Minutes for August 27, 2007History 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 7:06 p.m. by the Board President, Mrs. Spiller.

OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT - Mrs. Spiller 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. Spiller led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. ROLL CALL
Present: Pamela Coley, Roberta Monahan, David Ricci, Mildred Spiller, Gina Voorhees, and Kathleen Winter
Absent: Dr. Gregory Przybylski arrived at 7:08 P.M.
Susan Burman
Patricia Toubin
Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, members of the public

IV. RECOGNITIONS
None

V. MINUTES
Mrs. Monahan moved the following:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes of the following meeting:
July 23, 2007 public and private session
The motion was seconded by Mr. Ricci and approved by 7-0- voice vote.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

· CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Central School Lower Level and Toilet Renovation
Contractor has almost completed the bathrooms. The sinks, urinals and toilets have been installed and the installation of the partitions should be completed by tomorrow. Once that is done the bathrooms can be inspected so the school will be ready to open next week.

The contractor will now shift his efforts to the lower level and work on the art room, the two toilet rooms, the two classrooms and the hallway.
At this point there are 3 change orders:
1. Install automatic flushing mechanisms on the toilets and urinals - $10,947.00
2. Concrete the floor in the girls and boys toilets off the gym and the 2 teacher toilets off the gym and replace deteriorated copper water pipes - $11,079.00
3. Upgrade the ventilation unit for the teacher restrooms and two offices near the gym - $34,151.00

Middle School Roof
Contractor is about 90% complete and is finishing the roof this week. All work is scheduled to be completed and all equipment will be removed by August 31st.

Donation
Members of the Mt. Horeb PTO presented the district with a donation of $7,895 for the dividing curtain that will be installed at the Mt. Horeb gym.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Spiller asked for a moment of silence for the passing of Dr. Tom Boyle from the SCESC.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mrs. Winter spoke about the Policy review and noted that the board will need to decide to do this in house or hire a contractor to review and update the polices. She suggests that the board reviews the critical policies.

Mrs. Voorhees - Education Committee
The Committee has determined its list of topics and they dates for presentations. The first topic is Homework and the discussion will be 9/24/07.

IX. DISCUSSION
None

X. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Patricia Zahn, parent, spoke about PTO fund raising and one of the school operating a store selling small items. She commented that she feels that the K-5 children should not have cash or valuables at school and feels that this is a board issue. The Board will discuss this at a future meeting.

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)
Mrs. Monahan moved, and Mrs. Voorhees seconded, the following as a consent agenda.
The consent agenda as amended was approved by unanimous 7-0 role-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Out of District Placement
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following out of district placements:

a) One student (ID#0000191) from Center School to Montgomery Academy for the 2007-2008 school year. Tuition for Montgomery is $41,985, which is an increase of $65 over Center School.
b) One student (ID#0120540) to attend the Garden Academy for the 2007-2008 school year. The cost to the district will be $69,840

A.2. Out of District Related Services
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following out of district related services:

a) One student (ID#0120483) to receive one 30 minute session of OT per week, one 30 minute session of Speech per week, and two 30 minute sessions of PT per week. The total cost to the district will be $11,916.
b) One student (ID#0000629) to receive two sessions per week of Pediatric Occupational Therapy provided by Robert Dearey for the 2007-2008 school year. The total cost to the district will be $6,480.
c) One student ( ID#0000629) to receive 6 additional hours of speech therapy provided by staff of his ESY placement for the period 7/5/07-8/22/07. The total cost to the district will be $660.

A.3. 2007-08 Board and District Goals
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the Board and District Goals for the 2007-08 school year dated August 27, 2007.
A.4. Warren Middle School Elective Course Curricula
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following new curricula dated August 27, 2007.
a) Interior Fashion and Design
b) Movies Then and Now
c) Puzzles

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for August in the amount of $1,605,484.20

B.2. Budget Transfers for Month of July 2007
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the list of budget 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 dated July 31, 2007.

