees for 200702008.

XI. DISCUSSION
None

XII. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XIII. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)
Mrs. Monahan moved, and Mrs. Winter seconded, the following as an amended consent agenda: The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 9-0 role-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Summer Fun 2007 Program Brochure
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the attached Summer Fun 2007 Program Brochure.

A.2. Home Instruction
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID #5001309) to receive five hours per week of home instruction at a cost to the district of $30 per hour, effective April 23, 2007 through June 21, 2007.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Budget Transfers for Month of March 2007
RESOLVED, the Board of Education ratifies the following transfers between budget line items that have been approved by the Superintendent of Schools and that are now being reported to the Board pursuant to Policy 3160:

TO:

FROM:

11-000-213-100-00-04

Stipends - First Aid & CPR

11-000-213-100-00-02

Nurse Substitutes

875

11-000-216-100-00-00

Speech & OT Salaries

11-000-217-100-00-01

Extraordinary Svcs. Salaries

500

11-000-218-390-11-01

Other Purch. Tech. Services

11-000-100-566-08-01

Tuition - Private Schools

56,100

11-000-230-331-01-00

Legal Services

11-000-100-566-08-01

Tuition - Private Schools

2,500

11-000-230-339-01-00

Purch. Professional Svcs.

11-000-100-566-08-01

Tuition - Private Schools

1,010

11-000-251-330-01-00

Bus. Office- Purch. Tech. Svcs.

11-000-230-340-01-00

Purchased Tech. Services

2,530

11-000-262-610-09-00

Supplies – Maintenance

11-000-262-490-05-00

Sewer & Water - ALT

1,000

11-000-291-241-00-00

Other Retire. Contrib -PERS

11-000-291-270-00-00

Health Benefits

4,610

11-150-100-300-08-00

Home Instr. - Educ. Svcs.

11-000-100-562-08-01

Tuition--Other LEAs

9,840

11-190-100-106-00-00

Classroom Aides - Salaries

11-000-217-100-00-02

Extraordinary Paras - Sals.

550

11-190-100-610-04-10

Instruct. Supplies - Mt.Horeb

11-000-240-600-04-10

Admin. Supplies - Mt. Horeb

1,000

11-190-100-610-12-00

Instruct. Supplies-Curriculum

11-000-218-610-12-00

Standard Testing Supplies

1,000

11-190-100-610-12-00

Instruct. Supplies-Curriculum

11-190-100-640-12-00

Textbooks Series Replace.

400

11-213-100-106-00-00

RC Aide - Salaries

11-000-217-100-00-02

Extraordinary Paras - Sals.

3,300

11-402-100-100-00-00

Sports Stipends

11-401-100-100-00-00

Co-curricular Stipends

805

 

 

Total Transfers –March 2007

$86,020

B.2. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for April 2007 (Check Numbers 024411-024581) in the amount of $3,278,907.13.

B.3. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the attached report of the secretary for the month of March, and
WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on March 31, 2007:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$4,410,334.99

 

$1,040,552.75

(11) Current Expense

 

$1,320,744.73

 

(12) Capital Outlay

 

$567,707.05

 

(13) Special Schools

 

$4,592.23

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

$12,179.58

$45,940.29

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

($112,782.32)

$6,462.91

$5,601.18

(40) Debt Service Fund

$14,210.26

($1,000.00)

$15,210.26

TOTAL

$4,323,942.51

$1,944,447.21

$1,061,364.19

WHEREAS, in compliance with N.J.A.C.6:20-2A(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 reference 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. Funding for Central School Lower Level & Toilet Room Renovations Project
RESOLVED, the Board of Education rescinds resolution B-2 from the April 10, 2007 board meeting and approves the transfer from Capital Reserve to Fund 12 to support the Central School Lower Level & Toilet Room Renovations Project for the following:
Buckler Associates $ 696,846.00
USA Architects $ 65,000.00

