Board Meeting - January 3, 2023

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Dates: 
Friday, December 23, 2022 - 12:15pm

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

 

THE ANNUAL REORGANIZATION MEETING

of the Metuchen Board of Education

Metuchen High School

400 Grove Avenue

Metuchen, NJ 08840

 

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

8:00pm

 

1.    Call to Order by Pro-Tem Chair, Michael A. Harvier, Board Secretary

 

2.    Sunshine Statement and Announcement of Purpose 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.

 

3.     Flag Salute

 

4.    Administration of Required Oaths to the Board Members Elected on November 8, 2022.

 

5.    Roll Call

 

Mr. Benderly

 

Ms. Killean

 

Ms. Cook

 

Mr. Lifton

 

Mr. Derflinger

 

Mr. Solasky

 

Mr. Glassberg

 

Dr. Spigner

 

Dr. Johnson-Marcus

 

Mr. Suss

 

 

6.    Announcement of Election Results 

 

Candidates in Ballot Order 

Total Votes

Alicia Killean 

3849

Eric Suss

3758

Jonathan Lifton

3529

 

7.    Pro-Tem Chair Will Conduct Election of the Board President

 

8.    President Takes Chair

 

9.    Board President Will Conduct Election of the Board Vice-President

 

10.    Meeting Open to the Public on all Previous Items

 

11.    Presentation/Discussions

 

12.    Remarks by President

 

13.    Report of Superintendent

 

14.    Committee Reports

 

15.    Old Business

 

16.    New Business

 

17.    Meeting Open to the Public

(for comments on the recommendations of the Superintendent of Schools)

 

18.    Approval of the Minutes of the Board of Education Meetings

    Move to approve the minutes of the following meetings:

 

December 13, 2022

Special Business Meeting (1)

December 13, 2022

Special Business Meeting (2)

December 13, 2022

Board Meeting

 

19.    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 - Revisions

    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 A15):

 

Campbell School

   

Advisor

Club

Stipend

Rescind:

Margie Thomas

Chorus Grade 3 and 4 (C)

$1,549

Approve:

John Flynn

Chorus Grade 3 and 4 (C)

$1,549

 

2.    Appointment - Help Desk Technician

    Move to approve the appointment of Christopher Sneedse, Help Desk Technician for Metuchen Public Schools, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $55,000/year, prorated, effective February 6, 2023 through June 30, 2023, pending criminal history clearance. 

 

3.    Appointment - Leave Replacement

    Move to approve the appointment of Susan Fackler, Leave Replacement for Amanda Marciante, Campbell School Nurse, effective approximately February 24, 2023 through approximately June 23, 2023, at a rate of $291.89/day.

 

4.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Sandy Iacona, Paraprofessional at Moss School, for the 2022-2023 school year, at a salary of $23,731/year, prorated, effective January 17, 2023, through June 30, 2023.

 

5.    Appointment - 1:1 Nurse

    Move to approve the appointment of Laura Hermans, 1:1 Nurse at Moss School, for the 2022-2023 school year, effective January 9, 2023 through June 30, 2023, pending NJ certification, at a rate of $45/hour. 

 

6.    Salary Adjustment – Certificated Staff

    Move to approve a change in base salary for Nga Pham, Moss School Nurse, from Step 1F, $57,500/year, to Step 3F, $60,375/year, as a result of earning her Master’s Degree, effective February 1, 2023.

 

7.    Resignation - Lunch Aide

    Move to accept the resignation of Sheri Kady, Lunch Aide at Campbell School, effective December 22, 2023.

 

8.    Appointment of Substitute Teachers

    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):  

 

Substitute 

Certification 

Per Diem Rate

Carly Newcomen

Substitute w/college credits

$100/day

Thomas Cruder

Substitute w/teacher cert

$110/day

Annie Dreitser

Substitute w/college credits

$100/day

Adam Garnys

Substitute w/teacher cert

$110/day

Marian Sharkawy

Substitute w/college degree

$105/day

Nancy Fakeh

Substitute w/college degree

$105/day

Nina Scafani

Substitute w/college degree

$105/day

 

9.    Appointment of Substitute Nurses

    Move to approve the appointment of the following additional substitute nurses for the 2022-2023 school year, pending completion of substitute nurse certification and criminal history clearance (Agenda 8/23/2022 Section 13 A20):  

 

Substitute Nurse

Per Diem Rate

Irma Sepa-Cannavo

$200/day 

Laura Hermans

$200/day 

10.     Appointment of Substitute Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the appointment of the following additional substitute paraprofessional for the 2022-2023 school year (Agenda 8/23/2022 Section 13 A17): 

 

Substitute Paraprofessional

Rate

Sapna Ullal

$15/hr 

 

11.    Appointment of Substitute Secretaries

    Move to approve the appointment of the following additional substitute secretaries for the 2022-2023 school year, pending criminal history clearance (Agenda 6/28/2022 Section 13 A21): 

 

Substitute Secretary

Rate

Patricia Yelencsics

$15/hr 

Kellie Davideit

$15/hr

 

12.    Speech Externs

    Move to approve the following Speech Externs from January 2, 2023 through June 20, 2023, pending criminal history clearance and substitute certification:

 

Extern

Assignment

Brianna Fortino

Moss School

Danielle Bove

Campbell School

 

13.    Zone Staff

    Move to approve paraprofessional Hope Serratelli to provide assistance at the Edgar Zone, for the 2022-2023 SY as needed, at a rate of $24.65/hr.

 

14.    Safety Care Trainer - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the following certificated staff to provide Safety Care training to district staff at the hourly rate as shown:

 

Name

Rate

Christina Dybas

$48/hr

 

15.    Safety Care Training -  Staff

    Move to approve the following staff to participate in Safety Care training, outside of the school day, not to exceed twelve hours at the following hourly rates, as follows:

 

Name

Rate

Nicole Benfatti

$48/hr

Kathy Thomas

$48/hr

Marilyn Levine

$19.90/hr

Jennifer Lesniak

$21.10/hr

 

16.    Psychology Practicum

    Move to approve Ghadeer Afifi to complete a School Psychology Practicum experience at Edgar and MHS, January 2023 through June 2023, pending criminal history clearance and substitute certification.

 

17.    Resignation - Paraprofessional

    Move to accept the resignation of Christina Ettore, Paraprofessional at Campbell School, effective January 6, 2023.

 

18.    Appointment - Child Study Team Social Worker

    Move to approve Anna Gonnello to provide substitute Child Study Team School Social Work services, at the professional rate of $48/hr.

    

19.    Clubs and Co-Curricular Activities – Addition 

    Move to approve the following co-curricular stipend for the co-curricular activity for the 2022-2023 school year as listed (Agenda 8/23/22, Section 13 A14):

 

Metuchen High School

 

 

Advisor

Club

2022-2023 stipend

Approve

Kevin Smedley

 

Mock Trial

 

$2,417.00

 

20.    Volunteer Clubs 

    Move to approve the following additional Volunteer Clubs for the 2022-2023 school year as listed (Agenda 8/23/22, Section 13 A15):

 

Volunteer Club

Advisor

School

Jazz Club

John Messenger/John Flynn

EMS

Taylor Swift Club

Mark Mooney

MHS

Steppers Club

Christina Dybas

MHS

 

21.    Coaching Mentor Assignment

    Move to approve the following coaching mentor assignment for the 2022-2023 school year:

 

Coach

School

Mentor

Assignment

Payment

Jordan Leitner

MHS

Bob Ulmer

Football Coaching Mentor

$550

 

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

 

  1. FINANCE

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

 

1.    Nonpublic Security Aid

    Move to approve the following nonpublic security 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.

 

School

Vendor

QTY

Item #

Description

Price

Total

Metuchen Christian Academy

CDW-G

1

4384530

TRENDnet TI - PG541I - switch-6 ports -managed

$390.99

$390.99

Metuchen Christian Academy

CDW-G

1

3789138

TRENDnet 48DC300-power adapter 160 Watt

$123.52

$123.52

Metuchen Christian Academy

CDW-G

1

MISC

MH-B100-CCS-POE-MWB

$1,945.50

$1,945.50

Metuchen Christian Academy

CDW-G

1

MISC

MH-T200-CCC-POE-MWB

$918.88

$918.88

Metuchen Christian Academy

CDW-G

1

MISC

EH-MK-SM Mounting for small odus 16CM

$173.78

$173.78

Metuchen Christian Academy

CDW-G

1

MISC

Universal Antenna Mount

$20.23

$20.23

Metuchen Christian Academy

CDW-G

1

MISC

Installation & Engineering

$7,425.00

$7,425.00

 

2.    Renewal - NJSBA Coop Agreement

    Move to approve NJSBA K12 Classroom Products and Services - Contract #E-8801-NJSBA-ACES-CPS.

 

3.    Professional Development

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

 

Start Date

End Date

Activity Title

Name

Building

Requested

Approved

Payment

FFPI Proposal #

1/6/

2023

1/19/

2023

Middlesex Day of Dialogue

Rubin, Samantha

MHS

0

0

No cost

 

1/11/

2023

1/11/

2023

Northern NJ ELA Supervisor Group Meeting

Manziano, Lou

Central Office

0

0

No cost

 

1/18/

2023

1/18/

2023

Connecting Climate Change to Curriculum

Kato, Yoko

MHS

$31.02

$31.02

FFPI

23-085

2/20/

2023

2/24/

2023

South African National Workshop on Labour Management Partnership

Cohen, Richard

Central Office

$427

$427

Other

 

 

4.    Resolution to Accept High Offer of School Bus Sale

    

SO BE IT RESOLVED that, in accordance with with N.J.S.A. 40A:65-1, et.seq. and N.J.S.A. 18A:6-51, et.seq., the Metuchen Board of Education, via active Inter-Local Vehicle Sale Agreement with the HCESC accept the highest bid offer at a sealed-bid public bid opening which was held on December 20, 2022 at the Hunterdon County Education Services Commission Administration Office, located at 37 Hoffmans Crossing Road, Califon, New Jersey 07830 at 12:30 PM on the following vehicles:

 

Metuchen Board of Education Bus #2, a 2013 Ford/MicrobirdG5 Small DRW Wheelchair Lift Bus 20 passenger school bus (VIN 1FDFE4FL8DDA09379)

 

The winning bid was received from Toms River Regional School District in the amount of $25,000. 

 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that, as per this agreement the Metuchen Board of Education agrees that the vehicle or title shall be released to the buyer “Toms River Regional School District” once the BOE receives the amount paid in full.

    

5.    Duties of Business Administrator/Board Secretary

Move to approve the following duties/position of Michael A. Harvier, Business

Administrator/Board Secretary through December 31, 2023:

a ) PACO-Public Agency Compliance Officer for Affirmative Action.

 

6.    ABA Services

    Move to approve  We Care Autism to provide the following ABA services at the following rates, as needed:

 

  • ABA therapy - $85/hr

  • Speech therapy - $150/hr

  • BCBA services - $150/hr

 

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

 

  1. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

 

1.    Suspensions

    The board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report for December 12, 2022 - December 23, 2022. 

 

2.    Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

    Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported cases:

 

  • CES102422001

  • EMS110122003

  • CES112222001

 

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

 

D.    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- Transportation

Number of Subs Needed

Edgar

Storm King Art Center

Grades 9-12; 

This unique museum without walls is the largest outdoor sculptural art center for contemporary art in the U.S. and is one of the three largest in the world. Beyond its size and number of holdings, Smithsonian Magazine recognized Storm King as one of the most spectacular sculpture parks in the world

Margo Banner; Kelly Murphy;

John Messenger; Christopher MCEwan 

4/14/

2023

40

$0

4

MHS

Camp Wayne for Boys

Grades 9-12;

Our annual marching band camp will be held at Camp Wayne for Boys in Preston Park, PA. Camp is an essential time for us to learn our music, drill and also bond as a unit. It is imperative for our continued success as a state championship marching band. Away camp provides the environment for us to be successful and also the time for the students to come together in both musical and team building activities. Away camp also eliminates the competition for field usage in which scheduling is very difficult during the summer. Band camp will be from August 16-20, 2023.

John Flynn

8/16/

2023 -

08/20/

2023

95

$1,686 per bus per way (Grand Total $6,744) plus cost of Ryder Truck

0

 

2.    2022 Curriculum Summer Writing

    Move to rescind and approve the following curriculum writing documents, writers and amounts for Summer 2022(Agenda 6/14/2022, Section 13 D2):

 

Course

Written by

Amount

Health Grade 7

Rescind:

Rick Carter

$350

Health Grade 8

Rescind: 

Melanie Gilbert

$350

Health Grade 7

Approve: 

John Butler

$350

Health Grade 8

Approve: 

Kristen Gallo

$350

 

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

    Move to approve the district’s ESSA Grant Carryover: 

 

Title

Amount

Description 

Title III

$5,585

Immigrant Learners (English Language Learners)

 

4.    Foundational Skills Curriculum Mapping

    Move to approve the following staff member 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:

 

Name

Grade 

School

Michelle Bethe

3

Campbell 

 

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

 

20.    Reorganization

    a.    Set Regular Meetings of the Board of Education

        Move to approve the Board of Education Meeting Schedule for 2023.

 

    b.    NJSBA Code of Ethics

        Move to approve the adoption of the NJSBA Code of Ethics for 2023.

 

21.    Meeting Open to the Public (for anything you wish to discuss)

 

22.    Announcements 

 

23.    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.

 

24.    Adjournment



 

Groups audience: