Warren Township Schools: Minutes for February 25, 2008

Minutes for February 25, 2008 Archived Minutes

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 7:01 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, Patricia Toubin, Gina Voorhees, Mildred Spiller, 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

Central School Grade 1 Update

Dr. Crisfield reminded the BOE of the teacher sharing situation in the first grade at Central. Dr. Cebula reported that the parental feedback has been tremendous in favor of the dual teachers. All have commented that the communication from both teachers to the parents is great. Parents are very pleased with the results of the job sharing. The 2 teachers are working very well together.

V.MINUTES
Mrs. Monahan moved the following:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes of the following meeting:
February 11, 2008 public session
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Voorhees and approved by 8-0-1 voice vote. (Mrs. Coley abstained.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
None

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Spiller thanked Dr. Cebula for the tour and the presentation, and the PTO for the refreshments. She offered belated congratulations to the five teachers that won the teacher of the year awards.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mrs. Coley noted that the board will be doing the superintendent's evaluation, the board's self evaluation and, with Dr. Crisfield's assistance, the evaluation of the board secretary. She distributed forms that need to be returned to her by 3/10/08.

Communications
Mrs. Monahan noted that the PTOs are getting started to support the budget. The PTOs will continue with the great support that was done last year.

Policy
Mrs. Winter noted that the committee has reviewed the 9000 series and the committee just received the 1000 and 2000 series.

IX. DISCUSSION

2008-09 School Budget - Deliberation Continued
Dr. Crisfield noted that the budget now reflects the changes discussed at the prior BOE meetings and the preliminary budget is being approved for submission to the County for review.
Mr. Daquila noted the changes to the Budget at a Glance sheet and commented about the tax increase. The withdrawal from Capital Reserve for the Central School Roof Phase 2 is included as both a revenue line item and an expenditure line item. The tax increase for the Preliminary Budget is 3.06% or $163 per year for the "average" home with an assessed value of $714,390.

Paraprofessional Training/Usage
Dr. Crisfield commented on the para professional training on various topics including anti-bullying and first-aid. On 08-09 the paras and secretaries will have flex day training opportunities.

X. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Mr. Jay Wilpon asked a few questions about the budget. The questions were answered by Mr. Daquila.

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)
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, that the Board of Education approves the out of district placement for the following students:
a) One student (ID#0120718) to attend the Giving Nest, beginning February 19, 2008 through June 30, 2008. The cost to the district will be $1,240.
b) One student (ID#0120120) to transfer from Montgomery Academy to the Newmark School effective March 3, 2008 through June 30, 2008. The cost to the district will be $40,534.20 (to be prorated.)

A.2. Out of District Related Services
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0120906) to receive one 30 minute individual session of physical therapy per week, effective January 11, 2008 through June 30, 2008. The cost to the district will be $1,750.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for February in the amount of $3,067,572.92

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 January and
WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on January 31, 2008:

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$4,509,073.90		$1,050,880.76
(11) Current Expense		$1,766,229.63
(12) Capital Outlay		$322,930.81
(13) Special Schools		$739.56
(20) Special Revenue Fund	($263,477.17)	$36,245.54	$0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
(40) Debt Service Fund	$710,559.76	$0.00	$14,208.26
TOTAL	$4,956,156.49	$2,126,145.54	$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 January 2008
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:
11-000-100-562-8-01	Tuition--Other LEAs	11-000-100-566-08-01	Tuition - Private	$38,500.00
11-000-217-100-00-02	Extraord. Paras - Salaries	11-000-262-100-00-00	Svcs. Staff Paras - Salaries	$250
11-000-219-104-00-00	Child Study Team - Salaries	11-120-100-101-00-01	Grades 1-5 Teachers - Sals.	$2,050
11-000-222-600-03-10	Library Supplies - Central	11-000-222-600-03-13	Periodicals & Subs.- Central	$380
11-000-223-320-12-00	Staff Training - Purch. Svcs.	11-000-221-600-12-00	Curriculum Supplies	$3,000
11-000-261-610-09-05	Maintenance Supplies - ALT	11-000-261-610-09-06	Maintenance Supplies - WD	$1,000
11-000-261-610-09-05	Maintenance Supplies - ALT	11-000-261-610-09-07	Maintenance Supplies - MS	$500
11-000-262-420-09-01	Building Repairs - BOE/B&G	11-000-261-420-09-01	Maint. Repairs - BOE/B&G	$2,664
11-000-262-420-09-01	Building Repairs - BOE/B&G	11-000-262-420-09-41	Grounds Upkeep Services	$2,336
11-000-262-610-09-01	Building Supplies - BOE	11-000-262-610-09-00	Building Supplies - Maint.	$250
11-000-270-390-10-00	Other Purch. Svcs. -Transp.	11-000-270-593-10-00	Misc. Purch. Svcs. (insur.)	$800
11-000-270-518-10-00	Special Ed Transp. - ESC	11-000-270-517-10-00	NP Transportation - ESC	$3,400
11-204-100-101-00-00	LLD Teachers - Salaries	11-120-100-101-00-01	Grades 1-5 Teachers - Sals.	$725
11-213-100-101-00-00	RC Teachers - Salaries	11-120-100-101-00-01	Grades 1-5 Teachers - Sals.	$10,400
11-216-100-101-00-00	Pre. Dis. Teachers -Salaries	11-120-100-101-00-01	Grades 1-5 Teachers - Sals.	$600
11-240-100-610-04-00	ESL Supplies	11-190-100-610-07-10	Instructional Supplies - MS	$1,500
13-422-100-500-00-00	Purch. Svcs. - Summer Fun	11-190-100-610-07-10	Instructional Supplies - MS	$900
		Total Transfers		$69,255.00