B.5. SCHOOL DISTRICT ACCOUNTABILITY – A-5
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following resolution:

Whereas, the State of New Jersey has enacted P.L. 2007 An Act Concerning School District Accountability (A-5) requiring boards of education to annually approve the total amount of funds budgeted for travel and conferences for all faculty, staff, administration and board members, and

Whereas the ACT became effective on March 15, 2007, and requires prior approval of all travel and conference costs before they are incurred, and

Whereas there are three categories of travel and conferences that faculty, staff, administrators, and board members generally attend, including routine meetings held on annually scheduled dates, meetings of an emergent nature with little prior notice, and meetings/conferences that can be scheduled with at least several weeks’ notice, and

Whereas it is practical to anticipate as many activities as possible, and receive annual approval for those and monthly approvals for unanticipated activities,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the following budget amounts are acknowledged and costs of travel and conferences are approved for the 2006-07 school year, and the 2007-08 school year:

Total amount budgeted for travel and conferences 2006-07 $ 90,000
Total amount budgeted for travel and conferences 2007-08 $115,000

Intra-district business mileage for administrators, and where required, for members of the faculty and staff, including but not limited to faculty who teach in more than one school, child study team members, secretaries, etc. at the IRS mileage rate in effect at the time of travel at a cost not to exceed $2,000 per person annually.

Out-of-district business travel for administrators to attend professional meetings/conferences affiliated with, but not limited to, the NJ Department of Education, the County Superintendent of Schools, the Morris-Union Jointure Commission, professional organizations, etc. at the IRS mileage rate in effect at the time of travel at a cost not to exceed $2,000 per person annually, and an individual conference expense not to exceed $500.

Out-of-district business travel for faculty and staff to attend conferences and professional development opportunities as approved by the superintendent at the IRS mileage rate in effect at the time of travel and an individual conference expense not to exceed $500

Out-of-district business travel for members of the Board of Education to attend professional meetings/conferences affiliated with, but not limited to, the New Jersey School Boards Association, the Somerset County School Boards Association, etc. at the IRS mileage rate in effect at the time of travel and at a conference cost not to exceed $2,000 per person annually.

B.6. TRAVEL APPROVAL – May 2007 and June 2007
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following resolution:

Whereas, in accordance with State of New Jersey School District Accountability Act (A-5) and the Warren Township Schools’ policy number 4133 – Travel and Work Related Expense Reimbursement, 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:

May 2007 June 2007
· Angelo Tomaso School $ 100 $ 0
· Central School $ 185 $ 0
· Woodland School $ 725 $ 0
· Mt Horeb School $ 300 $ 0
· Middle School $ 600 $ 0 · Student Services $ 0 $ 100
· Curriculum $ 0 $ 0
· Central Office $ 700 $ 1,600
· · Maintenance & Transportation $ 0 $ 0
· Board of Education $ 0 $ 0

All of the above travel has been approved by the Superintendent and/or School Business Administrator and the School Business Administrator shall track and record these costs to insure that the maximum amount is not exceeded.

If unanticipated travel is necessary during the month, the Superintendent and/or School Business Administrator have the authority to approve the expense and reimbursement.

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) Cathleen Gavin, Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, Step 5, 30 hours per week, effective April 18, 2007 through June 30, 2007. Replacing Christina Simoes who resigned.

C.2. Amendment on Salary Guide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following amended placements on the teachers' negotiated salary guide:
a) Katherine Boraski from BA+15 to MA (remaining at step 6, effective March 1, 2007.
b) Anita Brower from MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 12), effective April 1, 2007.
c) Jamie Perry from MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 4), effective April 1, 2007.

C.3. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2007-2008 school year:
a) Christine Pickerell
b) Cindy Cunder

C.4. Creation of Online Professional Development Registration Application
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Sean Convery up to 20 hours at $30 per hour, to create an online registration application on the district web page for enrolling, managing, and tracking professional development attendance by district staff members

C.5. Middle School Talent Show Advisors
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Bev MacGorman and Joel VanTine as Talent Show advisors at the negotiated stipend rate of $650, which will be split between the two of them.