B.3. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report - June
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the attached report of the secretary for the months of June dated August 8, 2007,
WHEREAS, this report shows the balances on June 30, 2007,
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 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.

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$2,829,839.74

$1,117,737.64

(11) Current Expense

$170,088.47

(12) Capital Outlay

$5,745.48

(13) Special Schools

$4,004.23

(20) Special Revenue Fund

$32,338.52

$31,735.60

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$0.00

$6,462.91

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$14,210.26

($1,000.00)

$14,210.26

TOTAL

$2,876,388.52

$217,036.69

$1,131,947.90

B.4. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report - July
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the attached report of the secretary for the months of July, dated August 15, 2007,
WHEREAS, this report shows the balances on July 31, 2007,
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 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.

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$1,783,161.01

$1,050,880.76

(11) Current Expense

$5,188,625.59

(12) Capital Outlay

$372,754.08

(13) Special Schools

$2,291.89

(20) Special Revenue Fund

$40,584.52

$72,401.22

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$692,489.26

$0.00

$14,208.26

TOTAL

$2,516,234.79

$5,636,072.78

$1,065,089.02

B.5. TRAVEL APPROVAL - September 2007
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. The expense includes travel costs, if applicable:

August 2007
Michael Gonnella, B&G - Boiler License Training $475.00
Sondra Markman, District - NJSmart, Long Branch Amended 30.00

September 2007
Stacey Modugno, Woodland - Mercer Community College $350.00
Joann Blatchford, Middle - NJ Stellar Science Spectacular, Rutgers 70.00
Laura Sudol, Middle - Liberty Science Center 60.00
William Kimmick, Mt. Horeb - NJ DOE 45.00
Joel VanTine, District - JW Pepper Music Co, Paoli, PA 85.00

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.

B.6. Somerset County Educational Services Joint Transportation Agreement
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the joint transportation agreement with the S.C.E.S.C. for the transportation of special education students for the 2007-2008 school year.

B.7. Mt. Horeb School PTO
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the acceptance, with appreciation, of a gift of $7,895 from the Mt. Horeb School PTO for the purchase of a motorized fold-up dividing curtain for the gymnasium.

B.8. Warren Middle School Driveway Construction Project
On motion by Mrs. Monahan, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, and approved on an 6-1 roll call vote it was

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the authorization for the School Business Administrator to proceed with the arrangements for Option 2 (creating a driveway that feeds into the existing teachers’ parking lot) of the Warren Middle School Driveway Construction Project. (Mrs. Coley voted no.)

B.9. Bid - Garbage and Trash Removal
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the receipt of bids on august 22, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. for district wide trash removal from the following:
Bidder: 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
Active Disposal $23,447 $24,620 $25,850
Unit charge per yard increase $5.20
Waste Management of NJ $25,140 $31,368 $32,616
Unit charge per yard increase $8.00
Kohler $24,000 $26,100 $28,200
Unit charge per yard increase $7.00

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the award of the bid to Active Disposal of Somerville for the three year period from September 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010.

B.10. Dealaman Bus Services Contract Renewal for 2007-2008
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the renewal of the transportation contract for the 2007-2008 school year with Dealaman Bus Services of Warren, NJ. The eleven (11) routes are all being renewed in accordance with the State of New Jersey’s CPI of 3.99%. The detail is as follows:

