Minutes for January 28, 2008History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Angelo L. Tomaso School. The following is a record of that meeting.

I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:04 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:  Roberta Monahan, Dr. Gregory Przybylski, David Ricci, Gina Voorhees, Mildred Spiller, Patricia Toubin, and Kathleen Winter 

Absent:Susan Burman
Pamela Coley

Also Present:Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, members of the press and public  

IV. Presentation

  • Warren Middle School Math Team

Dr. Crisfield introduced Mrs. Susan Cooper of the Middle School.  Mrs. Cooper spoke about the after school math club and the math competition at St. Joseph's High School.  Mrs. Spiller presented certificates of recognition to the students that participated in the math competition.

V. MINUTES

Mrs. Monahan moved the following:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the amended minutes of the following meeting:
January 14, 2008 public and private session
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Voorhees and approved by 6-0-1 voice vote. (Mrs. Toubin abstained.)  

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
None

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Spiller commented on the meeting's agenda and thanked Ms. Bond for the tour and hosting tonight's meeting.

VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

IX. DISCUSSION

  • 2008-09 School Budget - Initial Public Presentation
    Dr. Crisfield, Mrs. Winter, and Mr. Daquila presented the budget handouts to the BOE and public.  The Board discussed the documents, the budget, and the budget process.
  • Education Discussion: Middle School Sports Offerings
    Mrs. Voorhees reviewed the information that was distributed to the board about the Middle School sports offerings.  The Board discussed the information and the board policies pertaining to sports.
  • Computer Donation Program - A Proposal
    Mr. Huss, Middle School Dean of Students, presented information on a digital information gap and proposed a Computer Donation Program.

X. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

The following parents presented commentary:

Marie Mluzan presented the idea of creating/starting a Middle School soccer team for boys and girls as a fall sport.

John Marques spoke about the blend of adding Middle School soccer into the town's rec program and travel program.  He sees the MS program at a level between the two rec programs.  He commented that it is up to the parents to monitor the child's amount of activities.

Maria Carvalho, Woodland School PTO representative, asked about what involvement the PTO will need to have in advocating the budget this year.

Ann Marie Muhlhauser asked about the HVAC project at ALT that is in the budget.

Nancy Wilcenski asked if HVAC repairs to the third grade wing at ALT are in the budget.

Lenny Calvo asked if the PTO will again be doing the budget presentations this year.

Maria Kanaras asked if the board reaches out to the pre-schools in the budget awareness process. She stated that field trips should remain in the budget. She also commented that extra curricular activities are a key part of the students' day and provide an opportunity for group participation.

David Cole commented about the expense for energy and the big increases for energy in the budget. He asked what the district is doing to conserve and save energy.

Tony Novo commented that the town soccer program has the most participation of all town sport programs.  He sees the Middle School soccer team as a great way to build team camaraderie.

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)
Mrs. Monahan moved, and Mrs. Winter seconded, the following, including addendum item B.4. and C.6.a., as a consent agenda.   (Agenda item B.5. and addendum item C.6.b.-e.  were pulled for discussion and items B.5 and C.6.b.-e. were withdrawn.) The consent agenda as amended was approved by unanimous 7-0 role-call vote.   

A. Education

A.1. 2009-2010 School Calendar
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves a change to the 2009-2010 school calendar so that spring break begins on March 29, 2010 and goes through April 5, 2010 (school starts again on Tuesday, April 6, 2010).

A.2. Out of District Placement
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0120904) to attend the Developmental Learning Center beginning January 28, 2008 through June 30, 2008 at a yearly tuition of $70,810 (prorated from January 28, 2008 through June 30, 2008).

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for January in the amount of $2,554,739.50

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

 

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE
 

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$3,306,752.07

 

$1,050,880.76
 

     (11) Current  Expense

 

$2,016,523.38

 
 

     (12) Capital Outlay

 

$321,455.81

 
 

     (13) Special Schools

 

$421.56

 
 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($232,549.18)

$38,558.77

$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

$4,281,437.65

$2,376,959.52

$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 December
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:

 

 
 

11-000-213-100-00-02

Nurse Substitute

11-000-213-100-00-00

Nurse & Doctor - Salaries

$6,200
 

11-000-213-100-00-04

Stipends - First Aid & CPR

11-401-100-100-00-00

Co-Curricular Stipends

$6,000
 

11-000-217-320-08-00

Extraord. Purch. Prof. Svcs.

11-000-100-566-08-01

Tuition - Private

$6,400
 

11-000-217-600-08-00

Extraord. Services -Supplies

11-213-100-610-08-00

RC Supplies

$400
 

11-000-222-500-11-01

Other Purch. Svcs.(Internet)

11-000-230-610-11-01

Admin. - Hardware Supplies

$5,600
 

11-000-223-600-11-02

Tech. Academy - Supplies

11-000-223-320-11-02

Tech. Acad. - Purch. Svcs.

$150
 

11-000-230-530-01-22

Telephone - Board Office

11-000-230-530-09-22

Telephone - Maintenance

$1,825
 

11-000-230-530-11-22

Telephone - Technology

11-000-230-530-09-22

Telephone - Maintenance

$3,925
 

11-000-230-590-00-51

Other Purch. Svcs. (Insur.)

11-000-230-590-00-23

Legal Ads

$280
 

11-000-251-330-01-00

Bus. Office - Purch. Svcs.

11-000-230-340-01-00

Purchased Technical Svcs.

$2,630
 

11-000-270-161-10-02

Special Ed Transp. - Subs

11-000-270-514-10-00

Special Ed Transp.(parents)

$2,900
 

11-000-291-241-00-00

Retirement Contrib. (PERS)

11-000-291-260-00-00

Workers Comp Insurance

$29,400
 

11-000-291-241-00-00

Retirement Contrib. (PERS)

11-000-291-270-00-00

Health Benefits

$39,400
 

11-190-100-500-07-00

Other Purch. Svcs. - Middle

11-190-100-500-00-00

Other Purchased Services

$200
 

11-190-100-610-06-10

Instr. Supplies - Woodland

11-190-100-640-06-00

Textbooks - Woodland

$700
 

 

 

Total Transfers

$106,010

B.4. Updated 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:

January 2008

  • Peter Daquila, BOE - Budget Rollout, East Brunswick $ 25

February 2008

  • Diane Langworthy, Woodland - NJ ASK, Monroe $ 50
  • Helen Scully, Central - NJ ASK, Monroe $ 35
  • Elaine Hoffman, ALT - NJ ASK, Monroe $ 45
  • Sondra Markman, Curriculum- NJ ASK, Monroe $ 30
  • Elaine Hoffman, ALT - Play Therapy Techniques, Edison $ 10
  • Jennifer Kaniuka, Central - American Boy choir, Princeton $ 30
  • Diane McCloskey, Middle - NJ State Music Convention, East Brunswick $ 130
  • Joel van Tine, Middle - NJ State Music Convention, East Brunswick $ 150
  • Kara Fava, Mt Horeb - 2nd Grade Teacher Conference, Atlantic City $ 305
  • Judy Hamilton, Mt Horeb - 2nd Grade Teacher Conference, Atlantic City $ 335
  • Anna Rizzo, Middle - Smart Boards for Math, Union $ 180
  • K O'Brien Speckin, Middle - Smart Boards for Math, Union $ 180
  • Chris Olsen, Mt. Horeb - CESP Writing Workshop, Somerset $ 135
  • Lisa Lukko, Mt. Horeb - CESP Writing Workshop, Somerset $ 135
  • Stepfanie Azzari, Mt. Horeb - CESP Writing Workshop, Somerset $ 135
  • Colleen Krumm, Woodland - CESP Writing Workshop, Somerset $ 135
  • Susan Cooper, Middle - Math Counts Competition, Princeton $ 35

March 2008

  • Dawn Gauvin, SPS - Dyslexia Association, Newark $ 195

April 2008

  • Harriet Stambaugh, Woodland - Cancer Wellness, Bedminster $ 40
  • Diane Langworthy, Woodland - Cancer Wellness, Bedminster $ 40

May 2008

  • Laura Weitzman, SPS - NJAPSA, Long Branch $ 300

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 exceeded. 

B.5. Resolution Opposing Proposed Legislation That Mandates Paid Family Leave
PULLED

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Resolution opposing proposed Legislation that would mandates paid family leave for every employee in New Jersey.

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Board of Education employs over 450 individuals; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative to the educational process that we employ substitutes when employees are absent from work; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey State Statute 18A: 30-2 already mandates that we provide a minimum of 10 sick days annually to all our employees; and

WHEREAS, passage of this legislation will greatly increase absenteeism as many more employees will avail themselves of this additional benefit, thus increasing the cost of operating our programs; and

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Board of Education does experience difficulty in employing an adequate number of substitutes; and

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Board of Education currently negotiates with two unions regarding the salary and benefits their employees receive; and

WHEREAS, paid leave is an employee benefit that should be left to the give and take of the collective bargaining process. These bills legislate an employee benefit that should be discussed at the bargaining table, not in Trenton; and

WHEREAS, this legislation is a tax increase for our employees. Should the current system of funding the program be insufficient to support the number of employees taking paid leave, there will be an additional tax increase. Or, unions will demand that the employer pay the bill on behalf of unit members; and

WHEREAS, the administrative and logistical challenges inherent in implementing a paid leave system, tracking every hour an employee utilizes paid family leave time, and ensuring that the employee's family member actually suffers a "serious health condition" is yet another unnecessary bureaucratic burden on the employer, and takes away valuable resources from the other educational programs.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Warren Township Board of Education opposes any proposed legislation and encourages New Jersey legislators to do the same.

B.6. Camp Invention 2008
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the agreement for the use of Woodland School for Camp Invention scheduled for the week of August 4, 2008 through August 8, 2008.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Rescind Increase in Hours
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education rescinds the increase of hours for Heidi Errickson from 27 to 19.5 hours per week, effective January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008.

C.2. Amendment on Salary Guide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following amended placements on the teachers' negotiated salary guide:

  • a) Susan Cooper from, MA+30 to MA+45 (remaining at step 17), effective January 1, 2008.
  • b) Mary Pat Brown, from BA+15 to MA (remaining at step 11), effective January 1, 2008.
  • c) Stefanie Azzari, from BA+15 to MA (remaining at step 5-6), effective November 1, 2007.
  • d) Jessica Malangone, from MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 3-4), effective January 1, 2008.

C.3. Per Diem Deduct Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves per diem deduct request for the following staff:
a) MaryEllen Weaver, Basic Skills Teacher, Middle School, for 1 day, April 18, 2008.

C.4. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2007-2008 school year:

  • a) Tara Vyas
  • b) Ashley Casorio
  • c) Donna Perry (currently a Classroom Paraprofessional)
  • d) Kristina Papianni

C.5. Substitute Bus Aide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Bus aides effective January 22, 2008 through June 30, 2008 at a rate of $10.50 per hour:

  • a) Maria Powers
  • b) Gloria Villamarin

C.6. After School Clubs

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following after school clubs for the 2007-2008 school year and the instructors for each club at the negotiated stipend rate.

Angelo L. Tomaso School

  • a) Homework Club - advisor Anabela Ordner at a stipend of $572 which is prorated to 12 weeks.

Woodland School
PULLED

  • b) American Girl Doll Club - advisor Dorothy Stolfi at a stipend of $715.
  • c) Beading/Art Club - advisor Jennifer DePinto at a stipend of $715.
  • d) Board Game Club - advisor Anita Brower at a stipend of $715.
  • e) Legos - advisor Christina Beekman at a stipend of $715.

C.7. Middle School Club Advisor
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Dawn DeLorenzo as an after school Academic Skills Workshop advisor at Warren Middle School during the 2007-2008 school year for 30 sessions at a contractual rate of $1,430, effective January 30, 2008.

The Board discussed item B.5. and noted that the resolution needs some wordsmithing. Mr. Ricci will reword the resolution and it will be resubmitted for vote  at the next meeting.

The Board discussed item C.6.b.-e.  to determine if these four clubs were appropriate.  The item was pulled.

XII. OLD BUSINESS
None

XIII. NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Monahan noted that the Warren Education Foundation is hosting a cocktail party on February 24th as a fund raiser. 

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Patricia Zahn commented about the pulled item C.6. and noted that due to expense of the American Girl dolls the club might be deemed "exclusive."

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:  
None

XVI.  ADJOURNMENT:    On motion by Dr. Przybylski, seconded by Mrs. Winter, the meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila