May 22, 2025 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 Hunterdon Democrat, January 9, 2025, and NJ.com, to begin at 7:00 PM at the Alexandria Middle School Media Center, 557 County Road 513, Pittstown, NJ.

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

3. FLAG SALUTE

4. PRESENTATIONS

  

5. BOARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT

6. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
District Update
HIB

7. SCHOOL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR/BOARD SECRETARY'S REPORT
 

8. 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.

9. OLD BUSINESS
Referendum

 

10. NEW BUSINESS
Board discussion of Public Comments
 

11. 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 ____ Austin ____Bagley ____ Dobak ____ Joseph ____ Madlinger ____ Quinones ____ Small ____ Walker  ____

11.A. Finance

11.A.1) Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board approve the transfers for the month ending March 31, 2025 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, 2025 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 March 31, 2025, and that as of this date sufficient funds are available to meet the District's financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year.

11.A.2) Bill List
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Ed approve the following Bill List:
 April 30, 2025 - May 20, 2025
Check #   A13123 - A13194
Check #   B
Total - $955,412.97

11.A.3) 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.

11.B. Personnel
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the following:

11.B.1) Practicum Work
Motion to approve Kerrie Eisenhardt to complete a practicum at Alexandria Township School through Rutgers School of Social Work during the 2025-2026 School Year. 

11.B.2) Approval of Summer Days
Motion to approve up to 15 additional days of summer employment for Andrea Damboise, CST Secretary, to be paid per diem, determined by the Superintendent.

11.B.3) Approval of Summer Days
Motion to approve up to 10 additional days of summer employment for Danielle Pennucci, Main Office Secretary, to be paid per diem, determined by the Superintendent.

11.B.4) Tenured Staff
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the 2025-2026 employment contracts for the tenured employees attached hereto, revised for longevity.

11.C. Approval of Minutes
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the following meeting minutes:
Work Session Minutes April 29, 2025
Executive Session Minutes April 29, 2025
Work Session Minutes May 8, 2025
Executive Session Minutes May 8, 2025

 

11.D. Finance and Facilities

11.D.1) Payment Application:
Motion to approve the following Payment Application:
Sunnyfield Corp. - Pay App #5 - $13,828.05

11.D.2) ATS Bus, Fire and Security Drills
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the monthly ATS Bus, Fire and Security Drills as indicated on the attached worksheet.

11.D.3) Delaware Valley Shared Service Vehicle Maintenance and Fuel Services
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education agrees to enter into a Shared Services Agreement with Delaware Valley Regional High School Board of Education for the 2025-2026 school year for time and material vehicle maintenance and automotive fuel shared services.

11.D.4)  Clinton Township Tuition Contract 
Motion to approve a 2025/2026 tuition contract with Clinton Township School in the amount of $28,259 for tuition plus costs for ESY & 1:1 teacher assistant for one student whose name is on file in the Business Office.

11.D.5) Clinton Township Tuition Contract 
Motion to approve a 2025/2026 tuition contract with Clinton Township School in the amount of $38,212 for tuition plus costs for ESY & 1:1 teacher assistant for one student whose name is on file in the Business Office.

11.D.6) Warren Glen Academy Tuition Contract
Motion to approve a 2025/2026 tuition contract with Warren Glen Academy in the amount of $68,040 for tuition and ESY expenses for one student whose name is on file in the Business Office.

11.D.7) Food Service Management Company
Resolved, upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the Alexandria Township Board of Education approves the renewal of the food service management base year contract with Maschio’s Food Service for the 2025-2026 school year as follows:

The School Food Authority shall pay Maschio’s an annual management fee in the amount of $9,920.22

The contract has no guarantee of return/loss/breakeven.

Total cost of contract: $141,342.33

11.D.8) Food Service Meal Prices
Motion to approve a required student lunch price for the 2025-2026 school year as $3.50 (an increase of $0.00 from 2024-2025) and the student breakfast meal price of $2.50 (an increase of $0.00 from 2024-2025).

 

11.D.9) Donation
Motion to approve a donation of books with a value up to $6,116.19 from the PTO using Scholastic Dollars.
 

11.D.10) Donation
Motion to approve a donation of plants with a value up to $100 from Wagner Farm Arboretum Foundation for use in the school garden by the Environmental Club.

11.D.11) 2025/2026 Delaware Valley Regional H.S. Joint Transportation - Regular Transportation
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board approve the 2025-2026 Joint Transportation Agreement for Regular Transportation.

ALEX 1 - $  32,682
ALEX 2 -     36,663 
ALEX 3 -     37,751
ALEX 4 -     39,154
ALEX 5 -     29,832
ALEX 6 -     37,862
ALEX 7 -     38,250
ALEX 8 -     40,348
ALEX 9 -     34,417
ALEX 10 -   29,307
TOTAL    $356,266  

11.D.12) 2025/2026 Joint Transportation Agreement Delaware Valley Regional HS - Various Athletic / Class Trips
Resolved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve a Joint Transportation Agreement with Delaware Valley Regional High School for Various Athletic and Class Trips:

Various Athletic & Class Trips
First 60 miles billed at $2.89/mile.  Additional miles billed at $1.45/hour.
First hour billed at $72/hour.  Additional hours billed at $45/hour.
No minimum charges assessed. Per Bus Cost

Park Shuttle: after school one way to local park for game/practice $52.50

11.E. Education

11.E.1) Preschool Tuition Contracts
Motion to approve Tuition Contract Agreements for the 2025-2026 school year for 19 preschool students whose names are on file in the business office, at a tuition rate of $6,500 per year.

11.E.2) Policy and Regulation Revisions
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the 1st reading of the following Policies and Regulations:

P 2421 Career and Vocational Technical Education
P 2422 Comprehensive Health and Physical Education
P 2428.1 Standards-Based Instructional Priorities
P 5111 Eligibility of Resident/nonresident Students

R 2200 Curriculum Content
R 5111 Eligibility of Resident/Nonresident Students
R 7102 Site Selection and Acquisition (New Regulation)
 

11.E.3) Policy and Regulation Revisions
RESOLVED upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the 2nd and final reading of the following Policies and Regulations:
P 2415 Every Student Succeeds Act
P 2520 Instructional Supplies
P 5512 Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying
P 5541 Anti-Hazing
P 8110 Attendance Areas

R 2520 Instructional Supplies
R 2622 Student Assessment
R 4240 Employee Training

Motion to approve the Extended School Year Program (ESY) from July 7 - 31, 2025 from 9 AM - 12 PM:

Staff for Approval at per diem hourly rate:
Tina Attansio
Sara Kurcin
Caitlyn Semanchik
Lauren Tasy
Lisa MacKinnon 

Paraprofessionals at per diem hourly rate:
Joan Glennon

Nurse at per diem hourly rate:
Christina Suydam

Substitutes at per diem hourly rate:
Joe Olcott
Gretchen Savacool
Leanne Levy 

CST Additional Hours for Evaluations at per diem hourly rate:
Kim Glucksman
Amy Murray
Sara Slack

Wilson Instructor for 12 Hours at the rate of $65/hour:
Nicole Spayd

Speech/Language at the rate of $90/hour:
Amy Murray
Sara Slack 

OT/PT Provider: 
Therapeutic Interventions
 

11.E.5) Kindergarten Screening - June 16, 17 and 18
Motion to approve Tanya Drake, Stacey Gallagher and Michael Haughey to host Kindergarten Screening for 7 hours each day at the professional rate of $65 per hour.

11.E.6) Orton-Gillingham Training
Motion to approve Lisa MacKinnon, Kelly Haszko and Garth Ferrante to attend Orton-Gillingham Training at a cost of $1,575 each.
 

11.E.7) Long Term Suspension
Motion to approve the long-term suspension of a student whose name is on file in the business office through the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

12. 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.

13. 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
_X__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
_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 __________.

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

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