Minutes for November 26, 2007History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Mt. Horeb School. 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: 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  

IV. Presentation
None

V. MINUTES
Mrs. Monahan moved the following:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the amended minutes of the following meeting:

November 12, 2007 public and private session
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by 7-0 voice vote. (Mrs. Coley and Mrs. Voorhees abstained.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
Construction Update
Central - lower level has been painted and vinyl floor is being installed this week.
Middle - Brick repair is progressing well.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Spiller thanked Mr. Kimmick for the tour and the PTO for the hospitality & the goodies.  She also noted that the Performing Arts Day at the Middle School was fantastic.  She expressed the hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. 

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

IX. DISCUSSION

  • Teacher Advocacy Program ("TAP" at Warren Middle School-an Update)
    Dr. Crisfield presented information about the "TAP" program and responded to the board's questions and comments.

X. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)

Dr. Przybylski asked about the homework policy and the procedure if the homework is over/under the guidelines.  Dr. Crisfield noted that the parent should talk to the teacher and if necessary the principal.

Mrs. Toubin asked about the average amount of homework minutes in the policy.

Mrs. Voorhees asked about the amount of homework per night at the Middle School 

Mrs. Monahan moved, and Mrs. Winter seconded, the following as a consent agenda.   The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 9-0 role-call vote.   

A. Education

A.1.  Out of District Placement
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0000191) to change out of district placement from Montgomery Academy to Hunterdon Learning Center (Califon), effective November 26, 2007.  The tuition will be $35,883 prorated.  This represents an annual savings of $6,102.

A.2. Home Instruction
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following students to receive home instruction:

a) Student (ID#0120259) to receive an increase of home instruction from two hours per week to two hours per day beginning November 26, 2007 until such time as student is able to return to school regularly.  The cost to the district will be $35 per hour.

b) Student (ID#111111119) to receive five hours of home instruction per week beginning December 3, 2007 through January 15, 2008.  The total cost to the district will be $875.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for November in the amount of $2,066,513.07

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 October, and

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on October 31, 2007:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$2,091,558.25

 

$1,050,880.76

     (11) Current  Expense

 

$2,829,731.34

 

     (12) Capital Outlay

 

$323,666.79

 

     (13) Special Schools

 

$421.56

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($141,863.33)

$46,304.07

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$1,207,234.76

$0.00

$14,208.26

TOTAL

$3,156,929.68

$3,200,123.76

$1,065,089.02

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 October 2007

Approve the following Resolution:

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:

 

11-000-100-562-08-01

Tuition--Other LEAs

11-000-100-566-08-01

Tuition - Private

$20,100.00

11-000-213-100-00-04

Stipends - First Aid & CPR

11-401-100-100-00-00

Co-Curricular Stipends

$2,000.00

11-130-100-101-00-04

Grades 6-8 Stipends

11-401-100-100-00-00

Co-Curricular Stipends

$4,000.00

11-000-213-600-05-00

Nurse Supplies - ALT

11-190-100-610-05-10

Instructional Supplies - ALT

$80.00

11-000-216-100-00-00

Speech & OT - Salaries

11-000-213-100-00-00

Nurse & Doctor - Salaries

$4,750.00

11-000-262-420-09-43

Equipment Repairs

11-000-262-520-01-00

Property & Liability Insur.

$10,000.00

11-000-270-518-10-00

Special Ed Transp. - ESC

11-000-270-517-10-00

Non-Public Transp. - ESC

$6,600.00

11-110-100-101-00-01

Kinder. Teachers - Salaries

11-130-100-101-00-01

Gr. 6-8 Teachers - Salaries

$2,500.00

11-120-100-101-00-01

Gr. 1-5 Teachers - Salaries

11-000-213-100-00-00

Nurse & Doctor - Salaries

$13,200.00

11-190-100-800-06-00

Field Trips Admission - WD

11-000-270-512-06-00

Field Trips Transp. - WD

$300.00

11-190-100-800-06-00

Field Trips Admission -  WD

11-190-100-610-06-10

Instructional Supplies - WD

$500.00

11-204-100-101-00-00

LLD Teacher - Salaries

11-213-100-101-00-00

RC Teacher Salaries

$16,000.00

12-130-100-730-11-01

Grades 6-8 Equipment

12-120-100-730-11-01

Grades 1-5 Equipment

$3,701.00

12-000-400-450-00-00

Construction Services

12-000-240-730-00-00

School Admin. Equipment

$10,864.29

 

Total Transfers

$94,595.29

B.4. Central School - ExxonMobil - Educational Alliance Award Program
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with appreciation, the award of $500 to Central School from ExxonMobil through their Educational Alliance Program for science and/or community/school connections purposes.

B.5. Policy Customization
RESOLVED, the Board of Education agrees to enter into a contract with the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) of Trenton, NJ to review and update the district's policy manual.  The review and update process will take approximately one year and the cost to the district is $15,000

B.6. Travel Approval
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:

December 2007

  • Dana Matherly, Central - Deepening Comprehension, Newark $ 200
  • Susan Kline, ALT - Project Wild, Mountainside $ 20

January 2008

  • Laura Weitzman, SPS - Due Process Hearing Training, New Providence $ 425

February 2008

  • Dr James Crisfield, BOE - Brain Research for Learning, San Francisco, Ca $1,900

All of the above travel has been approved by the Superintendent and the Board of Education.  The School business Administrator shall track and record these costs to insure that the maximum amount is not exceed.

If unanticipated travel is necessary during the month, the Superintendent on behalf of the Board of Education has the authority to approve the expense and reimbursement.

C.         Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accept the resignation of Roberto Patella, Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School, effective December 21, 2007.

C.2. Home Instructors
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following teachers as home instructors for the 2007-2008 school year.
a) Erica Cheshire (Ms. Cheshire is currently a teacher at Woodland School).
b) Beth Braverman (Ms. Braverman is currently a teacher at Warren Middle School).
c) Ray Balkonis (Mr. Balkonis is currently a teacher at Warren Middle School.)

C.3. Per Diem Deduct Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves per diem deduct request for the following staff:
a) Pat LaMorte, Special Education Teacher, Middle School, for 1 day, January 22, 2008.
b) Kristen Schaefer, Kindergarten Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, for 2 days, November 15 and 16, 2007.

C.4. Additional Sick Day Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the granting of additional 30 sick days for Khara Patti, Classroom Paraprofessional Woodland School.  Payment will be minus the cost of a substitute.

C.5. World Language Program Stipends
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Rita Brown and Nancy Becker to receive a stipend of $1,000 each as payment for their role of instructor in the Before School World Language Program at Woodland School for the 2007-2008 school year (this program is 100% user fee supported).

C.6. Leave Requests
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the leave requests for:
a) Lisa Lukko, Grade 4 Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, Family Leave (unpaid with benefits) from April 29, 2008 through June 30, 2008.  Returning September 1, 2008.

C.7. Amended Family Leave Request Return Date
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the amended return date from family leave for Tami Johnson, Woodland School from December 4, 2007 to December 3, 2007.

C.8. Student Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Students Teachers for the 2007-2008 school year:
a) Brittney Schwab - District (Social Worker)
b) Alyson Rewick - Angelo L. Tomaso School (Guidance)
c) Andrew Ahimovic - Central School (PE/Health)

D. Policy

D.1. Policy 6154 Homework/Make-Up Work
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the second reading (of two) of changes to Policy 6154 Homework/Make-Up Work.

XII. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XIII. OLD BUSINESS
Mrs. Burman noted that Mt. Horeb always looks good and that it was not made more pleasing for the BOE meeting.

XIV.        NEW BUSINESS

  • Enrollment Projections for 2008-2009 and beyond
    Dr. Crisfield discussed the enrollment projections and noted at this time the enrollment for next year has an increase of 3 students for 2008/2009.
  • BOE - PTO Funding Partnerships
    Dr. Crisfield discussed the new concept of partnering with the PTO to create a funding partnership.  This will be discussed and explored  with the PTO and the leadership council.

XV.       EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 7:50 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 Mrs. Voorhees  and seconded by Dr. Przybylski, the Board reconvened in open session at 7:55 p.m.

XVI.      ADJOURNMENT:    On motion by Dr. Przybylski, seconded by Mrs. Winter, the meeting adjourned at 7:57p.m.

Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila