THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 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

❖    MHS Jazz Ensemble

The Jazz Ensemble is a 3 time NJAJE State Jazz Finalist and a 2022 NJAJE State Final Silver Medalist.  They were invited to play at the National Jazz Festival in Philadelphia, PA this spring and today will be performing "In the Stone" by Earth, Wind and Fire.

❖    State Champion Pride of Metuchen Marching Band

The Pride of Metuchen Marching won the Tournament of Bands Group 4A State Championships this past marching band season. 

2022-2023

Pride of Metuchen Marching Band

Daniel Afkhami

Priya  Aggarwal

Tariq Alisammond

Selin Altunyay 

Legend Anderson

Sebastian Aparicio

Nicholas Armeli

Aiden  Baginski

Leyla  Bobkova

Kyle Carney

Alyson Chan

Avner Chaplin

Ashley Chen

Rachel Chen

Daniel Choi

Faith Cordova

Nicholas Cosenza

Chris DeVizio

Julia Diaz

Joseph Duhme

Eli Duhme

Amira  Elsayed

Sophia Espaillat

Munachiso Ezem-Madu

Alistair Fawcett

Joshua  Feldmann

Devin Fineman

Claire Flores

Benjamin Fricke

August Garner

Elliott Gerlach

Kai Gesteland

Sena  Gesteland

Jun Gesteland

Elliott Girin

Alea Gnaly

Jackson Gould

Caleb  Han

Matthew Han

Evelyn Hand

Sara Haq

Gianna Hernandez

Abigail Hogan

Annabelle Hoover

Dylan Jaques

Praket Jha

Xiemena Johnstone Asturias 

Janani  Kangeyan 

Amy Kleiner

Art Krumins

Anika Kundu

Emily Lanton

Cedric Lee

Melinda Li

Logan Mac Pherson

Zoya  Malik 

Olivia Marosi

Michael McNamara

Nene Murao

Vedant Naik

Siddhant Naik

Dhiya Naresh

Aidan Ogborn

Madison Orozco

Alex Osborn-Jones

Harshith  Pasam

Sam Reuter

Caelum Ritzdorf

Gage Rodey

Austen Rodey

Daniel  Ruiz

Ayaan Saha

Chloe Shen

Andy Siemers

Bella Staal

Emma Staal

Ryan Stein

David Stibich

Anushree Sutradhar

Ryan Timko

Nicholas Timko

Marisol Torres

Gianna  Toscano

Carson  Tramontin 

Sophie Villacampa

Ripley Wong

Emily Wu

JJ Wyetzner

Victoria Zaniecki

Anotni Zaniecki

Melody Zetino

Michael Zetino

Anya Zhang

Brandon Zhu

❖ Sports Champs

MHS Girls Cross Country 

Red Division Champions

Rachel Chen

Aarohi Desai

Ameyaa Desai

Gianna Hernandez

Kaitlyn Hsueh

Sally Kelton

Lilly Kupersmit

Maggie Rivera

MHS Boys Cross Country 

Central Jersey - Group 1 - State Sectional Champions

Brady Allen

Michael Arculeo

Nicholas Davis

Kai Englert

Asher Greenbaum

Aaron Grubman

Harrison Henry-O'Reilly

Lucas Klabonski

Michael McNamara

Jayden Medina

Barnav Mitra

Harry Moorman

Vedant Naik

Colin Pata

Alex Patelski

Nathan Schilowitz

Eric Schleif

Brandon Sinclair

James Vissichelli

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

7. Presentations 

❖    NJGPA Results -Rick Cohen and Ed Porowski

❖    District Goals - Dr Caputo

❖    Safe Return Plan - Dr. Caputo

❖    Open to Public for Comments on Safe Return Plan

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 - Business Office Staff

Move to accept the resignation of Marcos Elias, Help Desk Technician, effective December 20, 2022. 

2.    Appointment - Technology Staff

    Move to approve Marcos Elias as help desk technician, as needed, at a rate of $40/hour.

3.    Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff

Move to approve the appointment of Elaine Goldstein, Leave Replacement School Counselor for Erica Hsu, Campbell School, effective approximately February 6, 2023 through approximately June 20, 2023, at a salary of $291.89/day.

4.    Family Leave of Absence - Extension

Move to approve the extension of the Family Leave of Absence of Megan Shapiro, First Grade Teacher at Campbell School, through June 30, 2023 (Agenda 12/14/21, Section 13 A4).

5.    Leave Replacement Extension  

Move to extend the end date of Alyssa Cosentino, Leave Replacement for Megan Shapiro, First Grade Teacher at Campbell School, through June 30, 2023 (Agenda 7/12/2022, Section 13 A8).

6.    Appointment -  Additional Event Staff

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

7.    Additional Appointment of the Zone Staff

Move to approve the following additional Zone Staff for the 22-23 school year, (Agenda 8/29/22, Section 13 A29):

8.    Updated Job Description

Move to approve the updated job description for "Paraprofessional - Special Education Aide" for Metuchen Public Schools.

9.    Additional Appointment of Paraprofessionals for the Zone Staff

    Move to approve the following paras to provide additional assistance at the Edgar Zone at the following hourly rate:

10.    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 8/23/22, Section 13 A14):

11.    Appointment - Leave Replacement

    Move to approve the appointment of Jessica Kovacs as Leave Replacement for Michelle Herold, Integrated Preschool Teacher at Moss School, effective December 14, 2022, pending certification, through approximately April 21, 2023, at a rate of $291.89/day.

12.    Maternity Leave of Absence - Revision

    Move to approve the new start date of the maternity leave of absence of Natalie Franzi Dougherty, Metuchen School District Supervisor, effective December 12, 2022 through approximately March 31, 2023 (Agenda 8/23/22, Section 13 A5). 

13.    Leave Replacement Supervisor - Start Date Revision

    Move to approve the new start date of Kathy Glutz, Leave Replacement Supervisor of Elementary Education, effective December 7, 2022 through approximately March 31, 2023, at a rate of $500/day.

14.    Leave Replacement Amendment

    Move to amend the appointment of Anne Marie Healey, Leave Replacement ELA Teacher at Edgar School, effective October 14, 2022 through December 13, 2022 (Agenda 10/11/22, Section 13 A11).

15.    Appointment - Substitute Teacher

    Move to approve the appointment of Anne Marie Healey as a daily substitute, for 60 days, effective December 14, 2022 through February 10, 2023, at a per diem rate of $291.89/day.

16.    Appointment – Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Nicole Kogan, Special Education Preschool Teacher at Moss School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $67,200/year, Step 3H, prorated, effective December 21, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

17.    Student Observers and Interns

    Move to approve the following Student Observers and Interns in our school district for the Spring of 2023: 

18.    Instructional Stipends

    Move to approve the following EMS teachers for an instructional stipend, prorated, for Suzy Palmer’s leave of absence from December 14, 2022 through approximately April 30, 2023:

19.    Appointment - Substitute Teacher

    Move to approve the appointment of Emily Caponigro, as a substitute teacher in Metuchen Public Schools, effective January 2, 2023 through January 27, 2023, at a rate of $110/day. 

20.    Appointment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Emily Caponigro, Math Teacher at Metuchen High School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $60,375/year, Step 3F, prorated, effective January 30, 2023 through June 30, 2023.

21.    Appointment - Leave Replacement

    Move to approve the appointment of Shannon Desch, Leave Replacement for Ken Smith, Social Studies Teacher at Edgar School, effective December 22, 2022 through approximately March 3, 2023, at a rate of $291.89/day. 

22.    Appointment of Substitute Teacher

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

23.    Appointment of Substitute Paraprofessional

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

----------------------------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 October 31, 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 December 13, 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 October 31, 2022.

4.     Nonpublic Technology Aid

    Move to approve the following nonpublic technology aid for the 2022-2023 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.

5.    Appointment - Club Advisor

    Move to approve Michelle Huff to receive a stipend as the advisor of EMS Friends Club, for the 2022-2023 school year at $1,145 (IDEA grant funded).

6.    Appointment Financial Advisor for Referendum and Continuing Disclosure Agent

    Appoint Phoenix Advisors LLC, as  Financial  Advisors for 2022 referendum and as Continuing Disclosure Agent. 

7.    Resolution

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT FOR CERTAIN

LEGAL SERVICES ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

OF THE BOROUGH OF METUCHEN IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX

WHEREAS, there exists a need for specialized legal services in connection with the capital program and the authorization and the issuance of obligations of THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE BOROUGH OF METUCHEN IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, (the "Board"), a body corporate of the State of New Jersey, including the review of such procedures and the rendering of approving legal opinions acceptable to the financial community; and

WHEREAS, such special legal services can be provided only by a recognized Bond Counsel firm, and the law firm of McManimon, Scotland  & Baumann, LLC, Roseland, New Jersey is so recognized by the financial community; and

WHEREAS, funds are or will be available for this purpose;

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE BOROUGH OF METUCHEN IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, AS FOLLOWS:

    1.    The law firm of McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, L.L.C., Roseland, New Jersey is hereby retained to provide specialized legal services necessary in connection with the capital program and the authorization and the issuance of obligations of the Board in accordance with an Agreement dated as of December 13, 2022 and submitted to the Board (the "Contract").

    2.    The Contract is awarded without competitive bidding as a "Professional Service" in accordance with the Public School Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5(a)(1), because it is for services performed by persons authorized by law to practice a recognized profession.

    3.    A copy of this resolution as well as the Contract shall be placed on file with the Secretary of the Board.

    4.    A notice in accordance with the Public School Contracts Law of New Jersey in the form attached hereto shall be published in The Star Ledger.

CERTIFICATION

The foregoing is a true and complete copy of a resolution adopted by the Board of Education at a meeting thereof duly called and held on December 13, 2022.

8.    Resolution

WHEREAS, the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) requires the professional services of an architectural firm to provide services in connection with various referendum projects approved by the voters of Metuchen on November 8, 2022 (“Services”); and,

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5, such Services constitute a professional service and may be awarded by the Board without public advertisement therefore; and,

WHEREAS, the Board solicited proposals and presentations from various professional architecture firms to provide the Services; and,

WHEREAS, upon a review of the proposals received and the presentations, the Board determined that the proposal submitted by Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. (“Spiezle”) is in the best interests of the Board, price and other factors considered.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby awards a contract for the Services to Spiezle consistent with its proposal dated December 7, 2022.

9.  Professional Development

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

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

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1. Suspensions

The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary for November 14, 2022 - December 19, 2022. 

2.    Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

    Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported cases:

• CES102022001

• CES102122001

• CES102522001

• CES102722001

3.    ESCNJ Appointment of Representative

    Pursuant to enacted legislation P.L. 192-1989, Chapter 254, the Metuchen Board of Education elected Vincent Caputo to the Representative Assembly of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey at their meeting held on December 13, 2022 from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

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

4. CURRICULUM

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.    Coping Skills Pilot Year II

    Move to approve the following teachers for the Coping Skills Pilot Year II with Martin Blank, at $48 an hour, not to exceed 15 hours, to be paid from the ESSER III Grant:

2.    Foundational Skills Curriculum Mapping

    Move to approve the following staff members to create Foundational Skills Curriculum Maps for up to 5 hours at the current contractual hourly rate of $48 for the grade level indicated below:  

3.    ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Grant Carryover 2022-2023

    Move to approve the district’s ESSA Grant Carryover: 

* Metuchen Public Schools receives $3,750.00 of the Title II allocation

** Metuchen Public Schools receives $5,358.00.00 of the Title IV allocation

4.    Field Trips

Move to approve the following field trips for students in the Metuchen School District  as shown: 

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