Minutes for May 29, 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 7:02 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: Susan Burman, Pamela Coley, David Ricci, Mildred Spiller, Patricia Toubin, and Kathleen Winter
Absent: Dr. Gregory Przybylski arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Roberta. Monahan
Gina Voorhees
Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, members of the public and press

IV. RECOGNITIONS
• Student Award Presentations
Mrs. Spiller thanked all in attendance for the recognition awards. She presented the awards to students for:
Watchung Hills Elks Essay Contest
Computer Workshop
Student Performance at Carnegie Hall
Continental Math Team and Mock Trial

•  Principal Milestone
Dr. Crisfield noted that Dr. Cebula has worked 20 years in Warren and thanked her for all the efforts and programs she has initiated.

V. MINUTES
Mrs. Toubin moved the following:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes of the following meeting as amended:
May 14, 2007 public and private session
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Coley and approved by 6-0 voice vote.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
None

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Spiller asked for a moment of silence for the passing of ALT teacher Ron Rodd.
Dr. Crisfield spoke about the passing of Mr. Rodd.
Mrs. Spiller reminded the board of the protocol for board discussions.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
In the absence of Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Spiller presented the Communications survey. Mrs. Monahan will have a committee meeting and discuss the results.
Mrs. Winter noted that the Finance Committee needs to meet to discuss post budget items and other matters. She will arrange the meeting.

IX. DISCUSSION
 •  Community Survey Results
None

X. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Marlene Roth - Central School Kindergarten teacher and resident
Margo Hall - Kindergarten teacher
Lisa Hamilton - Start Dust Drive
Bibi Lipton - Red Hill Road
Karen Levin - Jefferson drive
Jill Pila - Speech Pathologist
Jackie Bartnick - Red Hill Road
Chang Wang - Hickory Lane
Tara Lynn Ceccato - 1st grade teacher
All residents and teachers spoke about the class sections at Central School and that here should be 3 kindergartens sections in the 2007/08 school year.
Dr. Crisfield is monitoring the attendance on a daily basis and stated that the class sizes are guidelines and it is not too late to add a class section if needed. The teaching assignments are being made today in order to meet contract requirements.

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)
Prior to voting, Mrs. Winter asked about the stipend for both the Language Arts Coordinator and the World Language Coordinator.
Mrs. Burman moved, and Dr. Przybylski 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. Three-Year Local School District/Charter School Technology Plan
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the Three-Year Local School District/Charter School Technology Plan effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010.

A.2. Out Of District Extended School Year Program
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the list of students attending the out of district extended school year program dated May 22, 2007.

A.3. Out of District Related Services
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID #0120483) to receive one session of OT, one session of PT and two sessions of Speech during the extended school year program. The cost to the district will be $2,275.

A.4. Related Services
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID #0120295) to receive three hours per month of Behavior Management Services during the in-district extended school year program. The cost to the district will be $525.

A.5. Academic Instruction
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID #0000532) to receive two hours per day of academic instruction provided by Professional Education Services, Inc. for four weeks retroactive from May 7, 2007 through June 1, 2007. The cost to the district will be $1,200 base on the standard fee paid to home instructors.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the balance of the partial payment of bills for May 2007 (Check Numbers 024783-024913) in the amount of $1,705,382.75. Total payment of bills for May 2007 in the amount of $2,938,330.97.

B.2. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the attached report of the secretary for the month of April, and
WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on April 30, 2007:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$4,163,651.32

 

$1,040,552.75

(11) Current Expense

 

$1,141,511.38

 

(12) Capital Outlay

 

$255,729.12

 

(13) Special Schools

 

$4,592.23

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($52,594.41)

$39,728.42

$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

$4,012,484.85

$1,447,024.06

$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.3. Budget Transfers for Month of April 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:

11-000-216-100-00-00

Speech & OT Salaries

11-000-217-100-00-01

Extraordinary Svcs. Salaries

450

11-000-217-320-08-00

Extraordinary Purch. Svcs

11-000-100-562-08-01

Tuition--Other LEAs

11,900

11-000-221-110-12-00

Curriculum Deve. Stipends

11-000-223-320-12-00

Staff Training - Purch. Svcs.