C.6. Extended Family Leave
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the extended family for Dawn DeLorenzo, effective May 24, 2007 through June 30, 2007, unpaid with benefits.

C.7. Public Hearing Appointing a School Business Administrator
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following resolution for the Public Hearing appointing Peter Daquila as School Business Administrator:
WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey has enacted P.L.2007, c.53, An Act Concerning School District Accountability; and

WHEREAS, Section 5 of the Act requires Boards of Education to provide public notice 30 days prior to the renegotiation, extension, amendment, or alteration of an employment contract with the superintendent of schools, assistant superintendent of schools, or school business administrator; and

WHEREAS, Said notice will be provided to the public via publication in the district’s official newspapers and by the Township Clerk of Warren Township, on April 27, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Section 5 of the Act requires Boards of Education to provide public notice of a public hearing 10 days prior to the renegotiation, extension, amendment, or alteration of an employment contract with the superintendent of schools, assistant superintendent of schools, or school business administrator; and

WHEREAS, Said notice of a public hearing will be provided to the public via publication in the district’s official newspapers, by the Township Clerk of Warren Township, on April 27, 2007; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Warren Township Schools Board of Education hereby designates from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the board office on June 11, 2007 as the public hearing required by the Act.

C.9. Literacy Coach Job Description
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Literacy Coach Job Description dated April 23, 2007.

C.10. Home Instructors
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Lisa Bottone and Ronna Silagi to serve as home instructors for the 2006-2007 school year at the WTEA negotiated rate of $30 per hour. Ms. Bottone is a grade 7 Language Arts teacher at Middle School and Ms. Silagi is a former Middle School teacher and District Substitute.

D. Policy

D.1. Policy 4112.8 - Nepotism
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first (and only) reading of minor changes to Policy 4112.8 - Nepotism.

D.2. Policy 4212.8 - Nepotism
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first (and only reading of minor changes to Policy 4212.8 - Nepotism.

D.3. Bylaw 9270 - Conflict of Interest
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first (and only reading of minor changes to Bylaw 9270 - Conflict of Interest.
On motion by Mrs. Monahan, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees and approved by a 9-0 roll call vote, the board approved agenda item C.8.

C.8. WTEA Contract Pulled for Separate Vote
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the memorandum of agreement with the WTEA for the 2007 to 2010 school years that was ratified by the WTEA membership on April 20, 2007.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XV. OLD BUSINESS
· Warren Middle School Graduation
Dr. Crisfield reported that the Middle School graduation will be held at the WHRHS on June 18th. The BOE will have the expense of busing the students to practice once at the WHRHS. 
· Board Member Contact Information
Dr. Crisfield asked that the BOE complete the BOE member directory.

XVI. NEW BUSINESS
· ASAP (Academic Skills Assistance Program) Coordinator Stipend
Dr. Crisfield described the ASAP coordinator position and that he position is needed 7/1/2007.
Dr. Crisfield discussed the Middle School 8th grade trip to Gettysburg. The charter buses that are used do not have seat belts and it appears that seat belts are not available on coach buses. For this year the parents will be notified that the coach buses do not have seat belts. In the future the permission slip will state that the coach buses do not have seat belts.

XVII. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 7:50 p.m. Mrs. Monahan 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) 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
11) specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session
12) 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 Dr. Przybylski and approved by unanimous voice vote.
On motion by Dr. Przybylski and seconded by Mrs. Burman the Board reconvened in open session at 8:00 p.m.
The Board discussed the idea of having the board meetings at various schools on a rotating schedule.
Dr. Crisfield will coordinate the meeting dates for a BOE meeting at each one of the schools.
Dr. Crisfield will schedule dates for a “coffee meeting” with each board member.

XVIII. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Dr. Przybylski seconded by Mrs. Burman the meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila