January 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM - Reorganization Meeting
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1. CALL TO ORDER
Michael McGarry |
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2. NOTIFICATION OF MEETING
This meeting was properly advertised according to the Open Public Meeting Act (P.L. 1975:31) in the Hunterdon County Democrat on December 19, 2024 and on NJ.com to begin at 7:00 PM in the Alexandria Middle School Media Center, 557 County Road 513, Pittstown, NJ |
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3. FLAG SALUTE
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4. ELECTION RESULTS
The November 5, 2024 election results are as follows: Three (3)-Year Term Caterina Dobak Michael Small Doug Walker One (1) One-Year Unexpired Term Ann Marie Austin |
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5. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH
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5.A. Board Secretary administers the required oath to elected and appointed Board Members:
Ann Marie Austin Caterina Dobak Michael Small Doug Walker |
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5.B. Code of Ethics Presentation
District Policy 0142 - BOARD MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS, PROHIBITED ACTS AND CODE OF ETHICS (M) Section: Bylaws Date Created: June 2009 Date Edited: December 2011 M Each member of the Board of Education shall possess the qualifications required by law and shall be bound by the provisions of the School Ethics Act. Qualification of Office A Board member must be a citizen of the United States. A Board member must be a resident of the district the member represents and must have been such for at least one year immediately preceding the member's election or appointment. A Board member must be able to read and write. A Board member must be registered to vote in the district and not disqualified from voting pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:4-1. A Board member may not have been convicted of a crime or offense as listed in N.J.S.A. 18A:12-1. A Board member cannot concurrently hold office as mayor or a member of the governing body of Alexandria Township. Each member of the Board of Education, within thirty days of election or appointment to the Board shall undergo a criminal history background investigation for the purpose of ensuring the member is not disqualified from membership due to a criminal conviction of a crime or offense listed in N.J.S.A. 18A:12-1 et seq. The Board of Education will reimburse the Board member for the costs of the criminal history record check. The Commissioner of Education shall notify the Board of Education if a member has been disqualified from membership on the Board as the result of the criminal history record check. The Commissioner of Education will also notify the Board if a Board member has charges enumerated in N.J.S.A. 18A:12-1 pending against him/her and the Board shall take appropriate action. If the pending charges result in conviction, the member shall be disqualified from continued membership on the Board. Prohibited Acts “Business” means any corporation, partnership, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, trust, sole proprietorship, union, political organization, or other legal entity but does not include a school district or other public entity. “Interest” means the ownership of or control of more than ten percent of the profits, assets, or stocks of a business, but does not include the control of assets in a labor union. “Immediate family” means the person to whom the Board member is legally married and any dependent child of the Board member residing in the same household. No Board member or member of his/her immediate family shall have an interest in a business organization or engage in any business, transaction, or professional activity that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his/her duties in the public interest. No Board member shall use or attempt to use his/her official position to secure unwarranted privileges, advantages, or employment for him/herself, members of his/her immediate family, or others. No Board member shall act in his/her official capacity in any matter where he/she, a member of his/her immediate family, or a business organization in which he/she has an interest, has a direct or indirect financial or personal involvement that might reasonably be expected to impair his/her independence of judgment in the exercise of official duties. No Board member shall act in his/her official capacity in any matter where he/she or a member of his/her immediate family has a personal involvement that is or creates some benefit to the Board member or a member of his/her immediate family. No Board member shall undertake any employment or service, whether compensated or not, which might reasonably be expected to prejudice his/her independence of judgment in the exercise of official duties. No Board member or member of his/her immediate family or business organization in which he/she has an interest shall solicit or accept any gift, favor, loan, political contribution, service, promise of future employment, or other thing of value based upon an understanding that the gift, favor, loan, contribution, service, promise, or other thing of value was given or offered for the purpose of influencing him/her, directly or indirectly, in the discharge of his/her official duties, except that the member may have solicited or accepted contributions to his/her campaign for election to public office if he/she had no knowledge or reason to believe that the campaign contribution, if accepted, was given with the intent to influence him/her in the discharge of official duties. Board members may not accept offers of meals, entertainment or hospitality which are limited to clients/customers of the individual providing such hospitality. Board members may attend hospitality suites or receptions at conferences only when they are open to all persons attending the conference. No Board member shall use, or allow to be used, his public office or any information not generally available to the members of the public which he/she receives or acquires in the course of and by reason of his/her office, for the purpose of securing financial gain for him/herself, any member of his/her immediate family, or any business organization with which he/she is associated. No Board member or business organization in which he/she has an interest shall represent any person or party other than the Board of Education or this school district in connection with any cause, proceeding, application, or other matter pending before this school district or in any proceeding involving this school district, except that this provision shall not be deemed to prohibit representation within the context of official labor union or similar representational responsibilities. It is not a conflict of interest if, merely by reason of his/her participation in any matter voted upon by the Board, a Board member accrues material or monetary gain that is no greater than the gain that could reasonably be expected to accrue to any other member of the member's business, profession, occupation, or group. No elected Board member shall be prohibited from making an inquiry for information on behalf of a constituent, if no fee, reward, or other thing of value is promised to or given to or accepted by the member or a member of his/her immediate family, whether directly or indirectly, in return for the information so requested. Nothing shall prohibit a Board member or members of his/her immediate family from representing him/herself or themselves in negotiations or proceedings concerning his/her or their own interests, except that Board members shall disqualify themselves from participating in negotiations and voting on collective bargaining agreements where their spouse or dependent children are members of the bargaining unit. Each Board member shall annually, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:12-25 and 18A:12-26, file a disclosure statement regarding potential conflicts of interest. Ineligibility for District Employment A Board member cannot be appointed to a paid office or position required to be filled by the Board, except where law permits or requires that the office or position be filled by a Board member, and is ineligible for appointment to a paid office or position in the district for at least six months after the member's retirement, resignation, or removal from Board membership. Code of Ethics In accordance with N.J.S.A 18A:12-24.1 every Board member will abide by the following Code of Ethics. The Board member will: 1. Uphold and enforce all laws, rules and regulations of the State Board of Education and court orders pertaining to schools. Desired changes shall be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures. 2. Make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and seek to develop and maintain public schools that meet the individual needs of all children, regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex, or social standing. 3. Confine his/her Board action to policy making, planning and appraisal, and help to frame policies and plans only after the Board has consulted those who will be affected by them. 4. Carry out his/her responsibility not to administer the schools, but together with fellow Board members, insure they are well run. 5. Recognize that authority rests with the Board of Education and make no personal promises nor take any private action that may compromise the Board. 6. Refuse to surrender his/her independent judgment to special interest or partisan political groups or to use the schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends. 7. Hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools, which, if disclosed, would needlessly injure individuals, or the schools. In all other matters, he/she will provide accurate information and, in concert with fellow Board members, interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its school. 8. Vote to appoint the best-qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the chief administrative officer. 9. Support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties. 10. Refer all complaints to the chief administrative officer and act on the complaints at public meetings only after failure of an administrative solution. Each Board member is required to sign an acknowledgment that he/she received a copy, read and will become familiar with the Code of Ethics for School Board Members contained within N.J.S.A. 18A:12-21 et seq. The School Business Administrator will provide each Board member with a copy of the Code of Ethics and the required acknowledgment on an annual basis and will maintain the original signed acknowledgment(s) in the business office. The Board will receive a copy of and discuss the School Ethics Act and the Code of Ethics for School Board Members, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 12-21 et seq., at a regular scheduled public meeting each year. The discussion may include presentations by school administrative staff, the Board attorney, Board members and/or other professionals familiar with the School Ethics Act and the Code of Ethics. In addition, the Superintendent will keep the Board informed of decisions by the School Ethics Commission, Commissioner of Education, State Board of Education and courts. Oath of Office Each Board member shall, before entering upon the duties of the office, swear or affirm under oath that he/she qualifies for membership and will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Board member. N.J.S.A. 41:1-3 School Ethics Commission Policy Guideline 1. Adopted: 6/25/09 |
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6. ROLL CALL
April Abelman _____12/31/25 Ann Marie Austin _____12/31/25 Renee Bagley _____12/31/26 Caterina Dobak _____12/31/27 Eric Joseph _____12/31/26 Marybeth Madlinger _____12/31/26 Wanda Quinones _____12/31/25 Michael Small _____12/31/27 Doug Walker _____12/31/27 |
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7. NOMINATIONS FOR PRESIDENT
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7.A. Board Secretary to call for nomination for Board President:
Motion made by ______, seconded by _______ . ________ was nominated for the position of Board President. There being no further nominations for Board President, the nominations were closed on a motion by _________, and seconded by __________. Open Roll Call Vote: N.J.S.A. 1-:4-14 requires that the public be able to ascertain how each Board Member votes and the minutes of the meeting must reflect said votes. Roll Call Vote: Abelman ____ Austin ____Bagley ____ Dobak ____ Joseph ____ Madlinger ____ Quinones ____ Small ____ Walker ____ The newly elected President assumes the Chair. |
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8. NOMINATIONS FOR VICE PRESIDENT
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8.A. Board President to call for nomination for Vice President:
Motion made by ______, seconded by _______ . ________ was nominated for the position of Vice President. There being no further nominations for Vice President, the nominations were closed on a motion by _________, and seconded by __________. Open Roll Call Vote: N.J.S.A. 1-:4-14 requires that the public be able to ascertain how each Board Member votes and the minutes of the meeting must reflect said votes. Abelman ____ Austin ____Bagley ____ Dobak ____ Joseph ____ Madlinger ____ Quinones ____ Small ____ Walker ____ |
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9. SCHOOL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR/BOARD SECRETARY
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9.A. Acknowledgment of receipt of the Code of Ethics such that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:12-21 et seq., the Board of Education shall discuss the Board Member Code of Ethics annually at a regularly scheduled public meeting. Each Board Member shall sign documentation that he/she has received a copy of it and has read and understood it.
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10. APPOINTMENT OF BOARD REPRESENTATIVES:
Motion to approve the following 2025 delegates/representatives from the Board of Education: Affirmative Vote: _____ Yes _____ No _____Abstentions Hunterdon County ESC: Alternate HCESC: Hunterdon County School Boards Association: Alternate HCSBA: New Jersey School Boards Association: Alternate NJSBA: ATSD PTO Representative: Alternate ATSD PTO Alternate: Civil Rights Coordinator: Alternate Civil Rights Coordinator |
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11. ORGANIZATION ACTION ITEMS
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11.A. Motion made by _________, seconded by __________, to approve the following reorganization action items:
Roll Call Vote: Abelman ____ Austin____Bagley ____ Dobak ____ Joseph ____ Madlinger ____ Quinones ____ Small ____ Walker ____ |
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11.A.1) Board Meeting Calendar
To approve the following place and dates for 2025 Board of Education Meetings: Work Sessions February 6, 2025 March 6, 2025 April 10, 2025 May 8, 2025 June 5, 2025 September 4, 2025 October 2, 2025 November 5, 2025 Regular Meetings January 16, 2025 February 20, 2025 March 20, 2025 April 24, 2025 May 22, 2025 June 19, 2025 July 10, 2025 August 14, 2025 September 17, 2025 October 16, 2025 November 20, 2025 December 11, 2025 Meetings shall commence at 7:00 PM in the Alexandria Middle School Library/Media Center located at 557 County Road 513, Pittstown, New Jersey. |
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11.A.2) Existing Policies and Regulations
To approve the existing policies, by-laws, and administrative regulations of the Alexandria Township Board of Education, and that the adopted policies, bylaws, and administrative regulations contained therein will continue to bind the Board of Education for the school year, subject to any modifications imposed by State statute. |
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11.A.3) Signatures and Depositories
To authorize the following signatures on the 2023 accounts maintained by the Board of Education: General Account - Citizens Savings Bank (2 signature required) Business Administrator, Board President or Treasurer of School Monies Payroll Account - Citizens Savings Bank (1 signature required) Business Administrator or Treasurer of School Monies Cafeteria Account - Citizens Savings Bank (1 signature required) Superintendent of Schools or Business Administrator Student Activities Accounts - Citizens Savings Bank (1 signature required) Superintendent of Schools, Business Administrator, or Principal Unemployment Trust (SUI) Account - Citizens Savings Bank (1 signature required) Board President or Business Administrator Capital Reserve Account - Citizens Savings Bank (1 signature required) Business Administrator or Treasurer of School Monies |
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11.A.4) Administrative and Staff Appointments
Affirmative Action Officer/Chief Equity Officer/Title IX Coordinator: Carly Bergstrom Air Quality Designees: Scott Lazier AHERA Representative - Scott Lazier HIB Coordinator: Carly Bergstrom HIB Specialists: Marybeth McIsaac / Kimberly Glucksman Asbestos Program Manager: Scott Lazier Attendance Office: Kevin McPeek Board Secretary: Michael McGarry Business Administrator: Michael McGarry Custodian of Records: Michael McGarry District Section 504 Officer: Carly Bergstrom Integrated Pest Management Designee: Scott Lazier Public Agency Compliance Officer: Michael McGarry Purchasing Agent: Michael McGarry Right to Know Coordinator: Scott Lazier School Safety Specialist: Kevin McPeek Treasurer of School Monies: Ronald Bolandi |
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11.A.5) Depository of Record
BE IT RESOLVED that Citizens Savings Bank be designated as the depository of record for the Alexandria Township School District Board of Education accounts; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that investments can be secured in any other bank holding a current certificate of eligibility from the State of New Jersey Banking Association. |
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11.A.6) Line Transfers
Motion to authorize the Superintendent in conjunction with the Business Administrator to approve line item transfers as necessary between board meetings and such transfers shall be reported to the Board of Education, ratified and duly recorded in the minutes of the next regular meeting, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:22-8.1. |
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11.A.7) Bill Payment
Motion to authorize the Business Administrator, in consultation with the Superintendent, to remit 2025-2026 school year payments including electronic bill payments as deemed necessary, between scheduled board meetings, for financial obligations that are contractual in nature, are considered emergency needs, or are to be paid timely to avoid late fees. |
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11.A.8) Contractual Service Appointments
Accounting Software System: CDK Systems Architect: The Spiezle Group AHERA Consultant: RK Environmental, Inc. Attorney: DiFrancesco, Bateman, Kuunzman, Davis, Lehrer & Flaum, P.C. Auditor: BKC Certifed Public Accountants, PC Bond Council: Wilentz, Goldman, and Spitzer Corporation Demographer: Ross Haber and Associates, LLC Financial Advisors: Phoenix Advisors, LLC Health Insurance Agent: Brown and Brown Benefit Advisors, Inc. IPM Consultant: Ehrlich Pest Management Payroll Services: R&L Payroll Services, Inc. Physician: Hunterdon Family Medicine at Delaware Valley Right to Know Compliance: RK Environmental, Inc. Risk Management Consultants: CBIZ, Inc. Security Monitoring Services: Sonitrol Security Systems Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator: Kenneth F. Yudichak Waste Water Testing: Eurofins QC, Inc. Well Water Testing: Garden State Laboratories, Inc. Well Water Compliance Operator: McGowan, LLC |
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11.A.9) District Purchasing Agent
WHEREAS, Title 18A:18A-10 provides that, a board of education without advertising for bids, or after having rejected all bids obtained pursuant to advertising therefore, by resolution may purchase any goods or services pursuant to a contract or contracts for such goods or services entered into on behalf of the State by the Division of Purchase and Property, and; WHEREAS, the Alexandria Township School District has the need, on a timely basis, to procure goods and services utilizing state contracts, and; WHEREAS, the Alexandria Township School District desires to authorize its purchasing agent to make any and all purchases necessary to meet the needs of the school district throughout the school year. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alexandria Township Board of Education does hereby authorize Michael McGarry, the district purchasing agent to make purchases of goods and services entered into on behalf of the State of New Jersey, Division of Purchase and Property utilizing its approved state contract vendor list. |
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11.A.10) State Contract Purchasing
WHEREAS, Title 18A:18A-10 provides that a board of education, without advertising for bids, or after having rejected all bids obtained pursuant to advertising therefore by resolution, may purchase and goods or services pursuant to a contract or contracts for such goods or services entered into on behalf of the State by the Division of Purchase and Property, and WHEREAS, the Alexandria Township School District has the need, on a timely basis, to procure goods and services utilizing state contracts, and; WHEREAS, the Alexandria Township School District desires to authorize its purchasing agent to make any and all purchases necessary to meet the needs of the school district throughout the school year. |
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11.A.11) Investment Authorization
To authorize the School Business Adminstrator to invest funds not immediately needed in any authorized bank in the State of New Jersey, pursuant to 17:12B-241 and as per Board Policy 6700 |
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11.A.12) Bid/Quote Threshold
WHEREAS 18A:18A-2 provides that a board of education shall assign the authority responsibility and accountability for the purchasing activity of the board of education to a person who shall have the power to prepare advertisements, to advertise for and receive bids and to award contracts as permitted by this chapter and; WHEREAS 18A:18a-3 provides that contracts, awarded by the purchasing agent that do not exceed in the aggregate in a contract year the bid threshold may be awarded by the purchasing agent without advertising for bids when so authorized by board resolution, and; WHEREAS, 18A:18A-3 also authorizes a board of education to establish a bid threshold of $32,000 if they employ a qualified purchasing agent as determined by the Department of Community Affairs, and; WHEREAS 18A:18A37, c. provides that all contracts that are in the aggregate less than 15% ($4,800) of the bid threshold may be awarded by the purchasing agent without soliciting competitive quotations if so authorized by board resolution. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alexandria Township School District Board of Education pursuant to the statutes cited above hereby appoints Michael McGarry, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary as its duly authorized purchasing agent, and is duly assigned the authority and responsibility for the purchasing activity of the Alexandria Township School District, and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Michael McGarry, is hereby authorized to award contracts on behalf of the Alexandria Township School District Board of Education that are in the aggregate less than 15% ($4,800) of the bid threshold without soliciting competitive quotations, and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Michael McGarry, is hereby authorized to seek competitive quotations, when applicable and practicable and award such contracts when they in the aggregate exceed 15% of the bid threshold but less than the established bid threshold, and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Michael McGarry, is hereby authorized as a purchasing agent as determined by the Department of Community Affairs and holds a certificate attesting to same which authorizes him to issue contracts up to $32,000 without soliciting competitive bids. |
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11.A.13) Official Newspaper
To approve the following as the District's official newspapers: Hunterdon County Democrat The Star Ledger Courier News The Chronicle The Express Times |
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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:
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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 __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 the District's Right to Receive Funding __School/Public Security __Collective Bargaining __Pending, Ongoing or Anticipated Litigation And be it 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 __________. |
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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 __________. |
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15. ADJOURN
Motion made by __________, seconded by __________, to adjourn the meeting at __________ . |