THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025

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 Seal of Biliteracy

Metuchen High School is proud to announce the following 34 students received the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy in Chinese, French, German, Marathi, Korean, Polish, Russian, Telugu, Hindi and Spanish.  The NJ State Seal of Biliteracy was established to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, listening and writing in one or more world languages in addition to English. To earn the NJ State Seal of Biliteracy students must meet graduation requirements for English Language Arts and earn a proficiency level of Intermediate Mid or higher on a state approved, world language assessment. Students noted with an asterisk also earned their Global Seal of Biliteracy. Congratulations to the following students:

Seniors

Oliver Atkins -  Spanish*

Daniel Ayala -  Spanish*

Joseph Duhme -  Spanish*

Emily Gambale - Spanish*

Kaya Gredzinski -  Polish*

Eliman Kassogue -  French

Anushka Keni - Marathi*

Shachi Keni - Marathi*

Rimsha Khan - Spanish*

Jayden Londono - Spanish*

Juniors

Bilol Bahridinov - Spanish & Russian*

Aidan Bernstein-Lundy - French*

Christopher Canadas - Spanish*

Andreas Dascala - German*

Katy Donohue - French*

Celeste Falkovich - Russian*

Alistair Fawcett - Spanish*

Asher Greenbaum - Spanish*

Caleb Han - Spanish*

Diwen He - Chinese*

Revatee Inamdar - Spanish and Marathi*

Sofia Johnstone - Spanish*

Lindsey Kang - French & Korean

Landon Kim - Spanish & Korean*

Sri Lalitha Khyathi Kodela - Telugu*

Adrienne Lee - Spanish*

James Mendez - Spanish*

Barnav Mitra - Spanish*

Namya Punjabi - French & Hindi*

Adrianna Samame - Spanish*

Bella Staal - German*

Ryan Stein - Spanish*

Andrew Tirado - Spanish*

Gianna Toscano - French & Spanish*

❖    Sports Champions

MHS Girls Track and Field

Central Jersey Group 1 Sectional Champions

Ella Andersen

Kadijata Bah

Olivia Barry

Madeline Bersch

Jocelyn Branch

Makenna Bruns

Kaitlyn Connors

Sophia De La Cruz

Maria DiFino

Gianna Hernandez

Kaitlyn Hsueh

Sarah Hyman

Olivia Irving

Sabrina Kandel

Julia Kelly

Sally Kelton

Chelsea Lu

Erica Merzlyakov

Lucy Ongteco

Violet Osborn-Jones

Lola Petro

Ella Regan

Madeline Sinclair

Rose Surgan

Jordana Woods

Taylor Zaneto

State Group I Champion 

3200m

Sectional Champion 

1600m 3200m

Kaitlyn Connors

Sectional Champion

100m 200m 400m

Makenna Bruns

Sectional Champion

800m

Ella Andersen

Sectional Champion

400m Hurdles

Rose Surgan

Sectional Champions 

4x800 Relay

Kaitlyn Hsueh

Sabrina Kandel

Sally Kelton

Taylor Zaneto

Sectional Champions 

4x100 Relay

Kadijata Bah

Makenna Bruns

Sarah Hyman

Rose Surgan

MHS Boys Track and Field

State Group I Champion

1600m

Sectional Champion

800m 1600m 3200m

Eric Schleif

Sectional Champions

4x800m Relay

Kai Englert

Art Krumins

Kacper Ruszala

Eric Schleif

MHS Boys Baseball

GMC Blue Division Champions

Ryan Alessi

Chase Aretino

Gianni Ciambotti

Joseph Conway

Cooper Crawford

Sean Dereka

James Fenton

Matthew Jelleme

Lucas Malamug

Jon Nugent

Aeneas Ralph

Simon Rosal

Michael Schwalje

Joseph Tamburello

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

7. Presentations 

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)

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.    Reappointment - Tenured Teachers

    Move to approve the reappointment of the following tenured teachers for the 2025-2026 school year, as shown on the attachment. 

2.    Leave of Absence - Extension 

Move to extend the leave of absence of Debra Oliver, Paraprofessional at Metuchen High School, through June 11, 2025 (Agenda 5/27/25, Section 13, A13).

3.    Leave of Absence - Extension

Move to extend the leave of absence of Lauren Campbell, School Counselor at Edgar School, through approximately January 29, 2026 (Agenda 10/15/24, Section 13, A7).

4.    Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Marjorie Rosenberg, Leave Replacement for Christina Risitano, Teacher at Edgar School, effective August 25, 2025 through approximately December 5, 2025, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day.

5.    Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Rebecca Porretto, Leave Replacement for Emily Presuto, Teacher at Edgar School, effective August 25, 2025 through approximately December 5, 2025, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day.

6.    Appointment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Stephanie Tortolani, Teacher at Metuchen High School, for the 2025-2026 school year, at a salary of $61,250/year, Step 1B, effective August 27, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

7.    Reappointment – Tenured Administrators 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following tenured Central Office  Administrators for the 2025-2026 school year effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 at the annual salary as follows:  

8.  Reappointment - Tenured Principals/Assistant Principals 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following tenured Principals/Assistant Principals for the 2025-2026 school year, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, at the annual salaries as follows:

9.    Reappointment – Tenured Supervisors

    Move to approve the reappointment of the following tenured supervisors for the 2025-2026 school year, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 at the annual salaries as follows: 

10.    Reappointment - Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds

Move to approve the reappointment of Brian Shanley as Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds for the 2025-2026 school year effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, at an annual salary of $130,965.

11.     Reappointment - Technology Staff 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following as technology staff for the  2025-2026 school year effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 at the  annual salary as follows: 

12.     Reappointment - Central Office Staff 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following central office support staff for  the 2025-2026 school year effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 at the annual salary as follows: 

13.    Reappointment – Business Office Support Staff 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following business office support staff  for the 2025-2026 school year effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 at  the annual salary as follows: 

14.     Reappointment – School Secretaries 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following school secretaries for the  2025-2026 school year effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 at the annual salary as follows:

15.    Appointment – Custodial/Maintenance Staff 

Move to approve the appointment of the following custodial staff for the 2025- 2026 school year effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 at the annual  salary as follows:

16.    Appointment – Substitute Custodians 

Move to approve the appointment of the following as substitute custodians for the  2025-2026 school year:  

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

Move to approve the reappointment of the following as bus drivers for the 2025- 2026 school year: 

18.     Reappointment - Bus Aides 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following as bus aides for the 2025-2026 school year: 

19.     Appointment – Substitute Secretaries 

Move to approve the appointment of the following substitute secretaries for the 2025-2026 school year: 

20.     Summer Work – District Safety Coordinator 

Move to approve William Ortman, District Safety Coordinator, for 2025 summer work,  district wide: 

21.    Summer Work - Metuchen High School Guidance Department

    Move to approve the following school counselors for the 2025 summer work at Metuchen High School:

22.    Summer Work - Edgar Middle School School Guidance Department

    Move to approve the following school counselor for the 2025 summer work at Edgar Middle School:

23.    Summer Work – Metuchen High School Peer Leadership

    Move to approve the following peer leadership trainers for 2025 summer work at Metuchen High School:

24.    Rate Increase - Daily Substitutes

    Move to approve the increase for substitute teachers, substitute paraprofessionals and substitute nurses, effective July 1, 2025:

25.    Summer Work - Metuchen High School Band Camp

    Move to approve the following staff for 2025 summer work at Metuchen High School band camp:

26.    MHS Weight Room Supervisors

    Move to approve the following as weight room supervisors for the 2025-2026 school year, effective July 1, 2025, at the rate of $30/hour, as needed:

27.    Rescind Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff 

    Move to rescind the appointment of Camille Ortega, Leave Replacement for Lauren Spanier, Teacher at Edgar School, effective August 25, 2025 through approximately December 9, 2025, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day (Agenda 05/27/2025, Section 13, A12).

28.    Instructional Training

    Move to approve the following staff members to participate in Sheltered English Instruction training at an hourly rate of $50 an hour for the 2024-2025 school year and $51 an hour for the 2025-2026 school year, not to exceed 15 hours:

29.    In-service Trainers

    Move to approve the following certified staff to provide Professional Development for the In-service day on June 11, 2025, and be compensated for their planning at the rate of $50/ hour:

30.    Summer Institute

    Move to approve the following teachers and counselors to work at Metuchen's Summer Institute, providing guidance and support to students preparing for college admissions, content courses, and pre-advanced placement instruction:

31.    Salary Adjustment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve a change in base salary for Jennifer Korpon, Teacher at Moss School, from Step 2E, $38,438/year (0.6 teacher), to Step 3E, $39,375/year (0.6 teacher), as a result of her earning her Master’s Degree, for the 2025-2026 school year.

32.    Leave Replacement - Rescind

    Move to rescind the appointment of Christine Piovoso, Leave Replacement for Melissa Gallo, Teacher at Campbell School, effective August 27, 2025 through approximately December 5, 2025, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day (Agenda 5/13/25, Section 13 A3).

33.    Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Christine Piovoso, Leave Replacement for Megan Shapiro, Teacher at Campbell School, effective August 27, 2025 through approximately January 5, 2026, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day.

34.    Resignation - Certificated Staff

Move to accept the resignation of Kelsee Young, Teacher at Moss School, effective August 8, 2025.

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

2. FINANCE

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.    Tuition Contract

    Move to approve the Educational Services Commission of NJ Master Tuition Contract for the 2025-2027 school years.

2.    Transportation Contracts

    Move to approve the Transportation contracts for the following students: 20331644 and 20281109.

3.    Parent Paid Tuition Rates for SY 2025-2026*

    Move to approve the Parent Paid Tuition Rates for the SY 2025-2026 as follows:

*rates are pending approval by the county superintendent of schools

4.   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 10, 2025 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.

5.     Professional Development

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

6.    Change Order M&M Construction

Move to approve the change order as listed below:

----------------------------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.

• EMS043025001

• EMS051525001

• EMS052025001

• EMS052125001

2.     District Calendar

Move to approve the revised district calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. 

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

4. CURRICULUM

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.     Student Observers

Move to approve the following student observers from Rutgers Music Education Program, at Campbell School for the 2025-2026 school year: 

2.    Book Disposal

    Move to approve the disposal of the following textbooks and from the Metuchen High School: 

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