January 19, 2023 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 Democrat on January 12, 2023 to begin at 7:00 PM to be held at the Alexandria Middle School Media Center, 557 County Road 513, Pittstown, NJ   OR  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 
Marci Nardone
William R. Prouty
Wanda Quinones
Michael Small
Doug Walker 

3. FLAG SALUTE

4. PRESENTATIONS

5. CORRESPONDENCE

6. BOARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT

6.A. Referendum Update

7. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

7.A. HIB Report

8. SCHOOL BUSINESS ADMIN/BOARD SECRETARY REPORT

9. COMMITTEE REPORTS

10. PUBLIC INPUT (CONSENT 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 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.

11. OLD BUSINESS

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____Nardone_____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 December 31, 2022 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 December 31, 2022  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 December 31, 2022, 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:
December 15, 2022 - January 13, 2023
Check # A10977 - A11028
Check # B00165 - B00170
Total - $1,526,730.21

13.B. Approval of Minutes
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the following meeting minutes:
December 1, 2022 Regular and Executive Minutes
December 21, 2022 Regular and Executive Minutes

Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve to amend the October 20, 2022 Minutes as follows:
 

13.C. Travel and Related Expenses
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the following mileage reimbursement requests in accordance with the School District Accountability Act.  Only overnight stays are eligible for meal reimbursement.  Mileage, meals and lodging shall be in accordance with NJ Statues, Code, and NJ Department of Treasury Guidelines.  OMB Mileage Reimbursement Rate is $0.47.

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

13.D.1) Motion to approve Lauren Tasy for Wilson Instruction at the professional rate of $45 per hour. 

13.D.2) Motion to approve Matthew Blazure to mentor Deana Valle.

13.D.3) Motion to approve Mckayla Blazure as substitute teacher for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year, pending required documents.

13.D.4) Motion to approve Amy Schroeder, student from The College of New Jersey to student teach in grade 3 with Patricia Bender and Sara Mowder effective January 23, 2023 through May 30, 2023, pending all required documentation.

13.E. Finance and Facilities

13.E.1) Alliance For Competitive Energy Services (ACES)
Motion to approve the purchase of electric generation services through the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services (ACES).

WHEREAS, the Alliance For Competitive Energy Services (hereinafter referred to as “ACES”), an alliance composed of the New Jersey School Boards Association (hereinafter referred to as “NJSBA”), the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials, will from time to time during the Effective Period as defined below solicit bids from electric power suppliers for electric generation services through an energy aggregation program in which NJSBA will act as Lead Agency of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System #E8801-ACESCPS in accordance with the “Public School Contracts Law”, N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-1 et seq., and  the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act, N.J.S.A. 48:3-49 et seq. (“EDECA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder; and

    WHEREAS, the Alexandria Township Board of Education is a Participating member of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System and is eligible thereby to obtain electric generation services for its own use through one or more contracts to be awarded to electric power suppliers following said bids for electric generation services pursuant to the aggregation program; and

    WHEREAS, the Lead Agency will from time to time during the Effective Period from January 19, 2023 through May, 2028 hereinafter referred to as “Effective Period” issue one or more Requests for Bids for electric generation services on behalf of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System pursuant to the Public School Contracts Law and EDECA; and

    WHEREAS, due to significant volatility and the potential for price increases in the wholesale electric market, Participating Members will preauthorize the Lead Agency to award contracts for Electric Generation Service in each service territory to one or more electric power suppliers that submit bids which are reasonably forecasted to provide estimated savings to the Participating Member based upon its previous electric usage and utility provided Basic Generation Service rates; and  

    WHEREAS, the Lead Agency will only award contracts for said electric generation services to electric power suppliers that submit bids with pricing reasonably estimated to be lower than the utility-provided basic generation service; and

    WHEREAS, the District agrees to purchase all electric power needed for its own use (exclusive of on-site electric generation sources) during the Effective Period through any electric power supplier(s) awarded a contract, it being understood that the term of any one contract shall be subject to the provisions of Public School Contracts Law;

    WHEREAS, the Lead Agency will notify the Department of Community Affairs’ Division of Local Government Services by mail prior to the issuance a Request for Bids for electric generation services, with the understanding that if the Division of Local Government Services does not respond within 10 business days, it will be deemed to have approved the issuance of the Request for Bids or the Request for Rebids.

NOW, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the District binds itself to the ACES Cooperative Pricing System ##E8801-ACESCPS to purchase all electric power needed for its own use (exclusive of on-site electric generation sources) during the Effective Period from the electric power supplier or suppliers awarded a contract for electric generation services by the Lead Agency; and, be it    

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lead Agency of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System is hereby authorized to execute a master performance agreement that obligates the district to purchase electricity at the terms and conditions stated therein with a third-party supplier or suppliers who have been awarded the contract or contracts by the Lead Agency on behalf of the participating members of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System #E8801-ACESCPS (or any CPS number to be assigned in the future), and provided further that all such contracts shall be at prices reasonably forecast and estimated by the Lead Agency to provide savings to the Districts relative to the price charged for basic generation service by the electric public utility that would otherwise provide such service; and, be it 

FURTHER RESOLVED that ACES is authorized to continue to bid to obtain electric generation services at any time during the Effective Period on behalf of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System including, for example, a rebid if energy market conditions do not initially lead to a successful bid, on additional dates to be determined by the Lead Agency; and 

FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage.  The authorization provided to the NJSBA pursuant to the Local Public Contracts Laws (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-11(5)), and the Local Public and Public School Contracts Laws Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. 5:34-7.1 et seq.) shall be valid until May, 2028 (the Effective Period) at which time the Cooperative Pricing System will be subject to renewal.  Any rescission or expiration of this resolution shall not affect any Agreements entered into prior to such rescission or expiration. 

13.E.2) Priority of Life Training and Consulting, LLC
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve a proposal for consultant services with Priority of Life Training and Consulting, LLC for safety and security assessment consulting services for the Alexandria Township School District at a rate of $86.25 per hour, not to exceed $5,000.

13.E.3) SANTORINI CONSTRUCTION CHANGE ORDER
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent the Board approve
Sanorini Construction to install light trim to exterior canopy lighting for the sum of $1,540.00.
 

13.F. Education

13.F.1) District Calendar
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the 2023-2024 District Calendar.

13.F.2) SEMI-WAIVER
WHEREAS, N.J.A.C. 6A:23A provides that a school district may request a waiver of compliance with respect to the district's participation in the Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) Program for the 2023-2024 budget year; and

WHEREAS, the Alexandria Township Board of Education desires to apply for this waiver due to the fact that it projects having fewer than 40 Medicaid eligible classified students for the 2023-2024 budget year:

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alexandria Township Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent to submit to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools in the County of Hunterdon an appropriate waiver of requirements of NJAC 6A:23A-5.3 for the 2023-2024 school year.

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
X_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
X_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 __________ .