OXFORD TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

Oxford, New Jersey

REGULAR MEETING

Mr. Pierro, President called the meeting to order at 5:30pm.

Mr. Pierro led all assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Pierro read the following Open Public Meeting Act Statement: “This is to advise the general public and to instruct that it be recorded in the Minutes that in compliance with Chapter 231 of the Public Laws of 1975, entitled the “Open Public Meeting Act”, the Oxford Township Board of Education, on May 1, 2009 caused to be posted at the Office of the Board of Education located at 17 Kent Street, Oxford, New Jersey and faxed to The Express-Times and to the Office of the Municipal Clerk of the Township of Oxford, a meeting notice setting forth the time, date and location of this meeting. Members of the public who wish to address the Board will be given that opportunity before the Board adjourns for the evening.”

A Roll Call by the Board Secretary indicated:

Present: Mr. Al Pierro, President

Mrs. Linda Koufodontes, Vice-President

Mr. Chuck Lauziere

Mr. Scott McDonald

Mrs. Beth A. Miller

Absent: Mr. Matt Hibbett, Mrs. Jennifer Schaffer

Also Present: Mr. Robert Magnuson, Principal/Chief School Administrator

Ms. Milissa Dachisen, Vice-Principal/Director Student Services

Ms. Patricia Decibus, Business Administrator/Board Secretary

CORRESPONDENCE:

Thank you letter received from Family Promise of Warren County, Inc. for the food collected and donated during Red Ribbon Week.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:

1. Motion by Mr. Pierro, seconded by Mrs. Koufodontes to accept the following meeting minutes:

Date	Work Session	Regular	Executive	Special
October 22, 2009		X

Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

I. Mr. Magnuson, CSA reported on the following items:

1. Parent Conferences

2. H1N1 Update – Mrs. Nyman RN gave report (copy is attached)

3. Leaders Academy for Healthy Community Development

4. Eagleton Institute

5. 6^th Grade Field Trip

6. Holiday Concert

7. December Family Fun Night

8. ARRA Letter to Residents

9. 3^rd Grade Field Trip

10. WHRHS AYP Letter to Parents

11. Direct Electronic Communication w/Students Policy/Regulation

12. After School Care Program

13. Curriculum related to School Holidays

14. Lame Duck Legislation

15. WHRHS Open House to 7^th & 8^th Grade Parents

II. Ms. Dachisen, Principal/DSS reported on the following items:

1. Fire Drills

2. NORWESCAP Presentation

3. Red Ribbon

4. Shared Services Update

5. Parent Workshops

6. SEPAC Update

III. Ms. Decibus, School Business Administrator reported on the following items:

1. Fiscal Skylands Interest (October 2009) $ 213.32

NJ Cash Management (October 2009) $ 160.97

2. Food Service October 2009 Profit/Loss $ 503.45

Year-To-Date Profit/Loss $1,624.32

3. Buildings & Grounds - Renovation Update

IV. Enrollment – October

Oxford Central School (PreK – 8)

287

Warren Hills Regional High School

Regular Education

Special Education

113

Warren County Vo-Tech

Regular Education

Special Education

Out of District

Mountain Lakes Board of Education

Hunterdon ESC – Tewksbury

Ridge & Valley Charter School

Non Public

Blair Academy

Good Shepherd Christian Academy

Saint Mary’s

Saint Philip & James

Pius X (PA)

Out Lady Mt. Carmel (PA)

Total District Enrollment

458

V. Committee Reports:

Board Member	Committee	Comments
Mrs. Koufodontes	Budget & Finance	11/16/09 Meeting – staffing, special needs, tenure
Mr. McDonald	Buildings & Grounds	Will try to schedule a meeting next week.
Mrs. Schaffer	Curriculum	Absent - No report.
Mrs. Miller	Negotiations & Personnel	11/19/2009 Meeting – sick bank, custodial coverage.
Mr. Pierro	Policy	Need to have a meeting – will schedule within next few weeks.
Mr. Hibbett	Public Relations	Absent – No Report.
Mr. Lauziere	Transportation & Cafeteria	No report.

VI. Hearing of the Public – Comments are to be specific to pending motions on this agenda.

There were no comments from the public at this time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The following resolutions and motions have been reviewed and are recommended by the Chief School Administrator, and/or the School Business Administrator of the Oxford Township Board of Education:

A. BUDGET & FINANCE [Koufodontes, Hibbett, Schaffer (alternate)]

Motion by Mrs. Koufodontes, seconded by Mr. Pierro to move and to accept the Motions and/or Resolutions as outlined in Budget and Finance, Numbers 1 through 11:

1. Approved the report of the Treasurer for October 2009 delineating monthly account activity and account reconciliation as itemized in the attached A-149 schedule.

2. Approved the report of the Board Secretary and the monthly certification that no budgetary line item account has been over-expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a) for October 2009.

3. Approved the School Business Administrator’s monthly report of transfers for October 2009 as itemized documenting transfers in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:22-9.1.

4. Approved the bank reconciliation of the School Cafeteria Account as of October 30, 2009.

5. Approved the Cafeteria Bill list for the month of October 2009.

6. Approved the Agency Bill List/Bank Reconciliation for period ending October 30, 2009.

7. Approved the issuance of warrants (checks) for the payment of the items on the Accounts Payable Bill list (including payroll) for November 2009 in the amount of $ 502,720.57.

8. Approved the Payroll Bill lists dated:

i. November 13, 2009

ii. November 30, 2009

9. Approved the issuance of warrants (checks) for the payment of the items on the Referendum 2008 bill list(s) for November 2009 in the amount of $0.00. (No warrants issued).

10. WHEREAS the Oxford Township Board of Education is required pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:11-12 to adopt policy and approve travel expenditures by district employees and board members using local, State, or Federal funds to ensure that travel is educationally necessary and fiscally prudent; and

WHEREAS the board of education has determined that the training and/or informational programs set forth below are directly related to and within the scope of employee and board members’ duties; and

WHEREAS, the board of education has determined that the school district travel expenditures for the following programs are in compliance with State travel guidelines as established by the Department of the Treasury and within the guidelines established by the federal Office of Management and Budget; except as superseded by conflicting provision of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes; and

WHEREAS the board of education finds that a mileage reimbursement rate equal to that of the NJ OMB circular guide reimbursement rate of .31 per mile is a reasonable rate and

WHEREAS, the board of education has determined that participation in the listed training and informational programs are in compliance with the district policy on travel; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the board of education hereby approves the attendance of the listed employees or school board members at the listed training or informational programs, and the costs of attendance including all registration fees, and statutorily authorized travel expenditures, provided that such expenditures are within the annual maximum travel expenditure amount; and be it further

RESOLVED that the Oxford Township Board of Education authorizes in advance, as required by statute, attendance at the following training programs and informational events:

Name

Event

Location/Date(s)

Expense

Estimated Cost

Causton, Robert

(Going in place of R. Magnuson)

Healthy Community Development Leaders Academy

Hamilton, N.J.

11/13/2009

Registration:

Mileage:

GAAP Acct:

$ No Cost

$31.00

11-000-223-580

Decibus, Patricia

SAIF – Board of Trustees Meetings

(Alternate Trustee)

Flemington, N.J.

11/19/2009, 03/18/2010, 05/13/2010, 06/10/2010

Registration:

Mileage:

GAAP Acct:

$ No Cost

$62.00 (total)

11-000-251-580

DeWitt, Jessica

Social Skills Training with Jed Baker

West Orange, N.J.

12/01/2009

Registration:

Mileage:

GAAP Acct:

$150.00

$ 18.43

20-270-200-300

Kantz, Elena

Survivor Testimony: Bringing Voices from the Past and Present into the Classroom

Lincroft, N.J.

12/04/2009

Registration:

Mileage:

GAAP Acct:

$45.00

$43.46

20-270-200-300

Nemeth, Leslie

Lurz, Lisa

Sakos, Maria

Character Education Committee Meeting

Spring Lake, N.J.

12/10/2009

Registration:

Mileage:

GAAP Acct:

$ No Cost

$49.60 (Nemeth)

20-441-100-610

Saraiva, Marlene

Kenney, Michael

Character Education Committee Meeting

Spring Lake, N.J.

12/10/2009

Registration:

Mileage:

GAAP Acct:

$ No Cost

$42.78 (Saraiva)

20-441-100-610

Carr, Patricia

Character Education Committee Meeting

Spring Lake, N.J.

12/10/2009

Registration:

Mileage:

GAAP Acct:

$ No Cost

$35.03

20-441-100-610

Knauer, Laura

Differentiating Instruction in Mixed Ability Classrooms

Parsippany, N.J.

12/11/2009

Registration:

Mileage:

GAAP Acct:

$165.00

$13.52

20-270-200-300

Decibus, Patricia

Magnuson, Robert

NJASBO: State Aid & Budget Preparation

Mt. Olive, N.J.

12/15/2009

Registration:

Mileage:

GAAP Acct:

Subscription

$4.96

11-000-251-580

Nyman R.N., Marianne

Diabetes Workshop for School Personnel

Morristown, N.J.

01/10/2010

Registration:

Mileage:

GAAP Acct:

$50.00

$ 3.54

11-000-213-580

Esposito, Debra

Lurz, Lisa

DiRenzo, Laura

Rutgers Conference on Reading and Writing

New Brunswick, N.J.

04/16/2010

Registration:

Mileage:

GAAP Acct:

$195.00 each

$ 22.96 (Esposito)

20-270-200-300

11. Approved the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) District Performance Review (DPR) forms for Operations, Instruction/Programs, Fiscal Management, Governance, and Personnel for submission to the Warren County Executive County Superintendent and the State of New Jersey Department of Education.

Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Absent: Hibbett, Schaffer Abstain: None

B. BUILDING AND GROUNDS [McDonald, Lauziere, Pierro (alternate)]

Motion by Mr. McDonald, seconded by Mrs. Koufodontes to move and to accept the Motions and/or Resolutions as outlined in Buildings and Grounds, Number 1 through 3:

1. Approved the following requests for Use of School Facilities pursuant to Policy #1330R:

Organization	Event/Purpose	Date(s)	Time	Insurance
OYA (Pierro/Nyland)	Basketball Practice & Games	11/9/2009 – 3/31/2010	4:00pm-9:00pm	On File
Girls Scouts #800 (Wolfrum)	Junior Troop Meetings	11/13/2009, 01/08/2010, 01/22/2010	3:00pm-5:00pm	On File
OYA (Pierro)	Awards/Pizza Party Holiday Party	11/21/2009 (Saturday) 12/06/2009 (Sunday)	Noon – 3:00pm Noon – 3:00pm	On File
PTA	Holiday Shoppe	12/07 – 12/09 2009	8:00am – 3:00pm	On File
OCS/Police/Rescue & Fire Depts. (Magnuson)	Toy & Holiday Party	12/11/2009	5:00pm- 8:00pm	N/A
Jersey Fusion (LaValle)	Softball Practice	Friday’s during Nov, Dec, Jan & Feb	7:30pm-9:00pm	On File

2. Approved the submission of NJDOE ROD Grant Applications for Allocation 3- Level 1 Projects:

WHEREAS, the Oxford Township Board of Education, has identified the need for various Level 1 improvements at the Oxford Central School.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oxford Township Board of Education authorizes the Chief School Administrator, Business Administrator, and the Architect of Record, The Gibson Tarquini Group, to submit NJDOE ROD Grant Applications for Allocation 3 (due January 29, 2010), along with all required schematic plans and cost estimates for the identified approved projects, in accordance with the Fee Proposal submitted to the Board of Education on November 9, 2009.

3. Approved the submission of NJDOE ROD Grant Applications for Allocation 3- Level 2 Projects:

WHEREAS, the Oxford Township Board of Education, has identified the need for various Level 2 improvements at the Oxford Central School.

Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Absent: Hibbett, Schaffer Abstain: None

C. CURRICULUM [Schaffer, Miller, Koufodontes (alternate)]

Motion by Mrs. Miller, seconded by Mrs. Koufodontes to move and to accept the Motions and/or Resolutions as outlined in Curriculum, Number 1:

1. Approved the following School Related Activities:

Grade(s)	Destination	When	Est. Cost/Transportation
4^th	Liberty Science Center	April 2010	$2.50 per student. Transportation and admission cost offset by PTA.
5^th	Coca-Cola Park – DARE Program	May 2010	No cost to District – paid for by the Township D.A.R.E. Program

Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Absent: Hibbett, Schaffer Abstain: None

D. NEGOTIATIONS & PERSONNEL [Miller, McDonald, Hibbett (alternate)]

Chairperson’s Statement: I recommend and move to accept the Motions and/or Resolutions as outlined in Negotiations & Personnel, Numbers 1 through 3.

1. Approved Michael Nuscis, a student at East Stroudsburg University, as a student teacher under the direction of Mrs. Renee Hart for the period January 9, 2010 – March 12, 2010.

2. Approved Derrick Egan, a student at East Stroudsburg University, as a student teacher under the direction of Mr. Rob Causton for the period January 9, 2010 – March 12, 2010.

3. Approved the appointment of the following individuals for substitute positions for the 2009-2010 school year (all appropriate documents are on file in the CSA’s Office):

Name	Position	Rate
Rowe, Timothy	Custodian	$13.00 per hour
Conrad, Karen	Nurse	$125.00 per diem

Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Absent: Hibbett, Schaffer Abstain: None

E. POLICY [Pierro, Schaffer, Lauziere (alternate)]

No motions at this time.

F. PUBLIC RELATIONS [Hibbett, Pierro, McDonald (alternate)]

No motions at this time.

G. TRANSPORTATION & CAFETERIA [Lauziere, Koufodontes, Miller (alternate)]

No motions at this time.

Motion by Mr. Pierro seconded by Mr. Lauziere to adopt the following participation resolution in the Alliance for Competitive Telecommunications (ACT):

Alliance for Competitive Telecommunications (ACT)

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT FOR COOPERATIVE PURCHASING OF

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES

The Oxford Township Board of Education agrees to participate in the Alliance for Competitive Telecommunications with the Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission and the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO) for the period of July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2012. The Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission shall be the lead Local Educational Agency (LEA) for this program. All New Jersey School districts are invited to participate in the Alliance for Competitive Telecommunications, which is intended to fulfill the districts obligation under 18A:55-3.

The Board of Education shall provide the Commission with accurate data, i.e. telephone line numbers for each number included in the bid and any other appropriate information necessary for the development of bid specifications.

The Board of Education shall not solicit bids or enter into a contract that would jeopardize the award of a contract for cooperative telecommunication services by the Commission. The Board shall abide by the award of contract made by the Commission. The Board shall not withdraw from this agreement prior to June 30, 2012.

The Board understands that the services to be provided under this cooperative purchasing agreement will include dial tone/local calls (where available), regional toll calls, long distance toll calls and voice over internet protocol (VOIP) when such option is chosen by the participating district.

All fees for the work of the Commission and the expenses of NJASBO will be incorporated into the price for services as provided by the successful vendor (s).

This participation agreement was approved at a regular board meeting of the Oxford Township Board of Education held on November 19, 2009 and the Board of Education authorizes the School Business Administrator to execute this agreement on its behalf.

Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Absent: Hibbett, Schaffer Abstain: None

Motion by Mr. Pierro, seconded by Mrs. Koufodontes to adopt the following resolution:

Resolution

Waiver of Requirements

Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI Program)

WHEREAS, NJAC 6A:23A-5.3 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 2010-11 school year, and

WHEREAS, the Oxford Township Board of Education desires to apply for this waiver due to the fact that it projects having fewer than 30 Medicaid eligible classified students,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oxford Township Board of Education hereby authorizes the Chief School Administrator to submit to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools in the County of Warren an appropriate waiver of the requirements of NJAC 6A:23A-5.3 for the 2010-11 school year.

Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Absent: Hibbett, Schaffer Abstain: None

HEARING OF THE PUBLIC – (public comments on any topic permitted by law)

· Mr. Sheldon Tindell, Oxford, NJ

What is SEMI?

Ms. Decibus responded with a brief program overview.

· Mrs. Marianne Nyman (staff member)

What value did the Board get out of attending the NJSBA Conference in Atlantic City?

Several Board Members, Mr. Magnuson, and Ms. Decibus commented on what they learned.

OLD BUSINESS

Employee Sick Day Bank – Mrs. Koufodontes is still waiting to hear back from the Executive Council of the OEA.
Teacher Blogs – Mrs. Koufodontes commented that they are not being updated.
Team Banners – Mr. Magnuson commented that we are obtaining banners to hang in the gym for the Battle of the Books and Battle of the Minds championship teams.

NEW BUSINESS

1. BOE Website – Mrs. Miller commented that she deleted a lot of the old and obsolete files from the site.

2. Bus Stop – Mrs. Koufodontes commented that she observes students smoking at the bus stop.

3. NJSBA Conference Reports – Mr. Pierro commented that prior to next year’s workshop some discussion will need to take place so that members will attend various different presentations.

4. Ethics Test – Mr. Pierro quizzed the BOE with 10 questions.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Mr. Pierro, seconded by Mrs. Koufodontes to adjourn the meeting of the Oxford Township Board of Education at 6:51pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia A. Decibus, RSBA

Business Administrator/Board Secretary