2,200

11-000-261-420-09-01

Maintenance Repairs-Admin

11-000-261-420-09-04

Maintenance Repairs - MH

1,250

11-000-261-420-09-06

Maintenance Repairs - WD

11-000-261-420-09-04

Maintenance Repairs - MH

4,300

11-000-261-610-09-03

Maintenance Supplies - CS

11-000-261-610-09-07

Maintenance Supplies - MS

3,400

11-000-261-610-09-04

Maintenance Supplies - MH

11-000-261-610-09-01

Maint. Supplies-Admin

1,150

11-000-261-610-09-04

Maintenance Supplies - MH

11-000-261-610-09-07

Maintenance Supplies - MS

3,150

11-000-261-610-09-05

Maintenance Supplies - ALT

11-000-261-610-09-01

Maint. Supplies-Admin

600

11-000-262-610-09-00

Supplies- Maintenance

11-000-230-530-09-22

Telephone - Maintenance

2,500

11-000-262-610-09-00

Supplies- Maintenance

11-000-261-420-09-07

Maintenance Repairs - MS

7,500

11-000-270-161-10-02

Special Ed Tran. -Sub Drivers

11-000-270-515-10-00

Contracted Special Ed Tran.

3,000

11-000-270-390-10-00

Purch. Tech. Svcs. - Transp.

11-000-270-593-10-00

Misc. Purch. Svcs - Transp.

750

11-000-270-511-10-71

Contracted Regular Transp.

11-000-270-515-10-00

Contracted Special Ed Tran.

4,200

 

 

Total Transfers -March 2007

$46,350

B.4. Middle School Donations
RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts with appreciation the donation in the amount of $500 from Mr. Raman and Dr. Poonam Alaigh and $500 from Mrs. William Schmeisser (Mrs. Schmeisser's is through the Warren Township Education Foundation). These funds will be used to buy additional resources for the William Schmeisser library fund.

B.5. Out of District Transportation Change
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation change for the following:
a) One student (ID #0120540) transported by a district bus to transportation by SCESC for $108 per diem plus $65 per diem for the bus monitor, effective April 30, 2007 through June 30, 2007.
b) One student (ID #0000694) transported by SCESC $200 per diem will now be transported by a district van, effective April 30, 2007 through June 30, 2007.

B.6. Award Contract for HVAC Control Upgrades at Angelo Tomaso School, Central School, Mt Horeb School and Warren Middle School
WHEREAS, on May 23, 2007, the Board of Education received bids for the HVAC Control Upgrades at Angelo Tomaso School, Central School, Mt Horeb School and Warren Middle School Project:
•  Integrated Control Solutions, LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ $298,800
Upon the engineers recommendation the bid should be awarded to Integrated Control Solutions since it is the lowest responsible bidder.
RESOLVED, the Board of Education awards the contract for the HVAC Control Upgrades at Angelo Tomaso School, Central School, Mt Horeb School and Warren Middle School Project to Integrated Control Solutions, LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ

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) Susan Bohler, Mt. Horeb School, Classroom Paraprofessional, step 7-8, 32.5 hours, effective September 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Ms. Bohler is currently a sub in the district and is replacing Ms. Lesslie who resigned.
b) Roberto Patella, Central School, Classroom Paraprofessional, step 3-4, 32.5 hours, effective September 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Mr. Patella is replacing Ms. King who resigned.
c) Darlene Bernhard, Central School, Classroom Paraprofessional, step 5-6, 32.5 hours, effective September 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Ms. Bernhard is replacing Ms. Parolise who resigned.

C.2. Staff Assignments for the 2007-2008 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of staff assignments for the 2007-2008 school year dated May 24, 2007.

C.3. Extended Work Schedule
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following extended work schedule for:
a) Midge Johnson, Barbara Tantillo, and Kathy Sanger, Middle School Guidance Counselors, three days each of work during June 20, 21, 22, 2007 at each individual's per diem rate.
b) Mary Russo, Multi-duty Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School, two days, June 20, 21, 2007 at her per diem rate.
c) Michele Delserro, Multi-duty Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, three days, June 20, 21, 22, 2007 at her per diem rate.

C.4. Amendment on Salary Guide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following amended placements on the teachers' negotiated salary guide:
a) Helen Scully MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 7), effective May 1, 2007.
b) Adam Yenish, BA+15 to MA (remaining at step 7) effective May 1, 2007.
c) Diane Bell, MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 20) effective May 1, 2007.
d) Sean Convery, BA to BA+15 (remaining at step 7) effective May 1, 2007.
e) Susan Cooper, MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 16) effective May 1, 2007.
f) Faye Brady, MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 13) effective May 1, 2007.
g) Dannine Albanese, BA+15 to MA (remaining at step 10) effective May 1, 2007.

C.5. Child Rearing Leave Extension
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an extension of a child rearing leave request for Joan Toth, Special Education Teacher, Woodland School, effective September 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Mrs. Toth will be returning September 1, 2008.

C.6. Resignation
RESOLVED, the Board of Education accept the resignation of:
a) Meghan Haldeman, Grade 3 Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, effective June 30, 2007.

C.7. Stipends
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of stipend amounts and recipients for the 2007-2008 school year dated May 29, 2007.

C.8. Contract Amendment
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the letter of contract amendment for Mr. William Kimmick dated May 29, 2007.

C.9. Per Diem Deduct Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves per diem deduct request for the following staff:
a) Donna Fitzgerald, Multi Duty Paraprofessional, Central School, for two days, May 18 and 21, 2007.

C.10. Multi-Duty Substitute Paraprofessional Per Diem Rate Increase
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the per diem rate increase for multi-duty substitute paraprofessional from $8.00 per hour to $10 per hour for the 2007-2008 school year.

C.11. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2006-2007 school year:
a) Sara Stupay

C.12. Part-Time Substitute Bus Monitor/Custodian
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Wayne Briner as a part-time substitute bus monitor/substitute custodian at a split rate of $11.00/$14.63, respectively, effective May 24, 2007 through June 30, 2007.

XII. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XIII. OLD BUSINESS
 •  Warren Middle School Parking Lot Changes
Mrs. Winter spoke about the Middle School parking lot changes and is not in favor of the changes. She is concerned about the exiting of buses and cars at the same time. The Board discussed the issue and asked that a traffic engineer look at the driveway and devise a plan. Mrs. Winter also asked about a pedestrian cross walk between Middle School and the field and getting blinking lights in the street.
The BOE discussed the purchase of the new district phone system and decided to purchase the Avaya system from OSI. The board was in favor of the safety and emergency features that the phone system offers.
WMS potential field improvements
Mrs. Winter spoke about the potential improvement and the district needs to contact the DPW regarding the town fields.
Mrs. Winter asked about the donation of equipment for the ALT outdoor class room.
•  Use of BOE Fields by Community Groups
Mrs. Winter spoke regarding the policy & regulations and suggested addressing the rental fee section. She also suggested that each field should have a sing that states “Field Use by Permit Only.”

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

• Elective Courses at WMS - Approval process

Dr. Crisfield spoke about the new course approval process and elective courses. The Board spoke about the process and the time table for planning.

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At 8:45 p.m. Mrs. Winter 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 Mrs. Burman and approved by unanimous voice vote.
On motion by Dr. Przybylski and seconded by Mrs. Burman, the Board reconvened in open session at 9:37 p.m.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Coley, the meeting adjourned at 9:38 p.m.
Minutes recorded by:

Peter Daquila