February 25, 2014 Regular Business Meeting Agenda

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Dates: 
Tuesday, February 25, 2014 - 10:30pm

 

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION
Skillman, New Jersey 08558
 
Meeting, Tuesday, February 25, 2014
6:00 p.m. Executive Session
7:30 p.m. Public Session
Upper Middle School Media Center
 
AGENDA FOR REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING
 
District Goals 2013-2014
Goal 1: To develop specific communication protocols with parents, staff and community members that are consistent in message and reflect the vision of “Connected, Known and Valued,” with particular focus on the implementation of AchieveNJ and curriculum initiatives.
 
Goal 2: To review, evaluate and assess current programs and staffing structures to determine gaps/needs; make specific recommendations to the Board to address in a fiscally responsible and efficient manner in the following areas: special education, student/staff attendance and the organizational management structure of the district.
 
Goal 3:  To identify and implement social-emotional programming appropriate for all schools by June 2014 and identify the appropriate assessments to measure the efficacy of the programs.
 
OPENING OF THE MEETING
 
Call to Order – Board President
 
Statement of Open Meeting and Public Participation - In accordance with the State’s Sunshine Law, adequate notice of this meeting was provided by mailing notice of meeting on January 8, 2014 and February 19, 2014.  Notice was provided to Board of Education Members, Montgomery Township Clerk, Rocky Hill Borough Clerk, Public Library, Township Posting, School Posting, PTSA Officers, Courier News, Princeton Packet, Trenton Times, and The Star Ledger.
 
The Board reserves the right to enter into Executive Session during all meetings of the Board of Education.
           
This meeting is being tape-recorded for the purpose of Board review and future reference and to assist in the preparation of minutes.
 
It is the School Board’s intention to conclude this meeting no later than 10:00 p.m.
 
ROLL CALL
 
EXECUTIVE SESSION
 
It is recommended that the Board convene in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing items related to personnel, student disciplinary appeals and negotiations with the Association of Principals and Supervisors of Montgomery Township. When the need for confidentiality no longer exists, the matters will be disclosed to the public.
 
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION – 7:30 p.m.
 
SALUTE THE FLAG
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the following Board Meeting(s):
 
  1. January 7, 2014 Organization Meeting
  2. January 14, 2014 Executive Session Meeting
  3. January 14, 2014 Workshop and Special Meeting
  4. January 28, 2014 Executive Session Meeting
  5. January 28, 2014 Business Meeting
 
ACCEPTANCE OF CORRESPONDENCE – It is recommended that the Board of Education accept the correspondence as follows:
 
1.      E-mail dated 2/3/2014 from P. Simpkins regarding HIB review
2.      E-mail dated 2/5/2014 from L. Winer regarding school calendar
3.      E-mail dated 2/5/2014 from A. Ohki regarding school calendar
4.      E-mail dated 2/11/2014 from S. Yan regarding school calendar
 
NEW BUSINESS FROM BOARD/PUBLIC
 
Members of the public are allotted one opportunity to bring any new/old business to the Board for a maximum of five (5) minutes per speaker. The board president may need to refer an issue to the superintendent if the particular issue has not been handled through the appropriate chain of command within the school district before coming to the board for a response. All responses will be provided at the end of this session.
 
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT       
 
·         Budget Presentation 2014-15 – Personnel and Pupil Services
 
ACTION AGENDA
 
PUBLIC COMMENTS
 
Members of the public are allotted one opportunity to address the Board regarding the Superintendent’s Report or the Action Agenda for a maximum of five (5) minutes during this period of the meeting. All responses will be provided at the end of this session.
 
 
1.0       ADMINISTRATIVE
 
The Superintendent recommends that the Board of Education approve the administrative items as follows:
 
1.1              Routine Monthly Report – Accept the following report:
 
1.      Student Care and Control
2.      Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) Report
3.      Teacher Absences Report
4.      Fire/Security Drill Report
 
1.2                 Policy Committee Charter – Approve the Charter of the Policy Committee.
 
1.3       School Calendar 2014-2015 – Approve the academic calendar for the 2014-2015 school year.
 
1.4       Amended School Calendar 2013-2014 – Approve the amended academic calendar for the 2013-2014 school year.
 
2.0       CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
 
The Superintendent recommends that the Board of Education approve the curriculum and instruction agenda as follows:
 
