September 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

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 Star Ledger on September 5, 2024, to begin at 7:00 PM at the Alexandria Middle School Media Center, 557 County Road 513, Pittstown, NJ.

2. ROLL CALL
April Abelman
Renee Bagley
Caterina Dobak
Eric Joseph
Marybeth Madlinger 
Marci Nardone
Wanda Quinones
Michael Small
Doug Walker 

3. FLAG SALUTE

4. PRESENTATIONS
NJSLA Presentation    

5. BOARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT

6. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
District Update

7. SCHOOL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR/BOARD SECRETARY'S REPORT
NJSBA Annual Conference - October 21 - October 24, 2024 

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS
 

9. 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:

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.
5. An individual cannot give his/her time to another individual.

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.

10. BOARD DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS

11. OLD BUSINESS
Referendum
Strauss Esmay Policy and Regulation Revisions
 

12. NEW BUSINESS
ATSD becoming the Chartering Organization for Cub Scout Pack 114

 

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____Bagley____Dobak____Joseph____Madlinger____Nardone____Quinones____Small____Walker____

13.A. Finance

13.A.1) Bill List
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Ed approve the following Bill List:
August 15, 2024 -  September 17, 2024
Check #   A12487 - A12587
Check #   B0256 - B0257
Total - $783,133.21

13.A.2) Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board approve the transfers for the months ending June 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 June 30, 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 over expended 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 June 30, 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.

13.B. Approval of Minutes
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the following meeting minutes:
Meeting Minutes August 15, 2024
Executive Meeting Minutes August 15, 2024
Work Session Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024
Executive Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024
 

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 $0.47.

13.C.1) Motion to approve Travel Expenditures September 18, 2024 In the amount of $4814.31.

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

13.D.1) Lunch Aides
Motion to approve Nidia Luna as part-time lunch aides $18/hour, 3 hours a day.

13.D.2) Leave of Absence
Motion to approve a Leave of Absence for Employee #ST006 beginning November 18, 2024, with a tentative return date of April 7, 2025.

13.D.3) Mentors
Motion to approve the following teachers as Mentors for the 2024-25 school year:
Lindsay Hayes
Caitlyn Semanchik

13.D.4) Custodian
Motion to approve Francis Boffa as Custodian, effective September 9, 2024, at a salary of $42,983, prorated, pending completion of required documentation.

13.D.5) Leave Replacement Teacher
Motion to approve Kelly Gallagher as Leave Replacement Teacher from September 23, 2024 to November 1, 2024, at a salary of Step 5-BA+15 $66,705, prorated.

13.D.6) Leave Replacement Teacher
Motion to approve Dylan Mahr as part-time (.5) Leave Replacement Teacher from September 23, 2024 to November 1, 2024, at a salary of Step 2-BA $62,585, prorated.

13.D.7) Kindergarten Orientation
Motion to approve Nadine Boesch to participate in Kindergarten Orientation for a total of 1 hour at the professional rate of $65 per hour.

13.D.8)  Curriculum Writing
Motion to approve Nicole Spayd for Curriculum Writing, an additional 15 hours at $65 per hour.

13.D.9) Stronge Evaluation Model New Administration Training
Motion to approve Carly Bergstrom to attend the Stronge Evaluation New Administrator Orientation 3-day Training on September 11, 18 and 25, 2025, online webinars. Registration is $675.

13.D.10) Volunteer Coaches
Motion to approve Jamie Rusnak, Catherine Sutter and Maria Victoria as Volunteer Coaches for the 2024-25 school year, pending the completion of required documents.

13.D.11) Bus Aide
Motion to approve Mikayla Blazure as a temporary bus aide at her hourly rate. 

13.D.12) Schedule B Additions for 2024-2025 School Year
Motion to approve Emily Lewis and Nicole Spayd sharing the roll of K-4 Curriculum Content Specialists for Science and Social Studies at $2500 each.

Motion to approve Lynette Stone as co-Graduation Coordinator.

Motion to approve Caitlyn Semanchik as Play Choreographer.

Motion to approve Chess Club as a Tier B Club for 14 sessions.

