THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY
THE ANNUAL REORGANIZATION MEETING
of the Metuchen Board of Education
Metuchen High School
400 Grove Avenue
Metuchen, NJ 08840
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
7:00pm
1. Call to Order by Pro-Tem Chair, Michael A. Harvier, Board Secretary
2. Sunshine Statement and Announcement of Purpose of Meeting
I hereby make this statement to indicate compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
known as Chapter 231 of the Public Laws of New Jersey, 1975, which became effective
90 days after enactment, January 19, 1976.
Notice of this meeting was given by providing the location, time and date of this
meeting, and posting of the same on the front door of the Board of Education offices,
by delivering copies to the Borough Hall and the Metuchen Public Library, The Home
News and Tribune, and by filing a copy with the Borough Clerk as prescribed by this law.
3. Flag Salute
4. Administration of Required Oaths to the Board Members Elected on November 4, 2025.
5. Roll Call
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Mr. Bhatt
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Ms. Killean
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Ms. Cheatham
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Ms. Michaels-LaMorte
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Mr. Derflinger
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Dr. Spigner
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Mr. Glassberg
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Mr. Suss
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Dr. Johnson-Marcus
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Ms. Zimmerman
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6. Announcement of Election Results
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Candidates in Ballot Order
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Total Votes
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Alicia Killean
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4,500
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Eric Suss
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4,325
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Jennifer Zimmerman
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4,309
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7. Pro-Tem Chair Will Conduct Election of the Board President
8. President Takes Chair
9. Board President Will Conduct Election of the Board Vice-President
10. Meeting Open to the Public on all Previous Items
11. Presentation/Discussions
Governor’s Educators of the Year and Educational Services Professionals:
• Moss: Stephanie Kandel and Sandra Spinelli
• Campbell: Erin Santasieri and Jodi Reiner
• Edgar: Rick Carter and Courtney Crawford
• MHS: Emily Caponigro and Dana Donatelli
Paraprofessional of the Year:
• Neha Jansari
12. Remarks by President
13. Report of Superintendent
14. Committee Reports
15. Student Board Member Report
16. Old Business
17. New Business
18. Meeting Open to the Public
(for comments on the recommendations of the Superintendent of Schools)
19. Approval of the Minutes of the Board of Education Meetings
Move to approve the minutes of the following meetings:
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December 16, 2025
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Special Business Meeting (1)
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December 16, 2025
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Special Business Meeting (2)
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December 16, 2025
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Board Meeting
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20. Recommendations of the Superintendent of Schools
(at this time the Board will take formal action on the following items – see attachments)
Oftentimes it may appear to members of our audience that the Board of Education
takes action with very little comment and in many cases a unanimous vote. Before a
matter is placed on the agenda at a public meeting, the administration has thoroughly
reviewed the matter with the Superintendent of Schools. If the Superintendent is
satisfied that the matter is ready to be presented to the Board of Education, it is then
referred to the appropriate board committee. The members of the board committee
work with administration and the Superintendent to assure that the members fully
understand the matter. When the committee is satisfied with the matter, it is presented
to the Board of Education for discussion before any final action is taken. Only then, is
it placed on the agenda for action at a public meeting.
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PERSONNEL
Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call
1. Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff
Move to approve the leave of absence of Stephanie Kandel, Teacher at Moss School, effective January 12, 2026 through approximately February 10, 2026.
2. Rescind and Approve - Edgar Middle School Coaches
Move to rescind and approve the appointment of the following coaches for the 2025-2026 school year at Edgar Middle School (Agenda 05/27/2025, Section 13, A2):
|
Name
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Assignement
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Stipend
|
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Rescind:
Marcus Farris
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Winter Boys Basketball Head Coach
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$3,774
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Approve:
John Butler
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Winter Boys Basketball Head Coach
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$3,774
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3. Appointment - Leave Replacement
Move to approve the appointment of Rheanna Andersen, Leave Replacement for Stephanie Kandel, Teacher at Moss School, effective approximately January 7, 2026 through approximately February 10, 2026 at a rate of $329.73/day.
4. Appointment - Leave Replacement
Move to approve the appointment of Lisa Lombardi, Leave Replacement for Lindsay Nalepa, Teacher at Metuchen High School, effective approximately January 12, 2026 through approximately February 10, 2026 at a rate of $329.73/day.
5. Extension - Leave Replacement
Move to approve the extended appointment of Bruce Peragallo, Leave Replacement for Michelle Huff, Teacher at Edgar Middle School and Metuchen High School, through approximately January 23, 2026 (Agenda 12/16/25, Section 13, A2).
6. Resolution - Administrative Leave
Be it resolved, employee #102225 was placed on administrative leave with pay on December 23, 2025.
7. Adjustment - Leave Replacement
Move to approve the adjusted end date of Maria DiLorenzo, Leave Replacement for Jessica Lanigan, Teacher at Metuchen High School, through January 14, 2026 (Agenda 10/14/25, Section 13, A12).
8. Appointment of Substitutes
Move to approve the appointment of substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year as listed on the chart below, effective January 7, 2026, pending completion of substitute training and criminal history clearance:
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2025-2026 Substitutes for Board Approval 1/6/26
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Teacher sub with certification - $125/day
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Teacher sub with bachelor’s degree - $120/day
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Teacher sub with 30+ credits - $115/day
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Nurse sub - $210/day
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Para sub - $105/day
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Nurse 1:1 sub - $280/day
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Sub Name
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Certification/Sub Category
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Tommy Jurcsek
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Substitute with college credits
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Brian Humbarger
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Substitute with college degree
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9. In-service Planning
Move to approve the following certified staff for In-service Planning on January 16, 2026, and to be paid at the hourly rate of $51/ hour, as indicated below:
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Staff Name
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Topic
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Not to exceed
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Alyssa Dugasz
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Google Forms Tips & Tricks
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2.25 hours
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John Messenger
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Sight Reading Factory Simplified
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2.25 hours
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Karen Logan and Beth McLaughlin
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Lumio
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2.25 hours each
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Caroline Forde
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Peardeck
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2.25 hours
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Julia Vaughn
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Classroom Screen
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2.25 hours
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Alexis Wolford
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AAC Devices
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2.25 hours
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Sarah Valovcin & Katie Upshaw
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Classroom Management Tech Hacks
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2.25 hours each
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Raquel Williams
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AI-Powered Creativity for the World Language Classroom
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2.25 hours
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Emily Caponigro & Stephanie Tortolani
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Teaching with Mathmedic
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2.25 hours each
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Lauren Thompson
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Sidekick AI: Your New Co-Teacher!
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2.25 hours
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Andrea Agnone
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Accessibility with AI: Supporting Diverse Learners
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2.25 hours
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Margo Banner & Jenn Gumbrecht
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Charcoal Mindfulness
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2.25 hours each
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Julie Youngman & Mark Mooney
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Volleyball
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2.25 hours each
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Beth Abbott
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Board Games & Connections
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2.25 hours
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Bob Ulmer
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Move & Refresh
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2.25 hours
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Nick Zaneto
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Game, Set, PD! Pickleball Edition
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2.25 hours
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Beth McLaughlin & Karen Logan
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Create with Cricut: Personalized Crafts for Staff
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2.25 hours each
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Julie Youngman, Molly Grant, Mark Mooney, Bob Ulmer, Nick Zaneto and Drew Bandola
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CPR Training
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2 hours each
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Lindsey Nalepa and Emily Caponigro
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Student Voice
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2.25 hours each
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10. Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff
Move to approve the leave of absence of Eileen Wagenblast, English Teacher at Metuchen High School, effective January 2, 2026 through approximately February 2, 2026.
11. Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff
Move to approve the leave of absence of Danielle Cermak, Teacher at Metuchen High School, effective January 27, 2026 through approximately February 27, 2026.
12. Retirement - Certificated Staff
Move to accept, with regret, the retirement of Michael Clarke, Teacher at Metuchen High School, effective June 30, 2026.
13. Rescind - Formal Mentor
Move to rescind the following formal mentor teacher to work with the following mentee teacher for the 2025-2026 school year(Agenda 12/16/25, Section 13, A25):
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New Teacher/Leave Replacement
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School
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Mentor
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Payment Traditional Route $550.00
Alternate Route
$1,000.00
|
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Rescind:
Maria DiLorenzo
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MHS
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Eileen Wagenblast
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----------------------------end of personnel section--------------------------
-
FINANCE
Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call
1. Professional Development
Move to approve the following professional development activities as shown on the following chart:
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Start Date
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End Date
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Activity Title
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Name
|
Building
|
Approved
|
Payment
|
FFPI Proposal #
|
|
1/5/
2026
|
1/5/
2026
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School Climate for Adults: The Elephant in the Room
|
Calantoni, Karen
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Moss
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$195
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FFPI
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26-095
|
|
1/14/
2026
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1/14/
2026
|
RU Capacity Building Workshop
|
Dybas, Christina
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MHS
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$0
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No cost
|
|
|
1/14/
2026
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1/14/
2026
|
RU Capacity Building Workshop
|
Youngman, Julie
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MHS
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$0
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No cost
|
|
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1/14/
2026
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1/14/
2026
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RU Capacity Building Workshop
|
Valovcin, Sarah
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Moss
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$0
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Other
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|
|
1/14/
2026
|
1/14/
2026
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RU Capacity Building Workshop
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Donatelli, Dana
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Moss/
MHS
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$0
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No cost
|
|
|
1/14/
2026
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1/14/
2026
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RU Capacity Building Workshop
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Williams, Raquel
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Edgar
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$0
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No cost
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|
|
1/14/
2026
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1/14/
2026
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RU Capacity Building Workshop
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Vaughn, Julia
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Edgar
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$0
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No cost
|
|
|
1/14/
2026
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1/14/
2026
|
RU Capacity Building Workshop
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Kish, Gina
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Campbell
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$0
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No cost
|
|
|
1/14/
2026
|
1/14/
2026
|
RU Capacity Building Workshop
|
Omark, Lindsey
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Central Office
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$0
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No cost
|
|
|
1/14/
2026
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1/14/
2026
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RU Capacity Building Workshop
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Rodriguez, Bianca
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Campbell
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$0
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No cost
|
|
|
1/14/
2026
|
1/14/
2026
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RU Capacity Building Workshop
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Wright, Danielle
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Moss
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$0
|
No cost
|
|
|
1/14/
2026
|
1/14/
2026
|
RU Capacity Building Workshop
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Tocci, Bailey
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Campbell
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$0
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No cost
|
|
|
1/15/
2026
|
1/15/
2026
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New Jersey ELA Supervisor Meeting
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Manziano, Louis
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Central Office
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$0
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No cost
|
|
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1/21/
2026
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1/22/
2026
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Capturing Kids Hearts
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Fitzharris, Amy
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Edgar
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$550
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FFPI
|
26-098
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|
1/21/
2026
|
1/22/
2026
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Capturing Kids Hearts
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Kaye, Lindsay
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Edgar
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$550
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FFPI
|
26-096
|
|
1/21/
2026
|
1/22/
2026
|
Capturing Kids Hearts
|
Palmer, Suzanne
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Edgar
|
$550
|
FFPI
|
26-097
|
|
1/21/
2026
|
1/22/
2026
|
Capturing Kids Hearts
|
Robbins, Melissa
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Edgar
|
$550
|
FFPI & other
|
26-099
|
|
1/26/
2026
|
1/26/
2026
|
Site Visit for Science Curriculum (Millburn)
|
Robbins, Melissa
|
Edgar
|
$0
|
No cost
|
|
|
1/26/
2026
|
1/26/
2026
|
Site Visit for Science Curriculum (Millburn)
|
Divanno, Rachel
|
Edgar
|
$0
|
No cost
|
|
|
1/26/
2026
|
1/26/
2026
|
Site Visit for Science Curriculum (Millburn)
|
Herzog, Tania
|
Central Office
|
$0
|
No cost
|
|
|
1/26/
2026
|
1/26/
2026
|
Site Visit for Science Curriculum (Millburn)
|
Lemerich, Kathryn
|
Central Office
|
$19.27
|
Other
|
|
|
1/26/
2026
|
1/26/
2026
|
Site Visit for Science Curriculum (Millburn)
|
Lewis, Patricia
|
Central Office
|
$0
|
No cost
|
|
|
1/29/
2026
|
1/29/
2026
|
Building Bridges: Creating a Safe and Affirming School Environment for Members of the LGBTQIA+
|
Forde, Caroline
|
Edgar
|
$0
|
No cost
|
|
|
1/29/
2026
|
1/29/
2026
|
Building Bridges: Creating a Safe and Affirming School Environment for Members of the LGBTQIA+ Community
|
Manziano, Louis
|
Central Office
|
$0
|
No cost
|
|
|
1/29/
2026
|
1/29/
2026
|
Building Bridges: Creating a Safe and Affirming<br/>School Environment for Members of the LGBTQIA+ Community
|
Herzog, Tania
|
Central Office
|
$0
|
No cost
|
|
|
2/7/
2026
|
2/7/
2026
|
NJIDA PRESENTS WIFFT: Winter Institute Food For Thought
|
Bormann, Kristina
|
Campbell
|
$175
|
FFPI
|
26-090
|
|
2/7/
2026
|
2/7/
2026
|
NJIDA PRESENTS WIFFT: Winter Institute Food For Thought
|
Omark, Lindsey
|
Central Office
|
$140
|
FFPI
|
|
|
2/11/
2026
|
2/12/
2026
|
RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION: Powerful Strategies to Strengthen Your Tier 1 and Tier 2 Reading Instruction (Grades K-6)
|
Valovcin, Sarah
|
Moss
|
$695
|
FFPI
|
26-091
|
|
2/18/
2026
|
2/18/
2026
|
Fractions to Functions
|
Schleuss, Morgan
|
Edgar
|
$179
|
FFPI
|
26-094
|
|
2/24/
2026
|
2/24/
2026
|
The Heart of the Matter Summit: Building Inclusive, Safe, and Supportive School Communities
|
Lemerich, Kathryn
|
Central Office
|
$94.46
|
Other
|
|
|
2/27/
2026
|
2/27/
2026
|
NJ STEM Pathways STEM Month Kickoff Event & District Leaders Meetup: NJ: Advancing Curriculum and Innovation in the Age of AI
|
Lemerich, Kathryn
|
Central Office
|
$27.12
|
Other
|
|
|
3/9/
2026
|
3/9/
2026
|
2026 Annual New Jersey Women's Leadership Conference
|
Manziano, Louis
|
Central Office
|
$295
|
Other
|
|
|
3/10/
2026
|
3/10/
2026
|
NJCTE Annual Conference
|
Manziano, Louis
|
Central Office
|
$130
|
Other
|
|
|
3/16/
2026
|
3/16/
2026
|
NJCEC 2026 Spring Conference
|
Corrigan, Lauren
|
Campbell
|
$225
|
FFPI
|
26-093
|
|
4/23/
2026
|
4/23/
2026
|
Teaching Fractional Reasoning and Operations for Understanding: Grades 1-5
|
Corrigan, Lauren
|
Campbell
|
$159
|
FFPI
|
26-092
|
2. Duties of Business Administrator/Board Secretary
Move to approve the following duties/position of Michael A. Harvier, Business
Administrator/Board Secretary through December 31, 2026:
a ) PACO-Public Agency Compliance Officer for Affirmative Action.
3. Change Order M&M Construction
Move to approve the change orders as listed below:
|
Change Order #
|
Description
|
Amount
|
|
31
|
PCO #122 Dated 11/5/2025 – Hudl camera work – PJ Smith ADD: $1,797.09
PCO # 125 Dated 11/13/2025 – ASI 53 MHS Gym Corner – Depalma. ADD $3,413.55
PCO # 126 Dated 11/13/2025 – RM408A Outlets – PJ Smith ADD $4,196.52
|
$9,407.16
|
|
32
|
PCO # 66H Dated 11/13/2025 ASI 26 Musco Changes – PJ Smith Add $61,111.38
PCO # 91B Dated 11/20/2025 – Contaminated Soils Loading 10/7-10/20 Add $33.025.45
|
$94,136.86
|
4. Nonpublic Technology Aid
Move to approve the following nonpublic technology aid for the 2025-2026 school year. These expenditures are required for the district to fulfill certain legal obligations under state legislation to administer federal or state funds provided to nonpublic schools within our jurisdiction:
|
School
|
Vendor
|
QTY
|
Item #
|
Description
|
Price
|
Total
|
|
Apple Montessori of Metuchen
|
CDW-G
|
1
|
7875797
|
Dell 24 Monitor-P24254
|
$200.20
|
$200.20
|
|
Apple Montessori of Metuchen
|
CDW-G
|
1
|
755133
|
HDMI Cable w Audio
|
$8.47
|
$8.47
|
----------------------------end of finance section--------------------------
-
POLICY
Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call
1. Suspensions
The board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report for December 15, 2025 - January 2, 2026.
2. Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported cases:
-
EMS111025001
-
METHS111325002
3. Second Readings of Policies and Regulations
Move to approve the second readings of the following policies and regulations:
-
P 2530 Resource Materials (Revised)
-
R 2530 Resource Materials (Revised)
-
P 2535 Library Material (M) (New)
-
R 2535 Library Material (M) (New)
-
P 9130 Public Complaints
-
R 9130 Public Complaints
----------------------------end of policy section--------------------------
D. CURRICULUM
Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call
1. Field Trips
Move to approve the following field trips for students in the Metuchen School District as shown:
|
School
|
Destination
|
Class/Group/
Purpose
|
Teachers/
Advisors
|
Date(s)
|
No. Of Students
|
Board Cost- Transportation
|
Number of Subs Needed
|
|
MHS
|
Campbell
|
Grades 11-12; The Science National Honor Society will go to Campbell School where members of the SNHS will teach science lessons to students.
|
Ryan Clapp
|
1/15/
2026
|
18
|
$90
|
no subs needed
|
|
MHS
|
Cai's Cafe
|
Grades 10-12; Students will observe real world small business operations at a local café and apply marketing concepts by collaborating on logos and promotional materials for protein bars created by nutrition students at MHS. This experience connects classroom learning to authentic business practices and highlights cross-disciplinary collaboration.
|
Elizabeth Dorsa and Kate Lemerich
|
1/22/
2026
|
20
|
Pending MP
|
1 sub needed (PM Only)
|
|
MHS
|
Target/
Menlo Mall food court
|
Grade 12,18-21 Program: This trip will give students the opportunity to practice social and communication goals, utilize problem solving strategies and apply academic and technical skills in authentic recreation and leisure settings.
|
Dawn Valovcin, Michelle Schutz, Joe DiMeglio, Marilyn Levine
|
1/23/
2026
|
6
|
$70
|
no subs needed
|
|
CES
|
Majestic Lanes
|
Grades 3-8; This trip will give students the opportunity to practice social and communication goals, utilize problem solving strategies and apply academic and technical skills in authentic recreation and leisure settings.
|
Brian Jeney and Lexi Wolford
|
1/30/
2026
|
8
|
$60
|
no subs needed
|
|
MHS
|
Walmart
|
Grade 12,18-21 Program: This trip will give students the opportunity to practice social and communication goals, utilize problem solving strategies and apply academic and technical skills in authentic recreation and leisure settings.
|
Dawn Valovcin, Michelle Schutz, Joe DiMeglio, Marilyn Levine
|
2/6/
2026
|
6
|
$70
|
no subs needed
|
|
MHS
|
News 12 NJ
|
Grade 12,18-21 Program: This trip will give students the opportunity to practice social and communication goals, utilize problem solving strategies and apply academic and technical skills in authentic recreation and leisure settings.
|
Dawn Valovcin, Michelle Schutz, Joe DiMeglio, Marilyn Levine
|
2/13/
2026
|
6
|
$70
|
no subs needed
|
|
MHS
|
Middlesex County Fire Academy
|
Grades 9-12; 2026 NJ Consumer Bowl Competition: Provides students with authentic, competitive learning that reinforces key concepts in personal finance, consumer economics and decision making.
|
Elizabeth Dorsa
|
2/18/
2026
(Potential rain date: 3/4/
2026)
|
5
|
$120
|
1 sub needed
|
|
EMS
|
Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center
|
Grades 11-12;This trip has become a tradition for the MHS GSA 11th and 12th graders. The trip is focused on honoring and recognizing historical sites related to the LGBTQ+ Pride movement, centered around Greenwich Village.
|
Ann Leghorn-Orapallo and Lou Manziano
|
2/20/
2026
|
10
|
$0 (train trip)
|
no subs needed
|
|
MHS
|
Algonquin Theater
|
Grade 12,18-21 Program: This trip will give students the opportunity to practice social and communication goals, utilize problem solving strategies and apply academic and technical skills in authentic recreation and leisure settings.
|
Dawn Valovcin, Michelle Schutz, Joe DiMeglio, Marilyn Levine
|
2/27/
2026
|
6
|
$120
|
no subs needed
|
|
MHS
|
Liberty Science Center
|
Grade 9; Students will engage in hands-on, curriculum aligned science activities.
|
Trey Jaworski, Lindsay Nalepa, Christina Dybas, Ryan Clapp, Lauren Kim, Mark Mooney, Anais Ortega, Nick Vosinas, Nick Zaneto, Sean Rappleyea,Michael Warnock. Backups: Kate Lemerich and William McDuffie
|
3/5/26
|
82
|
$0
|
Up to 11 subs needed
|
|
MHS
|
NYC-La Bonne Soupe and Moulin Rouge
|
Grade 12: Students will be able to make meaningful connections between classroom learning and real-world cultural expressions, enhancing both their linguistic proficiency and cultural understanding.
|
Anna Girin
|
4/22/
2026
|
18
|
$0
|
2 subs needed
|
----------------------------end of curriculum section--------------------------
21. Reorganization
a. Set Regular Meetings of the Board of Education
Move to approve the Board of Education Meeting Schedule for 2026.
b. NJSBA Code of Ethics
Move to approve the adoption of the NJSBA Code of Ethics for 2026.
22. Meeting Open to the Public (for anything you wish to discuss)
23. Announcements
24. Motion to Go Into Executive Session (when applicable)
Resolution to Close Meeting
BE IT RESOLVED, pursuant to the Sunshine Act, N.J.S. 10:4-12 and 13, that the Board of Education will now meet in executive session to discuss _____________________________________ and that matters discussed will be disclosed to the public as soon as the reason for confidentiality no longer exist.
25. Adjournment
