Board Meeting - September 12, 2023

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Dates: 
Friday, September 8, 2023 - 2:45pm

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 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

 

Dr. Johnson-Marcus

 

Ms. Cook

 

Ms. Killean

 

Mr. Derflinger

 

Mr. Lifton

 

Ms. Dimbeng

 

Dr. Spigner

 

Mr. Glassberg

 

Mr. Suss

 

 

  1. Showcase of Success

❖ Introduction of New Teachers

❖ New Student Representative - Madison Dimbeng

 

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

 

  1. Presentations 

❖ SEL Presentation - Mr. Cohen

❖ District Goals - Dr. Caputo

 

  1. Reports

  • President’s Report 

  • Superintendent's Report 

  • Committee Reports

 

  1. Old Business 

 

  1. New Business  

  2. Approval of Minutes of the Board of Education Meetings

 

August 22, 2023

  Special Business Meeting (1)

August 22, 2023

  Special Business Meeting (2)

August 22, 2023

  Board Meeting

August 22, 2023

  Executive Session

 

  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. Edgar Clubs and Co-Curricular Activities - Rescind and Approve

Move to rescind and approve the following Edgar Middle School co-curricular stipends for the co-curricular activities for the 2023-2024 school year as listed (Agenda 08/22/2023 Section 13 A9):

 

Name

Position

Stipend

Rescind:

 Audra Smith

 Raquel Williams

Spanish Club (B) .5

 Spanish Club (B) .5

$674.50

 $674.50

Approve:

 Raquel Williams

Spanish Club (B) 

$1349

 

2.    Medical Leave of Absence - Extension 

    Move to approve the extended medical leave of absence end date for Kerry Blaze, Social Studies Teacher at Metuchen High School, through approximately November 13, 2023 (Agenda 08/22/2023, Section 13, A28).

 

3.    Appointment - Leave Replacement 

    Move to approve the appointment of Shannon Desch, Leave Replacement for Kerry Blaze, Social Studies Teacher at Metuchen High School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a rate of $301.49/day, effective August 31, 2023 through approximately November 13, 2023.

 

4.    Maternity/Child Care Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff 

    Move to approve the maternity/child care leave of absence of Jessica Gesumaria, English Teacher at Metuchen High School, from approximately January 24, 2024 through approximately May 1, 2024.  

 

5.    Retirement - Certificated Staff

    Move to accept, with regret, the retirement of Michael Molfetto, Paraprofessional at Metuchen High School, effective August 22, 2023. 

 

6.    Resignation- Certificated Staff 

    Move to accept the resignation of Stacy Winters, Mathematics Teacher at Metuchen High School, effective October 20, 2023, or earlier if a replacement is hired.  

 

7.    Resignation- Certificated Staff

    Move to accept the resignation of Kathy Thomas, Science ICR Teacher at Edgar Middle School, effective October 29, 2023, or earlier if a replacement is hired.

 

8.    Family Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff       

Move to approve the family leave of absence of Ann Leghorn-Orapallo, Reading Specialist at Metuchen High School, from January 2, 2024 through March 25, 2024.

 

9.    Salary Adjustment – Certificated Staff

Move to approve a change in base salary for Vincent Signorile, Campbell School Teacher, from Step 2D, $58,707/year, to Step 3D, $60,139/year, as a result of him earning his Master’s Degree, effective September 1, 2023.

 

10.    Appointment - Additional Substitutes

    Move to approve the appointment of the additional substitutes for the 2023-2024 school year on the attached chart, effective September 5, 2023, pending completion of substitute training and criminal history clearance (Agenda 08/22/2023, Section 13, A11). 

 

11.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Poonam Pujara, Paraprofessional at Campbell Elementary School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $23,127/year, prorated, effective approximately September 13, 2023 through June 30, 2024, pending criminal history clearance. 

