November 4, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Work Session Meeting

1. NOTIFICATION OF MEETING
This meeting was properly advertised according to the Open Public Meeting Act (P.L. 1975:31) in the Hunterdon Democrat on October 15, 2020, to begin at 7:00 PM in the Alexandria Middle School New Gym and via remote.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MEETING

2. ROLL CALL
April Abelman
Caterina Dobak
Eric Joseph
Marybeth Madlinger 
Bradley Patkochis
William R. Prouty
Wanda Quinones
Michael Small
Doug Walker 

3. FLAG SALUTE

4. PRESENTATIONS

5. CORRESPONDENCE

6. BOARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT

7. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
2020-2021 Sports Season

8. SCHOOL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR/BOARD SECRETARY'S REPORT

9. COMMITTEE REPORTS

10. PUBLIC INPUT - (Agenda Items Only)
The Alexandria Township Board of Education recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters. Thus, the Board shall set aside two twenty minute periods for public comment each meeting. In order to permit the fair and orderly expression of such comment, public participation shall be governed by the following rules:

1.  A participant must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface comments by announcing his/her name, place of residence, and group affiliation, if appropriate.
2.  Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to 5 minutes in duration.
3.  No participant may speak on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard.
4.  All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer; no participant may address Board members individually.

11. OLD BUSINESS
LDW Consolidation / Referendum

12. NEW BUSINESS

13. CONSENT AGENDA
Motion made by __________, seconded by __________, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that the Alexandria Township Board of Education approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

ROLL CALL VOTE:
Abelman____Dobak____Joseph____Madlinger____Patkochis____Prouty___Quinones____Small____Walker____
 

13.A. Finance

13.A.1) Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that the Board approve the transfers for the months ending _____ as submitted by the Superintendent, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:22-8-2.

to accept the monthly financial reports of the Board Secretary and the Treasurer of School Moneys for the month ending _____ in compliance with N.J.A.C.6:20-2.13(3) that the Board of Education certify that no major account or fund has been overexpended and that as of this report sufficient funds are available to meet the District's financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year.

upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that the Board accept the certification of the School Business Administrator, as required by N.J.A.C.6:20-2.13(D), that no line item account has been over expended as of _____, and that as of this date sufficient funds are available to meet the District's financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year.

13.A.2) Bill List
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Ed approve the following Bill List:

13.B. Approval of Minutes
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the following meeting minutes:
October 15, 2020 Meeting Minutes

13.C. Travel and Related Expenses Reimbursed
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, of the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the attached list of requests for employee/Board Member travel in accordance with the School District Accountability Act. Only overnight stays are eligible for meal reimbursement. Mileage, meals, and lodging reimbursements shall be in accordance with NJ Statute, Code, and NJ Department of Treasury Guidelines. OMB Mileage Reimbursement Rate is $0.35.

13.D. Personnel
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the following:

13.D.1) RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, to approve Sara Sciarello as part of the Pandemic Response Committee to be paid $45 per hour - August 17 and August 24, 2020.

13.E. Policy
RESOLVED,  upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the first reading of the following Policies and Regulations:

P 1620            Administrative Employment Contracts
P&R 6470.01  Electronic Funds Transfer and Claimant Certification
P&R 5330.05  Seizure Action Plan
P 1648.02       Remote Learning Options for Families
 

13.F. Finance and Facilities

13.F.1) All-In-One Desktops
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approve the distribution of obsolete "All In One Desktop" computers, previously approved for disposal, to the following employees (at no charge) for personal use:
Serial #MXL1240295   Employee #ST007
Serial #MXL124029T   Employee #ST160
Serial #MXL124029C  Employee #ST077

13.F.2) New Jersey Schools Insurance Group Educational Risk & Insurance Consortium Membership Renewal
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 18A:18B-1, et seq., enables boards of education to join with other boards of education in school board insurance trusts for the purpose of forming self-insurance pools;

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Schools Insurance Group ("NJSIG") is a joint insurance fund authorized by N.J.S.A. 18A:18B-1, et seq. to provide insurance coverage and risk management services for its members;

WHEREAS, the Alexandria Township Board of Education, herein after referred to as the "Educational Institution," has resolved to apply for and/or renew its membership with NJSIG;

WHEREAS, the Educational Institution certifies that it has not defaulted on a claim, and has not been cancelled for non-payment of insurance premium for a period of at least two (2) years prior to the date of its application to NJSIG;

WHEREAS, the Educational Institution desires to secure protection, services, and savings relating to insurance and self-insurance for itself and its departments and employees; and,

WHEREAS, the Educational Institution finds that the best and most efficient way of securing this protection and services is by cooperating with other boards of education in the State of New Jersey.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT:
1) This agreement is made by and between NJSIG and the Educational Institution;

2) The Educational Institution joins with other boards of education in organizing and becoming members of NJSIG pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18B-

