Board Meeting - July 18, 2023

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Dates: 
Friday, July 14, 2023 - 1:15pm

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

 

TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2023

 

MEETING AGENDA

of the Metuchen Board of Education

Metuchen High School

400 Grove Avenue

Metuchen, NJ  08840

 

  1. Call to Order

 

  1. Flag Salute

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. Roll Call

 

Mr. Benderly

 

Ms. Killean

 

Ms. Cook

 

Mr. Lifton

 

Mr. Derflinger

 

Dr. Spigner

 

Mr. Glassberg

 

Mr. Suss

 

Dr. Johnson-Marcus

 

 

 

 

  1. Showcase of Success

 

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

 

  1. Presentations 

    NJGPA Results Presentation

    HIB Report Period 2 (January 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023) – Dr. Caputo

    SSDS Report Period 2 (January 1, 2023 - June 30, 2023) - Dr. Caputo

    Update - Safe Return Plan and Virtual Instruction

    Open for Public Comment on Safe Return Plan and Virtual Instruction

 

  1. Reports

  • President’s Report

  • Superintendent's Report

  • Committee Reports

 

  1. Old Business

 

  1. New Business

 

  1. Approval of Minutes of the Board of Education Meetings

 

June 27, 2023

  Special Business Meeting (1)

June 27, 2023

  Special Business Meeting (2)

June 27, 2023

  Board Meeting

 

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

 

  1. 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.    Salary Adjustment- Non-Tenured and Tenured Teachers

    Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following non-tenured and tenured teachers for the 2023-2024 school year, as shown on the attachment. (Agenda 06/13/2022, Section 13, A14, Agenda 05/9/2023, Section 13, A4).

 

2.     Salary Adjustment – Paraprofessionals 

Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following paraprofessionals for the  2023-2024 school year as shown on the attachment (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A29).

 

3.    Salary Adjustment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the salary adjustment of Amanda Rossmeissl, Art teacher for C ampbell School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $55,775/year, Step 1-A, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024 (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A38).

        

4.    Salary Adjustment - Certificated Staff 

    Move to approve the salary adjustment of Jessica Kovacs, Preschool Teacher at Moss School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $56,275/year, Step 1B, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024 (Agenda 06/27/23, Section 13, A47).




 

5.    Salary Adjustment  - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the salary adjustment of Shannon MacMenamie, Special Education Preschool Teacher at Moss School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $56,275/year, Step 1B, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024 (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A48).

 

6.    Stipend Adjustments Coaches – Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School Fall 2023

    Move to approve the stipend adjustments of the Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School coaches for the Fall 2023 school sports season as shown on the attached list (Agenda 06/13/2023, Section 13, A18).

 

7.    Stipend Adjustments Coaches – Metuchen High School and Edgar Middles School Winter 2023- 2024

    Move to approve the stipend adjustments of the Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School  coaches for the Winter 2023-2024 school sports season as shown on the attached list (Agenda 06/13/2023, Section 13, A19). 

 

8.    Stipend Adjustments Coaches – Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School Spring 2024

    Move to approve the stipend adjustments of the Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School coaches for the Spring 2024 school sports season as shown on the attached list (Agenda 06/13/2023, Section 13, A20). 

 

9.    Salary Adjustment - MHS Weight Room Supervisors

    Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following weight room supervisors for the 2023-2024  school year, effective July 1, 2023, at the rate of $30/hour, as needed (Agenda 06/13/2023, Section 13, A21):

 

Nick Zaneto 

Molly Yelencsics

Bob Ulmer

Marcus Farris**

Joe Keagle 

Joseph Migacz**

James Cardillo**

Mike Knoth**

Joelle Williams**

Jordan Leitner 

Julie Youngman

Mark Mooney

 

**adjunct coach (not a member of district staff) 

 

10.    Salary Adjustment - Extended School Year Special Services Staff- Paraprofessionals

Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following paraprofessionals for the 2023 Extended School Year (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A17).

 

Special Education In-District Extended School Year 2023- Paraprofessionals

Name

Program

Hourly Rate

# of Hours

Total

Gayathri Karthik

Preschool Disabled- MIPP

$20.94

90

$1884.60

Annie Kim

Preschool Disabled- MIPP

$20.64

90

$1857.60

Alyssa Harrigane

Preschool Disabled- MIPP

$20.34

90

$1830.60

Rebecca DiSerio

Preschool Disabled- MIPP

$20.34

90

$1830.60

Michele Herold

Preschool Disabled- MIPP

$24.44

90

$2199.60

Sandy Iacona

Preschool Disabled- MIPP

$20.64

90

$1857.60

Ben Hohmann

Preschool Disabled- MIPP

$20.64

90

$1857.60

Laurie Toth

Resource K

$21.24

90

$1911.60

Pam Malone

Resource K & 1

$21.24

90

$1911.60

Donna McClaren

Resource 1 & 2

$20.64

90

$1857.60

Hope Serratelli

Resource 2 & 3

$25.09

90

$2258.10

Elizabeth Smith

Resource 2 & 3

$24.44

90

$2199.60

Kathi Pearsall

Resource 4

$21.84

90

$1965.60

Scott Delaney

Resource K-4

$24.44

90

$2199.60

Tom Yakowenko

Resource K-4

$24.44

90

$2199.60

Ghadeer Afifi

Resource 4-8

$20.34

90

$1830.60

Mary Jo Paulmenn

Resource 5-8

$22.49

68

$2024.10

Farhana Omarzai

Resource 5-8

$21.84

68

$1965.60

Abeera Faizan

Multiply Disabled 1-4

$20.64

90

$1857.60

Rose DiLeonardo

Multiply Disabled 1-4

$20.34

90

$1830.60

Jeremy Barnes

Multiply Disabled 1-4

$24.44

90

$2199.60

Emily Almeida

Multiply Disabled 1-4

$20.34

90

$1830.60

Jenny Pasquale

Multiply Disabled 1-4

$24.44

90

$2199.60

Jen Lesniak

Multiply Disabled 1-4

$21.84

90

$1965.60

Francine Galassa

Multiply Disabled 5-8

$24.44

90

$2199.60

Judi Hoffman

Multiply Disabled 5-8

$22.19

90

$1997.10

Marilyn Levine

Multiply Disabled 9-12

$20.64

90

$1857.60

Sonia Aswani

Multiply Disabled 9-12

$20.94

90

$1884.60

Dee Parker

Multiply Disabled 9-12

$20.64

90

$1857.60

Michelle Schutz

Multiply Disabled 18-21

$20.64

90

$1857.60

Ann DellaSala

Multiply Disabled 18-21

$21.84

90

$1965.60

Joe DiMeglio

Multiply Disabled 18-21

$21.84

90

$1965.60

Jan Gaven

Transitions and Learning Strategies 5

$21.84

72

$1572.48

Charmane Montgomery

Transitions and Learning Strategies 6-8

$24.44

18

$439.92

 

11.    Salary Adjustment - ESY Substitute Paraprofessionals

    Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following Substitute Paraprofessionals as needed for 2023 ESY (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A36):

 

Name

Position

Rate

Rhonda Silverman

Substitute Para

$20.94/hour

Sandra Spinelli

Substitute Para

$20.64/hour

Kelly Vischelli

Substitute Para

$21.84/hour

Carmela Fogarile

Substitute Para

$20.64/hour

Christine Lacaskey

Substitute Para

$21.24/hour

Mili O'Brien

Substitute Para

$20.64/hour




 

12.    Salary Adjustment – ESY Bus Aides

Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following additional Bus Aides for 2023 ESY (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A18):

 

Name

Rate

Raquel Class

$21.84/hour

Michael Molfetto

$20.94 /hour

Judi Hoffman

$22.19/hour

 

13.    Salary Adjustment – Custodial/Maintenance Staff 

Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following custodial staff for the 2023- 2024 school year effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 at the annual  salary as follows (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A25):

 

Name 

Salary

Alijewicz, Jonathan 

$49,428

Almeida, Jose 

$42,153

Arvizu, Veronica 

$43,245

Asiain, Lorenzo (Head Day Custodian) 

$48,115

Butler, Paula (Head Day Custodian) 

$76,379

Colegrove, Darren (Head Groundsperson) 

$50,130

Comtess, Chris 

$49,428

Cooper, Mark (Head Night Custodian) 

$50,430

Horincewich, David 

$57,512

Jean Gilles, Jean Robert 

$54,693

Jean Gilles, Magdaline 

$45,112

Jerscheid, Paxton 

$53,528

Lesniak, Chad (Head Custodian) 

$57,348

Luna, Juan 

$45,112

Morales, Raul (Head Night Custodian)

$46,615

Moreno, Angela (Head Custodian) 

$48,422

Nunez, Marisol 

$43,245

Ramos, Carlos (Head Night Custodian) 

$56,080

Reyes, Horacio 

$46,610

Rojas-Aguilar, Armando 

$41,245

Rojas-Aguilar, Luis 

$41,245

Saccente, Elizabeth 

$44,602

Tafoya-Decruz, Angelica

$40,337

Uhrlass, Mulyanti 

$53,785

Valdez, Estela

$41,245

Weir, William 

$58,420

 

14.    Salary Adjustment – Custodial Longevity

    Move to approve a change in total salary for Juan Luna, Custodian, from $45,112/year to $45,328/year as a result of completing 15 years of service, effective August 1, 2023.

 

15.     Salary Adjustment – Bus Drivers/Substitute Bus Drivers 

Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following as bus drivers for the 2023- 2024 school year (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A27): 

 

Name 

Position 

Hourly Rate

Anna Szwast 

Driver 

$29.69

Angelina Delgado 

Driver 

$26.93

Ed Wetzel 

Driver 

$26.25

Denise Newcomen 

Driver 

$24.83

Oscar Colbert

Driver

$26.25

Jean Jean-Gilles 

Substitute Driver 

$26.29

Marissa Plancher

Substitute Driver

$38.36

 

16.    Appointment - Certificated Staff 

    Move to approve the appointment of Jillieanna Peguero, School Nurse at Edgar Middle School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $56,775/year, Step 1C, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

 

17.    Maternity Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the maternity leave of Sofia Lopes, 4th Grade Teacher at Campbell School, effective approximately January 8, 2024 through approximately May 23, 2024.

 

18.    Appointment - ESY Substitute Teachers

Move to approve the following as Substitute Teachers as needed for 2023 ESY:

 

Name

Position

Rate

Jessica Kovacs

teacher or para sub

$110/day

Michelle Duggan

teacher or para sub

$110/day

 

19.     Summer Work – Metuchen High School Peer Leadership 

Move to approve the following peer leadership trainer for 2023 summer work at Metuchen High School: 

 

Name 

2023 Stipend

Laura Connolly 

$1000

Lynda Wisniewski

$1000

 

20.    Safety Care Training

    Move to approve the following certified staff to participate in Safety Care Training at the the rate of $49 per hour, not to exceed 12 hours each: 

 

Beth Abbott

Lindsey Omark

Brianna Fortino

Elizabeth Smith

Alyssa Polesky

Jeremy Barnes

Jessica Kovacs

Francine Galassa

Shannon MacMenamie

 

 

21.    Supplemental Intervention Services

    Move to approve the following certified staff to provide supplemental intervention services for the 2023-2024 school year at the hourly rate of $49/hr (ESSER funded): 

 

      Kristina Bormann

    Lindsey Omark

 

22.    Appointment - ESY 

    Move to approve the appointment of Gina Barrett, Occupational Therapist for 2023 Extended School Year, at a rate of $65/hour, not to exceed 100 hours.



 

23.    Medical Leave of Absence - Custodian

    Move to approve the medical leave of absence of Mark Cooper, Custodian at Campbell School, effective July 3, 2023 through approximately September 1, 2023. 

 

24.    Appointment - Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the appointment of Francesca Ghezzo, Paraprofessional at Campbell School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $23,127/year, prorated, effective September 5, 2023 through June 30, 2024. 

 

25.    Appointment - Leave Replacement

    Move to approve the appointment of Laurie Hathaway, 5th Grade Teacher Leave Replacement for Emily Mertz at Edgar Middle School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a rate of $301.49/day, effective approximately August 28, 2023 through approximately December 4, 2023. 

 

26.    Resignation - Paraprofessional

    Move to accept the resignation of Mili O'Brien, Paraprofessional at Moss School, effective June 30, 2023. 

 

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

 

  1. 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 May 31, 2023.

 

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 July 18, 2023 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 May 31, 2023.

 

4.    Resolution for Award of Contract

WHEREAS, the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) has determined that it is in the District’s best interests to procure the services of a firm to provide construction advisory services in the area of HVAC system commissioning in connection with the construction projects associated with the approved referendum (“Services”); and

WHEREAS, the Division of Local Government Services (“DLGS”) in the Department of Community Affairs has issued guidance that construction advisory services are the type of service that would qualify as an extraordinary unspecifiable service (“EUS”) under the Public School Contracts Law; and

WHEREAS, notwithstanding the DLGS’s guidance, the services are of such a nature to qualify and an extraordinary unspecifiable service; and

WHEREAS, the Board solicited proposals from four (4) firms and received three (3) proposals in response to a scope of work for the Services provided to the firms; and

WHEREAS, the Board also conducted proposer interviews for the Services; and

WHEREAS, after reviewing the proposals and conducting interviews, the Board has determined that the lowest proposal did not adequately address the scope of services required by the Board; and

WHEREAS, despite not being the lowest proposal, the Board has determined that the proposal submitted by Concord Engineering was the best overall proposal and in the best interests of the Board, price and other factors considered, based on, among other factors, the substantially higher level of service offered by Concord, Concord’s familiarity with existing HVAC equipment in the District, and Concord’s understanding of the Services and the needs of the Board; and

WHEREAS, Concord’s proposal is below the anticipated cost for the Services based upon estimates provided by the Board’s professionals.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the above recitals are incorporated herein.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby awards a contract to Concord Engineering to provide the Services in the amount of $255,400.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this award is subject to the execution of a contract between the Board and Concord Engineering to be approved by the Board President and Superintendent.

5.    Moss, Campbell, Edgar and Metuchen High School DOE Submission

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Metuchen Boro Board of Education to approve the submission of the following projects to the New Jersey Department of Education, for FEA review and Department approval of a “school facilities project” with debt service aid state funding and amendment of the long-range facilities plan to be consistent with the projects.

Renovations and Addition at Edgar Middle School

·         State Project No. 3120-070-22-1000

Renovations and Addition at Campbell Elementary School

·         State Project No. 3120-060-22-1000

Cafeteria/Classroom/BOE Addition and Renovations at Metuchen High School

·         State Project No. 3120-050-22-1000

❖Gymnasium Addition at Metuchen High School

·         State Project No. 3120-050-22-2000

Classroom/ Cafeteria Addition and Renovations at Moss Elementary School

·         State Project No. 3120-090-22-1000

 

FURTHER, the Board authorizes Spiezle Architectural Group Inc, to make the submission to the Department of Education on behalf of the district.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; the Board authorizes the School Business Administrator to solicit bids for the above noted projects.

 

6.    Interlocal Services Agreement

Move to approve the interlocal services agreement between the Metuchen Public Library and the Metuchen Board of Education to share costs of certain library databases. 

 

7.    Resolution

 

    Move to approve the replacement and upgrade of the Metuchen School District's telephones, clocks and paging systems for $411,083.37 (ESCNJ 22/23-36).

 

8.    Professional Development

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

 

Start Date

End Date

Activity Title

Name

Building

Approved

Payment

FFPI Proposal #

7/27/

2023

7/27/

2023

18-21 Transition to Adulthood Community of Practice

Bonassisa, Deneane

Central Office

0

No cost

 

8/3/

2023

8/3/

2023

What to do as a Gifted Director/Coordinator

Jaye, Ashley

Central Office

0

No cost

 

8/25/

2023

8/27/

2023

EdReports Klawe Fellowship Convening

Dougherty, Natalie

Central Office

0

No cost

 

10/11/

2023

10/13/

2023

NJPSA Fall Conference

Evans, Neyda

Edgar

780

Other

 

10/12/

2023

10/13/

2023

2023 NJPSA/FEA/NJASCD Fall Conference: Making Excellence Happen

Dougherty, Natalie

Central Office

300

Other

 

10/13/

2023

10/13/

2023

NJ School Counselor Association Fall Conference

Chango, Lisa

Edgar

149

FFPI

24-013

11/5/

2023

11/7/

2023

Character.org International Forum

Cohen, Richard

Central Office

751.5

Other

 

 

9.    Resolution

    The Board hereby approves the Memorandum of Agreement between the Metuchen Board of Education and the Metuchen Principals and Supervisors Association, for the collective bargaining agreement covering July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, and authorizes the Board attorney to draft the final version of the contract for execution by the Board of Education and the Association.

 

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

 

  1. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

 

1.    Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

    Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported cases:

 

  • CES061523001

  • EMS061623001

  • EMS062023001

 

2.    District Calendar

Move to approve the Parent-Teacher Conference dates for the 2023-2024 district calendar.

 

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

 

  1. 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

Board 

Cost- 

Subs. 

MHS

Nashville, TN

Grades 9-12; Nashville is one area in the country where a musician can make a living making music. It is important to teach our students about the 21st Century Life of a musician, and how it is possible to both make music and sustain yourself. Also, Nashville is at the crossroads of American music. It is where the blues went east and created what we know today as Country Music, derived from the Bluegrass Music of the Rocky Mountains. It is important for all students to be able to be in such a historic area for American Music to learn where popular music evolved. This trip also provides students with an educational opportunity to learn from and participate in a clinic at Vanderbilt University. Also important to the VPA 2020 standards is performance, which our students will have an opportunity to perform at the County Music Hall of Fame. Discussions throughout the trip will be focused on enduring understandings and essential questions from the VPA 2020 standards. 

Ashley Jaye, John Messenger, John Flynn, Christopher McEwan, Jordyn Gallagher, Stefeny Stofa-Krombholz, 

Ed Porowski, 1-2 staff TBD

4/3/

2024

 - 

4/7/

2024

80-130

$0

No subs

(Spring break)

 

2.    Climate Change PD

    Move to approve the following staff members to prepare Turn Key Teacher workshops for the Climate Studies initiative and for our district on the In-service workshop on August 31, 2023, not to exceed 9 hours at the hourly rate of $49.

 

Name

School

Yoko Kato

MHS

Karen Van De Castle

MHS

Jonathan Nolde

CES

 

3.    Summer ESL Screening

    Move to approve Janelle Fisher to administer Summer ELL Screening assessments for the 2023-2024 school year at the rate of $49/hour to be paid from Title III funds.  

 

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 $49 for the grade level indicated below:

 

Name

Grade

Christina Bormann

Grade 1

 

5.    tNJMHFA Mental Health First Aid Training 

    Move to approve the following teachers to provide Mental Health First Aid training after-school for Metuchen High School for the 2022-2023 SY. 11th grade students, per the agreements within the tNJMHFA grant and per training provided at the contractual hourly rate of $48/hr, not to exceed 5 hours each.

 

Name

School

Michelle Huff

MHS

Julie Youngman

MHS

 

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

 

  1. Meeting Open to Public (for any topic)

 

  1. Announcements

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. Adjournment

Groups audience: