April 29, 2021 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

1. NOTIFICATION OF MEETING
This meeting was properly advertised according to the Open Public Meeting Act (P.L. 1975:31) in the Hunterdon Democrate on April 22, 2021 to begin at 7:00 PM via Zoom Link:  https://alexandriaschools.zoom.us/my/kevinmcpeek
or dial in by phone:  1-929-205-6099  Meeting ID # 851 804 0845

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

7.A. Bullying / Suspensions

7.B. 2021-2022 Budget Presentation

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

11.A. Volunteer Coaches

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____Joseph____Madlinger____Patkochis____Quinones____Small____Walker____Dobak____Prouty___

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 February and March 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 February and March 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 February and March, 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 Lists:
March 26 - April 27, 2021 - Check #'s 9489-9544 in the amount of $1,199,504.69.
April 28 - April 29, 2021    - Check #'s 9545-9552 in the amount of $5,416.96.

13.B. Approval of Minutes
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the following meeting minutes:
March 25, 2021 Meeting Minutes
March 25, 2021 Executive Minutes
April 15, 2021 Meeting Minutes
April 15, 2021 Executive Minutes

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

13.C.1) Extended School Program
Motion to approve the following staff to provide services for the 2020-2021 extended school program at their contractual hourly rate:

TEACHERS
Christina Salerno
Erin Winters
Matt Blazure
Lauren Tasy
Kerrie Eisenhardt
Caitlyn Murphy
Gretchen Savacool
Ashley Ripp

PARAPROFESSIONAL
Joan Glennon
Linda Fennelly
Kasey Semanchik
Isabel Braddock

RELATED SERVICE PROVIDERS - DISTRICT
Amy Murray
Sara Slack
Teresa Gover

RELATED SERVICE PROVIDER - CONTRACTED
Therapeutic Intervention

NURSES
Kim Breidt
Christina Suydam
 

13.C.2) Motion to approve Nancy Evans to train Jennifer Yonney and Samatha Gale for the Sonday Program in the Summer 2021, 4 hours at the contractual rate of $35 per hour.

13.C.3) Summer Hiring
Motion to authorize the Superintendent to appoint personnel to fill summer vacancies, subject to ratification of that action by the Board at the next Board meeting.

13.C.4) Motion to approve Diane Plytynski as substitute teacher for the 2020/2021 school year effective April 30, 2021.

13.C.5) Motion to accept a letter of retirement from Sandra Kacedon, Principal at Lester D. Wilson, effective September 1, 2021.  

13.D. School District Budget

13.D.1) 2021-2022 School Budget
WHEREAS, the 2021-2022 Alexandria Township School Budget includes sufficient funds to implement the proposed planning process as described in this district’s Annual Report pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7A -11 and

WHEREAS sufficient funds will be available to provide curriculum and instruction which will enable all students to achieve the Core Curriculum Content Standards;

WHEREAS, the 2021-2022 school budget is in compliance with the requirements set forth in N.J.S.A. 18A and N.J.A.C. Title 6 and 6A;

WHEREAS, the budget was approved by the Hunterdon County Executive School Business Administrator;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Alexandria Township Board of Education adopts the 2021-2022 final budget and authorizes its submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools for final approval as follows:

General Fund Operating Budget: $10,948,239
Special Revenue Fund (Grants and Entitlements): $169,705

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the school budget results in the following General Fund
Tax Levy: General Fund (Operating Budget): $9,107,275

13.D.2) Travel Allowance
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the maximum travel allowance for the 2020/2021 school year shall be established at $80,000.

13.D.3) Maintenance Reserve
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that $270,000 from the Maintenance Reserve Account will be used in the 2021-2022 Operating Budget.

13.E. Finance and Facilities

13.E.1) Professional Services
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent the Board approve the following appointments for 2021-2022 school year:

Accounting Software System:  CDK Systems
Architect:  The Speizle Group
AHERA Consultant:  RK Environmental, Inc.
Attorney:  DiFrancesco, Bateman, Kuunzman, Davis, Lehrer & Flaum, P.C.
Auditor:  Nicholas Cannone, P.C.
Boiler Services:  Metz Inc.
Bond Council:  Wilentz, Goldman, and Spitzer Corporation
Demographer:  Ross Haber and Associates, LLC
Financial Advisors:  Phoenix Advisors, LLC
Health Insurance Agent:  Brown and Brown Benefit Advisors, Inc.
HVAC Service:  Thermal Services
IMP Consultant:  Viking Pest Control
Lawn Care/Snow Removal:  Pat’s Lawn Care, Inc.
Medical:  Hunterdon Family Medicine at Delaware Valley
                Pamela Moss, MD, LLC
                Therapeutic Intervention
Payroll Services:  R&L Payroll Services, Inc.
Right to Know Compliance:  RK Environmental, Inc.
Risk Management Consultants:  CBIZ, Inc.
Security Monitoring Services:  Sonitrol Security Systems
Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator:  Kenneth F. Yudichak
Waste Water Testing:  Eurofins QC, Inc.
Well Water Testing:  Agra Environmental & Laboratory Services
Well Water Compliance Operator:  McGowan, LLC
 

13.E.2) Preschool Tuition

13.E.2)a. Motion to approve a Tuition Contract Agreement for the 2020-21 school year for a preschool student whose name is on file in the Business Office, at a tuition rate of $6,250 per year.  Monthly tuition may be reduced with Board approval due to pandemic.

13.E.2)b. Motion to approve the reduction of preschool tuition from $625 per month to $500 per month for May and June 2021 due to the pandemic.

13.E.3) REAP Grant
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approve application for: Federal Grant: Small, Rural School Achievement Program  (REAP) for the 2021-2022 (FY22) school year.

13.E.4) Pat's Lawn Care
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve a contract between Alexandria Township School District and Pat's Lawn Care for lawn services from April through June 2021. 

13.E.5) School Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)
WHEREAS, a number of school boards in the State of New Jersey have joined together to form the SCHOOLS HEALTH INSURANCE FUND hereafter referred to as "SHIF", as permitted N.J.S.A. 18A:18B-1 et seq., and;

WHEREAS, the SHIF has received approval by the Commissioner of the Department of Banking and Insurance on August 10, 2015;

WHEREAS, the statutes and regulations governing the creation and operation of a joint insurance fund, contain certain elaborate restrictions and safeguards concerning the safe and efficient administration of the public interest entrusted to such a school board joint insurance fund;

WHEREAS, the governing body of Alexandria Township Board of Education, hereinafter referred to as "SCHOOL BOARD" has determined that membership in the SHIF is in the best interest of said SCHOOL BOARD.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the governing body of the SCHOOL BOARD hereby agrees as follows:

    i.    SCHOOL BOARD shall become a member of the SHIF for the period outlined in the SCHOOL BOARD's Indemnity and Trust Agreement.

    ii.    SCHOOL BOARD will participate in the following type (s) of coverage (s):

        a.)    Health Insurance as defined pursuant to N.J.S.A. 17B:17-4, the SHIF's Bylaws, and the SHIF’s Plan of Risk Management.

    iii.    SCHOOL BOARD accepts and approves the SHIF's Bylaws and agrees to be bound by the terms thereof.

    iv.    SCHOOL BOARD shall execute an application for membership and any accompanying certifications.

    v.    SCHOOL BOARD agrees to commit to the four principles of the SHIF which are:

        a.)    A long term philosophy on rates.
        b.)    A willingness to work with bargaining units to achieve plan design changes.
        c.)    Professional management with stability and commitment.
        d.)    Rating structure based on actuarial numbers.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governing body of the SCHOOL BOARD is authorized and directed to execute the Indemnity and Trust Agreement and such other documents signifying membership in the SHIF as required by the SHIF's Bylaws, and to deliver these documents to the SHIF's Executive Director with the express reservation that these documents shall become effective only upon:

    i.    Approval of the SCHOOL BOARD by the SHIF.

    ii.    Receipt by the SHIF of a Resolution from the SCHOOL BOARD accepting SCHOOL BOARD’s SHIF assessment.

    iii.    Approval by the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance of SCHOOL BOARD as a member of the SHIF.

13.E.6) Approve United Business Systems - Copier and Service Proposal
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the attached copier and service proposal from United Business Systems. The proposal includes the lease of 6 Cannon copier machines on a 60 month lease for $598.00 per month. The service contract calls for Black/White (B/W) copies at .34 cents per copy, and color (C) copies at 3.9 cents per copy. Current monthly usage service is estimated 16700 B/W and 7,300 C copies per month at cost of $341.78 per month. Total annual copier machine lease cost and use estimate is $11,277.36

13.E.7) Approve Application and Accept 2021-2022 CRRSA ESSER II Grant Award
RESOLVED, upon the recommedation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the application, and accepts the grant award for the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplementary Appropriations Act (CRRSA) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund II (ESSER II) in the amount of $119,045. The allotment of funds specified by the grant: $49,045 Mandatory subgrants based on Title I funds; $25,000 Learning Acceleration; $45,000 Mental Health. 

13.F. Education

13.F.1) Flemington Raritan Regional School District LLD Program Tuition Contract
Resolved, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve a tuition contract for Student #3378 between Flemington-Raritan School District and Alexandria Township Board of Education, at a yearly tuition rate of $60,194 ($334.41 per diem) prorated from March 1, 2021 to June 2021 (last day of attendance).

13.F.2) Resolved upon the recommendaton of the Superintendent that the Board approve 8th Grade Graduation to be held on Thursday, June 17th at 6:30 PM.

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
_X 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 __________ .