THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026

MEETING AGENDA

of the Metuchen Board of Education

Metuchen High School

400 Grove Avenue

Metuchen, NJ  08840

1.    Call to Order

2.    Flag Salute

3.    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.

4.    Roll Call

5.    Showcase of Success

❖    Edgar Orchestra

Tonight we will highlight 5 extraordinary 8th grade students from the Edgar Orchestra program. Daniel, Yitong, Momar, Nick, and Michael started performing together as a quintet at the beginning of 8th grade and decided in February that they wanted to compose their own piece of music. After working collaboratively for 3 months, this quintet performed their piece "Castle of the Lost" at the Edgar Orchestra Concert and received a standing ovation. The 8th grade quintet is proud to perform their composition again for us tonight. We hope you enjoy!

❖    Edgar Middle School Art Display

Under the guidance of Mrs. Jennifer Gumbrecht, Ms. Margo Banner, and Mr. Nicholas Tay, the Edgar Middle School Art and Industrial Arts classes are excited to present a preview of the upcoming Edgar Middle School Arts Festival. This evening offers a glimpse into the creativity and talent of our students across various grade levels. We invite you to explore these displays and celebrate the artistic achievements of our students on Thursday June 4th between 7:00-9:00pm. The Edgar Middle School gymnasium will be transformed into a vibrant gallery featuring a diverse array of student artwork. Each piece reflects the unique perspectives and skills developed in our art programs.

❖    Edgar School Contest Winners

Sonika Doshi - Congressman Frank Pallone Jr.’s Poetry Contest Winner Xiaoyu Wei - Port Authority Bus Terminal Advisory Council  2026 "Our Power, Our Planet" Earth Day Poster Contest Winner

6.    Meeting Open to the Public (for any topic)

7.    Presentations 

❖    Annual Mental Health Update - Dr. Herzog

❖    Wellness Policy Update - Dr. Bonassisa 

8.    Supplemental Debt Statement 

    Acknowledge filing of supplemental debt statement for school energy savings obligation refunding bond ordinance.

9.    Public Hearing on SESO Refunding Bond Ordinance

    -Motion to open, allow interested parties to speak or ask questions

    -Motion to close public hearing

10.    Reports

• President’s Report

• Superintendent's Report

• Committee Reports

• Student Board Member Report

11.    Old Business

12.    New Business

13.    Approval of Minutes of the Board of Education Meetings

14.    Meeting Open to the Public (for any topic)

15.    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.

1. PERSONNEL

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

----------------------------end of personnel section--------------------------

2. FINANCE

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1. Treasurer of School Monies and Board Secretary’s Reports

Move to approve the Treasurer of School Monies’ Report, and Board Secretary’s Report as of March 31, 2026.

2.   Payment of Bills

a)  Board Secretary’s Certification

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6:20-2A.10(d), the Board Secretary has certified that as of May 26, 2026 no budgetary line item accounts have obligations and payments which exceed the amount appropriated by the Board of Education.

         ________________________________________                  _______________

Michael A. Harvier, Board Secretary                         Date

b)  Approve the Following Items Submitted by the Board Secretary

Payment of bills and claims, as shown on the attached list(s) that have been certified by the Board of Education and filed in the Business Office.

3.    Budget Transfers

Move to approve budget transfers effective March 31, 2026.

4.     Professional Development

    Move to approve the following professional development activities as shown on the following chart:

5.  Professional Development - Non-public

    Move to approve the use of Title II funds for St. Francis to receive Professional Development on instructional strategies to support teacher growth and student achievement for up to $980, in the 2025-2026 school year.

6.    Specialized Reading Intervention

Move to approve Jessica Fessock, to provide specialized reading intervention services at a rate of $110/hour, for the 2025-2026 school year, not to exceed $130,000 (Agenda 6/24/2025, Section 13, B33).

7.    Transportation Agreement

    Move to approve the transportation agreement for student # 20331644 during the 2026-2027 school year.

8.    Parent Paid Tuition Rates for SY 2026-2027 

    Move approve the Parent Paid Tuition Rates for SY 2026-2027 as follows:

9.    Mental Health Services

    Move to approve Wellspring to provide Therapeutic Mental Health Services for the annual contract amount of $101,876 for the 2026-2027 school year.

10.    MEF Grant

    Move to accept the MEF Grant for the Metuchen High School Auditorium sound system. 

11.    Change Order Epic Management Inc.

      Move to approve the change order as listed below: 

12.    Final Adoption of SESO Refunding Bond Ordinance

    This Board of Education hereby approves the final adoption of the school energy savings obligation refunding bond ordinance in the form, attachment 1, hereto.

13.    Adoption Form and Sale Resolution

    This Board of Education hereby approves the adoption of the resolution in the attachment 2 form, determining the form and details of the bonds and authorizing the sale of the bonds by competitive sale.

14.    Mental Health Services

    Move to approve Rutgers to provide Therapeutic Mental Health Services for the annual contract amount of $679,200  for the 2026-2027 school year.

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

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.    Suspensions

The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary for May 11, 2026 - May 22, 2026. 

2.    Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

    Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported case.

• EMS041526001

• EMS042026001

• EMS042126001

• EMS042126002

• EMS042426001

• METHS042126001

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

4. 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: 

2.    Administrative Interns

    Move to approve the placement of the following administrative interns from Montclair State University in the Metuchen Public School District, from May 2026 through August 2026.

3.    ESEA

    Move to approve the following non public school expenditure for the 2025-2026 school year using ESEA Title IIA and Title IV funds.

4.    Transfer - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the following transfer, due to realignment, for 2026-2027 school year as listed: 

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

16.    Meeting Open to Public (for any topic)

17.    Announcements

18.    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.

19.    Adjournment