THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 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 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

❖    MHS Chamber Orchestra

The Metuchen High School Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Christopher McEwan is the premier string ensemble in the Metuchen School District. The Chamber Orchestra has routinely received the highest ratings possible at the CJMEA and NJMEA Orchestra Festivals, was the 2023 winner of the Rowan String Festival, performed at the 2024 NJEMA State Conference, and was selected this year to participate in the ASTA National Orchestra Festival in Atlanta Georgia. The Chamber Orchestra will perform along with the curricular orchestra ensemble, and MCO low string quintet at the MHS Winter Orchestra Concert on Monday December 9 at 7:00. Tonight, they will perform the first movement of the Serenade for Strings by Joseph Suk.

❖    Students with Perfect NJSLA Scores Spring 2024

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

7. Presentations 

❖    District Goals Update - 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)

13. Recommendations of the Superintendent of Schools

(at this time the Board will take formal action on the following items – see attachments)

Oftentimes 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.    Leave of Absence - Extension

Move to extend the leave of absence of Michele Brinkerhoff, School Nurse at Metuchen High School, through approximately December 31, 2024 (Agenda 10/15/24, Section 13 A18).

2.    Leave Replacement Extension

    Move to extend the appointment of Sue Fackler, leave replacement for Michele Brinkerhoff, School Nurse at Metuchen High School, through approximately December 20, 2024, at a salary of $311.76/day (Agenda 10/15/24, Section 13 A19). 

3.    Appointment - Metuchen High School Volunteer Coaches

Move to approve the following Metuchen High School volunteer coaches for the 2024-2025 school year as listed, pending criminal history clearance. (Agenda 5/28/2024, Section 13, A4, A5):

*Represents Adjunct Coach

4.    Appointment - Edgar Middle School Volunteer Student Advisor

Move to approve the following Edgar Middle School Student Advisor for the 2024-2025 school year as listed ( Agenda 8/27/2024, Section 13, A3):

5.    Coaches - Revision

Move to rescind and approve the following Metuchen High School coaches for the 2024-2025 sports season as shown, pending criminal history clearance (Agenda 5/28/2024, Section 13, A4, A5):

*Represents Adjunct Coach

6.    Salary Adjustment - Certificated Staff 

    Move to approve a change in base salary for Jaclyn Salit, Third Grade Teacher at Campbell 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 December 1, 2024. 

7.    Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the leave of absence of Alexis Wolford, Special Education Teacher at Edgar School, effective approximately February 7, 2025 through approximately June 30, 2025.

8.    Appointment - Leave Replacement

Move to approve the appointment of Laura Petty, Leave Replacement for Samantha Murphy, Special Education Teacher at Campbell School, effective September 16, 2024 through approximately February 17, 2025, at a rate of $150/day. 

9.    Leave of Absence Extension - Certificated Staff

    Move to extend the leave of absence of Eileen Wagenblast, English Teacher at Metuchen High School, through approximately December 31, 2024 (Agenda 8/27/24, Section 13 A13).

10.    Leave Replacement Extension

    Move to extend the appointment of Eric Farwell, Leave Replacement for Eileen Wagenblast, English Teacher at Metuchen High School, through approximately December 20, 2024 (Agenda 8/27/24, Section 13 A30).

11.    Resignation - Paraprofessional

    Move to accept the resignation of Coleen Hines, Paraprofessional at Metuchen High School, effective December 13, 2024. 

12.    Appointment - Supervisor

    Move to approve the appointment of Kristina Bormann, Supervisor for Metuchen School District, for the 2024-2025 school year, at a salary of $120,000/year, prorated, effective November 27, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

13.    Appointment of Substitutes

    Move to approve the appointment of substitutes for the 2024-2025 school year as listed on the chart below, effective November 22, 2024, pending completion of substitute training and criminal history clearance: 

 14.    Appointment - Cash Box

Move to approve Donna Corrigan for the 2024-2025 school year to handle the Cash Box at athletic events, at the following rates:

15.    Appointment - Leave Replacement

    Move to approve the appointment of DejaMarie Rodriguez, Leave Replacement for Lauren Campbell, School Counselor at Edgar School, at a rate of $311.76/day, effective approximately February 6, 2025, approximately through June 10, 2025.

16.    Leave of Absence Extension - Administrative Assistant

    Move to approve the extension of the leave of absence of Deborah Finden, Administrative Assistant to the Business Administrator, through approximately January 31, 2025 (Agenda 8/27/24, Section 13 A28).

17.    Leave of Absence Extension - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the extension of the leave of absence of Sofia Lopes, 4th Grade Teacher at Campbell School, through June 30, 2025 (Agenda 8/13/24, Section 13 A8). 

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

2. FINANCE

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.    Professional Development

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

2.    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 September 30, 2024.

3.  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 November 26, 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.

4.    Resolution to Auction Personal Property

WHEREAS, the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) has personal property that is no longer needed for school purposes; and

WHEREAS, the Board desires to retain the services of an e-procurement company to auction off the property; and

WHEREAS, the total cost of the payments to the e-procurement company is anticipated to be less than fifteen percent (15%) of the Board’s bid threshold; and

WHEREAS, the Board desires to use the services of GovDeals, Inc. to provide the e-procurement services; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-1, et seq., the Board may contract directly with a vendor when the value of the services is anticipated to be less than fifteen percent (15%) of the Board’s bid threshold.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Metuchen Board of Education hereby awards a contract for online auction services to GovDeals, Inc. to dispose of the Board’s personal property no longer needed for school purposes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administration is authorized to take such further steps as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this resolution.

5.    Approval of Easements

WHEREAS, the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) is the owner of real property located at Block 25.01, Lot 1, in Metuchen, New jersey, also known as 400 Grove Avenue (the “Property”); and

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey through the New Jersey Department of Transportation requires an easement over and across the Property for, among other purposes, the construction of a sidewalk; and

WHEREAS, the State has offered the Board the sum of $80,000.00 in exchange for the easement; and

WHEREAS, the Board has determined the Property is no longer needed for school purposes and desires to sell an easement in the Property to the State in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Sidewalk Easement Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto.

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby authorizes the sale of the easement in the Property to the State for the sum of $80,000.00 and approves the Sidewalk Easement Agreement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board President is authorized to sign the Sidewalk Easement Agreement and any other documents necessary to effectuate the purposes of this resolution.

6.    BCBA Services - Update

    Move to approve Brett DiNovi & Associates as a provider of independent BCBA services for the 2024-2025 school year, at a rate of $135.00/hour and Clinical Associates services at a rate of $60.50/hour, not to exceed $300,000 (Agenda 6/25/2024, Section 13, B28).

7.    Professional Development

    Move to approve Magnolia Consulting Group to provide professional development for Special Education teachers for the 2024-2025 school year on behavior strategies and interventions, not to exceed $5,600 (IDEA grant funded).

8.    Out of District Student Placement - Termination

    Move to approve the termination of the following OOD placement for the 2024-2025 school year (Agenda 8/27/2024, Section 13, B6):

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

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.    Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

    Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported case.

• METHS091924001

2.    Second Reading of Policies and Regulations

Move to approve the second reading of the following policies and regulations:

❖ P 0141        Board Member Number and Term  

❖ P 0164.6    Remote Public Board Meetings During a Declared Emergency (M)

(Abolished)

❖ P 2200         Curriculum Content (M)  

❖ P & R 3160    Physical Examination (M)  

❖ P & R 4160    Physical Examination (M)  

❖ R 5200         Attendance (M)  

❖ P 5337        Service Animals  

❖ P & R 5350    Student Suicide Prevention (M)  

❖ P 7231        Gifts From Vendors (M) (Abolished)

❖ P 8420        Emergency and Crisis Situations (M)  

❖ P & R 8467    Firearms and Weapons (M)  

❖ P 9181        Volunteer Athletic Coaches and Co-Curricular Activity
      Advisors/Assistants 

❖ R 2464    Gifted and Talented Students

3.    Suspensions

    The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary for November 11, 2024 - November 22, 2024.

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

4. 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: 

2.    Student Intern

    Move to approve the following student intern from the Graduate School Counseling Program at Rutgers University, in the Metuchen Public School District for the Spring 2025 school year. 

3.    ESL Guide

Move to approve the implementation of the following curriculum guide:

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