November 13, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Work Session 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, November 7, 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

  

5. CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence from L Hayes, E. Lewis, M Petrie 

6. BOARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT

7. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
District Update
Student Safety Data Report
       Report Period 1 (9/1/2023 - 12/31/2023)
       Report Period 2 (1/1/2024 - 6/30/2024)

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.  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.

11. BOARD DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS

12. OLD BUSINESS
Referendum
Strauss Esmay Policy and Regulation Revisions
 

13. NEW BUSINESS


 

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____

14.A. Finance

14.A.1) Bill List
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Ed approve the following Bill List:
October 17, 2024 - November 
Check #   A12673
Check #   B - 
Total - $

14.A.2) Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board approve the transfers for the months ending September 30, 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 September 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 September 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.

14.A.3) FY24 Extraordinary Aid Appropriations
Motion to approve the following:
WHEREAS, N.J.S.C. 6A:23A-13.3 authorizes procedures, under the authority of the Commissioner of Education, which permit a Board of Education to transfer funds during the budget year, and
WHEREAS, NJ.A.C. 6A:C:23A-13.3(d)6 provides that a District Board of Education may at any time, without Commissioner approval, appropriate surplus generated from State revenue, such as Extraordinary Aid, that has been excluded from the excess surplus calculation, in the prior year, and
WHEREAS, the Alexandria Township Board of Education has received $166,960 of Extraordinary Aid FY24, and
WHEREAS, the Alexandria Township Board of Education has determined that the following transfers are needed to cover unanticipated costs and to increase the efficiency of district operations.
11-000-100-562-000-000 Tuition to other LEA's in State       $66,960
11-000-100-566-000-100 Tuition Private                              $100,000
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Alexandria Township Board of Education that it hereby authorizes the District’s School Business Administrator to make the transfers consistent with all applicable laws and regulations.
 

14.A.4) FY24 Nonpublic Transportation
Motion to approve the following resolution:

WHEREAS, N.J.S.C. 6A:23A-13.3 authorizes procedures, under the authority of the Commissioner of Education, which permit a Board of Education to transfer funds during the budget year, and

WHEREAS, NJ.A.C. 6A:C:23A-13.3(d)6 provides that a District Board of Education may at any time, without Commissioner approval, appropriate surplus generated from State revenue, such as Nonpublic Transportation, that has been excluded from the excess surplus calculation, in the prior year, and

WHEREAS, the Alexandria Township Board of Education has received $7,280.00 of Nonpublic Transportation Aid FY24, and

WHEREAS, the Alexandria Township Board of Education has determined that the following transfers are needed to cover unanticipated costs and to increase the efficiency of district operations.

11-000-270-515-000-000  Joint Agreement-Special Education           $7,280

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Alexandria Township Board of Education that it hereby authorizes the District’s School Business Administrator to make the transfers consistent with all applicable laws and regulations.
 

14.B. Approval of Minutes
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the following meeting minutes:
Meeting Minutes October 17, 2024
Executive Meeting Minutes October 17, 2024

 

14.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.

14.C.1) Motion to approve Travel Expenditures November 21, 2024 in the amount of $

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

14.D.1) NJQSAC Statement of Assurance
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum Statement of Assurance (NJQSAC) for the School year 2024-2025 for submission to the New Jersey Department of Education. The Alexandria Township Board of Education has reviewed the NJQSAC Statement of Assurance School Year 2024-2025 and hereby affirms the information contained therein.

14.D.2) Schedule B Additions for 2024-2025 School Year
Motion to approve Matt Blazure as Advisor of the Inventions Club and Future Problem Solvers Club, Tier A Clubs for 10 sessions each beginning in March.

.

14.D.3) Resignation
Motion to approve the resignation of Nadia Luna, Lunch Aide, effective October 31, 2024.

14.D.4) Substitute Teacher
Motion to approve Kathleen Wilcox as Substitute Teacher, at a rate of $140/day, for the 2024-25 school year.

14.D.5) Substitute Teacher
Motion to approve Nicholas Gerard as a Substitute Teacher for the 2024-25 school year, upon completion of the necessary paperwork.

14.E. 2025 Reorganization Meeting
Motion to establish the Annual Reorganization Meeting for Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 7:00 pm in the Media Center.

14.F. Finance and Facilities

14.F.1) Comprehensive Maintenance Plan/M1, FY24
WHEREAS, the Department of Education requires New Jersey School Districts to submit three-year maintenance plans documenting "required" maintenance activities for each of its public school facilities, and

WHEREAS,  the required maintenance activities as listed for the various school facilities of the Alexandria Township School District are consistent with these requirements, and

WHEREAS, all past and planned activities are reasonable to keep school facilities open and safe for use or in their original condition and to keep their system warranties valid,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alexandria Township School District hereby authorizes the Business Administrator to submit the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan for the Alexandria Township School District.

14.F.2) Health and Safety Evaluation of School Buildings Checklist 2024-2025
Motion to approve the Health and Safety Evaluation of School Buildings Checklist 2024-2025.

14.F.3)  Payment Applications
Motion to approve the following Payment Applications:
De Sapio Construction - Pay App #9 - $67,352.60
De Sapio Construction - Pay App #10 - $94,663.72
Mastercraft Iron - Pay App #6 - $20,067.24
Preferred Plumbing - Pay App #23 - $15,136.84
Sunnyfield Corp. - Pay App #3 - $93,785.43

14.F.4) Change Orders:
Motion to approve the following change orders:
Santorini Construction - Change Order # GC-18 - Deduct $1,900.00
Preferred Mechanical - Change Order #M-6 - add $19,701.00

14.F.5) Candy Cane Lane
Motion to approve an ATS/PTO/BOE sponsored event; Candy Cane Lane, a drive-through lighting event to be held in December in the ATS Parking Lot.

14.G. Education

14.G.1) Policy and Regulation Revisions
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the 2nd and final reading of the following Policy and Regulations:
P 2419 - School Threat Assessment Teams
R 2419 - School Threat Assessment Teams
R 2624 - Grading System

14.G.2) Language Instruction Educational Program Three Year Plan
Resolved, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the Language Instruction Educational Program Three Year Plan.

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:

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.

16. BOARD DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS

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
____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 __________.

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 __________.

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