April 27, 2009 - Knowlton Township Elementary School

April 27, 2009
Delaware, NJ 07833
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The meeting of the Knowlton Township Board of Education was called to order at 7:04 p.m. in
the School Library.
Notice of Meeting
The New Jersey Public Meetings Law was enacted to insure the right of the public to have
advance notice of, and to attend the meetings of, public bodies at which any business affecting
their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this Act, the
Knowlton Township Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by
having the date, time and place thereof posted with The Star Gazette and The Express-Times and
distributed to the Knowlton Township Elementary School, the Delaware and Columbia Post
Offices and the Knowlton Township Municipal Building.
Call to Order
Flag Salute
Results of the April 21, 2009 School Election
Total Registered Voters 1,976
Ballots Cast 297
Voter Turn-out 15.03%
Three Year Term – Board of Education
Laurie Burns 213
Kevin Haycock 221
Dawn Sullivan 199
General Fund Tax Levy - $2,581,846
YES 173
NO 115
Administer Oath of Office to Elected/Re-elected Members – Mrs. Tjalma
administered the oath of office to Mrs. Burns, Mr. Haycock and Mrs. Sullivan.
Roll Call
Present:
Absent:
Mr. Matt Moore (President), Mrs. Laurie Burns, Mr. Kevin Haycock, Mr. Bill
Maxwell, Mr. Gregory Murray, Mrs. Melissa Norwicke, Mrs. Bethany Summers
and Mrs. Dawn Sullivan
Mr. Alex Rinaldi

Other:
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Mrs. Sharon Mooney (Superintendent), Mrs. Rachelle Tjalma (SBA), Jeannine
DeFalco (Assistant Principal), Teachers – Jeannette Cornish, Fran DePaola and
Pat Fahy
Nomination and Election of Board President
The nomination of Mr. Moore as President of the Knowlton Township Board of Education made
by Mrs. Norwicke seconded by Mr. Haycock
A motion was made by Mrs. Norwicke seconded by Mr. Haycock
to close the nominations for President.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Moore was elected President 8:0.
President Presides
Nomination and Election of Vice President
The nomination of Mr. Haycock asVice President of the Knowlton Township Board of
Education made by Mrs. Summers seconded by Mrs. Sullivan
A motion was made by Mrs. Summers seconded by Mrs. Sullivan
to close the nominations for Vice President.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Haycock was elected Vice President 8:0.
Appointment of Committees and Delegates by the President – Mr. Moore noted that
all committees would remain the same at this time and that the delegates would be as follows:
Warren County School Boards – Mrs. Norwicke delegate, Mr. Moore alternate
New Jersey School Boards – Mr. Moore delegate, Mrs. Norwicke alternate
Consent Motion Approval
AGENDA - REORGANIZATION
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mrs. Norwicke
to approve the use of a consent motion for the reorganization.
Motion carried unanimously.
Reorganization Consent Motion
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mrs. Summers

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to approve the following agenda items numbered 1 through 18 with changes noted for number
6 for the 2009-10 school year.
Discussion – Mr. Murray questioned the Star Gazette as the designated paper since not many
people receive it – it was determined to change the designated paper to the Express Times with
the Star Ledger as the alternate and the Warren Reported if permissible.
On roll call, motion carried unanimously.
1. Adoption of Policy
to adopt all previous policies, by-laws and regulations for the operation of the Board and the
school.
2. Approve Permitted Records
to approve certified school personnel to collect and maintain mandated pupil records to include
personal data, daily attendance, pupil evaluations, physical health, records regarding the
education of educationally handicapped pupils, and all other records required by the State Board
of Education (NJAC 6:3-6:3).
3. Adoption of Curriculum
to adopt the following curriculum for the 2009-10 school year: Mathematics, Language Arts
Literacy, Social Studies, Science, Spelling, Penmanship, Music, Art, Library Skills, Physical
Education, Health Education, Computer Literacy, World Language, Resource Center,
Learning/Language Disabled, Pre-School Disabled, Basic Skills, Counseling, Gifted and
Talented Education.
4. Adoption of Five-Year Curriculum Plan
to adopt the 2009-10 portion of the five-year curriculum plan of the North Warren Cluster:
2008-2009 Language Arts Literacy, Social Studies
2009-2010 Technology Literacy, World Language, Special Education
2010-2011 Math and Science
2011-2012 Career Education and Consumer, Family, Life Skills and Gifted and Talented
2012-2013 Art/Music (Visual and Performing Arts), Physical Education and Health
5. Adoption of Textbooks
to authorize purchase of textbooks by the administration and to adopt the following textbook
series for 2009-10:
Reading K-4 Harcourt
Reading 5-6 Approved Core Novels
Mathematics K Math Trailblazers
1-6 Houghton Mifflin
Language Arts K-4 Harcourt/Write Source
5-6 Write Source
K-6 6 + 1 Writing Traits

Spelling K-4 Harcourt
Spelling 5-6 Modern Curriculum Press Spelling Workout
Science K-6 Macmillan/McGraw Hill
Social Studies 1 Harcourt Horizons
2 Scott Foresman
3-6 MacMillan/McGraw Hill Social Studies
Spanish 2-5 Viva el Espanol National Textbook
6 Hola National Textbook
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6. Designate Newspapers
to designate Express-Times as the official newspaper for notices pertaining to Board meetings
and for legal advertising, and the Star Ledger and Warren Reporter as alternates.
7. Depositories
to authorize the board secretary to invest the funds of the Board in any or all of the following
banking institutions: First Hope Bank, PNC Bank, Newton Trust Company.
8. Signatures
to authorize the following signatures on specific accounts of the Board with the Vice-President
as alternate on any account:
Current Expense 3 President, Board Secretary and Treasurer
Payroll/Agency 2 Board Secretary and Treasurer
Lunch Program 2 Board Secretary and Superintendent
Student Activity 2 Board Secretary and Superintendent
Petty Cash 2 Board Secretary and Superintendent
9. Mileage Reimbursement
to approve the mileage reimbursement at a rate equal to the current OMB circular rate for all
contracts settled after July 1, 2008 and the IRS rate for contracts settled prior to that date and still
in effect for the 2009-10 school year.
10. Annual Notice of Meetings
to adopt the following notice:
The Knowlton Township Board of Education, in the County of Warren, New Jersey, will hold
monthly and special meetings at the Knowlton Township Elementary School, 80 Route 46,
Delaware, NJ at 7:00 p.m. To the extent known, meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday
of the month, except in the case of a holiday or as stated. Work sessions are scheduled for the
second Monday of the month where action may be taken. Any changes will be properly
submitted as public notice according to N.J.S.A. 110:4-8 (d) and 10:4-19, pursuant to the Open
Public Meeting Act, N.J.S.A. 10:43-6 et seq. as revised April 1980. This Notice will be posted
in the following places throughout the year: Knowlton Township Elementary School, Knowlton
Township Municipal Building, U.S. Post office in Delaware, NJ and will be sent to The Star
Gazette and the Express Times.

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Board Workshop Meetings
Monthly Meetings
May 11, 2009
May 18, 2009 (Third Monday)
June 8, 2009 June 22, 2009
No workshop July 27, 2009
No workshop August 24, 2009
September 14, 2009 September 28, 2009
October 12, 2009 October 26, 2009
November 9, 2009 November 23, 2009
No workshop
December 21, 2009 (Third Monday)
January 11, 2010 January 25, 2010
February 8, 2010 February 22, 2010
March 15, 2010
March 29, 2010 (Public Bdgt.Hrg)
April 12, 2010
April 26, 2010 (Reorg.Mtg)
11. Appointments
to appoint the following persons for the 2009-10 school year.
Superintendent – Sharon Mooney
Treasurer of School Monies - Randy Wilson
School Attorney – Schwartz, Simon, Edelstein, Celso & Kessler LLC
Insurance Agent for Property/Casualty - Brown and Brown
Insurance Broker for Health Insurance – Willis HRH
Risk Management Consultant - Brown and Brown
Business Administrator/Board Secretary – Rachelle Tjalma
Acting Board Secretary for Emergency Purposes – Jeannine DeFalco
Affirmative Action Officer – Jeannine DeFalco
504 Committee Coordinator – Jeannine DeFalco
Substance Awareness Coordinator – Pat Zito
School Physician - Dr. Gary Arvary, MD
Auditor – Ardito and Co., LLP
Engineer - George Gianforcaro
AHERA Compliance Officer - RK Environmental
Licensed Drinking Water Operator – McGowan Well Water Compliance
Licensed Waste Water Operator – David Armstrong
Right To Know Coordinator - Rachelle Tjalma
Official Bargaining Unit - Knowlton Township Education Association
Attendance Officer – Pat Zito
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator – Sharon Mooney
Integrated Pest Management Coordinator – Rachelle Tjalma
Public Agency Compliance Officer (PACO) – Rachelle Tjalma
12. Appoint District Qualified Purchasing Agent
to appoint Rachelle Tjalma as the District Qualified Purchasing Agent and authorize her to award
contracts based upon the following criteria relative to the bid threshold of $29,000.00:
Contract over bid threshold.
Contract greater than 15% of bid threshold ($4,350.00).
Advertise for competitive bids.
Solicit at least 2 competitive quotes.

Contract less than 15% of bid threshold ($4,350.00).
13. Petty Cash
Normal purchase order process.
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to approve petty cash funds to be established for July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 in the
amount of $50 cash per month for the Board Office, $100 cash per month for the main office,
and a checking account in the main office for $1,000.
14. Reappoint NCLB Coordinator
to reappoint Linda Crimmins as the No Child Left Behind Grant Coordinator for 2009-10.
15. Reappoint Curriculum Coordinator
to reappoint Holly Gravel as the Curriculum Coordinator shared with the North Warren cluster
for 2009-10.
16. Implementation of the 2009-10 Budget
to empower the Superintendent and the School Business Administrator to implement the voter
approved 2009-10 budget totaling $4,525,570.
17. Requisition of Taxes for 2009-10
to approve that the amount of district taxes needed to meet the obligations of the Board for the
2009-10 school year is $2,581,846 and the Township of Knowlton is hereby requested to place in
the hands of the Treasurer of School Monies the amount as shown in the following schedule in
accordance with the statutes relating thereto:
July 10, 2009 $350,000
August 10, 2009 $350,000
September 10, 2009 $209,846
October 10, 2009 $209,000
November 10, 2009 $209,000
December 10, 2009 $209,000
January 10, 2010 $209,000
February 10, 2010 $209,000
March 10, 2010 $209,000
April 10, 2010 $209,000
May 10, 2010 $209,000
18. Requisition of Debt Service for 2009-10
to requisition debt service of $132,799 for 2009-10 from the Township of Knowlton as follows:
August 10, 2009 $124,000
February 10, 2010 $ 8,799

AGENDA – REGULAR MEETING
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Mission Statement
We are committed to provide a comprehensive education in a nurturing environment in which all
students are motivated to achieve their maximum academic potential, and to develop as
responsible citizens in an ever-changing world. (Dec. 20, 1993)
Public Participation - None
Correspondence – Mrs. Tjalma read a thank you note from Cynthia Shafer for the senior
luncheon.
Superintendent’s Report – Mrs. Mooney reported on the following:
1. Gray Property Update – The township had an architect/engineer review performed on the
property and the house has been determined to have significant historical value and is
said to be structurally sound. Before anything is done, we should have an archaeological
study also. If anything significant is found, it would probably cost thousands of dollars
before we would be able to use the property. The Township Committee does not want to
purchase something that may be unusable or too costly for the district.
2. Student Code of Conduct – Mrs. Mooney attended a Code of Student Conduct workshop
presented by Philip Brown, director of the Center for Social and Character Development
at Rutgers University on 4/21/09. Mrs. Mooney will be reviewing our present Code of
Conduct to check if we are in compliance with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1
Workshop helped to provide a framework for creating a pro-social school climate and
positive student behaviors. Purpose is to develop positive student development and
conduct and not just discipline.
• Also reviewed the requirements of QSAC
• Discussed the identification of Core Ethical Values
• Will assemble a committee to review Code of Conduct – teachers, parents,
students
• Our Belief Statements – positive and in line with purpose of workshop
3. Budget Awareness Activities
• Increase in voter turnout
• Increase in “yes” votes
• Open House/Join Your Kids for Lunch provided an opportunity to reach more
parents
• A large number of budgets in small districts were successful. How much interest
or need is there for regionalization? The voters are showing support and
confidence in their school districts.
Mrs. DeFalco reported on the following:
Recent Events:
• The Read Across America Celebration the first week of March was a great
success.
• The book fair was another successful event. We raised just under $1,700 for our
student activity fund. We ran the One For Books project again which raised $115

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to go not only back into our school, but a donation match is made by Scholastic
and a charity benefits.
• Kindergarten Parent Orientation was held on 3/18/09 and there was a very nice
turnout.
• The American Legion presented money gifts to the following students from
coloring contest. 3 rd - William Summers, 2 nd Jenna Bickhardt, 1 st Peter Smith .
• Join Your Kids For Lunch/Open House is scheduled on 4/1, 4/2 and 4/7
• Monday, April 6 th there was a senior luncheon here at school.
• Preschool Story Hour 1:30 – 2:30 took place in the school library on April 21 st
• Author Visit –Trisha Henkes Noble on April 23 rd
• Volunteer luncheon was held today
Upcoming Events:
• North Warren Ambassadors will visit with 6 th grade on May 5 th
• NJASK testing for grades 3 & 4 is the week of May 4
• NJASK testing for grades 5 & 6 is the week of May 11 th
• On May 18 th , the 6 th grade will visit North Warren
• Knowlton Art Show is May 19 th 6:30 - 8
• High Notes Band Festival is May 22 nd
• Spring concert is scheduled for May 27 th
• Track and Field Day is set for May 28 th
Committee Reports - None
MOTIONS
1. Contract Renewals – Tenured Staff
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mr. Maxwell
to offer employment contracts to the following persons for the 2009-10 school year, as
recommended by the Superintendent, salary dependent upon the settlement of negotiations:
Ackerman B17
Baker B6.5
Camilletti
M5
Bickhardt
M17
Boyle M16 (70%)
Cornish
M17
Dally
M16
Davalos
B12
Ferry
B11
Francis M+30, 17
Harer
B10
Harpster
B17
Harris
B17
Hendershot B+15, 13
Hill
M17
Hill-Rosato B17
Jones
M15

Liebler M+30, 17
Magnuson M+30, 17 (20%)
Miller
B15
Parker B8 (60%)
Perry
B5
Reber
B16
Rolph, K.
B17
Smith
B15
Stefankiewicz M+30, 6 (50%)
Tate B5 (60%)
Werner
M7
Zito
OG1
On roll call, motion carried unanimously.
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2. Contract Renewals – Non-Tenured Staff
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mrs. Sullivan
to offer employment contracts to the following persons for the 2009-10 school year, as
recommended by the Superintendent, salary dependent upon the settlement of negotiations::
Garrison
B2
Janeiro B4 (50%)
Kwasnik
B3
Lennox
M4
Rolph, N.
B4
Roman M10 (20%)
Tironi
B2
On roll call, motion carried unanimously.
3. Custodian Contract Renewals
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mrs. Summers
to offer employment contracts to the following custodians for the 2009-10 school year, as
recommended by the Superintendent, salary dependent upon the settlement of negotiations::
Debra Devatt
Terry Ramm
Hank Schmidt
On roll call, motion carried unanimously.
4. Approve Substitute for 2008-09
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mr. Maxwell
to approve the following substitute for the 2008-09 school year, as recommended by the
Superintendent: Leona Marra, Christina Ippolito and Jacquiline Baehr, pending completion of
all paperwork.