3(a), for a period of three years, beginning on July 1, 2020, and ending July 1, 2023 at 12:01 a.m.; 3) In consideration of membership in NJSIG, the Educational Institution agrees that for those types of coverage in which it participates, the Educational Institution shall jointly and severally assume and discharge the liabilities of each and every member of NJSIG to such agreement arising from their participation in NJSIG. By execution hereof the full faith and credit of the Educational Institution is pledged to the punctual payment of any sums which shall become due to NJSIG in accordance with the bylaws thereof, the plan of risk management, this Agreement and any applicable statute or regulation;

4) The Educational Institution and NJSIG agree that NJSIG shall hold all monies paid by the Educational Institution to NJSIG as fiduciaries for the benefit of NJSIG claimants all in accordance with applicable statutes and/or regulations;

5) NJSIG shall establish and maintain Trust Accounts in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:18B-1, et seq. and such other statutes and regulations as may be applicable;

 6) By adoption and signing of this resolution, the Educational Institution is hereby joining NJSIG in accordance with the terms of this Indemnity and Trust Agreement and Resolution to Join / Renew Membership, effective the date indicated below, for the types of insurance as indicated in the Insurance Binder issued by NJSIG;

7) The Educational Institution hereby ratifies and affirms the bylaws and other organizational and operational documents of NJSIG, and as from time to time amended by NJSIG and/or the State of New Jersey, Department of Banking and Insurance, in accordance with the applicable statutes and regulations as if each and every one of said documents were re-executed contemporaneously herewith;

8) The Educational Institution agrees to be a participating member of NJSIG for the period herein provided for and to comply with all of the rules and regulations and obligations associated with said membership, including, but not limited to the NJSIG’s Plan of Risk Management;

9) The Educational Institution under its obligations as a member of NJSIG agrees to allow for safety inspections of its properties, to pay contributions in a timely fashion and to comply with the bylaws and standards of participation of NJSIG including the plan of risk management;

10)If NJSIG, in the enforcement of any part of this Agreement, shall incur necessary expense or become obligated to pay attorney’s fees and/or court costs, the Educational Institution agrees to reimburse NJSIG for all such reasonable expenses, fees and costs on demand;

11)The Business Administrator is hereby authorized in accordance with the Public School Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-1, et seq., to execute such contracts and documentation with NJSIG as is necessary to effectuate this resolution; and,

12)The Business Administrator is directed to send a certified copy of this Indemnity and Trust Agreement and Resolution to Join / Renew Membership to NJSIG.
 

13.F.3) The Education Consortium (ECTS)
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approve ECTS for FY21 as our service providers for all matters pertaining to our E-rate applications and flow of approved funds including filing of our BEAR forms for reimbursement.

13.F.4) Approve Application for New Jersey School Security Grant
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the Business Administrator to apply for New Jersey School Security Grant. The district has tentatively been awarded $24,606 to be used for Facility Security Improvements pending acceptance and approval of application by New Jersey Department of Education.
 

13.F.5) Approve 10/13/2020 CDW-G Chromebook Pilot Program Purchase
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves $26,455.00 purchase of Chromebooks for use in Student "Pilot Program". Chromebooks purchased through ESCNJ 18/19 -03 Cooperative contract. Fund used for program:
CARES ACT Digital Divide Grant: $12,004.00, 20-477-100-600-100-000
REAP Grant: $14,451.00, 20-265-200-300-001-200
 

13.G. Education

13.G.1) Report on HIB District Assessment
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the 2019-2020 Report on School Self Assessment for Determining Grades under the Anti Bullying Bill of Rights Act.

14. PUBLIC INPUT
The Alexandria Township Board of Education recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters. Thus, the Board shall set aside two twenty minute periods for public comment each meeting.  In order to permit the fair and orderly expression of such comment, public participation shall be governed by the following rules:

1.  A participant must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface comments by announcing his/her name, place of residence, and group affiliation, if appropriate.
2.  Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to 3 minutes in duration.
3.  No participant may speak on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard.
4.  All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer; no participant may address Board members individually.

15. EXECUTIVE SESSION
WHEREAS the "Open Public Meetings Act" (Chapter 231 Laws of 1975) authorizes a public body to exclude the public from that portion of a meeting at which specified topics are to be discussed under circumstances where the public consideration of such topics will clearly endanger the public or where the personal privacy or guaranteed rights of individuals whose activities or affairs are to be discussed would clearly in danger of unwarranted invasion; be it

RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Township of Alexandria now adjourns its public session to reconvene in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the following:

__Confidential Matters by Law or Court Order
__Purchase Property
__Personnel Matters
__Invasion of Individual Privacy Employee or Student
__Investigation into Violations of Law
__Suspension, Civil Penalty or Loss of a License or Permit
__Disclosure would Impair District's Right to Receive Funding
__School/Public Security
__Collective Bargaining
__Pending, Ongoing or Anticipated Litigation

And be if further RESOLVED that the matters discussed in Executive Session will be made public when confidentiality is no longer required. 

Motion to Enter Executive Session
Motion made by __________, seconded by __________, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools the Alexandria Board enter Executive Session at _____ to discuss __________.

16. OPEN SESSION
Motion made by __________, seconded by __________, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that the Alexandria Board return to Open Session at __________.

17. ADJOURN
Motion made by __________, seconded by __________, to adjourn the meeting at __________ .