THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 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 

❖ Referendum: Review of Ballot Questions

❖ SEL Assessment Data by Rick Cohen

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. Clubs and Co-Curricular Activities - Rescind

Move to rescind the following co-curricular stipends for the co-curricular activities for the 2022-2023 school year as listed (Agenda 08/23/2022 Section 13 A14):

2.    Resignation - Paraprofessional

    Move to accept the resignation of Tracy Dalfonsi, Paraprofessional at Edgar School, effective August 26, 2022.

3.    Resignation - Certificated Staff

    Move to accept the resignation of Manar Gouda, English Teacher at Metuchen High School, effective August 25, 2022.

4.    Resignation - Paraprofessional Leave Replacement

    Move to accept the resignation of Rene Flynn, Paraprofessional Leave Replacement at Edgar School, effective August 25, 2022 (Agenda 8/9/22, Section 13 A17).

5.    Appointment – Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Charmane Montgomery, Library Media Specialist for Edgar School and Metuchen High School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $58,938/year, Step 2F, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

6.    Appointment – Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the appointment of Brendan McCunney, 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.

7.    Appointment – Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the appointment of Carmela Fogarile, Paraprofessional at Moss School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $23,731/year, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

8.    Instructional Stipends

    Move to approve the following teachers for an instructional stipend for Eileen Wagenblast’s leave of absence from September 6, 2022 through January 20, 2023:

9.    Appointment of Substitute Teachers

    Move to approve the appointment of the following additional substitute teachers for the 2022-2023 school year, pending completion of substitute training and criminal history clearance (Agenda 8/23/2022 Section 13 A16):  

10.    Appointment - Lunch Aides

    Move to approve the additional following lunch aides in the Metuchen Public Schools for the 2022-2023 school year, effective September 6, 2022, pending criminal history clearance* (Agenda 08/09/2022 Section 13 A9):

11.     Clubs and Co-Curricular Activities - Revision

Move to rescind and approve the following co-curricular stipends for the co-curricular activities for the 2022-2023 school year as listed (Agenda 08/23/2022 Section 13 A14):

12.    Appointment - Certificated Staff 

    Move to approve the appointment of Leslie Keeble, Math Intervention Teacher at Edgar School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $76,283/year, Step 3J, prorated, effective September 6, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

13.    Mentor Assignment - Revisions

    Move to approve the following mentor assignment revisions (Agenda 8/23/22, Section 13 A26):

14.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Kajal Desai, Paraprofessional at Moss School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $23,731/year, prorated, effective September 7, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

15.    Edgar School Coaches

    Move to approve the following 2022-2023 Edgar School Coach appointments and revisions, pending criminal history clearance, and substitute certification (Agenda 6/28/2022, Section 13 A27):

    Fall Coaches:

16.    Salary Adjustment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve a change in base salary for Emily Rebelo, Speech Therapist for Edgar School and Metuchen High School, from Step 2E, $57,913/year, to Step 3E, $59,325/year, as a result of her earning her Master's Degree, effective August 31, 2022.

17.    Appointment – Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Amanda Shorr, 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 through June 30, 2023.

18.    Maternity Leave of Absence

    Move to approve the maternity leave of absence of Erica Hsu, School Counselor at Campbell School, effective approximately February 13, 2023 through approximately June 1, 2023.

19.     Non-Instructional Stipend - Revision

    Move to rescind and approve the following additional Non-Instructional Stipends, for the 2022-2023 school year, as listed as of 09/06/2022 (Agenda 08/09/2022 Section 13 A12):

20.    Intervention Services

    Move to Approve the following certified staff to provide beyond the school day intervention services for the 2022-2023 school year, at the hourly rate of $48/hr (ESSER III funded): 

21.    New Teacher Academy Workshop

    Move to approve Evan Robbins as a Presenter for New Teacher Academy workshop at Metuchen High School, at a rate of $48/hour, not to exceed 4 hours.

22.    Formal Mentor Teachers

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

23.    Paraprofessional Reassignments

    Move to approve the following changes in paraprofessional assignments, based on student needs:

24.    Appointment – Fall 2022 Student Teacher 

    Move to approve the following 2022-2023 Student Teacher in our schools, start date September 19, 2022, pending final student teacher paperwork:

25.    Clubs and Co-Curricular Activities

    Move to rescind and approve the following additional co-curricular stipends for the co-curricular activities, for the 2022-2023 school year, as listed (Agenda 08/23/2022 Section 13 A14):

26.    Informal Mentors

    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.

27.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Gina Stio, Paraprofessional at Edgar School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $22,626/year, prorated, effective September 14, 2022, pending criminal history clearance, through June 30, 2023.

28.    Instructional Stipends - Revision

    Move to rescind and approve the following Instructional Stipends, for the 2022-2023 school year, as listed (Agenda 08/09/2022 Section 12 A12):

29.    MHS Volunteer Advisor - Revision

    Move to rescind Liz DeMott, the Volunteer Advisor for the MHS Fashion Club, for the 2022-2023 SY (Agenda 08/23/2022 Section 13 A15).

30.    Appointment of Substitute Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the appointment of Rosaria Di Leonardo, an additional substitute paraprofessional, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a rate of $15/hour (Agenda 08/23/2022 Section 13 A17).

31.     Resolution - Administrative Leave

    Be it resolved, Employee #102509 was placed on administrative leave on September 1, 2022.

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

2. FINANCE

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.    ESCNJ Authorization

    Move to authorize the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey to conference, discuss and solicit input in the development of the nursing services contract document for the 2022-2023 school year, which provides nursing services to the following non-public schools located in the Metuchen School District: Edgar Learning Center, Apple Montessori, St. Joseph High School, Callicorp LLC DBA Friend, Community Nursery School and Kindergarten, Metuchen Christian Academy and St. Francis Cathedral.

2.    Resolution

    Move to approve the James Stronge observation and evaluation system for the 2022-2023 school year.

3.    Appointment-Balanced Literacy Coach

    Move to approve BDO, Deanne Opatosky, as ESSA Balanced Literacy Coach for the 2022-2023 school year using ESSA Title IIA funds not to exceed $29,875.

4.    Appointment - Mental Health Coach

    Move to approve School Wellbeing Solutions, Martin Blank, as Coping Skills Trainer for the 2022-2023 school year using ESSER III Accelerated Learning Coaching and Educator Support Grant funds not to exceed $14,000.

5.    Professional Development

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

6.    ESL Intern

Move to approve the following Rutgers Graduate School GSAPP SEL intern for the 2022-2023 school year with a stipend of $5,000 to be paid from Esser II Funds: 

7.    Transportation Jointure 2022-2023

    Move to approve the Transportation Jointure for the 2022-2023 school year with the Camden County Educational Services Commission. 

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

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

    Nothing at this time

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

4. CURRICULUM

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.    Curriculum Guides

Move to approve the curriculum documents for the following subjects: 

2.    New Textbook

Move to approve the textbook CHEMINS 1, FRENCH for a Connected World French for the course class, Grades 7 & 8.

3.    New Textbook

    Move to approve the textbook Calculus for the AP Course, 3ed. by Sullivan & Miranda for the class course, AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus AB/BC.

4.    Work Based Experience

    Move to approve Work Based Learning Experiences for students in the Metuchen Internship Learning Experience classes at MHS for the 2022-2023 SY.

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