Minutes of October 18, 2010

The Washington Township Board of Education met on Monday, October 18, 2010 at 7:35 p.m. for their Regular meeting.

The meeting was called to order by Karen Graf, President.  Mrs. Graf read the following statement:  The New Jersey Open Public Meeting Law was enacted to insure the right of the public to have advance notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted upon.  In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Washington Township Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be mailed on April 30, 2010 to The Express Times, and to the Clerk of Washington Township.

Members in attendance were Karen Graf, President, Sally Christine, Vice-President, Sheila Dempski, Jason Ford, Jayne Howard (left at 8:50pm). In addition Roger Jinks, Superintendent, Jean Flynn, Board Secretary, Nancy Georgette, Interim Principal and Valerie Mattes, Principal were also present.

Board Members absent:  Jude Mohan and Anita Smith

Motion by Sally Christine, seconded by Jayne Howard to approve the minutes of September 13, 2010, as presented.  MV: Unanimous – Motion carried

PUBLIC QUESTIONS & DISCUSSIONS (Agenda Items)

a.  The public may speak for three (3) minutes unless they have requested to be on the agenda.

None

PUBLIC HEARING

            a.  As per Public Law 6A:16-2.1 each school district shall, in consultation with their school physician, create a District Nurse’s Service’s Plan. That plan shall be adopted annually during a public hearing conducted at a regular board of education meeting:  Nurse’s Service Plan

Motion by Jayne Howard, seconded by Jason Ford  to approve the Nursing Services Plan for 2010-2011, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV:  Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

PRESENTATIONS:

a.  2009-2010 Testing Report

b.  Safe Schools Presentation – See Principal’s Report

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Motion by Jason Ford, seconded by Sheila Dempski to approve the Student Activity, Petty Cash, and Cafeteria Account Reports for the month ending September 30, 2010, as presented.  MV:  Unanimous – Motion carried

Motion by Sheila Dempski, seconded by Sally Christine to approve the Secretary’s Report for September 30, 2010 showing a cash balance of $1,163,931.95. MV: Unanimous – Motion carried

Motion by Sally Christine, seconded by Jayne Howard to approve the Treasurer’s Report for September 30, 2010, showing a cash balance of $1,163,931.95, and note that the report is in agreement with the Secretary’s Report for September 30, 2010. MV: Unanimous – Motion carried

Minutes of October 18, 2010

Motion by Jayne Howard, seconded by Jason Ford to certify that no line item account has encumbrances and expenditures, which in total exceed the line item appropriation in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11 (a) and no major account or fund has been over expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(b).  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Motion by Jason Ford, seconded by Sheila Dempski to approve the following substitutes for the 2010-2011 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.   RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

            Teacher:  Valeryia Molchanov, Rebecca May, Ashley Roth (pending certificate) and

                           Allen Wagner (pending criminal history check)

            Paraprofessional:  Rebecca May

Motion by Sheila Dempski, seconded by Sally Christine to approve the out-of-district staff development workshops, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

Motion by Sally Christine, seconded by Jayne Howard to increase Whitney Nalepa from half-time to full-time Basic Skills Instruction teacher (BSI), effective September 27, 2010, Step 1BA, Salary $44,225 (2009-2010 Guide) additional time funded by Education Job Fund, as recommended by the Superintendent. RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

Motion by Jayne Howard, seconded by Jason Ford to approve maternity and New Jersey Family Leave for Corinne Gigantino starting March 28, 2011 through June 30, 2011, using sick days, disability insurance and New Jersey Family and Medical Leave, returning September 1, 2011, as recommended by the Superintendent. RCV:  Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

Motion by Jason Ford, seconded by Sheila Dempski to approve Kyle A. Kays, a student from Centenary College, to student teach at Brass Castle School with Corinne Gigantino and Michael Alogna from January 18, 2011 through May 9, 2011, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

Motion by Sheila Dempski, seconded by Sally Christine to approve Catherine Wyglendowski to complete required ten (10) hours of classroom observation at Port Colden School with Sue Graham, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

Motion by Sally Christine, seconded by Jayne Howard to approve Ashley Roth, a student from Centenary College to complete required four (4) hours of classroom observation at Port Colden School with Laura Sullivan, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

Motion by Jayne Howard, seconded by Jason Ford to approve John Mercurio, a student from Warren County Community College to complete required ten (10) hours of classroom observation at Port Colden School with Tonilyn Melhem, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

Minutes of October 18, 2010

Motion by Jason Ford, seconded by Sheila Dempski to approve training of the following staff volunteers to be epipen delegates for 8 students, whose parents requested a delegate at Port Colden School and 8 students whose parents requested a delegate at Brass Castle School for the 2010-2011 school year. They will be trained as per NJDOE guidelines and district policy R5330, as recommended by the Superintendent.  (We are grateful to these individuals for extending themselves as volunteers.) RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

Sharon App, Rob Borusovic, Liz Burkat, Sara Carlstrom, Pam Casserly, Michele Cooper, Lisa Galoppo, John Hornyak, Denise Jordan, Carol Kopie, Amybeth Kupcha, Raph Margolin, Colleen Mattei, Val Mattes, Whitney Nalepa, Ruth O’Cone, Joan Pare, Debbie Polhemus, Gina Renner and Laurie Rohmann.

Motion by Sheila Dempski, seconded by Sally Christine to approve Peer Leaders from Warren Hills Regional High School to volunteer in our district on the following dates:  October 27, 2010, November 30, 2010 and December 16, 2010, (2011 dates TBA) arriving at 9:50am until 11:00am. List of teachers they will be visiting is as follows, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

            1st Grade

Baratta- Rebecca Sella & Jennifer Lacaillade

Cooper- Ingrid Firmin & Sarah Cortright

Graham- Katie Sesholtz & Taylor Jones

Lisk- April Bullock & Amanda Brands

2nd Grade

Kupcha- Nicola Wilson & Lia Ferranti

O’Cone- Courtney Cambria & David Wiessler

Rohmann- Lauren Brands & Patrick Cairo

Trush- Patrick Jacobson & Ariel Williams

3rd Grade

Bell- Zach Waegener & Duncan Thurber

Harper- Chase Kosberg & Katrina Naxera

Melhem- Tony Marra & Jenna Michel

Slack- Bianca Rooney & Eric Ventriglia

Resource Centers

Maurer- Kathy Griffin

Meyerhofer- Marshall Cumomo

Sullivan- Emily Garcia

Hornyak- Connor Hartl & Kevin Kunzmann

Motion by Sally Christine, seconded by Jayne Howard to approve the following field trips, dates and times TBA, for the 2010-2011 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent. (All students will be transported in school buses unless their destination is New York City, Philadelphia or beyond 50 miles. Parents/guardians are responsible for all fees and transportation costs) RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

1. PreS&Pre-K            Kids Towne, USA, Hamilton, NJ
2. PreS&4-Watters       Horse Sleigh Farm, Washington, NJ –

No transportation required

                        c.  Kindergarten             Pax Amicus Theatre, Budd Lake, NJ

                        d.  First Grade               Franklin Mineral Museum, Franklin, NJ

                        e.  Second Grade          Franklin Institute Science Museum, Philadelphia, PA

f.  Third Grade               New Jersey State House, Trenton, NJ

g.  Fourth Grade            Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, Liberty State Park, NJ

Minutes of October 18, 2010

h.  Fifth Grade               Battleship NJ, Adventure Aquarium, Camden, NJ

i.  Sixth Grade               Broadway Show, New York City, NY

(The Board of Education will pay the transportation costs of the following trips:)

                        Grade Level

                        a.   Transition Trips:

    i.      Warren Hills Middle School, IEP Transition Visits – Sixth Grade

    ii.      PC Grade 3 to visit BC Grade 4

1. Music
   1.                                                       i.        All Star Band Concert – Location TBA

Small group of selected students transported by van or in conjunction with another school.

1.                                                      ii.        Warren Hills Regional High School – 6^th Chorus & Band
2. Grade 6:

Stokes Environmental Overnight Trip, Stokes State Forest, Branchburg, NJ

1. G&T Enrichment Experiences
   1.                                                       i.        Blairstown Evangelical Free Church, Blairstown, NJ – 1^st & 2^nd –

Marvelous Math Challenges

1.                                                      ii.        Trinity Methodist Church, Hackettstown, NJ – 4^th –

Mystery Challenges

1.                                                     iii.        Blairstown Elementary School, Blairstown, NJ – 5^/6^th – Debate
2.                                                     iv.        Mansfield Elementary School, Mansfield, NJ – 4^th, 5^th, & 6^th –

Phabulous Physics and Magic of Flight

1.                                                      v.        Warren County Community College, Washington, NJ – 6^th –

WCCC G&T Convocation

1.                                                     vi.        Battle of the Books 5/6^th, Great Meadows, NJ
2.                                                    vii.        Battle of the Minds 5/6^th, Oxford, NJ
3.                                                   viii.        Blairstown Evangelical Free Church, Blairstown, NJ – 5^th & 6^th –

   Spelling Bee Finalist

1.                                                     ix.        Blairstown Evangelical Free Church, Blairstown, NJ – 4^th, 5^th & 6^th –

   Chess Club participants

1.                                                      x.        Hackettstown School, Hackettstown, NJ – Problem Solving – 4^th
2.                                                     xi.        Allamuchy School District, Allamuchy, NJ – Robotics – 6^th

Motion by Jayne Howard, seconded by Jason Ford to accept the following resolution concerning group insurance Broker-of-Record Grinspec Consulting for medical and dental insurance, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Howard, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

The Washington Township Board of Education hereby resolves effective December 1, 2010 to make the following changes to its group insurance programs:

1. Designate Grinspec Consulting, a Division of Brown & Brown, Inc., as the Board’s group insurance broker-of-record for our Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey group medical insurance program, group # 85736.

1. Designate Grinspec Consulting, a Division of Brown & Brown, Inc., as the Board’s group insurance broker-of-record for our Delta Dental group dental insurance program, group # 07245.

1. Grinspec Consulting is authorized to act on behalf of the Board in all matters related to these programs.  Grinspec Consulting’s responsibilities will include – but are not limited to – negotiating annual renewal rates, marketing our group insurance programs, and aiding our staff in the resolution of billing, enrollment, and claim problems.  Grinspec Consulting is authorized to receive commission payments from Horizon and Delta as compensation for their services, percentages for which are currently included in our premium rates.

Minutes of October 18, 2010      

1. All appropriate Board of Education staff members are authorized to take such action and affect such documentation as necessary to implement these changes.

1. This resolution rescinds any prior broker-of-record appointment for these programs.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORTS

1. Character Ed/Safe School Initiatives.

Jayne Howard left meeting at 8:50pm

TECHNOLOGY REPORT

CORRESPONDENCE

1. District Newsletter – Vol. 3, Issue 2; and
2. Thank you from Water Festival Coordinators
3. PowerPoint from Grinspec Consulting

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance & Policy Committee: 

Motion by Sheila Dempski, seconded by Jason Ford to approve the Bills List for October, 2010.  MV:  Unanimous – Motion carried

Motion by Sheila Dempski, seconded by Jason Ford to approve the line item transfers, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

Motion by Sheila Dempski, seconded by Jason Ford to approve the submission of the 2010 IDEA Amendment 1 (Amendment 1 is to carry-over 2008-2009 funds as they would be spent in 2009-2010 these funds total  $19,400 of which $18,085 represent Non-Public carry-over), as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

Motion by Sheila Dempski, seconded by Jason Ford to approve the first reading of Policy Alert 190, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

            Policy Alert 190

1. Policy 0146 – Board Member Authority (Revised)

Several recent School Ethics Commission decisions found conduct by a Board member while visiting a school violated the School Ethics Act or the Code of Ethics for Board Members. Bylaw 0146 has been revised to provide guidance to Board members when visiting a school indicating a Board member shall comply with district policy and regulations for all school visitors.

1. Policy 0171 – Duties of Board President and Vice President (Revised)

The re-codification of N.J.A.C. 6:3-1.2 to N.J.A.C. 6A:32-3.1 requires a legal citation revision in Bylaw 0171. Additional changes include a minor word change in #5 of the Bylaw.

1. Policy 0173 – Duties of Public School Accountant (Revised)

Administrative code sections in N.J.A.C. 6A:23A – Fiscal Accountability, Efficiency, and Budgeting Procedures, adopted in December 2009, replaced many of the administrative code sections of N.J.A.C. 6A:23 – Finance and Business Services. Many of the new N.J.A.C. 6A:23A administrative code sections were recodified from N.J.A.C. 6A:23 without any revisions.

Minutes of October 18, 2010

1. Policy 3144 – Certification of Tenure Charges (Revised)

Recent changes in several sections of N.J.A.C. 6A:3-5 – Charges Under Tenure Employees’ Hearing Act require revisions and updating to Policy Guide 3144. Regulation Guide 3144 is new and is very specific in outlining the procedures and timelines to be followed when tenure charges are instituted against tenured teaching staff members.

1. Policy 4159 – Support Staff Member/School District Reporting Responsibilities (New)

Support Staff Member/School District Reporting Responsibilities to report to the Superintendent of Schools their arrest or indictment for any crime or offense within fourteen days. Policy Guide 4159 has been developed to require non-certified staff to do the same. Policy Guide 4159 is RECOMMENDED

1. Policy 5516 – Use of Electronic Communication/Recording Devices (Revised)         

Policy Guide 5516 has been revised to provide guidance to school districts regarding a pupil’s use of electronic communication. This policy does not prohibit possession or use of a device on school grounds, but only permits the device to be used during the school day with permission.

1. Policy 6112 – Reimbursement of Federal and Other Grant Expenditures (New)

Recent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) monitoring auditors are requiring school districts to have a formal Board approved policy concerning the reimbursement of Federal grants be submitted to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for review.

Transportation Committee:

NOTE:  Bus evacuation drills were held at Brass Castle and Port Colden Schools on September 29, 2010.

Motion by Jason Ford, seconded by Sally Christine to accept the quotes for a hourly rate, for local class trips, for the 2010-2011 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

                                                              School Bus

First Student, Washington          3 hr. minimum $198

                                                            $45 hr. add. hrs. plus tolls and parking

GST                                          No quote

Snyder Bus                               $42.75

First Student, Vienna                 No quote

Motion by Jason Ford, seconded by Sally Christine to award the contract for the following for a hourly rate for local class trips for the 2010-2011 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

                                                       School Bus

Snyder Bus                               $42.75

Motion by Jason Ford, seconded by Sally Christine to approve the Joint Transportation Agreement with Franklin Township Board of Education for the 2010-2011 school year as listed, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

                Route                          Cost

            Van 3 AM/PM                $17,411.50

            Van 3 Midday                    5,830.00       

                                                $23,231.50

Minutes of October 18, 2010

Facilities Committee:

Motion by Jason Ford, seconded by Sally Christine to approve the M-1 (Annual Maintenance Budget Amount Worksheet) as per N.J.A.C. 6A:26A-4.1 to be submitted to the Executive County Superintendent, as recommended by the Superintendent.  RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

Motion by Jason Ford, seconded by Sally Christine approving the submission of the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP) for 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 as per 6A:26A-3.1 to the Executive County Superintendent as presented and recommended by the Superintendent. RCV: Christine, Dempski, Ford, Graf – All voting yes – Motion carried

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION – old and/or new business

(The public may speak for three (3) minutes unless they have requested to be on the agenda.)

None

Roger publically thanked Nancy Georgette, Interim Principal.

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Motion by Sally Christine, seconded by Sheila Dempski Whereas, the Board must consider matters involving contracts, the deliberation of such matters may be held in private under the Open Public Meeting Act, NJSA 10:4-6, the Board will adjourn to executive session to discuss the above mentioned matters, to the exclusion of all others.  If an action results, it will be taken following re-entry into regular session.

            MV: Unanimous – Motion carried                              Time:  8:55 p.m.

Motion by Sheila Dempski, seconded by Jason Ford to return to open session.

            MV: Unanimous – Motion carried                              Time:  9:32 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Sally Christine, seconded by Sheila Dempski to adjourn.                    

            MV: Unanimous – Motion carried                                Time:  9:34 p.m.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted:

                                                                                    Jean Flynn

                                                                                    Business Administrator/Board Secretary

MINUTES

NURSING SERVICES PLAN

STUD.ACT.,

PETTY CASH &

CAFÉ.  RPTS.

SECRETARY’S

REPORT

TREASURER’S

REPORT

FUNDS

SUBSTITUTES

O-O-D STAFF DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

W. NALEPA

HALF TO FULL TIME

C. GIGANTINO

MATERNITY & FAMILY LEAVE

KYLE KAYS STUDENT TEACHER

CATHY

WYGLENDOWSKI

ASHLEY ROTH

OBSERVATION

JOHN MERCURIO

OBSERVATION

EPIPEN DELEGATES

PEER LEADERS

WHRHS

FIELD TRIPS

GRINSPEC

CONSULTING

RESOLUTION

BILLS LIST

TRANSFERS

IDEA AMEND.

BUS EVAC.

HOURLY RATE LOCAL FIELD TRIPS

ACCEPT QUOTES

HOURLY RATE LOCAL FIELD TRIPS AWARD CONTRACT

JOINT TRANS. FRANKLIN TWP.

FORM M-1

3 YR. CMP

EXECUTIVE SESSION

OPEN SESSION

ADJOURNMENT