April 11, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Work Session Meeting
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1. NOTIFICATION OF MEETING
Welcome to a public meeting of the Alexandria Township Public Schools under the Open Public Meetings Act of 1975, also known as the “Sunshine Law.” The District hopes that you will find this meeting informative and instructive, and that citizens are afforded an opportunity to better understand and appreciate the District’s operation and functions. Under the Sunshine Law, the District must provide notice of all open meetings to allow citizens to attend and observe the deliberations of the District. This meeting was properly advertised according to the Open Public Meeting Act (P.L. 1975:31) in the Hunterdon Democrat on January 11, 2024, to begin at 7:00 PM at the Alexandria Middle School Media Center, 557 County Road 513, Pittstown, NJ. |
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2. ROLL CALL
April Abelman Renee Bagley Caterina Dobak Eric Joseph Marybeth Madlinger Marci Nardone Wanda Quinones Michael Small Doug Walker |
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3. FLAG SALUTE
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4. PRESENTATIONS
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5. CORRESPONDENCE
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6. BOARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT
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7. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
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7.A. Bullying / Suspensions (see details attached)
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8. SCHOOL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR/BOARD SECRETARY'S REPORT
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8.A. Discussion of the 2024-2025 Preliminary School Budget
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9. COMMITTEE REPORTS
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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. Public participation at board meetings is intended to allow individuals of the public to address the Board on issues of public concern, and is not intended as a forum for extended conversation or two-way dialogue with the Board members and/or District officials. The Board has set aside a specific section of the agenda, titled Board Discussion of Public Comments, whereby the Board can discuss the public comment topics in open session. Thus, the Board shall set aside two twenty-minute periods for public comment at each meeting. In order to permit the fair and orderly expression of such comments, public participation shall be governed by the following rules:
The Board President is responsible for maintaining a respectful environment during public participation, so that public comments can be heard and considered by the Board. The President, therefore, may interrupt or terminate any individual’s speaking privilege if the speaker’s comments are excessively loud, disruptive, obscene, or otherwise in violation of applicable law. Further, an individual may be cautioned that a personally directed statement may be slanderous or defaming and that the individual may be liable for his/her statement. Examples of unacceptable behavior that will not be permitted include, but are not limited to: naming District employees and engaging in personal attacks, racial slurs, excessive loudness, calling out, yelling, generally disruptive behavior, attempting to disrupt the meeting or inciting others to do the same. Any disregard for the rules of decorum stated above will not be tolerated and may subject the individual or group to removal from the meeting. If necessary, the board meeting will be adjourned temporarily or until the next scheduled meeting. |
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11. BOARD DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS
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12. OLD BUSINESS
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13. NEW BUSINESS
Policy 0142 - Board Member Qualifications, Prohibited Acts and Code of Ethics Zoll Medical AED and Portable Interactive First Aid Kits Referendum Ideas for November ballot question Fencing |
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14. 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____Bagley____Dobak____Joseph____Madlinger____Nardone____Quinones____Small____Walker____ |
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14.A. Finance
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14.A.1) Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board approve the transfers for the months ending March 2024 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 March 31, 2024 and 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 March 31, 2024, and that as of this date sufficient funds are available to meet the District's financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year. |
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14.A.2) Bill List
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Ed approve the following Bill List: March 19, 2024 - Check # A12095 Check # B248 Total - $ |
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14.B. Policy
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the 1st reading of the following policy: 0171 - Duties of President and Vice President RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the 2nd reading of the following policies: 0164 - Conduct of Board Meetings - eliminate "Correspondence" 0168 - Recording of Board Meetings - eliminate "The Board Secretary shall make an audio tape of each meeting. The recording shall be permanently preserved as a governmental record in accordance with the Open Public Records Act." |
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14.C. Approval of Minutes
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the following meeting minutes: Meeting Minutes February 22, 2024 Executive Session Minutes February 22, 2024 Meeting Minutes March 7, 2024 Executive Session Minutes March 7, 2024 Executive Session Minutes March 19, 2024 |
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14.D. 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. |
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14.D.1) NJAMTE Conference
Motion to approve G. Savacool to attend the NJAMTE Conference, Supporting Mathematics Teachers to Navigate the Evolving Socio-Cultural, Political, and Technological Landscape, June 7, 2024, registration- $40, mileage $30.00. Motion to approve J. Lippincott to attend the NJAMTE Conference, Supporting Mathematics Teachers to Navigate the Evolving Socio-Cultural, Political, and Technological Landscape., June 7, 2024, registration- $40, mileage $25.00. |
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14.D.2) Open SCI Ed Orientation Training - Middle School
Motion to approve Julianne Romanella to attend Rutgers Open SCI Ed Orientation Training - Middle School, May 29 & 30, 2024, registration $250.00, transportation-$50.00. |
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14.D.3) Open SCI Ed Orientation Training - Middle School
Motion to approve Nicole Spayd to attend Rutgers Open SCI Ed Orientation Training - Middle School, May 29 & 30, 2024, registration $250.00. |
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14.E. Personnel
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the following: |
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14.E.1) Leave of Absence
Motion to approve Employee #124 a Leave of Absence beginning May 8, 2024 through the end of the 2023-24 school year. |
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14.E.2) Extended Leave of Absence
Motion to approve an extended Leave of Absence through the end of the 2023-24 school year for Employee #161. |
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14.E.3) Extended Leave Replacement
Motion to approve extending Sarah Kurcin as a Leave Replacement teacher through the end of the 2023-24 school year. |
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14.E.4) Mentor
Motion to approve Michele Petrie as mentor for Tara Werner. |
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14.E.5) Substitute Nurse
Motion to approve Debra Spayd as Substitute Nurse for the 2023-24 school year, pending completion of required forms. |
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14.F. Finance and Facilities
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14.F.1) Payment Applications
Motion to approve the following Payment Applications: DC Building Systems - Pay App #21, 54,832.99 Santorini - Pay App 21, 38,962.13 Preferred Plumbing - Pay App # 22, $1,748.00 |
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14.F.2) Change Orders:
Motion to approve the following change orders: |
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14.F.3) Public Hearing Meeting Date
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves Kevin McPeek to conduct the Public Hearing of the 2023-2024 Annual School District Budget. The meeting will be conducted at 7:00 PM. The Board will conduct regular business immediately following the Public Hearing. |
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14.F.4) Clinton Township Tuition Contract
Motion to approve a 2023/2024 tuition contract with Clinton Township School in the amount of $59,400 beginning April 9, 2024 through June 30, 2024 for one student whose name is on file in the Business Office. |
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14.F.5) Payroll Services
Motion to approve R & L DataCenters, Inc. for payroll related services at $351/pay period |
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14.F.6) New Jersey Schools Insurance Group Security Grant
Motion made to approve the FY24 NJSIG Security Grant in the amount of $2,800, to be used for security upgrades in the 2024-25 School Year. |
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14.G. Education
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14.G.1) Spring Curriculum Writing 2024
Motion to approve the following teachers for Spring Curriculum Writing for 30 hours each at the rate of $45/hour, work to be completed by June 30th: L. Stone M. Petrie J. Olcott E. Lewis C. Allmer M. McGarry G. Savacool J. Romnella T. Fawcett T. Attanasio D. Lindsay C. Arduini T. Drake M. Haughey K. Nemeth T. Travis S. Grossmann |
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14.H. Alexandria Township Education Foundation (ATEF)
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board accept the following ATEF Grant: 2024-08 - Waterways with Raritan Headwaters, J. Romanella, D. Hofmann, C. Allmer, G. Savacool, S. DeSaro, L. Tasy, J. Yonney, $680 |
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15. 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. Public participation at board meetings is intended to allow individuals of the public to address the Board on issues of public concern, and is not intended as a forum for extended conversation or two-way dialogue with the Board members and/or District officials. The Board has set aside a specific section of the agenda, titled Board Discussion of Public Comments, whereby the Board can discuss the public comment topics in open session. Thus, the Board shall set aside two twenty-minute periods for public comment at each meeting. In order to permit the fair and orderly expression of such comments, public participation shall be governed by the following rules:
The Board President is responsible for maintaining a respectful environment during public participation, so that public comments can be heard and considered by the Board. The President, therefore, may interrupt or terminate any individual’s speaking privilege if the speaker’s comments are excessively loud, disruptive, obscene, or otherwise in violation of applicable law. Further, an individual may be cautioned that a personally directed statement may be slanderous or defaming and that the individual may be liable for his/her statement. Examples of unacceptable behavior that will not be permitted include, but are not limited to: naming District employees and engaging in personal attacks, racial slurs, excessive loudness, calling out, yelling, generally disruptive behavior, attempting to disrupt the meeting or inciting others to do the same. Any disregard for the rules of decorum stated above will not be tolerated and may subject the individual or group to removal from the meeting. If necessary, the board meeting will be adjourned temporarily or until the next scheduled meeting. |
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16. BOARD DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS
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17. 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 _X__School/Public Security _X__Collective Bargaining _X__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 __________. |
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18. OPEN SESSION
Motion made by __________, seconded by __________, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that the Alexandria Board return to Open Session at __________. |
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19. ADJOURN
Motion made by __________, seconded by __________, to adjourn the meeting at __________ . |