THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2022

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, The Criterion Sentinel, The Star Ledger, and by filing a copy with the Borough Clerk as prescribed by this law.

4. Roll Call

5. Showcase of Success

❖    Introduction of New Teachers

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

7. Presentations 

❖     STEM Presentation - Kathleen Henn

❖    Referendum - Discussion of State Aid and Financial Costs

❖    District Goals 2022-2023

❖    Safe Return/Road Forward Plan Update - Dr. Caputo 

❖    Open to Public for Comments on Safe Return Plan/Road Forward

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)

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.

1. PERSONNEL

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1. Resignation - Certificated staff

Move to accept the resignation of Ariana Heinsdorf, Library Media Specialist for Metuchen Schools District, effective August 9, 2022.

2. Instructional Stipend - Revision

Move to rescind and approve the following instructional stipend for the 2022-2023 school year (Agenda 08/09/2022 Section 13 A12):

3.    Instructional Stipend 

    Move to approve the following additional teachers for an instructional stipend for the 2022-2023 school year (Agenda 08/09/2022 Section 13 A12):

4.    ESY Substitute Teachers - Revision

    Move to rescind and approve the following additional Substitute Teachers as needed for 2022 ESY (Agenda 08/09/2022 Section 13 A15):

5.    Maternity Leave of Absence

    Move to approve the maternity leave of absence of Natalie Franzi Dougherty, Metuchen School District Supervisor, effective approximately January 2, 2023 through approximately March 31, 2023. 

6.    Appointment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Christine Kremer, Math Teacher at Edgar Middle School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $71,610/year, Step 3I, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

7.    Stipends - Bus License

Move to approve the stipend of $874 (pro-rated) for the 2022-2023 school year, effective September 1, 2022 for the following staff as a result of obtaining a CDL Class A/B School Bus License.

8.    Resignation - Paraprofessional

    Move to accept the resignation of William Latta, Paraprofessional at Metuchen High School, effective August 30, 2022.

9.    Appointment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of William Latta, Special Education Math Teacher at Metuchen High School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $57,750/year, Step 3C, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

10.    Appointment - Central Office

    Move to approve the appointment of Sophia Mercado, Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent, for the 2022-2023 school year, 12-month position, effective August 24, 2022, at a pro-rated salary of $49,000/year. 

11.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Donna McLaren, Paraprofessional at Campbell School, for the 2022-2023 school year, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023, at a salary of $22,626/year.

12.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Massoumeh “Azy” Valanejad, Paraprofessional at Campbell School, for the 2022-2023 school year, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023, at a salary of $22,626/year.

13.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Dorothea Parker, Paraprofessional at Campbell School, for the 2022-2023 school year, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023, at a salary of $22,626/year.

14.    Clubs and Co-Curricular Activities

    Move to approve the following co-curricular stipends for the co-curricular activities for the 2022-2023 school year as listed on the attached chart. 

15.    MHS Volunteer Clubs

    Move to approve the following MHS Volunteer Clubs for the 2022-2023 school year, as listed.

16.    Appointment of Substitute Teachers

    Move to approve the appointment of substitute teachers for the 2022-2023 school year on the attached chart, pending completion of substitute training and criminal history clearance.  

17.    Appointment of Substitute Paraprofessionals

    Move to approve the appointment of substitute paraprofessionals for the 2022-2023 school year, at a rate of $15/hour. 

18.    Safety Care Training - Non-Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the following additional non-certificated staff to participate in Safety Care training for up to twelve hours at their hourly rate, as follows (Agenda 08/09/2022 Section 13 A25):

19.    Child Study Team Extension

    Move to approve the following CST members for up to 2 more days of additional summer work, at the following per diem rates (Agenda 06/28/2022 Section 13 A6):

20.    Appointment of Substitute Nurses

    Move to approve the appointment of the following substitute nurses for the 2022-2023 school year at a rate of $200/day:

21.    Salary Adjustment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve a change in base salary for Katie Tencza, English Teacher at Metuchen High School, from Step 1E, $56,500/year, to Step 2E, $57,913/year, as a result of her earning 30+credits beyond her Bachelor's Degree, effective September 1, 2022.

22.    Appointment – 1:1 Substitute Nurses

    Move to approve the appointment of the following 1:1 per diem substitute registered nurses for the 2022-2023 school year, at a rate of $280/day:

23.    Appointment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Manar Gouda, English Teacher at Metuchen High School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $60,375/year, Step 3F, effective August 31, 2022, pending criminal history clearance, through June 30, 2023.

24.    Transfer - Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the following transfer of Margie Clark, Paraprofessional, for the 2022-2023 school year:

25.    Appointment - Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the appointment of Marilyn Levine, Paraprofessional at Metuchen High School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $21,950/year, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

26.    Informal Mentor Teachers

    Move to approve the following staff to serve as an informal mentor for the 2022-2023 school year, effective August 30, 2022, to be paid at a rate of $48/hour, not to exceed six hours (Agenda 8/9/23, Section 13 A18):

27.    Formal Mentor Teachers

    Move to approve the following formal mentor teachers to work with the following mentee teachers for the 2022 – 2023 school year (Agenda 8/9/23, Section 13 A20): 

28.    Mentor Teachers - New Teacher Academy

    Move to approve the following mentors to work with new teachers at the New Teacher Academy on August 30, 2022, for up to six hours at the rate of $48/hour, for a total of $288:

36.

29.    Appointment of the Zone Staff

    Move to approve the following Zone Staff for the 2022-2023 school year:

Supervisors and Office Staff:

Leaders:

Mentors:

30.    Appointment – Leave Replacement

    Move to approve the appointment of Nadia Salzer, Spanish Teacher Leave Replacement at Campbell School, for the 2022-2023 school year, effective August 29, 2022 through June 2023, at a salary of $54,000/year, 10-month position. 

31.    Rescind – Leave Replacement

    Move to rescind the appointment of Bailey Tocci, First Grade Leave Replacement Teacher for Campbell School, for the 2022-2023 school year, effective August 29, 2022 through June 30, 2023, at a salary of $54,000/year, 10-month position (Agenda 6/28/22, Section 13 A35).

32.    Appointment – Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Bailey Tocci, First Grade Teacher for Campbell School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $56,700/year, Step 3A, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

33.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Ashley Keller, Paraprofessional at Edgar School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $22,626/year, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

34.    Appointment – Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Thomas Dowling, Science Teacher for Edgar Middle School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $71,610, Step 3I, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023, pending criminal history clearance, and pending release of his current employer.

35.    Appointment – Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the appointment of Iffat Rouhi, Paraprofessional at Edgar Middle School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $22,626/year, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023, pending criminal history clearance. 

----------------------------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 June 30, 2022.

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 August 23, 2022 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 June 30, 2022.

4.    Revision - FDU Orton Gillingham

    Move to rescind and approve the following to coordinate the FDU Orton Gillingham student practicum, funded by the IDEA grant, not to exceed $4,800 (Agenda 08/09/2022 Section 13 B4):

5.    Professional Development

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

6.    RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TWO BOND PROPOSALS AND A GENERAL FUND ADDITIONAL SPENDING PROPOSAL AT THE ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 8, 2022, FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE LEGALLY QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE BOROUGH OF METUCHEN IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY (with not less than a majority of the full membership of the Board concurring) AS FOLLOWS:

1.    It is hereby determined that two bond proposals and a general fund additional spending proposal will be submitted for voter approval at the Annual School Election to be held on November 8, 2022. The form of the proposals and questions, together with the interpretive statement, to be submitted to the voters will read substantially as follows with such changes as bond counsel may require:

2.  This Board of Education hereby approves and adopts the bond proposals set forth as Questions 1 and 3 above, and, subject to the approval of the legal voters of the school district, hereby determines to carry out the improvements described therein (the “Projects”).  This Board of Education previously approved and adopted the Additional Spending Proposal set forth above and, subject to the approval of the legal voters of the school district as set forth therein, hereby determines to carry out the purposes described therein.       

3.   This Board of Education hereby acknowledges and confirms that in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:24-16 and 18A:24-17 a supplemental debt statement has been prepared by the chief financial officer of the Borough of Metuchen (the “Borough”), giving effect to the proposed authorization of bonds of the school district in the maximum amount of bonds authorized in the bond proposals.  The supplemental debt statement has been filed in the office of the Borough Clerk and in the office of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary of this Board of Education prior to the adoption of the proposals and will be filed in the office of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs prior to the date of the election.

4.  The Business Administrator/Board Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to send a certified copy of the proposal questions, together with the interpretive statement,  to the County Clerk as required by N.J.S.A. 19:60-2 and to request the County Clerk to submit the proposal questions, together with the interpretive statement, to the voters at the annual school district election scheduled for November 8, 2022.

5.    The Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Preliminary Eligible Costs (PEC) letters for the Projects from the Department of Education.  The Board hereby elects to receive debt service aid pursuant to Section 9 of the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-1 et seq. (the “Act”).  The Board further agrees to accept the determination of the space eligible for State support and the preliminary eligible costs as final eligible costs as set forth in the PEC letters by the Department of Education and not to appeal.  The Business Administrator/Board Secretary is authorized, if necessary, to notify the Department of Education of the Board’s election with respect to the eligible spaces and costs and its election to receive debt service aid.

6.   EI Associates Architects & Engineers, P.A., the School District’s appointed architect for the Projects (the “Project Architect”), has heretofore been authorized and delegated the responsibility to prepare the plans and specifications for the Projects in consultation with and under the supervision of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, who has heretofore been delegated the responsibility to work with the Project Architect for this purpose on behalf of the Board of Education, in accordance with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-16, and such authorizations and delegations are hereof reconfirmed.

7.    The educational plans, where required, and the schematic plans for the construction of the Projects have heretofore been approved by this Board of Education, and such approval is hereby reconfirmed.

8.    The Board President, the Superintendent of Schools, the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, the Project Architect, Bond Counsel and other appropriate representatives of the Board of Education (the “Board Representatives”) have heretofore been authorized, and such authorization is hereby reconfirmed, to submit the educational plans, where required, and the schematic plans for the Projects, together with such other information as may be required, to the State Department of Education for approval and to make application to the Commissioner of Education for approval of the educational plans, where required, the schematic plans and the Projects and, if necessary, any required amendment to the long-range facilities plan, in accordance with the requirements of the Act and N.J.A.C. 6A:26-2.1(f), 6A:26-2.3(c), 6A:26-3.1 and  6A:26-3.2, as appropriate.

9.    The Board Representatives have heretofore been and are hereby further authorized and directed to submit the plans and any other required information to the Planning Board and the Department of Environmental Protection for review and comment as necessary, and such authorization and direction are hereby reconfirmed.

10.     This Board of Education hereby makes the following covenants and declarations with respect to obligations determined to be issued by the Business Administrator/Board Secretary through a public offering or private placement or through a conduit borrower on a tax-exempt basis.  The Board of Education hereby covenants that it will comply with any conditions subsequent imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), in order to preserve the exemption from taxation of interest on its bonds or notes if issued as tax exempt, including, if necessary, the requirement to rebate all net investment earnings on the gross proceeds above the yield on its bonds or notes.  The Business Administrator/Board Secretary is hereby authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Education to deem any obligations authorized herein as Bank Qualified for the purposes of Section 265 of the Code, when appropriate.  The Board of Education hereby declares the intent of the Board of Education to issue bonds or temporary notes in the amount not to exceed the amount set forth in the bond proposal approved by the voters as set forth in Section 1 and to use the proceeds to pay or to reimburse expenditures for the costs of the school capital projects authorized therein.  This resolution is a declaration of intent within the meaning and for purposes of Treasury Regulations §1.150-2 or any successor provisions of federal income tax law.

11.     The proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to the bond proposals set forth herein shall be used first for the capital projects authorized herein and any remaining capital reserve funds not used for the projects will be restored to the capital reserve account.  

12.  The Board Representatives are hereby authorized to take all steps necessary to implement this resolution.  Any actions authorized herein and taken prior hereto are hereby ratified.  The Business Administrator/Board Secretary is further authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Education to make such determinations required of the Board of Education for the conduct of the election as may become necessary.

13.   The reference to officers of this school district herein includes the Vice President in the absence or unavailability of the President and any deputy, interim, acting or successor officer holding each position. 

14.   This resolution shall take effect immediately.

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR/BOARD SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE

STATE OF NEW JERSEY        )

                        )    SS:

COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX           )

    Michael Harvier, being first duly sworn on oath, deposes and says:

    That deponent is Business Administrator/Board Secretary of The Board of Education of the Borough of Metuchen in the County of Middlesex, New Jersey and that I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of a resolution adopted by the Board of Education by the vote set forth below as set forth in the minutes of a meeting of the Board of Education held on August __, 2022, held in accordance with the requirements of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law and that the aforesaid resolution has not been amended, modified or repealed and remains in full force and effect.

    The foregoing resolution was adopted by the following vote:

    AYES:

    NAYS:

    ABSTENTIONS:

    ABSENT:

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the corporate seal of the Board of Education this _______ day of August, 2022.

    _______________________________________

                                   Michael Harvier

Business Administrator/Board Secretary

Subscribed and sworn before

me this _____ day of 

____________, 2022

_________________________

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

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.    Second Reading of Policies and Regulations

    Move to approve the second readings of the following policies and regulations:

P 0143.2    High School Student Representative to the 

Board of Education  

P 0163    Quorum  

P 1511    Board of Education Website Accessibility 

P 2415    Every Student Succeeds Act

P & R 2432    School Sponsored Publications (Abolished)

P 3270    Professional Responsibilities  

R 3270    Lesson Plans and Plan Books  

P & R 5513    Care of School Property 

P 5517    School District Issued Student Identification Cards

P 5722    Student Journalism 

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

4. CURRICULUM

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.    Curriculum Document Writers

    Move to approve the following curriculum writing document, writers and amounts for 2022-2023 ESS: 

----------------------------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