Motion to approve Art Club as a Tier B Club for 4 sessions.

Motion to approve Mock Trial as a Tier C Club for 18 sessions.

Motion to approve Math Olympiad as a Tier D Club for 22 sessions.

13.D.13) Curriculum Writing
Motion to approve Nicole Spayd for an additional 15 hours of curriculum writing and Lynette Stone for an additional 8 hours of curriculum writing at a rate of $65.00/hour.

13.D.14) Administrative Internship
Motion to approve Lindsay Hayes for an Administrative Internship for the 2024-2025 School Year.

13.D.15) Leave of Absence
Motion to approve a Leave of Absence for Employee ST124 from October 28, 2024 to January 27, 2025.

13.D.16) Lunch Aides
Motion to approve Angelina Cirasa, part-time lunch aide, for 4 days a week, $18/hour, 3 hours a day.

13.D.17) Wellness Champion
Motion to approve James Bowman as the 2024-25 Wellness Champion with a stipend of $1,000.

13.D.18) Family Medical Leave
Motion to approve an Intermittent Family Medical Leave of Absence for Employee #ST136, beginning September 9, 2024.

13.E. Finance and Facilities

13.E.1)  Payment Applications
Motion to approve the following Payment Applications:
Sunnyfield - Pay App 1 - $227,604.50

13.E.2) Change Orders:
Motion to approve the following change orders:
DC Building - E-12 - temporary generator to power the kitchen during utility transformer installation.  Add $985
DeSapio Construction - GC-12 - additional sewer line repair - root intrusion and poor condition and raise the grade and elevation of existing catch basin - Add 58,325.67
Sunnyfield Corp - M-1 deducting $26,112.90 from allowance.

13.E.3) Out of District Tuition Contract
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve an a 2024/2025 tuition contract with Lebanon Township for tuition and related services for September 3, 2024 - June 16, 2025 for a student whose name is on file in the Business Office.  The total tuition for July 2024 - June 2025 is $26,000.00.

RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve a 2024-2025 contract for Physical Therapy to be provided at Lebanon Township for a student whose name is on file in the Business Office. The annual physical therapy expense is $2,314.00.

13.E.4) Out of District Tuition Contract
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve a 2024/2025 tuition contract with Flemington-Raritan Regional School District for tuition and related services for September 5, 2024 - June 20, 2025 for a student whose name is on file in the Business Office.  The total tuition for July 2024 - June 2025 is $27,727.00.

13.E.5) Donation
Motion to approve a donation from Lowe's of Flemington for 2 pallets of bagged garden soil.

 

13.E.6) Before and After School Care Services
Motion to approve the agreement with The Work Family Connection to provide before and after school programs at Alexandria Township Schools for the 2024-2025 school year.

13.E.7) Wellness Grant
Motion to accept the 2024-25 Wellness Grant from School Health Insurance Fund in the amount of $6,000.

13.E.8) Alexandria Township Education Foundation (ATEF)
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board accept the following ATEF Grant:
Coffee Cart - $236.53

13.E.9) 8th Grade Trip
Motion to approve the Board of Education's agreement to help deter the cost of the 8th grade trip to Washington D.C.

13.F. Education

13.F.1) Math Consultant Services
Motion to approve Michael Dzwonar as Math Consultant for the 2024-25 school year.

13.F.2)  Fairview Lake Trip
Motion to approve the 7th Grade Fairview Lake Trip on October 10 - October 11, 2024.

13.G. Policy and Regulation Revisions
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve  the 1st reading of the following policy and/or regulation:
0164.6 Remote Public Board Meetings During a Declared Emergency (Abolish) to (Revised)
P 2200 Curriculum Content (M)
R 2200 Curriculum Content
P2622 Student Assessment

13.H. Policy and Regulation Revisions
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the 2nd and final reading of the following policies and/or regulations:
P 2417 Student Intervention and Referral Services
P 2423 Bilingual and ESL Education (M)
R 2423 Bilingual and ESL Education (M)
P5570 Sportsmanship

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.  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:

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.
5. An individual cannot give his/her time to another individual.

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.

15. BOARD DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS

16. 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
_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 __________.

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

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