THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2024 

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 Star Ledger, The Home News and Tribune and by filing a copy with the Borough Clerk as prescribed by this law.

 

4. Roll Call

 

 

5. Showcase of Success

❖    Valedictorian -  Mason Liu

❖    Salutatorian  - Arjun Gupta

 

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

 

7. Presentations 

❖    District Goals Final Report - Dr. Caputo

 

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) - None

 

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. Metuchen High School Summer Institute Stipends 

Move to approve the following teachers for additional guidance and support to students preparing for college admissions and algebra courses; as well as for pre-advanced placement instruction: 

 

 

2.    Summer Work - Metuchen High School Band Camp

    Move to approve the following staff for 2024 summer work at Metuchen High School band camp:

 

 

3.    Summer Work - Metuchen High School Guidance Department

    Move to approve the following school counselors for 2024 summer work at Metuchen High School: 

 

 

4.    Appointment - Additional Event Staff

    Move to approve the following additional Event Staff for the 2023-2024 school year (Agenda 8/8/23, Section 13, A10):

 

 

5.    Appointment - Substitute Nurses

    Move to approve the following substitute nurses for the 2024-2025 school year, at a rate of $200/day:

 

 

6.    Appointment – 1:1 Substitute Nurses

    Move to approve the appointment of the following 1:1 per diem substitute registered nurses for the 2024-2025 school year, at a rate of $280/day:

 

 

7.    Appointment – 1:1 Nurse

    Move to approve the appointment of Laura Hermans. 1:1 Nurse at Moss School, for the 2024-2025  school year, at a rate of $48.58/hour.

 

8.    Leave of Absence- Bus Driver

    Move to approve the leave of absence of Angela Delgado, Bus Driver for Metuchen School District, effective July 1, 2024 through approximately December 31, 2024.

 

9.    Extended School Year Special Services Staff - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the following as special services staff for the 2024 Extended School Year Program:

 

 

 

10.    Extended School Year Special Services Staff - Child Study Team

    Move to approve the following Child Study Team Staff for the 2024 Extended School Year Program:

 

 

11.    Extended School Year Special Services Staff- Paraprofessionals

Move to approve the following paraprofessionals for the 2024 Extended School Year.

 

 

12.    Appointment - ESY Bus Aides

    Move to approve the following Bus Aides for 2024 ESY:

 

 

13.    Appointment – ESY Substitute Bus Aides

Move to approve the following Substitute Bus Aides for 2024 ESY:

 

 

14.    Reappointment – Tenured Administrators 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following tenured Central Office  Administrators for the 2024-2025 school year effective July 1, 2024 through  June 30, 2025 at the annual salary as follows:  

 

 

15.     Reappointment of Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds 

Move to approve the reappointment of Brian Shanley as Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds for the 2024-2025 school year effective July 1, 2024 through June  30, 2025 at an annual salary of $126,292.

 

16.     Reappointment - Technology Staff 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following as technology staff for the  2024-2025 school year effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 at the  annual salary as follows: 

 

 

17.     Reappointment - Central Office Staff 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following central office support staff for  the 2024-2025 school year effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 at the  annual salary as follows: 

 

 

18.    Reappointment – Business Office Support Staff 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following business office support staff  for the 2024-2025 school year effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 at  the annual salary as follows: 

 

 

19.     Reappointment – School Secretaries 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following school secretaries for the  2024-2025 school year effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 at the annual salary as follows:

 

 

20.    Appointment – Custodial/Maintenance Staff 

Move to approve the appointment of the following custodial staff for the 2024- 2025 school year effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 at the annual  salary as follows:

 

 

21.    Appointment – Substitute Custodians 

Move to approve the appointment of the following as substitute custodians for the  2024-2025 school year:  

 

 

22.     Reappointment – Bus Drivers/Substitutes/Part-time Bus Drivers 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following as bus drivers for the 2024- 2025 school year: 

 

 

23.     Reappointment - Bus Aides 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following as bus aides for the 2024-2025 school year: 

 

 

24.     Reappointment – Paraprofessionals 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following paraprofessionals for the  2024-2025 school year as shown on the attachment:

 

25.     Appointment – Substitute Secretaries 

Move to approve the appointment of the following substitute secretaries for the 2024-2025 school year: 

 

 

26.     Summer Work – District Safety Coordinator 

Move to approve William Ortman, District Safety Coordinator, for 2024 summer work,  district wide: 

 

 

27.     Summer Work – Edgar Middle School Guidance Department 

Move to approve the following counselors for 2024 summer work at Edgar Middle School:

 

 

28.     Summer Work – Metuchen High School Peer Leadership 

Move to approve the following peer leadership trainers for 2024 summer work at Metuchen High School: 

 

 

29.    Appointment - ESY Substitute Teachers

Move to approve the following as Substitute Teachers as needed for 2024 ESY:

 

 

30.    Appointment - ESY Substitute Paraprofessionals

    Move to approve the following as Substitute Paraprofessionals as needed for 2024 ESY:

 

 

31.    Appointment - Child Study Team Substitutes

    Move to approve the following to provide substitute Child Study Team School Social Work services, at the professional rate of $50/hour: 

 

 

32.    Safety Care - Trainer Training

    Move to approve Christina Dybas to attend Safety Care “Train the Trainer” recertification at the rate of $50/hour, not to exceed 4 hrs.

 

33.    Safety Care - Trainers

Move to approve Isabella Massaro and Christina Dybas to provide Safety Care training for the 2024-2025 school year to district staff at the rate of $50/hour, not to exceed 50 hours. 

 

34.     Safety Care Training - Certificated Staff

    Approve the following certified staff to participate in Safety Care Training at the the rate of $50/hour, not to exceed 12 hours each: 

 

 

35.    Safety Care Training - Non-Certificated Staff

    Approve the following non-certified staff to attend Safety Care Training at the their hourly rate, not to exceed 12 hours each: 

 

 

36.    Salary Adjustment - Certificated Staff 

Move to approve a change in base salary for Laura Connolly, Social Studies Teacher at Metuchen High School, from Step 3N, $97,204/year, to Step 4N, $99,518/year, as a result of her earning 30 credits beyond her Master's Degree (Master's +30), effective July 1, 2024.  

 

37.    Leave Replacement - Supervisor

Move to approve the appointment of Paul Pineiro, Leave Replacement for Ilana Kurtin, Supervisor of Guidance, effective approximately October 31, 2024 through approximately May 13, 2025, at a rate of $500/day.

 

38.    Leave of Absence Extension - Custodian 

    Move to approve the extension of the leave of absence of Magdaline Jean-Gilles, Custodian at Edgar School, through approximately June 26, 2024 (Agenda 5/14/2024, Section 13, A3).

 

39.    Leave of Absence - Administrative Assistant

    Move to approve the leave of absence of Deborah Finden, Administrative Assistant to the Business Administrator, effective May 31, 2024 through approximately August 30, 2024. 

 

40.    Reappointment - Educational Consultant

    Move to approve Kathy Glutz as an educational consultant, as needed, for the 2024-2025 school year, at a per diem rate of $500/day.

 

41.    Supplemental Instruction

Move to approve Isabella Massaro to provide supplemental instruction from July 1- August 30th at the rate of $50/hour (ESSER Funded).

 

42.    Summer 2024 Supplemental Instruction

    Move to approve the following staff for Summer 2024 Supplemental Instruction at the Home instruction rate of $61/hour as needed:

 

 

43.    Resignation - Paraprofessional

    Move to accept the resignation of Annie Kim, Paraprofessional at Moss School, effective August 9, 2024. 

 

44.    Clinical Experience

    Move to approve Nicole Benfatti to conduct a supervised clinical experience towards clinical Social Work licensure during the 2024-2025 school year, as overseen by the Director of Special Services.

 

45.    Special Service Intern

    Move to approve Dr. Sabrina Misir Hiralall as a professional intern at Metuchen Public schools to complete their BCBA credentials with supervision, for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

46.    Home Programming

    Move to approve Hope Serratelli for home programming for the 2024-2025 school year at her hourly rate of $25.59/hour.

 

47.    Home Instruction

    Move to approve Leah Horesh to provide Home Instruction for the 2024-2025 school year as needed, at the rate of  $61/hour.

 

48.    Appointment - Certificated Staff 

    Move to approve the appointment of Elizabeth Dorsa, Business Teacher at Metuchen High School, for the 2024-2025 school year, at a salary of $57,675/year, Step 1A, effective August 26, 2024 through June 30, 2025, pending certification. 

 

49.    Appointment - Bus Driver

    Move to approve the appointment of Marie Crespo, Bus Driver for Metuchen Public Schools, for the 2024-2025 school year, effective July 1, 2024, pending criminal history clearance, at a rate of $26.53/hour.

 

    ----------------------------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 April 30, 2024.

 

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 June 25, 2024 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 April 30, 2024.

 

4.    Facilities Use Agreement with YMCA

    Move to approve the Facilities Use Agreement with YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy, effective September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 at the rate of $2,200/month. 

 

5.    Appointment – Treasurer of School Monies

    Move to approve the appointment of Rebecca Cuthbert as Treasurer of School Monies for the 2024-2025 school year at a rate of $5,961/year. 

 

6.    Appointment – Architects of Record

    Move to approve the appointment of Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. as Architects of Record for the 2024-2025 school year. 

 

7.    Appointment – Board Attorney 

    Move that the Board of Education (Board) approve the appointment of David Rubin, P.C. (Firm) as General Counsel and approve the Firm for the period of July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. The Board will pay the Firm an hourly rate of $190/hour.

 

8.    Appointment – Board Attorney

    Move that the Board of Education (Board) approve the appointment of The Machado Law Group (Firm) as Special Education Counsel and approve the Firm for the period of July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. The Board will pay the Firm an hourly rate of $175/hr. 

 

9.    Appointment –Board Attorney

    Move that the Board of Education (Board) approve the appointment of Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC for the construction and procurement and approve the Firm for the period of July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. The Board will pay the Firm $170/hr for partners and counsel, $160/hr for associates and $100/hr for clerks and paralegals. 

 

10.    Appointment – Bond Attorney

    Move that the Board of Education (Board) approve the appointment of McManimon, Scotland & Baumann (Firm) as Bond Counsel and approve the Firm for the period from July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. The Board will pay the firm an hourly rate of $215/hr. 

 

11.    Establishment of Petty Cash Funds for the 2024-2025 School Year

    Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:19-3 move to approve the establishment of petty cash funds as of July 1, 2024. The individuals responsible for proper disposition of the indicated fund amounts are as follows:

 

 

12.    Tax Shelter Annuity Companies

    Move to approve PlanConnect as the third party administrator for the following Tax Shelter Annuity Companies for the Metuchen School District for the 2024 -2025 school year. 

a)        403b & 457: Valic/Corebridge Financial and Equitable

b)        403b: USAA, Vanguard, and MetLife.

 

13.    Minimum Chart of Accounts

    Move to approve the 2024-2025 Uniform Minimum Chart of Accounts for New Jersey Public Schools.

 

14.    Appointment – School Physician 

    Move to approve the appointment of Kevin Lukenda, MD, as district school physician for the 2024-2025 school year at the rate of $23,660/year.

 

15.    Appointment – Auditor

    Move to appoint Suplee, Clooney and Company as auditor for the 2023-2024 school year at a rate of $45,950.

 

16.    Appointment of Representatives Requesting Federal and State Funds

    Motion to adopt the following resolution: 

 

RESOLVED that Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools, Michael Harvier, Board Secretary/ Business Administrator of the Metuchen Board of Education, Tania Herzog, Assistant Superintendent, and Deneane Bonassisa, Director of Special Services or their designees, be designated as the Board’s agents to request state and federal funds under the existing State and Federal Laws for the 2024-2025 school year. 

 

17.    Approval of Officer of Bidding, Purchasing and Sale of Property 

    Motion to adopt the following resolution: 

 

    RESOLVED that Michael Harvier, Board Secretary/Business Administrator be designated and empowered as the Board of Education’s Purchasing Agent as set forth in the N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-2-2, 18A:18A-7, 18A:18A-37, including authorization to:

 

1.     advertise for and receive bids;

2.     act as the Board’s Purchasing Agent for both sale of property and purchase contracts up the statutory limit and for emergency purchase contracts; and

3.     purchase through state, county and other local contracts wherever practical and in the best interest of the Board of Education for the period from this date to the Board Organization Meeting in the next calendar year.

 

18.    Resolution

 

    RESOLUTION APPOINTING A QUALIFIED PURCHASING AGENT IN A BOARD OF EDUCATION OR OTHER ENTITY SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF N.J.S.A. 18A:18a-1 et seq.

 

WHEREAS, N.J.A.C. 5:34-5 et seq. establishes the criteria for the qualifying as a Qualifying Purchasing Agent; and

 

WHEREAS, Michael Harvier possesses the designation of Qualified Purchasing Agent as issued by the Director of the Division of local Government Services in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:34-5 et seq; and

 

RESOLVED, that the governing body hereby appoints Michael Harvier as the Qualified Purchasing Agent to exercise the duties of a purchasing agent pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-2b, with specific duties of a purchasing agent authority, responsibility, and accountability of the purchasing activity of the Board of Education, and 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:34-5.2 THE Board of Education Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution and a copy of Michael Harvier’s certification to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services. 

 

19.    RESERVE ACCOUNTS 

 

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 18A:21-2, N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-31, and N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-41 permit Board of Education to establish and/or deposit into certain reserve accounts at the end, and

 

WHEREAS, the aforementioned statutes authorize procedures, under the authority of the Commissioner of Education, which permits a Board of Education to transfer unanticipated excess current revenue or unexpended appropriations into reserve accounts during the month of June by board resolution, and 

 

WHEREAS, the Metuchen Board of Education wishes to transfer unanticipated excess current year revenue or unexpended appropriations from the general fund into the Capital Reserve Fund in the amount not to exceed $2,500,000. 

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Metuchen Board of Education that it hereby authorizes the district’s School Business Administrator to make this transfer consistent with all applicable laws and regulations.

 

20.    Residency Investigations

Move to approve DPZ Professional Services to conduct Residency Investigations at a rate of $50/hour for the 2024-2025 school year.     

 

21.    Designation of Board Depositories

 

    BE IT RESOLVED that effective July 1, 2024, TD Bank, Manasquan Bank, and MBIA Investment Bankers are hereby designated as the official depositories for the funds of the Metuchen Board of Education for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

22.    Multi-Media and Communication Services

    Move to approve a contract with Brandon Uhlig, LLC to provide multi-media and communication services at the rate of $10,000 for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

23.     Out of District Student Placements - Extended School Year 2024

    Move to approve the following 2024 extended school year out of district student placements:    

 

 

24.     Professional Development

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

 

 

25.    Appointment - Clinical, Therapeutic, Counseling and Behavioral Services 

    Move to approve the appointment of the following to provide clinical, therapeutic, counseling and behavioral services for the 2024-2025 school year:  

 

•    First Children Services to provide the following professional services: 

o    Licensed Clinician $80/hour

o    Social Skills $117.50/hour

o    RBT $63.50/hour

o    Behavior Technician $55/hour

o     BCBA services $117.50/hour, not to exceed $175,000.

o    FBA $1,500 per evaluation

o    Home Instruction $75/hour

o    Safety Care Initial Training Available based on group size

•     The Uncommon Thread to provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services at the following rate:

o     Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Support Plan (BSP) at a rate of $1,600-$2,200 

o     BCBA services at $130/hour 

o     Behavior Technician Services $65/hour

•    Invo HealthCare Associates: 

o    BCBA- $100/hour

 

26.    Appointment – Providers of Psychiatric Assessments/ Evaluations 

    Move to approve the appointment of the following to provide psychiatric assessments/evaluations for the 2024-2025 school year: 

 

•    Dr. Steven Dyckman at the rate of $1,500/evaluation 

•    Platt Psychological Associates at the rate of $1,150/assessment (includes consult and report)

•    Dr. Rajeswari Muthuswamy of Center for Behavioral health- for Psychiatric Evaluations,  neurological evaluation and Fit to Return evaluations at $575 per evaluation, Neuropsychiatric evaluation $675 per evaluation, Initial Psychiatric Evaluation and Medical assessment for treatment at $650 per assessment

      Follow up for medication monitoring- $225

 

27.    Appointment – Neurodevelopmental Specialists 

    Move to approve the appointment of the following to perform specialized neurodevelopmental evaluations for the 2024-2025 school year: 

 

•    St. Joseph’s Healthcare at a rate of $650/evaluation

•    Dr. Vanna Amorapanth at the rate of $1200/evaluation

•    Dr. Lewis Milrod- at the rate of $800.00 

•    Dr. Kavita Sinha- at a rate of $600/evaluation

•    Dr. Romana Kulikova- at a rate of $600 (in office) and $650/evaluation in school

•    Dr. Joel Morgan and Neuropsychology Associates of New Jersey (NPANJ) to conduct comprehensive neuropsychological assessments at a rate of $5,000/ evaluation

 

28.    Appointment – Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA )Services

    Move to approve the appointment of the following for the 2024-2025 school year: 

 

•    Beibide-Zanitich Behavioral Consulting, LLC for ABA services at $92/hour, not to exceed $120,000

•    Leonard Behavioral Consulting Services, LLC for ABA services at $92/hour, not to exceed $120,000

•    Brett DiNovi & Associates -as a provider of independent BCBA at a rate of $135.00/hour and Clinical Associates $60.50/ hour - not to exceed $200,000

•    Behavior Therapy Associates at the rate of:  

        o    Dr.Steven Gordon $320/hour

        o    Dr. Michael Selbst $320/hour

        o    Dr. Debra Salzman $320/hour

        o    Dr. Erik Dranoff $320/hour

        o    Dr. Hongmarie Martinez $300/hour

        o    Dr. Rory Panter $320/hour

        o    Dr. Rebecca Schulman $320/hour

        o    Dr. Bianca Coleman BCBA-D $260/hour

        o    Dr. Briana Ostrosky, BCBC-D $220/hour

        o    Dr. Ashley Zultanky $260/hour

o    Dr. Jennifer Cruz $240/hour

        o    Elizabeth Callahan, BCBA $220/hour

        o    Katherine Weiedemann, BCBA $200/hour 

            Joelle Lugo, BCBA, $200/hour

•    Soliant Health, LLC to provide behavioral technicians at the rate of up to $68/ hour

 

29.    Appointment- Occupational/Physical Therapy/Speech Services

    Move to approve the appointment of the following for the 2024-2025 school year:

 

•    Lori-Anne DiSerio as a Physical Therapist at the rate of $93/hour- not to exceed $75,000 annually

•    Marlana Hamfeldt Loden to conduct Speech and Language evaluations, as needed, at a rate of $450/evaluation

•    Kaleidoscope Education Solutions to provide related services, as needed, at the following rates: 

        o    Occupational Therapy Services- $95/hour

        o    Speech Therapy Services- $94/hour

        o    Physical Therapy- $98/ hour

•    The Stepping Stones Group to provide the following therapy and professional services at the listed hourly rates:

        o    Speech Language Pathologist $89.00/hour

        o    Occupational Therapist $89.00/hour

        o    Physical Therapist $93.00/hour 

•    Invo HealthCare Associates:  not to exceed $320,000

o    Occupational Therapy, $89/hour,

o    Speech Therapy, $89/hour

o    Speech Evaluations, $310/evaluation 

o    Occupational Therapy, $310/evaluation 

o    BCBA- $100/hour

o    LCSW- $70/hour

 

30.    Appointment – Healthcare/Nursing Services

    Move to approve the appointment of the following for the 2024-2025 school year:

 

•    Bayada Pediatric at the rate of:

        o    Substitute school nurse, RN $70/hour & LPN, $65.00/hour

•    The Stepping Stones Group to provide the following nursing services at the listed hourly rates:

        o    RN $75.00/hour 

        o    LPN $65.00/hour

 

31.    Appointment – Hearing and Vision Services

    Move to approve the appointment of the following for the 2024-2025 school year:

 

•    Summit Speech School:

        o    Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf services at the rate of $225/hour

        o    Audiologist Consultation at the rate of $250/hour

•    NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired-at the rate per level of impairment as follows:

        o     Level 1: $2,420

•    Speech & Hearing Associates LLC to provide the following services at the listed rates:

        o    Central Auditory Processing Evaluation $700

o    Comprehensive Audiological Evaluation $350

o    Hearing Aid Evaluation $450

o    Speech-Language Evaluation $650

o    Bilingual Speech-Language Evaluation $850

o    Language Processing Evaluation $950

o    Speech-Language Therapy- $90.00 (30 min), $137.50 (45 min), $180 (1 hour)

o    In-School Consultation (2 Hr. Minimum) $175/hour

•    Hackensack Meridian Health- JFK Hospital for:

        o    Audiological Evaluation at $744/evaluation (ages 5+)

        o    Audiological Evaluation at $795/evaluation (ages 4 and under)

        o    Auditory Processing Evaluation at $1,368/evaluation 

 

32.    Appointment- Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Evaluations, Consultations, and Training

    Move to approve the appointment of the following providers for the 2024-2025 school year:

 

•    Melissa Donovan of Garden State AAC Specialists-to provide professional services at the following rates:

o    Augmentative and Alternative Communication Evaluation: $150/hour

o     Comprehensive AAC Evaluation Written Report: $300

o    Attendance at a follow-up IEP Meeting: $140/hour

o    Professional Development/Training: $200/hour

o    Technical Assistance: $75/hour

o    AAC Coaching: $140/hour

o    Written Implementation Plans: $140/hour

o    Cancellation Fee (less than 24 hours’ notice): $80

•    Brian Friedlander, AssistiveTek, LLC to provide Assistive Technology- services at the following rates, as needed: 

o    Assistive Technology Evaluation with report- $1,750

o    Assistive Technology Consulting - $250/ hour

o    Assistive technology ½ day Training- $1,500

o    Assistive technology full day Training- $3,000

o    Travel - $100/hour

•    Advancing Opportunities: 

o    AT Evaluation- travel included $1,200 

o    AT Support and Training- travel included $180/hour 

o    AAC Evaluation- travel included $1400

o    ACC Supp and Training- travel included $200/hour

 

33.    Appointment – Multidisciplinary Evaluation, Consultation and Training

    Move to approve the appointment of the following independent assessment providers for the 2024-2025 school year: 

 

•    Beautiful Mind Psychological Services to provide Psychological Evaluations at the following rates:

o    Psychological Evaluation (English) $325

o    Bilingual Psychological Evaluation (Polish) $600

•    Supreme Consultants, LLC:

o    Mono-lingual evaluation $650

o    Bilingual evaluation $800

•    Cross County Clinical 

o    English evaluation $875

o    Bilingual evaluation $980

o    Bilingual Battelle Developmental Inventory $1,310

o    Report summary in other language $295

o    Report translation $450

o    FBA/BIP $2,350

o    Translation/Interpreter Services- minimum of 2 hours a day on site: $100-250/hr 

•    Learning Tree Multicultural/Multilingual: 

o    Evaluations $850

o    Spanish evaluation $800

•    Tomasso Educational Services to conduct Educational Evaluations, at a rate of $550/evaluation and $75/hour for meetings. 

•    Delta T- Group:

o    Psychological evaluations $475

o    Functional Behavioral Assessment $595

•    Educational Services Commission of NJ for evaluations: 

o    Evaluations $270

o    Bilingual $441

o    Social history $230

•    Camden County Educational Services for evaluations:

o    Educational, Psychological, and Speech evaluations at a rate of $360/ evaluation

o    Occupational Therapy evaluations at a rate of $300-$400/evaluation

•    Lisa Jiannetto-Surrusco of Reach for the Stars, LLC. to provide professional feeding therapy services of consultation and staff training at the rate of $150/ hour

•    New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education for professional development and consultation services at a rate of:

o    $2,000 full day- PD

o    $1,250 half day- PD

o    $1,500/day- Consultation

 

34.    Appointment – Home Instruction, Bedside Instruction, and Educational Services 

    Move to approve the appointment of the following as providers of Home Instruction for the 2024-2025 school year: 

 

•    Brookfield Schools - for Educational Services at the rate of $50/hour

•    Silvergate Prep at the rate of $65/hour

•    Rutgers UBHC – UMDNJ Home Instruction - at the rate of $75/hour

•    LearnWell (Education Inc)- at the rate of $62/hour for 10 hours/week, plus 33% admin/prep time fee

•    NJ Educational Services Commission Home Instruction at $55/hour

•    Bergen County Special Services to provide Home Instruction at a rate of $80/ hour

•    Educere LLC online home instruction

•    Educere LLC online courses- courses start at $245

•    Open Book Educational Consulting Limited, Sherri Keenan, to provide reading intervention services at a rate of $200/hour 

•    Jessica Warner of Individualized Instruction & Consultation LLC to provide specialized reading training and consultation at the following rates:

o    Half day training- $1,800

o    Full day training- $2,500

•    Jodi Reiner, Reiner Reading Consulting to provide Specialized Reading Services, $110/hour for individual and $150/hour for group, not to exceed $80,000.

•    Approve Jessica Fessock, to provide specialized reading intervention services at a rate of $110/hour, and $150/hour for group, not to exceed $99,000.

 

35.    Appointment - Transition Services 

    Move to approve the following transition services for the 2024-2025 school year: 

 

•    The Arc of NJ Project Hire to provide onsite vocational training and transitional services at a rate of $70/hour

•    The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities for Job Coach Training

 

36.    Duties of Head of Security

    Move to approve the following duties/positions for William Ortman, for the 2024-2025 school year: 

a. Residency Officer 

b. Truancy Officer

 

37.    Re-adoption of Nursing Services Plan 

Move to approve the re-adoption of the Nursing Services Plan for the 2024-2025 school year. 

 

38.    Re-adoption of Standing Orders for School Nurses and Athletic Trainer

    Move to approve the re-adoption of Standing Orders for School Nurses and Athletic Trainer for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

39.    Safety Coordinator

    Move to approve William Ortman, District Safety Coordinator, as District Liaison to Law Enforcement Authorities for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

40.     Appointment – McKinney-Vento Liaison 

Move to approve William Ortman as McKinney-Vento homeless liaison for the 2024-2025 school year, contingent on the completion of credential training. 

 

41.    Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract 2024-2025

Move to approve joining and purchasing items thru the Sourcewell Cooperative purchasing contract for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

42.    RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION  OF THE BOROUGH OF METUCHEN  IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY TO INVEST FUNDS IN THE NEW JERSEY ASSET & REBATE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

 

BE IT RESOLVED by The Board of Education of the Borough of Metuchen in the County of Middlesex  as follows:

 

1.    The Board  hereby finds and determines that (a) the Business Administrator has received and reviewed 

(i)     the Information Statement dated as of January 3, 2005 describing the New Jersey Asset & Rebate Management Program ("NJ/ARM") and

(ii)     the Amended and Restated Interlocal Services Investment Agreement governing the NJ/ARM Program (“Program Agreement”) and (b) the Business Administrator has been afforded the opportunity to discuss NJ/ARM with the Investment Administrator and Special Counsel to NJ/ARM and the Board  has determined that it is in the best interests of the School District  to authorize the Board  to participate in NJ/ARM.

 

2.    The Program Agreement is hereby approved and the Business Administrator is authorized to execute the Program Agreement on behalf of the Board.

 

3.    U.S. Bank, N.A., as Custodian for the NJ/ARM Program, is hereby approved to act as a depository of Public Funds for the Board

 

4.    The Board  acknowledges that its decision to authorize the participation in NJ/ARM is based solely on the information set forth in the Information Statement and in the Program Agreement.

 

5.    This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

 

43.    Student Observations

    Move to approve Middlesex College Nursing Program student observations for the  2024-2025 school year.

 

44.    Appointment - Substitute Nurses 2023-2024

    Move to approve the following substitute nurses for the 2023-2024 school year, at a rate of $200/day, partially funded by ESSER funds:

 

 

45.    Technology Purchases 2023-2024

    Move to approve the following technology purchases as listed on the attachment, for the 2023-2024 school year in the amount of $215,641.

 

46.    Technology Purchases 2024-2025

    Move to approve the following technology purchases as listed on the attachment, for the 2024-2025 school year in the amount of $96,140.

 

47.    Nonpublic Security Aid

    Move to approve the following nonpublic security 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:

 

 

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

 

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

 

1.    Re-adoption of Policy Manual

    Motion to adopt the following resolution:

 

Resolved, that all current written policies, by-laws and rules/regulations in the official Policy Manual of the Metuchen School District be readopted 2024-2025 school year unless modified by the Board of Education in accordance with those applicable policies, by-laws and/or rules/regulations. 

 

2.    Suspensions

    The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary for June 10, 2024 - June 21, 2024.

 

3.    Designation of Advertising Media

    Move to approve the designation of the Star Ledger and/or the Home News Tribune as the approved advertising media for the Board of Education legal advertisements during the 2024-2025 school year.

 

4.    Duties of Business Administrator/Board Secretary

    Move to approve the following as duties/positions of Michael A. Harvier, Business Administrator for the 2024-2025 school year:

a)  Purchasing Agent with authorization to award contracts up to bid threshold and to set quote threshold at 15% of bid threshold amount

b)  Custodian of School Records

 

5.    Resolution

    Move to elect Jonathan Lifton as the Metuchen Board of Education's delegate and Brian Glassberg as alternate delegate to the New Jersey School Boards Association for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

6.    Appointment - 504 Coordinators

    Move to approve the appointment of Ilana Kurtin as District 504 Committee Coordinator and the following as 504 School Coordinators for the 2024-2025 school year:

 

 

7.  Appointment - Safety Health Designees

    Move to approve the appointment of the following Safety Health Designees for the 2024-2025 school year:

 

 

8.    Appointments - Facilities Related

    Move to approve the appointment of Brian Shanley to the following positions for the 2024-2025 school year:

a) Asbestos Management Officer

b) Indoor Air Quality Designee

c) Integrated Pest Management Coordinator

d) Right to Know Officer

e) AHERA Coordinator

f) Chemical Hygiene Officer

 

9.    Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

    Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported case:

 

• EMS053024001

• EMS053024002

• EMS053024003

• METHS053124001

 

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

 

4. CURRICULUM

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

 

1.    Textbook Disposal

    Move to approve the disposal of the following textbook:

 

 

2.    2024 Equipment Disposal

    Move to approve the disposal of the following microscopes at the Metuchen High School: 

 

 

3.    High Impact Tutoring  - Summer 2024

    Move to approve the following staff members to provide services through the High Impact Tutoring Grant for the Summer 2024 at the rate of $50/hour: 

 

 

4.    Field Trips

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

 

5.    STAR Academy 2024 Summer

Please approve the following staff members for the STAR Academy for the Summer 2024:

 

 

6.    STAR Academy 2024 Summer - Substitutes

    Move to approve the following as substitutes for STAR Academy, Summer 2024, at a rate of $50/hour, ESSER funded:

 

 

7.    STAR Academy Spring 2024 

    Move to approve Kristina Bormann to provide STAR Parent Academy during June 2024, at a rate of $49/hour, not to exceed 3 hours, using ESSER funds.

 

8.    STAR Academy Summer 2024

    Move to approve Kristina Bormann to provide STAR Parent Academy during summer 2024, at a rate of $50/hour, not to exceed 6 hours, using ESSER funds.

 

9.    Work Based Experience

    Move to approve work based learning and community based experiences for the Metuchen Internship Learning Experience classes at MHS for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

10.     Work Based Experience - ESY 2024

    Move to approve work based learning and community based instruction trips for the Metuchen Internship Learning Experiences classes during 2024 ESY to include: Boro Hall, What’s the Scoop, Woodbridge YMCA and Cai’s Cafe.

 

11.    Student Teacher

    Move to approve the following Student Teacher from The College of New Jersey, in the Metuchen Public School District for the Fall 2024 school year. 

 

 

12.    2023-2024 Curriculum Writers

    Move to approve the following curriculum writing documents, writers and amounts for the 2023-2024 school year: 

 

 

13.    2023-2024 Curriculum Writer

Move to rescind the following writer and amount (Agenda 6/13/23, Section 13, D3):

 

 

14.    New Textbook

Move to approve the following textbook for Advanced Placement US History I and II:

 

 

15.    New Textbook

Move to approve the following text for German (Grades 7 through German III):

 

 

16.    Professional Development- June 2024

    Move to approve BDO, Deanne Opatosky, to provide Professional Development in literacy from June 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024, for the amount of $1,140, using ESSER Funds.

 

17.     Partially Funded ESSER Programs

Move to approve the use of ESSER grant to partially fund the following programs and services throughout the 2023-2024 school year, as reflected in the grant amendment:

•    Mandy Leonard of Leonard Behavioral Consulting Services

•    LLC First Children Services

•    Beibide-Zanetich Behavioral Consulting LLC (previously approved as The Special Education Teacher)

•    Orton Gillingham Teacher Practicum and Teacher training program through Fairleigh Dickinson University

 

18.    Resolution

 

Resolve that the Board of Education approves the 2024-2027 Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP) that is a requirement pursuant of New Jersey’s Bilingual Education Code (N.J.A.C 6A:15-1.5) which describes Metuchen’s LIEP for multilingual learners. The LIEP provides the opportunity for the district to review the academic needs for multilingual learners and ensure equitable access to educational instruction, activities, and programs. The plan includes the following components:

 

A.  Identification of MLs in preschool through grade 12.

B.  LIEP description.

C.  The number of staff hired for the LIEP by certificate type.

D.  ESL curriculum.

E.   Evaluation design.

F.   Review process for a student’s exit from ML status.

G.  A budget for all components of the LIEP.

 

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