On roll call, motion carried unanimously.
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5. Approve PERS Payment
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mr. Maxwell
to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed S-15 as Chapter 22, P.L. 2009 that
reduces the State Aid for the Knowlton Township School District for the 2008-2009 school by an
amount approximating $7,634.00;
AND WHEREAS, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed S-21 as Chapter 19, P.L.
2009 that provides school districts with two options concerning their obligation to pay the Public
Employees Retirement System , namely payment in full by April 30, 2009, or payment of onehalf
of the pension obligation by April 30, 2009;
AND WHEREAS, payment of one-half of the pension obligation requires the district to apply for
a deferral schedule which will start in April 2012 and continue for 15 years to repay the deferred
portion to the retirement system;
AND WHEREAS, deferred payments are subject to normal actuarial growth on accrued
liabilities of the pension system, which most recently was a rate of 8.25%;
AND WHEREAS, the School Business Administrator has reviewed the cash flow needs of the
Knowlton Township School District, the surplus balance position of the district, and the impact
of the deferral on future budgets if the district should elect to take the deferral or reject the
deferral;
NOW BE IT RESOLVED by the Knowlton Township Board of Education that:
It hereby rejects the offer of a deferral by the New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System
and authorizes the School Business Administrator to pay the 2009 PERS pension obligation in
full before April 30, 2009
Motion carried unanimously.
6. Approve Participation in Coordinated Transportation
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mr. Maxwell
to approve participation in the Warren County Special Services School District Coordinated
Transportation for 2009-10 transportation services with a 4% administrative fee.
Motion carried unanimously.
7. Approve Field Trip Destination and Field Trip Contract
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mrs. Summers
to approve the following field trip destination and contract: field trip contract Q-FT16 – Garden
State Transport for one Preschool trip to the Branchburg, NJ totaling $195.00.
Motion carried unanimously.
8. Approve 2009-10 Board Attorney Retainer Agreement
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mrs. Summers

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to approve the 2009-10 Board Attorney Retainer Agreement with Schwartz, Simon, Edelstein,
Celso & Kessler LLC including the following hourly rates: $165 – Partners and Counsel, $160 -
Senior Associates, $155 – Junior Associates and $100 – Clerks and Paralegals.
Motion carried unanimously.
9. Approve Travel Expenditures
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mr. Maxwell
to approve the attached travel expenditures for the 2008-09 school year as required by
N.J.S.A.18A:11-12.
Motion carried unanimously.
10. Approve Budget Line-Item Transfers
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mr. Maxwell
to approve the attached 2008-09 budget line-item transfers from March 31, 2009 to April 27,
2009 totaling $40,280.00 for Fund 10.
Motion carried unanimously.
11. Approve Bills
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mr. Maxwell
to approve the bills for payment as follows: Monthly bill list $383,914.85 and Cafeteria bill list
$8,109.14.
Motion carried unanimously.
Monthly Certification
Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(c)3, I certify that no budgetary line item account has been
overexpended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a) as of March 31, 2009 (Policy 6820).
__________________________________
Board Secretary
______________________________
Date
12. Accept Report of the Secretary and Report of the Treasurer
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mrs. Norwicke
to accept the monthly A-148 Secretary’s Reports for the month ended March 31, 2009 and the A-
149 Treasurer of School Monies Report for the month ended March 31, 2009 in compliance with
the N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(c)4. The Board of Education, after review of the Secretary’s monthly
financial report (appropriations section) and upon consultation with the appropriate district
officials, certifies that no major account or fund has been overexpended in violation of N.J.A.C.
6A:23-2.11(b).
Motion carried unanimously.

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13. Approve Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mr. Maxwell
to approve the Regular Session Minutes of March 16, 2009 and the Regular and Executive
Session Minutes of March 30, 2009.
Motion carried unanimously.
New Business
• Code of Ethics Review - Mrs. Tjalma distributed and reviewed the Code of Ethics
with the board and requested that each member sign the Acknowledgement of Receipt.
Old Business
• Mr. Moore noted that a full technology committee report and building project updates for
the May 28th public discussion would be made at the May 18th board meeting
Executive Session
Be it hereby resolved by, Mr. Maxwell seconded by Mrs. Norwicke
at 8:12 p.m. pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 and 10:4-13 that said public body hold an executive
session regarding:
• Administrative Evaluations
• KTEA Negotiations
It is expected that discussion undertaken in executive session will be made public at the time
action is taken.
Motion carried unanimously.
New Business
• Mr. Haycock asked about lice in the school and what was being done to control it –
discussion followed and this issue will be put on the May agenda regarding notification
of parents.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock seconded by Mrs. Summers
to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully,
Rachelle Tjalma
Board Secretary