Board Meeting May 13, 2025

Dates:

Friday, May 9, 2025 - 4:00pm

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025

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		Mr. Lifton
Mr. Derflinger		Ms. Shrestha
Mr. Glassberg		Dr. Spigner
Dr. Johnson-Marcus		Mr. Suss

Showcase of Success

❖ MHS Jazz Band

The Metuchen High School Jazz Band is under the direction of Mr. John Flynn. The group is one of two auditioned jazz bands at MHS and performs regularly for the community and at local jazz festivals and competitions. This season the band brought home first place finishes at both the TIA Somerville "Jazz at the Ville" competition and the 2025 TIA Region 7 A Class Jazz Championships, a title they now hold in back to back years. Earlier this month, The Metuchen Jazz Band attended their first TIA Atlantic Coast Championships competition in Wildwood, NJ and was named A Class Silver Medalists with a section award for Best Rhythm Section. Tonight the band will perform Cotton Tail by Duke Ellington, featuring soloists Joe Duhme, Ayaan Saha, Lindsay Kang, and Gavin Moorman. Please join the Jazz Band and the rest of the Metuchen Jazz groups at their annual Jazz on the Plaza concert on Wednesday, June 11th downtown!

Meeting Open to the Public (for any topic)

Presentations

❖ Mental Health Presentation - Tania Herzog

❖ Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights/HIB Official Grade 2023-2024

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

April 29, 2025	Special Business Meeting (1)
April 29, 2025	Special Business Meeting (2)
April 29, 2025	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)

Often times 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

1. Volunteer Club

Move to approve the following Volunteer Club for the 2024-2025 school year as listed:

Metuchen High School
Club	Advisor
Chess	Trey Jaworski

2. Appointment Revision - Certificated Staff

Move to approve the revision of the appointment of Amy Dees, 0.8 Math Teacher at Metuchen High School, to full time Math Teacher at Metuchen High School, for the 2025-2026 school year, at a salary of $63,500/year, Step 1G, effective August 27, 2025 through June 30, 2026 (Agenda 3/11/25, Section 13, A10).

3. Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff

Move to approve the appointment of Christine Piovoso, Leave Replacement for Melissa Gallo, Teacher at Campbell School, effective August 27, 2025 through approximately December 5, 2025, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day.

4. Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff

Move to approve the leave of absence of Scott Delaney, Teacher at Campbell School, effective approximately September 11, 2025 through approximately December 4, 2025.

5. Reappointment - Non-Tenured Administrators

Move to approve the reappointment of the following non-tenured administrators for the 2025-2026 school year as shown on Attachment 1 (first page).

6. Reappointment - Non-Tenured Teachers

Move to approve the reappointment of the following non-tenured teachers for the 2025-2026 school year as shown on Attachment 2.

----------------------------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 #
5/9/ 2025	5/9/ 2025	Women Leaders Navigating through Current Challenges in Education	Asprocolas, Jennifer	Central Office	$0	No cost
5/12/ 2025	5/12/ 2025	AED/CPR Training	Mooney, Mark Youngman, Julie	MHS	$250pp	Other
5/13/ 2025	5/13/ 2025	AED/CPR Training	Ulmer, Bob Zaneto, Nick	MHS	$250pp	Other
5/19/ 2025	5/19/ 2025	Substance Use and Beyond: Empowering the Student Assistance Coordinator and Building a Strong Safety Net for Students	Marietta, Kristy	EMS/MHS	$0	No cost
5/21/ 2025	5/21/ 2025	Monthly Middlesex County ASAP Meeting	Marietta, Kristy	EMS/MHS	$0	No cost
5/29/ 2025	5/29/ 2025	NJ ELA Supervisor Meeting	Manziano, Lou	Central Office	$0	No cost
6/4/ 2025	6/6/ 2025	5th Grade NJSLA- S Science Assessment Operational Test Range Finding	Nolde, Jonathan	Campbell	$0	No cost
7/21/ 2025	7/25/ 2025	NGSS Summer Institute for Grades K-12	Southern, Andrew	Edgar	$400	FFPI	26-001

2. Bussing Fee

Move to approve the partial subscription bussing fee of $610 for the 2025-2026 school year.

3. In-district Transportation Routes

Move to approve the following daily routes for in-district transportation routes with George Dapper Inc. for the 2025-2026 school year.

C1	$231.44	E1	$231.44
C2	$231.44	E2	$231.44
C3	$231.44	E3	$231.44
C4	$231.44	E4	$231.44
C5	$231.44	E5	$231.44
C6	$231.44	E6	$231.44
C7	$231.44	E7	$231.44
C8	$231.44	E8	$231.44
C9	$270.02

4. Athletic Transportation Routes

Move to approve the following rates for athletic transportation routes with George Dapper Inc. for the 2025-2026 school year.

Vehicle	Hours	Amount
54 passenger w/seatbelts	3	$272.28
	4	$350.06
	5	$427.85
Additional hourly amount after 5 hours		$84.21
One way in town shuttle		$176.82

5. Transportation Jointures and Individual Routes 2025-2026

Move to approve the transportation jointures and individual routes for the 2025-2026 school year with the following districts and educational service commissions: Educational Services Commission of New Jersey, Somerset County Educational Services Commission, Monmouth / Ocean Educational Services Commission, South Plainfield School District, Edison School District, Piscataway School District, and Woodbridge School District.

6. Transportation Providers 2025-2026

Move to approve South Plainfield School District, Dapper Bus, Mercy Transportation, Irvin Raphael Inc, Shamrock Stagecoach, Layla Trans, Passaic Valley Coach, Raritan Valley Bus, Coach America, Stout’s Transportation, Panorama Tours, and Villani Bus as transportation providers for the 2025-2026 school year.

7. Appointment- Clinical, Therapeutic, Counseling and Behavioral Services

Move to approve the appointment of the following to provide therapeutic mental health services for the 2025-2026 school year:

Rutgers UBHC- to provide Therapeutic Mental Health Services for an annual contract of $651,200/year

8. Nonpublic Security Aid

Move to approve the following nonpublic security aid for the 2024-2025 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
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	40	1	Grout Door Frames	$6.38	$242.16
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	40	2	¼" Polyethylene backer rod	$4.92	$186.16
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	2	3	¾" Joint silicone	$1,114.98	$2,116.01
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	2	4	3'x7'2" 16 gauge knock down, hollow metal	$787.37	$1,494.27
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	20 20	5	16 gauge door frame install Demolition	$96.60 $16.08	$2,138.44
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	19	6	Weather Strip	$11.39	$205.35
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	18	7	Fiberglass reinforced Polyester sweep	$34.17	$583.63
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	2	8	18 gauge Composite door	$1,348.17	$2,558.56
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	2 2	9	Aluminum Framed Entrance, glazing, trim Demolition	$10,805.46 1,248.94	$22,876.56
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	120 120	10	Aluminum Storefront Assembly Demolition	$58.21 $5.99	$7,310.33
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction MManagement,	14	11	Aluminum geared continuous hinge	$66.17	$879.04
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	14	12	For heavy duty	$12.77	$169.64
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	2	13	Aluminum kick plate	$79.51	$169.64
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	4	14	3' push bar, hidden rod	$2,458.17	$9,330.23
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	1 1	15	3' push bar, surface rod Demolition	$2,403.39 $155.08	$2,427.73
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	1 1	16	3' push bar, electric latch Demolition	$2,126.50 $149.33	$2,159.54
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	1	17	Jamb mounted concealed power transfer	$753.51	$715.01
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	2	18	7' 2" removable steel mullion	$553.56	$1,050.55
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	4	19	Surface mounted heavy door closure	$596.71	$2,264.87
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	4	20	For stainless finish, add	$145.00	$550.36
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	6	21	Aluminum saddle threshold	$40.78	$232.18
St. Joseph High School	Ascend Construction Management, Inc.	2	22	¾" tempered glass	$89.35	$169.57
				Shipping & Handling		0.00
				Total		$59,811.94

9. Settlement Agreement

Move to approve the settlement agreement for Student 2029175.

10. Resolution

RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FROM METUCHEN BOARD OF EDUCATION AUTHORIZING THE SUSTAINABLE JERSEY FY2025 TREE FOR SCHOOLS GRANT APPLICATION

WHEREAS, planting trees on school grounds will bring many benefits to our students, staff, and the wider community, including providing cooling shade, habitat, beauty, air and water filtration, stormwater runoff reduction, energy savings, climate change mitigation, and educational opportunities;

WHEREAS, the Metuchen Board of Education seeks to support and work with school administrators, staff, students, and community partners to create a safe and healthy environment for students now and into the future by planting and maintaining trees at appropriate locations;

THEREFORE, the Metuchen Board of Education has determined that the Metuchen School District should apply for a grant from the Trees for Schools: Tree-planting Grants for New Jersey Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities Program. The Grant will be used for a tree planting initiative at schools within the Metuchen School District.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Metuchen Board of Education, State of New Jersey, authorizes the submission of the aforementioned grant.

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the Metuchen School District is awarded this grant, the Board of Education commits to protecting and maintaining the trees planted with grant funds.

11. 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 April 29, 2025 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.

12. Technology Equipment Disposal

Move to approve the disposal of the obsolete equipment on the attachment.

13. Change Order M&M Construction

Move to approve the change order as listed below:

Change Order #	Description	Amount
13	CES – Relocation of ES Transformer per PSE&G MHS - Unit Ventilators in the 2nd floor classrooms due to the non-code-compliant existing wiring that was found in the field	$61,524.41
14	MHS -AV Changes, Temp Power for Cafeteria, Modifications to the exterior doors at Cafeteria, and credit for smaller circuit breaker for elevator	$215,952.23
15	CES - Modification to the exterior stairs at Campbell due to a dimensional issue MHS - Install gypsum wallboard on the interior side of the exterior walls in the 2nd floor of BOE offices	$18,992.35
16	MHS - Ductwork provisions for fresh air for the UV in the existing storage room adjacent to the cafeteria, Additional knox box requested by the fire marshal, and abatement of the roof deck adjacent to the cafeteria for the installation of the roof drains.	$11,907.76

14. Change Order Epic Management Inc.

Move to approve the change order as listed below:

Change Order #

Description

Amount

12

Moss – Boiler Room Door Hardware Replacements

Moss – MPR Alcoves

Moss – ES Elevator Shaft Temp Control

Moss Toilet Room Updates

Hand Dryer Change Based on Submittal

EMS-Steel Canopy at Wall Line

EMS-Aluminum Panel Color at Window

$46,736.74

13

Moss - Water Service Updates

$125,000.00

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

POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

Suspensions

The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary for April 28, 2025 - May 9, 2024.

2. Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported case.

EMS032725001
EMS040325001

----------------------------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- Transp	No. of Subs Needed
MHS	MHS Senior Center	Grades 10-12; The Peers to Volunteers Club is a new club with the goal of connecting high school students to volunteer opportunities specifically within the Metuchen Community. Students will visit and deliver a presentation for tech support for Senior Citizens.	Leigh Hanbridge	5/21/ 2025	10	$80	no subs needed
MHS	Middlesex College	Grades 10-11;Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide invited Metuchen High School to attend the Middlesex County Be S-Well Mental Health Summit on May 28th at Middlesex County College. The summit was designed to provide students, staff, and administrators with the resources needed to support overall wellness, including the prevention of teen suicide and other upstream prevention measures.	Leigh Hanbridge, Heather Mills, Luisa Perez(Wellspring) and Julie Youngman	5/28/ 2025	8-16	$130	1 sub needed
MHS	Latin Port Restaurant	Grade 7; Students will engage in basic conversational exchanges in Spanish with restaurant staff, practicing greetings, common phrases, and food vocabulary. The trip fosters a connection between the school and the broader community. By engaging with a local business, students gain a greater appreciation for the cultural diversity in their own town and see how language learning connects to real people and professions.	Ashley Jaye, Raquel Williams, Barbara King, Andrea Elton, Michelle Huff, Christofer Peckhardt	5/29/ 2025	50	walking trip	5 subs needed for afternoon
MHS	Latin Port Restaurant	Grade 7; Students will engage in basic conversational exchanges in Spanish with restaurant staff, practicing greetings, common phrases, and food vocabulary. The trip fosters a connection between the school and the broader community. By engaging with a local business, students gain a greater appreciation for the cultural diversity in their own town and see how language learning connects to real people and professions.	Ashley Jaye, Raquel Williams, Barbara King, Andrea Elton, Michelle Huff, Christofer Peckhardt	5/30/ 2025	50	walking trip	5 subs needed for afternoon
MHS	Jenkinson Aquarium	Grade 9-12; This trip students will utilize budgeting to build social skills in the community. CRP1. Act as a responsible and contributing citizen and employee CRP2. Apply appropriate academic and technical skills CRP3. Attend to personal health and financial well-being	Dawn Valovcin, Christina Dybas, Michele Schutz and Joseph DiMeglio	5/30/ 2025	6	$100	no subs needed
EMS	Boba Tea Time	Grade 5; Students will engage in real world context to apply and reinforce key concepts in both ELA and Math. By stepping outside the traditional classroom setting, students can actively participate in activities that connect literacy skills (reading menus, understanding descriptions, communicating orders) and mathematical skills (calculating costs, understanding ratios, problem-solving related to quantities and measurements) to a popular and relatable experience.	Lauren Thompson, Veronica Araneo Paras: Calvin Brown and MaryJo Paulmenn	6/2/ 2025	12	$0	1 sub needed
EMS	Applebee's - Edison	Grade 6; Ms. Forde received the Applebee's Above and Bee-yond Teacher 2025. As a reward, Applebee's is hosting the class for an end of year celebration.	Caroline Forde, Julia Vaughn and Jilleanna Peguero	6/4/25	27	$60	3 subs needed

----------------------------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.