2.1       Out-of-District Placements – Approve the following Out-of-District placements for the 2013/14 school year.
 

 
 
TUITION
Pupil ID#
School
Anticipated Start Date
ESY
RSY
Total for Year
001183
Fusion Academy, NJ
11/21/13
 
$40,450.00
$40,450.00
102328
Cherokee Creek Boys School, SC
10/15/13
 
$40,300.00
$40,300.00
 
2.2      Chapter 192/193 Funding Approval - Approve additional funding under the provisions of Chapters 192/193, Nonpublic  Auxiliary and Handicapped Services, in the amount of $1,583.00 for the 2013-14 school  year  to be allocated as follows:
 
                                                                             New Funding              Year-to-Date
            Chapter 193    Corrective Speech                    $469.00                      $5,156.00
            Chapter 193    Exam and Classification         $1,114.00                    $11,140.00
 
2.3       Consultant Approvals 2013/2014 – Approve the following consultants for the 2013/14 school year.
 

CONSULTANT NAME/VENDOR
SERVICES PROVIDED
RATES OF SERVICE
Children’s Hospital
Neurological Evaluation
$930.00ea
(revised)
CATIES @
The College of New Jersey
Assistive Technology Evaluation
$1000.00ea
 
3.0       FINANCE
 
The Superintendent recommends that the Board of Education approve the finance agenda as follows:
 
3.1     Financial Reports - As prepared by the School Business Administrator and Treasurer of School Moneys which are in agreement, and presented by the Superintendent, approve the following reports as of January 31, 2014:
 
-          Board Secretary’s Report
-          Treasurer’s Report
-          Investment Report
-          Food Services Report
 
3.2     Ratification of Transfers - ratify the transfer of funds among the general, special revenue and capital projects funds’ line items as of January 31, 2014
 
3.3                Receipt of Certification from Board Secretary - Pursuant to NJAC 6A:23-2.12 (c) 3, I, Thomas M. Venanzi, certify that as of January 31, 2014 no line item account has encumbrances and expenditures, which in total exceed the line item appropriation in violation of 6A:23-2.12 (a).
 
                                          __________________________________                            _________
                                          Board Secretary                                                                      Date
 
3.4     Certification of Board of Education - Pursuant to NJAC 6A:23-2-12 (c) 4, we certify that as of January 31, 2014 after  review of the Board Secretary's and Treasurer’s monthly financial reports, in the minutes of the board each month that no  major account or fund has been over expended in violation of NJAC 6A:23-2.12 (b).
 
3.5     Approval of Monthly Bills for February – approve the monthly bills as follows:
 
General Operating                   $6,919,181.07
Food Service                             $143,245.92
 
3.6     Travel Reimbursement – 2013/2014 and 2014/2015– approve the Board member and/or staff conference and travel expenses as per the attached list.
 
3.7     Receipt and Award of Bid – HVAC Parts for the RTU’s at the Montgomery High School (Bid #B14-09) – Bids were received on January 30, 2014 for HVAC parts for the RTU’s at the Montgomery High School as follows:
           
Vendor                                                                        Base Bid
 
No bids were received on January 30, 2014 for the above-referenced bid,
request Board approval to quote the service.
 
3.8     Withdrawal from Capital Reserve for Approved Amendments to the Long-Range Facility Plan – approve the following resolution:
 
WHEREAS, the Montgomery Township Board of Education has annually appropriated unexpended balances from the general fund to the capital reserve for the purpose of replacing the synthetic turf at cougar stadium at Montgomery High School; and
 
WHEREAS, there are currently adequate funds set aside in the capital reserve for this purpose and in the amount of $1,088,684.66; and
 
WHEREAS, the estimated costs for this project are $871,000 which also includes addressing drainage issues with the project; and
 
WHEREAS, funds can be withdrawn from capital reserve for approved projects in the district’s long-range facility plan by board resolution.
 
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montgomery Township Board of Education approves the withdrawal of $871,000 from capital reserve for the replacement of the synthetic turf at cougar stadium at Montgomery High School and to authorize the appropriation of these funds in the capital projects fund immediately.
 
4.0       PERSONNEL
 
The Superintendent recommends that the Board of Education approve the personnel agenda following discussion in Executive Session
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT
ADJOURNMENT
Groups audience: 
- Private group -