Board Meeting - February 10, 2026

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026

MEETING AGENDA
of the Metuchen Board of Education
Metuchen High School
400 Grove Avenue
Metuchen, NJ 08840
Call to Order

Flag Salute

Notice 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.

Roll Call
Mr. Bhatt

Ms. Killean

Ms. Cheatham

Ms. Michaels-LaMorte

Mr. Derflinger

Dr. Spigner

Mr. Glassberg

Mr. Suss

Dr. Johnson-Marcus

Ms. Zimmerman

Showcase of Success

Meeting Open to the Public (for any topic)

Presentations
❖ Review of Baseline Data, Maintenance and Custodial, Transportation - Mr. Harvier

Reports
President’s Report
Superintendent's Report
Committee Reports
Student Board Member Report

Old Business

New Business

Approval of Minutes of the Board of Education Meetings

January 27, 2026
Special Business Meeting (1)
January 27, 2026
Special Business Meeting (2)
January 27, 2026
Board Meeting

Meeting Open to the Public (for any topic)

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.

PERSONNEL
Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

----------------------------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:
Start Date
End Date
Activity Title
Name
Building
Approved
Payment
FFPI
Proposal #
12/17/2025
6/10/2026
Middlesex County ASAP-NJ monthly meetings
Palermo, Samantha
MHS
50
Other

2/3/2026
6/2/2026
Child Fatality and Near-Fatality Review Board Suicide Subcommittee
Paredes, Susan
EMS/MHS
0
No cost

2/24/2026
2/24/2026
NJASCD Heart of the Matter Summit
Kirschner, Brooke
Campbell
105
Other

2/25/2026
2/25/2026
Impact of Social Media and Technology on Children's Behavioral Health.
Palermo, Samantha
MHS
0
No cost

2/26/2026
2/26/2026
Cracking the Code: Practical Strategies for Supporting Students with Dyscalculia (3-8)
Rodriguez, Bianca
Campbell
182
FFPI
26-120
3/2/2026
3/2/2026
505: Effective IEPs in Action: Practical Tools for Writing and Data Collection
Corrigan, Lauren
Campbell
200
FFPI
26-119
3/6/2026
3/6/2026
Insight 2026: Navigating the Now
Kirschner, Brooke
Campbell
0
No cost

3/6/2026
3/6/2026
Insight 2026: Navigating the Now
Upshaw, Katherine
Moss
0
No cost

5/20/2026
5/20/2026
Unlock your potential: Be Bilingual
Park, Ellen
EMS/MHS
335
FFPI
26-118
2/24/2026
2/24/2026
NJASCD Heart of the Matter Summit
Evans, Neyda
EMS
$97
Other

2/25/20262/
2/25/2026
Impact of Social Media and Technology on Children’s Behavioral Health
Kurtin, Ilana
Central Office
0
No cost

2. Change Order Epic Management Inc.
Move to approve the change order as listed below:
Change Order #
Description
Amount
18
PCO#1124R1 Dated 7/21/2025 MES Steel Post Timber Guide Rail
Add: $28,247.20
$28,247.20
19
PCO#1125R2 Dated 9/17/2025-PR#21 -EMS Site Updates
Add: $44,916.30
$44,916.30

20
PCO#1165 Dated 11/3/2025 MES ASI#81 Moss ES Bus Loop
Add: $5,037.41
$5,037.41
21
PCO#1124R1 Dated 7/21/2025 MES Steel Post Timber Guide Rail Deduct ($28, 247.20)
($28, 247.20)
22
PCO#1148 Dated 10/20/2025 MES Toilet Change RFI 226
Add: $29,706.93

PCO#1153R1 Dated 121/20/2025 Edgar PR#25 IT Receptacles
Add: $9,470.23

PCO#1156 Dated 11/26/2025 Repair 2” Water Main
Add: $10,691.86

PCO#1160 Dated 11/26/2025 Work Performed for Middlesex Water
Add: $15,667.92

PCO#1164R1 Dated 1/5/2026 MES ASI#80RTU-4A & B Hot Water Supply
Add: $20,164.27

PCO#1169 Dated 11/26/2025 ASI 78 Changing Stations
Add: $2,105.07
$87,806.28
23
PCO#1040R1 Dated 1/7/2026 Moss Site Light Pole RFI#83 PR#5 Add: $15,633.57
PCO#1100R1 Dated 1/7/2026 Moss Roof Stair Modifications ASI#50R1
Add: $2,250.00

PCO#1104R1 Dated 1/7/2026 PR17 Courtyard Grading Railing & Turf
Add $ 15, 936.56
$33,820.13
24
PCO#1128 Dated 7/28/2025-RFI#217 Moss Renovation Area Sprinkler Work
Add: $77, 093.71

PCO#1130 Dated 8/7/2025 -Edgar Renovation Area Sprinkler Work Add: $27,181.57
PCO#1184 Dated 1/20/2026 -ASI#85 BMS Power Source
Add: $2,042.93

$106,318.21

3. Change Order M&M Construction
Move to approve the change orders as listed below:

Change Order #
Description
Amount
34
PCO # 138 MHS ASI #62 Opening Size Change
Add: $2,502.83

$2,502.83

4. Advancing Opportunity Services
Move to approve Advancing Opportunities to provide the following services at the listed rates:
Description
Amount
AAC Evaluations
$1,450.00/evaluation
Assistive Technology Evaluations
$1,250.00/evaluation
AAC Training
$200/hour
AT Support and Training
$180/hour

----------------------------end of finance section--------------------------

POLICY
Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

Suspensions
The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary attached.

2. Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported case.

EMS010526001

3. District Calendar
Move to approve the revised district calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.

4. 2026-2027 School Times
Move to approve, per policy 8220, the following start and end times for the 2026-2027
school year:
Moss = 9:05a.m. to 3:20p.m.
Campbell = 8:30a.m. to 2:45p.m.
Edgar = 7:48a.m. to 2:26p.m.
MHS = 8:28a.m. to 2:54p.m.

----------------------------end of policy section--------------------------

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 Elementary School
Grades 9-12; Asian Heritage Club students have been asked to perform lion and dragon dance for lunar new year celebration for the Campbell School students
Yoko Kato
2/19/2026
20
$50
1 sub needed
MHS
Moss School
Grades 9-12; Asian Heritage Club students have been asked to perform lion and dragon dance for lunar new year celebration for the Moss School students
Yoko Kato
2/26/2026
20
$50
1 sub needed
MHS
Mercer Labs:Museum of Art & Technology
Grades 9-12; Conceived and directed by artist Roy Nachum. Maestros and the Machines invites visitors to turn their affinity into the extraordinary, as the historic works of Da Vinci, Mozart, Hokusai, Michelangelo and more are reimagined through the lens of futuristic, cutting-edge technology.
Margo Banner, Kelly Murphy and
Chris McEwan
3/4/2026
30
$0
2 subs needed
MHS
Somerville Craft Space
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, Christina Dybas, Michelle Schutz, Joe DiMeglio, Janine Haulenbeek
3/6/2026
7
$70
no subs needed
MHS
Walmart and Smash Burger
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
3/13/2026
6
$70
no subs needed
MHS
Seneca High School
Grades 9-12; District competition for robotics team.
Kevin Smedley
3/14/2026
32
$390(bus) & $300 (truck)
no subs needed
MHS
Seneca High School
Grades 9-12; District competition for robotics team.
Kevin Smedley
3/15/2026
32
$390(bus) & $300 (truck)
no subs needed
MHS
Rutgers Farm
Grades 11 and 12; Student will visit the farm on Rutgers campus and the oceanography institute to see the data that is collected and how it is collected. The students will be able to understand real data on climate change and what the university is doing to try and change it.
Ryan Clapp, Lauren Korellis and Yoko Kato
3/25/2026
51
$690 for 2 buses
2 subs needed
MHS
Bensalem High School
Grades 9-12; District competition for robotics team.
Kevin Smedley
3/28/2026
32
$390(bus) & $300 (truck)
no subs needed
MHS
Bensalem High School
Grades 9-12; District competition for robotics team.
Kevin Smedley
3/29/2026
32
$390(bus) & $300 (truck)
no subs needed
MHS
Brooklyn Museum
Grades 10-12; Students in AP Art History and Advanced Art courses will be meeting with the Brooklyn Museum Deputy Director, Sharon Matt Atkins, for a private tour.
Kelly Murphy, Margo Banner, Ashley Bosgra
4/9/2026
30
$0
2 subs needed
MHS
Stabler Arena - Lehigh University
Grades 9-12; District competition for robotics team.
Kevin Smedley
4/16/2026
(only attending if we qualify)
32
$390(bus) & $300 (truck)
no subs needed
MHS
Stabler Arena - Lehigh University
Grades 9-12; District championship for robotics team.
Kevin Smedley
4/17/2026
(only attending if we qualify)
32
$390
1 sub needed
MHS
Stabler Arena - Lehigh University
Grades 9-12; District competition for robotics team.
Kevin Smedley
4/18/2026 (only attending if we qualify)
32
$390(bus) & $300 (truck)
no subs needed
MHS
What a View Yoga
Grade 12; This field trip will provide wellbeing and mental wellness, while providing increased mobility and cardiovascular fitness which will be a lifetime benefit and activity.
Bob Ulmer, Lauren Kourelis, Samantha Green
4/27/2026
15-20
$0
3 subs needed
MHS
Functional Human Anatomy Lab Rutgers
Grade 12; The professor of Human Anatomy at Rutgers will lead a tour of the Human anatomy lab and will offer an in-person dissection of a human cadaver.
Bob Ulmer, Kate Lemerich and Ryan Clapp
5/14/2026
20
$0
1 sub needed

2. Student Observers
Move to approve the placement of the following student observers from Rutgers
University Music Education in the Metuchen Public School District during the
2025-2026 school year.
Name
School
Supervisor
Clark Mitchell
MHS
John Messenger
Evan Gore
MHS
John Messenger

----------------------------end of curriculum section--------------------------

Meeting Open to Public (for any topic)

Announcements

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.

Adjournment