B.4. Garbage and Trash Removal Contract
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the increase in the district wide trash removal contract with Active Disposal by $76.40 per month effective February 1, 2008. The increase is due to the passage into law of a new State of New Jersey Recycling Tax of $3.00 per ton. Assuming the recycling tax is in effect through our contract period, the new contract amounts are as follow: $23,829 for 2007-2008 school year, $25,537 for 2008-2009 school year and $26,767 for 2009-2010 school year.

B.5. Central School PTO Donation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $10,177 from the Central School PTO, to be used in the school library for sound reducing baffles.

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:

February 2008

Peter Daquila, BOE - Budget & the Public Hearing, Mt Olive, NJ $ 135

March 2008

Donna Benson, Woodland - SMART Board Training, New Providence, NJ $ 10
Donna Perry, Central - Supporting PARA's, New Providence, NJ $ 15
Debra Tambor, Middle - Science Olympiad, Edison, NJ $ 15
Maria Sendon, Middle - FLENJ Conference, Somerset, NJ $ 105
Steve Verger, Middle - Podcasting, East Brunswick, NJ $ 150
Sean Convery, Middle - Podcasting, East Brunswick, NJ $ 135
Barbara Murphy, Mt Horeb - Four Square Writing, Somerset, NJ $ 205
Rachel Bringuier, Mt Horeb - Four Square Writing, Somerset, NJ $ 195
Marianne Larson, ALT - Four Square Writing, Somerset, NJ $ 195
Mary Ellen Roberts, Middle - NJTAP Technology Assessment, Edison, NJ $ 20
1. Amanda McGrath, Woodland - SMART Board, Train the Trainer, Union, NJ $ 250
2. Suzanne Wisher, Woodland - SMART Board, Train the Trainer, Union, NJ $ 290
3. Danielle Siana, Central - SMART Board, Train the Trainer, Union, NJ $ 280
4. Dana Matherly, Central - SMART Board, Train the Trainer, Union, NJ $ 290

April 2008

Helen Scully, Central - Cancer Wellness, Bedminster, NJ $ 25
Robert Comba, Middle - NJ Middle School Assn, Union, NJ $ 455
Ann Santee, ALT - School Social Work, East Windsor, NJ $ 130

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.7. Watchung-Warren Rotary Club Donation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves with appreciation the donation of $6,000 from the Watchung-Warren Rotary Club towards the purchase of equipment to assist a Warren student in need.

B.8. Woodland School PTO Donation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves with appreciation the donation of $6,806 From the Woodland School PTO towards the purchase of a gym divider.

B.9. Preliminary 2008-2009 Warren Township School Budget
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the PRELIMINARY 2008-2009 Warren Township School Budget and approves the PRLEIMINARY budget for submission to the Somerset County Superintendent of Schools for review as follows:

Budget 2008/2009
Appropriations:
General Fund $35,799,958
Summer School 118,502
Capital Outlay 1,134,000
Capital Reserve 0
Special Revenue500,000
Debt Service 1,601,420
TOTAL BUDGET: $39,153,880

Revenues:
Tax Levy - General Fund $33,825,780
Tax Levy - Debt Service 1,250,402
SUB-TOTAL: $35,079,182

State Aid$ 2,281,728
State Aid - Debt Service 351,016
SUB-TOTAL:$ 2,632,744

Surplus
General Fund $ 309,952
Withdrawal from Capital Reserve 425,000
Debt Service 2

Miscellaneous Revenue$ 210,000
Federal Funds Anticipated 500,000
TOTAL: $39,153,880

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Middle School Track Coach
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Robert Hartshorn as the Middle School boy's track coach at the stipend rate of $1,980 for the 2007-2008 school year. Mr. Hartshorn is replacing Nicholas Bayachek.

C.2. Amendment on Salary Guide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following amended placements on the teachers' negotiated salary guide:
a) Deanna DeRoner from, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 7-8), effective January 1, 2008.

C.3. Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the resignation for retirement from Carol Block, Mt. Horeb School, with appreciation for the 21 years of service to the children of Warren, effective July 1, 2008.

C.4. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2007-2008 school year:
a) Nicole Toto
b) Audrey Taffet

XII. OLD BUSINESS

Board Member Training - Webinar
Mr. Daquila noted that the training must be completed by 3/14. Arrangements can be made in the district if multiple BOE members want to do the webinar together.
Mrs. Winter asked about the Energy Education information that is to be provided to the board. The information from E.E. has been forwarded to the BOE and the references are still being obtained. This will be discussed on 3/10/08.

Dr. Przybylski asked about the math program at the high school for first period and if the zero period issues have been resolved.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

District SMART Board Strategic Plan
Dr. Crisfield discussed the district's SMART board strategic implementation plan.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 8:05 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 8:38 p.m.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Dr. Przybylski, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila

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