Route Number

Renewal Number

Amount for Number 2007-2008

1

13

$247,618.33

2

9

101,096.71

4

8

25,646.32

5

9

163,271.71

6

8

36,524.38

7

7

61,670.62

8

6

102,791.15

9

5

49,501.82

10

4

24,593.84

11

3

47,543.60

12

2

41,869.99
　

Total

$902,128.47

B.11. No Child Left Behind Carryover from FY2006
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the amendment of the FY2007 application to incorporate funds carried over from FY2006 in the amount of $870.00 for Title III.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2007-2008 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the application for emergent hiring for the following positions for the 2007-2008 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) David Arnold, Grade 7 Social Studies Teacher, MA, step 1-2, effective September 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Replacing Linda DeHartchuck who resigned.
b) Deanna Benson, Special Education, MA, step 3-4, effective September 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Maternity Leave replacement for Tami Johnson and Kellie Dearey.
c) Catherine Maguire, Pre-School Special Education Teacher, Mt. Horeb BA+15, step 1-2, effective October 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008. Maternity Leave replacement for Tara Keller and as a substitute teacher September 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007 and May 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.
d) Josephine Maccagnan, Basic Skills Math, Central and Woodland Schools, MA, step 1-2, effective September 1, 2007 through February 1, 2008. Ms. Maccagnan is replacing Ms. Hunt on child rearing leave.
e) Laurie Green, Multi Duty Paraprofessional, 21.5 hours, step 9, effective September 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Replacing Donna Fitzgerald who resigned. Ms. Green was a former teacher in the district.

C.2. Summer Fun Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, the Board of Education retroactively approves the following as substitute teacher for the Summer Fun Program at a rate of $17 per hour:
a) Holly Cedro

C.3. Summer Work Hours
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Jennifer Curran, Speech Therapist, Mt. Horeb School to work up to 42 hours during the 2007 summer to conduction evaluations and case manage new students. The total cost to the district will be $2,310.

C.4. Consultant Services 2007-2008 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following personnel to provide consultant services for the 2007-2008 school year:
a) Dr. Thomas Boyle to provide two 2.5 hours per month of behavior management consultation services. The total cost to the district will be $9,000.

C.5. Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the resignation of Donna Fitzgerald, Multi Duty Paraprofessional, Central School, effective June 30, 2007.

C.6. 2007-2008 Substitutes
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of substitutes for the 2007-2008 school year dated August 27, 2007.
C.7. Amendment on Salary Guide

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following amended placements on the teachers' negotiated salary guide:
a) Dorothy Stolfi, BA+15 to MA (remaining at step 11), effective September 1, 2007.
b) Tami Johnson, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 9-10), effective September 1, 2007.
c) Jennifer Curran, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 3-4), effective September 1, 2007.
d) JoAnn Blatchford, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 15), effective September 1, 2007.
e) Lisa Bottone, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 7-8), effective September 1, 2007.
f) Christopher Schwallie, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 9-10), effective September 1, 2007.
g) Elaine Hoffman, MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 24), effective September 1, 2007.
h) Karen Leski, MA+30 to MA+45 (remaining at step 24), effective September 1, 2007.

C.8. Summer Middle School Guidance Scheduling
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves three days each of student scheduling work for Midge Johnson, Barbara Tantillo, and Kathy Sanger, Middle School Guidance Counselors, during August 27, 28, 29, 2007 at each individual's per diem rate.

C.9. Child Rearing Leave Extension
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an extension of a child rearing leave request for Michele Hunt, Central and Woodland Schools, from January 4, 2008 through February 3, 2008 with a return date of February 4, 2008.

C.10. Amendment of Employment Hours
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education amends the employment hours for Donna Perry, Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School from 32.5 hours to 27.5, effective September 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.

C.11. Technology - Power School Implementation Project
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for the Technology - Power School Implementation Project, effective August 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007 at the negotiated WTEA rate of $35 per hour.
a) Lynn Alger up to 50 hours
b) Traci Haise up to 25 hours

XII. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XIII. OLD BUSINESS
Dr. Crisfield recognized Mr. and Mrs. Reed and that the district will permit their daughter to be excused from PE and World Language in order to pursue her rigorous ice staking training.

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

· Montgomery Township Education Funding Task Force
Mrs. Winter noted that there is a meeting on September 19th to discuss district funding. Mrs. Voorhees and Mrs. Monahan will attend the meeting.

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
None

XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Monahan, seconded by Mrs. Winter, the meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila