THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025

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 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 5th between 7:00-9:00 pm. 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.

❖    Student Advisory Board Presentation

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

7. Presentations 

8. Reports

• President’s Report

• Superintendent's Report

• Committee Reports

• Student Board Member Report

9. Old Business

10. New Business

11. Approval of Minutes of the Board of Education Meetings

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

13. 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

1.    Coaches – Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School Fall 2025

    Move to approve the following Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School coaches for the Fall 2025 school sports season as shown on the attached list.

2.    Coaches – Metuchen High School and Edgar Middles School Winter 2025- 2026

    Move to approve the following Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School  coaches for the Winter 2025-2026 school sports season as shown on the attached list. 

3.    Coaches – Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School Spring 2026

    Move to approve the following Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School  coaches for the Spring 2026 school sports season as shown on the attached list. 

4.    MHS Weight Room Supervisors

    Move to approve the following as weight room supervisors for the 2025-2026 school year, effective July 1, 2025, at the rate of $30/hour, as needed:

5.    Leave of Absence - Extension

    Move to extend the leave of absence of Megan Shapiro, Teacher at Campbell School, through approximately January 2, 2026 (Agenda 3/11/25, Section 13, A1).

6.    Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the leave of absence of Isabella Massaro, Behaviorist at Campbell School, effective approximately November 10, 2025 through approximately April 6, 2026.

7.    Salary Adjustment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve a change in base salary for Jennifer Korpon, 0.6 Teacher at Moss School, from Step 2D, $36,392/year, to Step 3D, $37,280/year, as a result of her earning her Master's Degree, effective June 1, 2025.

8.    Appointment – Re-registration Support Staff

    Move to approve the following support staff to work the Re-registration session for incoming 5th and 9th grade families, effective July 1, 2025, at their hourly rates, not to exceed 28 hours per support staff member:

9.    Resignation - Certificated Staff

    Move to accept the resignation of Samanta Jackson, Teacher at Campbell School, effective June 30, 2025.

10.    Paraprofessional as a Substitute

    Move to approve the paraprofessional, Rhonda Silverman, to serve as a substitute, as needed and assigned, for an additional stipend of $50/day (Agenda 10/15/24, Section 13, A12).

11.    Summer STAR Program

    Move to approve Kristina Bormann to facilitate the Summer STAR Parent Academy program for up to 9 hours at the following rates:

12.    Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Camille Ortega, Leave Replacement for Lauren Spanier, Teacher at Edgar School, effective August 25, 2025 through approximately December 9, 2025, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day.

13.    Leave of Absence - Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the leave of absence of Debra Oliver, Paraprofessional at Metuchen High School, effective May 6, 2025 through approximately June 2, 2025.

14.    Retirement - Paraprofessional

    Move to accept, with regret, the retirement of Rhonda Silverman, Paraprofessional at Metuchen High School, effective June 30, 2025. 

----------------------------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, 2025.

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 27, 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.

3.    Budget Transfers

Move to approve budget transfers effective March 31, 2025.

4.    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:  Wellspring to provide Therapeutic Mental Health Services for an annual contract of $99,878/year.

5.    Student Agreement

    Move to approve the settlement agreement for student # 2030057.

6.    Student Agreement

    Move to approve the settlement agreement for student # 2028029.

7.    Appointment - Educational Services

    Move to approve Gemm Learning to provide educational services during the 2024-2025/2025-2026 school year, not to exceed $1,875.

8.     Professional Development

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

9.    Change Order M&M Construction

    Move to approve the change order as listed below:

10.    Professional Services

    Move to approve the proposal for professional services from Penn Jersey for $72,640.

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

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1. Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

    Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported case.

• EMS042125001

• EMS042325001

2.    Suspensions

The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary for May 12, 2025 - May 23, 2025. 

3.    District Calendar 

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

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

4. CURRICULUM

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.    NJDOE Focus Grant

    Move to approve the application and acceptance, if granted, of the NJDOE FOCUS grant in the amount of $6,020 for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year and for the 2025-2026 school year.

2.    Student Intern

    Move to approve the placement of the following student intern from Seton Hall University in the Metuchen Public School District during the 2025-2026 ESY summer program for an undergraduate psychology experiential learning requirement:

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

14. Meeting Open to Public (for any topic)

15. Announcements

16. 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.

17. Adjournment