 

12.    Instructional and Non-Instructional Stipends 

    Move to approve the instructional and non-instructional stipends of the following teachers for the 2023-2024 SY:

 

Edgar Middle School

Name

Assignment

Non-instructional Stipend

Total

John Butler

School Parking Lot Assistant

0.67 non-instructional stipend

$4523

Alicia Haller

School Parking Lot Assistant

0.67 non-instructional stipend

$4523

Ed Albanese

School Parking Lot Assistant

0.25 non-instructional stipend

$1688

Metuchen High School

Name

Assignment

Instructional Stipend

Total

Bill Latta

Special Ed/Math

1.0 instructional Stipend

$8400

 

13.    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/hour (ESSER funded): 

 

Andrea Agnone

Lauren Thompson

Lindsay Kaye

Julie Anderson

Ann Leghorn

Veronica Araneo

Rebecca Dwyer

Samantha Murphy

Isabella Massaro

     

14.    Appointment - Home Instruction

    Move to approve the following personnel for Home Instruction for the 2023-2024 school year, as needed, at a rate of $60/hour, pending criminal history clearance: 

 

Leah Horesh

Jean Gilbert

 

15.    Informal Mentor Teacher Assignment

Move to approve the following additional informal mentor assignment for the 2023-2024 school year, to be paid at a rate of $49/hour, not to exceed six hours (Agenda 8/8/23, Section 13 A12):

 

New Teacher

School

Mentors

Joelle Williams

Moss

Katie Upshaw

 

16.    Medical Leave of Absence Extension - Custodian

    Move to approve the extension of the medical leave of absence of Mark Cooper, Custodian at Campbell School, through approximately September 25, 2023 (Agenda 7/18/23, Section 13 A23).

 

17.    Mentor Teachers – New Teacher Academy

    Move to approve the following mentors to work with new teachers at the New Teacher Academy, August 28, 2023 to September 1, 2023, to be paid at a rate of $49/hour, not to exceed six hours:

 

Adam Levy

Rick Carter

Ken Smith

Katie Upshaw

Kelsee Young

Charmane Montgomery

 

18.    Appointment - Certificated Staff 

    Move to approve the appointment of Sean Rappleyea, Math Teacher at Metuchen High School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $60,200/year, Step 1G, prorated, effective approximately October 16, 2023 (or earlier if released from current district) through June 30, 2024. 

 

19.    Resignation - Paraprofessional

    Move to accept the resignation of Chelsea Coxon, Paraprofessional at Moss School, effective September 8, 2023. 

 

20.    Appointment - Zone Staff

    Move to approve the following the additional Zone Staff at Edgar Middle School for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

Paraprofessionals:

Name

Hourly Rate

Kathi Pearsall

$23.00

Ben Hohmann

$23.00

 

Mentors:

Name

Hourly Rate

Oliver Atkins (MHS)

$16.00

Nicole Bellows

$16.00

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

  1. FINANCE

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

 

1.    Resolution

    Move to approve the James Stronge observation and evaluation system for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

2.    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 2023-2024 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, Metuchen Christian Academy and St. Francis Cathedral.

 

3.    Appointment-Balanced Literacy Coach

    Move to approve BDO, Deanne Opatosky, as ESSA Balanced Literacy Coach for the 2023-2024 school year using ESSA Title IIA funds not to exceed $27,795.

 

4.    Appointment - Mental Health Coach

    Move to approve School Wellbeing Solutions, Martin Blank, as Coping Skills Trainer for the 2023-2024 school year using ESSER III Accelerated Learning Coaching and Educator Support Grant funds not to exceed $25,000.

 

5.    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 #

9/13/

2023

9/13/

2023

Fifth Annual NGSS/NJSLS Science Workshop for Administrators

Cohen, Richard

Central Office

0

No cost

 

9/13/

2023

9/15/

2023

2023 GPANJ Educational Symposium

Orcutt, Tracey

Central Office

not to exceed $600

Other

 

9/15/

2023

9/15/

2023

NJ Department of Education - School Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM) Training

Azevedo, Suzy

Edgar

0

No cost

 

9/15/

2023

9/15/

2023

School Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM) Training

Kirschner, Brooke

Campbell

0

No cost

 

9/15/

2023

9/15/

2023

School Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM) Training - NJ Department of Education

Lewis, Patricia

Edgar

0

No cost

 

9/20/

2023

6/12/

2024

ASAP-NJ

Rubin, Samantha

MHS

0

No cost

 

9/27/

2023

9/27/

2023

School Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM) Training - NJ Department of Education

Hsu, Erica

Campbell

0

No cost

 

9/27/

2023

9/27/

2023

School Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM) Training - NJ Department of Education

Evans, Neyda

Edgar

0

No cost

 

9/27/

2023

9/27/

2023

School Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM) Training - NJ Department of Education

Rubin, Samantha

MHS

0

No cost

 

9/27/

2023

9/27/

2023

School Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Training

Levy, Adam

MHS

0

No cost

 

10/6/

2023

10/6/

2023

CJPride PD Day

Taylor, Carolyn

Central Office

0

No cost

 

10/11/

2023

10/12/

2023

NJPSA/FEA/NJASCD Fall Conference

Lemerich, Kathryn

Central Office

$400.581

Other

 

10/12/

2023

10/12/

2023

2023 NJPSA/FEA/NJASCD - Sold A Story

Jeney, Meghan

Campbell

$270

FFPI

24-016

10/12/

2023

10/12/

2023

2023 NJPSA/FEA/NJASCD Fall Conference

Bormann, Kristina

Campbell

$208

FFPI

24-027

10/13/

2023

10/13/

2023

NJSCA-Fall conference

Campbell, Lauren

Edgar

$199

FFPI

24-018

10/17/

2023

10/17/

2023

NJ science convention

Wang, Jingjing

MHS

$230

FFPI

24-025

10/18/

2023

10/18/

2023

New Jersey Science Convention

Ronk, Edward

Edgar

$194.40

FFPI

24-017

10/19/

2023

10/19/

2023

Oppositional, Defiant & Disruptive Children and Adolescents: Non-medication Approaches to the Most Challenging Behaviors

Cermak, Danielle

MHS

$249.99

FFPI

24-026

10/20/

2023

10/20/

2023

Drew AI Symposium

Forde, Caroline

Edgar

$50

FFPI

24-028

10/20/

2023

10/20/

2023

AI and Writing Symposium

Kurtin, Ilana

Central Office

$50

Other

 

10/20/

2023

10/20/

2023

DrewTeach: AI and Writing

Manziano, Lou

Central Office

$75

Other

 

10/26/

2023

10/26/

2023

Leave Happy: Strategies to build relationships and create a positive classroom community

Cermak, Danielle

MHS

$219.86

FFPI

24-019

10/30/

2023

10/31/

2023

Art Educators of New Jersey Annual Conference 2023: Making the Invisible Visible

Murphy, Kelly

MHS

$285

FFPI

24-020

11/5/

2023

11/7/

2023

Character.org 2023 International Forum

Upshaw, Katherine

Moss

$1105.5

FFPI

24-022

11/5/

2023

11/7/

2023

Character.org 2023 International Forum

Herold, Michele

Moss

$1238.22

FFPI

24-021

11/5/

2023

11/7

2023

Character.org International Forum

Cohen, Richard

Central Office

$197.50

Other

 

11/17/

2023

11/17/

2023

Using AI Tools to Increase Science Learning

Ronk, Edward

Edgar

$279

FFPI

24-029

3/11/

2024

3/11/

2024

The Intersection of Reading and Writing

Jeney, Meghan

Campbell

0

No cost

 

3/11/

2024

3/11/

2024

AIM's 12th Annual Research to Practice Symposium

Bormann, Kristina

Campbell

0

No cost

 

 

6.    Nonpublic Technology Aid

    Move to approve the following nonpublic technology aid for the 2023-2024 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

St. Joseph High School

CDW-G

5

5539074

Dell C7520QT 75" 4K-20pt. Touch IPS glass monitor

$3,323.80

$16,619.00

St. Joseph High School

CDW-G

5

2819857

Chief Fusion Large Adjustable Mobile TV Cart 42-86" silver

$1,172.62

$5,863.10

 

7.    Technology Equipment Disposal

    Move to approve the disposal of the technology equipment as shown on the attached list.

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

 

  1. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

    

1.    Appointment - Student Board of Education Member Representative

    Move to approve Madison Dimbeng as the Metuchen High School Student Board of Education Representative for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

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

Number of

Subs Needed. 

MHS

The Imperia

12th Grade; Safety Ambassadors will attend the Safety Summit Training event, hosted by Robert Wood Johnson Safety Ambassador Program. SAs prepare to teach safety lessons to 1st graders at Campbell Elementary.

Danielle Cermak

10/5/2023

8

$130

1 sub

MHS

Met Opera

Grades 9-12; Puccini opera in Italian. Professional Opera house rehearsal-see workings of final dress rehearsal and professional performances- students will observe and critique opera's style, cultural importance, performance and rehearsal practices. THERE IS A OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH MEMBERS OF THE ORCHESTRA AND CAST AT THE END OF THE PERFORMANCE

Stefeny Stofa-

Krombholz

Linda Wisnewski

10/6/2023

30

$0

2 subs

MHS

Sunrise Mountain and Culvers Gap

Grade 9-12; Members of the MHS Outdoor Wellness Club will participate in a 6 mile hike on the Appalachian trail. Students will enjoy lots of fall foliage views hiking the Appalachian trail from Sunrise Mountain to Culver Fire tower and Culver's Gap. By the end of this hike, students will be able to explain and adhere to basic trail safety guidelines, including proper footwear, staying on designated trails, being aware of potential hazards, and following group hiking protocols. Students will be able to reflect on their hiking experience, identifying challenges they overcame, skills they developed, and personal insights gained from the experience.

Anna Girin, Danielle Cermak, Nickolas Vosinas and Lindsay Nalepa

10/21/2023

40

TBD

no subs needed

MHS

Rowan University

Grades 9-12; This date will be the dress rehearsal for our performance with the Rowan University Orchestra the following day. This will serve as our only rehearsal alongside the Rowan University Orchestra prior to the performance.

Christopher McEwan

10/23/2023

20

$200

no subs needed

MHS

Campbell Elementary School

Grades 9-12; Students from the MHS Orchestra will provide music for the Campbell Halloween Parade. MHS students spend September and October preparing music for the parade, and upperclassmen get experience conducting and leading rehearsals on certain songs.

Christopher McEwan, John Messenger, Jordyn Gallagher

10/31/2023

50

$50

1 sub

MHS

George Street Playhouse

Grade 9-12; Footlighter students will have an additional opportunity to see a professional production of a play ("Having our Say" by Emily Mann). "Having Our Say" follows the lives of two African-American sisters who live to be 100 years-old. They share their experiences as the daughters of a slave (who later becomes a professor), as they establish their careers, and integrate a NY suburb. The George Street Playhouse produces student matinee performances, which are followed by a talk-back with actors, director, and producer, during which students are able to ask questions of both art and craft, and to learn about the process of mounting a professional production.

Jacquelyn Jacobi, Stefeny Krombholz, & Amanda Shorr

12/13/2023

15

$130

3 subs

Edgar

Moss School

Grade 8; Students in the 8th grade guitar class will perform for the Moss School students. This will give the guitar students a chance to showcase the skills and techniques they have been working on during the semester class. This will also give the kindergarten students a chance to watch a live performance of the instruments we study in music class every Friday.

Jordyn Gallagher

12/15/2023

25

$60

no subs needed

MHS

Campbell Elementary School

Grades 9-12; The Metuchen High School Band program will present a winter music concert for all grade levels of Campbell School. The purpose of the concert is to teach the students about the instruments within the band ensembles along with previewing performance opportunities for each of the students when they get to the high school. These performances provide inspiration and motivation for students to continue to progress on their instruments as well as promoting our music community from the elementary to high school levels. While serving as a recruitment strategy, the performance is an age long tradition all staff and students enjoy.

John Messenger, John Flynn, Jordyn Gallagher

12/21/2023

75

$140

no subs needed

MHS

Continuo Arts Conservatory, Summit, New Jersey

Grades 9-12;

Rehearse for and Perform in a concert at Carnegie Hall- 40th Anniversary of Rutter performing with at Misconducted by John Rutter. Piece of music to perform, is the Rutter Magnificat Festival Chorus of 200 high school singers from around the tri-state area

Stefeny Stofa-

Krombholz

1/5/2023 - 10am-1pm;

 

1/6/2023-

2pm-5pm;

 

1/7/2023-

8:45am - 4:30pm

20

$705

2 subs

MHS

Moss School

Grade 9-12; Students use technology to show kindergarten students how 21st century musicians use tech to create and represent ideas and stories in music. We study the Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint Saens to illustrate our ideas.

Stefeny Stofa-

Krombholz

1/19/2024 (SNOW DATE 1/26/24)

20

$50

1 sub

MHS

Metuchen High School

Grade 8; 8th grade orchestra students will travel to MHS to observe and play alongside the MHS Orchestra. Since Orchestra functions in a different way between the two schools, this is an opportunity to see how the group functions, interact with the MHS musicians, and see what they can expect the following year in the high school orchestra class.

Christopher McEwan

2/2/2024

24

$50

no subs needed

MHS

David Geffen hall, Lincoln Center

Grades 9-12; Students will see the New York Philharmonic perform Strauss's master work "An Alpine Symphony." Students will be exposed to the music ahead of time during class, and will have an understanding of the meaning of the piece as they watch it performed live. Students will see professionals at the height of their profession performing on the same instruments they play during class.

John Messenger, Jordyn Gallagher, Ashley Jaye

2/8/2024

37

$0

no subs needed

MHS

Moss School

Grade 9-12; Students will present music composed and arranged in the Carnival of the Animals Project to classmates and parents.

Stefeny Stofa-

Krombholz

2/9/2024

20

$60

1 sub

Edgar

Moss School

Grade 8; Students in the guitar class will perform for the Moss School students. This will give the guitar students a chance to showcase the skills and techniques they have been working on during the semester class. This will also give the kindergarten students a chance to watch a live performance of the instruments we study in music class every Friday.

Jordyn Gallagher

4/26/2024

25

$60

no subs needed

Edgar

Moss School

Grades 5-8; This field trip will allow the students who are in the Edgar Advanced Orchestras a performance opportunity to showcase the skills and advanced repertoire they have been working on throughout the school year. This will also give the kindergarten students a chance to watch a live performance of the instruments they have been learning about in their music class.

Jordyn Gallagher

5/17/2024 Times: 9:30am-10:30am 12:30pm-1:30pm

20 20

$40 $40

no subs needed no subs needed

Edgar

Six Flags, Jackson, New Jersey

Grade 8; Students will be able to communicate effectively using math and science concepts. Students will understand and apply the forces and laws of movement using real-world situations (velocity, distance, time, Newton's Laws of Motions, etc...) as well as calculating costs of admission, food and souvenir costs.

Chrissy Kremer, Danielle Kennedy, Lauren Scala, Barbara King, Alyssa Dugasz, Richard Stoner, Ed Ronk, Rachel DiVanno (and others who volunteer)

5/23/2024

200

$0

6 subs(approximately)

 

2.    Work Based Experience

    Move to approve Work Based Learning Experiences for students in the Metuchen Internship Learning Experience classes at MHS for the 2023-2024 SY.

 

3.    2023 New Teacher Academy Workshop

Move to approve Evan Robbins as a Presenter for New Teacher Academy Workshop at Edgar Middle School, at a rate of $49/hour, not to exceed 2 hours (Agenda 8/08/2023, Section 13, A24).








 

4.    Curriculum Documents

    Move to approve the following curriculum documents for the following subjects:

 

Curriculum Documents

Subject

Grade

PE

5

PE

6

PE

7

PE

8

 

5.    Appointment - Multilingual Learner Trainer

    Move to approve Guzman Educational Consultants, Alex Guzman, as the Multilingual Learner Trainer for the 2023-2024 school year using Title III Immigrant funds not to exceed $5,537. 

 

----------------------------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: