THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 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, The Star Ledger, and by filing a copy with the Borough Clerk as prescribed by this law.

4. Roll Call

5. Showcase of Success

❖    Introduction of New Hires

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

7. Presentations  

❖    District Goals

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.    Rescind - Instructional and Non-Instructional Stipends 

Move to rescind and approve the following Instructional Stipends for the 2025-2026 school year as listed (Agenda 07/22/2025, Section 13, A4):

2.    Clubs and Co-Curricular Activities

    Move to approve the following co-curricular stipends for the co-curricular activities for the 2025-2026 school year as listed on the attached chart. 

3.     MHS and EMS Volunteer Clubs

    Move to approve the following MHS and EMS volunteer clubs for the 2025-2026 school year as listed on the attached chart.

4.    Reappointment – Substitute Custodians 

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

5.    Reappointment – Substitute Secretaries 

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

6.    Reappointment - Lunch Aides

    Move to approve the following lunch aides in the Metuchen Public Schools for the 2025-2026 school year, at the rate of $16.59/hour effective September 2, 2025:

7.    Appointment – Certificated Staff

Move to approve the appointment of Amy Fitzharris, Teacher at Edgar Middle School, for the 2025-2026 school year, at a salary of $64,575/year, Step 2F, effective August 27, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

8.    Leave of Absence - Paraprofessional

Move to approve the leave of absence of Marian Sharkawy, Paraprofessional at Edgar Middle School, effective August 27, 2025 through approximately January 1, 2026.

9.    Reappointment - Bus Aide

    Move to approve the reappointment of Sheri Kady, Bus Aide for the 2025-2026 school year, at the rate of $16.59/hour.

10.    Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Christina Garison, Leave Replacement for Christina Risitano, Teacher at Edgar School, effective August 27, 2025 through approximately December 5, 2025, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day.

11.    Resignation - Certificated Staff

    Move to accept the resignation of Jennifer Pasquale, Teacher at Campbell School, effective August 13, 2025.  

12.    Rescind - Leave Replacement Appointment

    Move to rescind the appointment of Amy-Michele Johnson, Leave Replacement for Melissa Gallo, Teacher at Campbell School, effective August 25, 2025 through approximately December 5, 2025 (Agenda 7/22/25, Section 13 A19).    

13.    Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Rheanna Andersen, Leave Replacement for Alyssa Zimmerman, Teacher at Campbell School, effective approximately October 30, 2025 through approximately December 23, 2025, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day.

14.    Appointment - Bus Aide

    Move to approve the appointment of Hannah Molfetto, Bus Aide for the 2025-2026 school year at a rate of $16/hour pending criminal history clearance. 

15.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

Move to approve the appointment of Richa Katoch, Paraprofessional at Campbell School, for the 2025-2026 school year, at a salary of $24,241/year, effective August 27, 2025 through June 30, 2026. 

16.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Sapna Ullal, Paraprofessional at Campbell School, for the 2025-2026 school year, at a salary of $24,241/year, effective August 27, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

17.    Home Instruction

    Move to approve Leah Horesh to provide Home Instruction for the 2025-2026 school year at the rate of $62/hour as needed.

18.    Appointment of Substitutes

    Move to approve the appointment of substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year as listed on the chart below, effective August 27, 2025, pending completion of substitute training and criminal history clearance: 

19.    New Teacher Orientation Mentors

    Move to approve the following mentors to work with new teachers at the New Teacher Orientation on August 26, 2025, for up to 6 hours at the hourly rate of $51/hour.

20.    Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Christine Piovoso, Leave Replacement for Alyssa Zimmerman, Teacher at Campbell School, effective approximately January 2, 2026 through approximately April 8, 2026, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day.

21.    Appointment - Afterschool Assistance

    Move to approve Amanda Marciante, Nga Fizur, Michele Brinkerhoff and Jillieanna Peguero to provide assistance in afterschool, extracurricular clubs for the 2025-2026 school year as needed, at an hourly rate of $51/hour.

22.    Rescind - Star Academy 2025 Summer 

    Move to rescind and approve the following staff member for the STAR Academy for the Summer 2025: (Agenda 6/24/25, Section 13, A22):

23.     Rescind - Academy 2025 Summer Substitutes 

    Move to rescind and approve the following staff as substitutes for Summer STAR Academy at the rate of $51/hour (Agenda 6/24/2025, Section 13, A23):

24.    Lunch Aide Training

    Move to approve the following Lunch aides to participate in the CPR/AED and First Aid training during the August 28, 2025, district in service day, at their hourly rate, not to exceed three hours:

25.    Professional Development

    Move to approve the following certified staff to provide Professional Development at the August 28, 2025, In-service and to be paid at the hourly rate of $51/hour, not to exceed 1 hour each:

26.    Appointment - Home Based Services

    Move to approve the following Special Educators to provide home based services and parent training for the 2025-2026  school year at the  rate of $51/hour, as needed:

27.    Leave Replacement - School Nurse

    Move to approve the appointment of Susan Fackler, Leave Replacement for Nga Fizur, School Nurse at Moss School, effective approximately December 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day.

28.    Appointment - Metuchen High School Volunteer Coaches

    Move to approve the following Metuchen High School Volunteer Coaches for the 2025-2026 school year as listed, pending criminal history clearance (Agenda 05/23/2025, Section 13, A1):

29.    Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Alicia Fernandez, Leave Replacement for Melissa Gallo, Teacher at Campbell School, effective August 25, 2025 through approximately December 5, 2025, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day.

30.    Rescind - Leave Replacement

    Move to rescind 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 (Agenda 6/10/25, Section 13, A5). 

31.    Appointment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Rebecca Porretto, Teacher at Campbell School, for the 2025-2026 school year, at a salary of $61,000/year, Step 1A, effective August 27, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

32.    Sheltered English Instruction

    Move to approve Alicia Fernandez to participate in Sheltered English Instruction training for the 2025-2026 school year at the hourly rate of $51/hour, not to exceed 15 hours. 

33.    Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Deborah Lee, 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.

34.    Rescind - Mentor Teachers

    Move to rescind and approve the following mentor teachers to work with the following mentee teachers for the 2025-2026 school year.(Agenda 8/12/25 Section 13, A14):

----------------------------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 June 30, 2025.

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 August 26, 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.

3. Budget Transfers

Move to approved budget transfers effective June 30, 2025.

4.    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 2025-2026 school year, which provides nursing services to the following non-public schools located in the Metuchen School District: Apple Montessori School, St. Joseph High School, Callicorp LLC DBA Friends of the Family, Metuchen Christian Academy and St. Francis Cathedral.

5.     Professional Development

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

6.    Out of District Student Placements - 2025-2026 School Year

    Move to approve the following 2025-2026 school year out of district student placements: 

7.    IDEA Grant for 2025-2026

    Move to approve the IDEA grant allocation for the 2025-2026 school year and the use of IDEA grant allocations towards special education needs:

8.    ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Grant 2025-2026 

Move to approve the district’s ESSA grant for 2025-2026 school year to accept the allocations and intended use as per the application. 

9.    Unified Club Advisor

    Move to approve Beth Abbott for a stipend as Unified Club Advisor for the 2025-2026 school year at the amount of $1,215 (IDEA grant funded).

10.    Coordinators - FDU Orton Gillingham

    Move to approve Ann Leghorn-Orapallo and Lauren Thompson to coordinate the FDU Orton Gillingham student practicum, at a rate of $51/hour, not to exceed $3,315 total (IDEA grant funded).

11.    IDEA Funded Salary

    Move to approve Sandra Spinelli’s salary of $25,567 to be partially IDEA grant funded up to $18,516.

12.    Resolution

WHEREAS, the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) has determined that it is the District’s best interests to pursue energy savings in accordance with New Jersey’s Energy Savings Improvement Program  laws; and

WHEREAS, the first step under the applicable laws requires the District to perform an Investment Grade Energy Audit (“IGEA”) to identify potential energy savings measures; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby awards a contract to Spiezle Architectural Group for the IGEA in accordance with SAG’s proposal to perform services in connection with same.

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

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

Nothing at this time 

----------------------------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.    Literary Coach for 2025-2026

    Move to approve BDO Consulting Services LLC to provide professional development and literacy coaching services for the 2025-2026 school year, at a rate of $1,500/day, not to exceed $30,000, partially funded by ESSA Title IIA and IDEA.

3.    Title III Immigrant Funds

    Move to approve Guzman Educational Consultants, LLC to provide professional development and coaching for the 2025-2026 school year, to support the needs of multilingual learners who are Immigrant status, through Title III Immigrant funds, not to exceed $5,631.

4.    Title III Funds

    Move to approve Guzman Educational Consultants, LLD to provide professional development for the 2025-2026 school year, to support teachers in meeting the educational needs of multilingual learners in content areas, through Title III funds, not to exceed $3,000.

5.    Curriculum Guides

    Move to approve the following revised curriculum guides:

6.    Programs and Courses

    Move to approve the following Program/Courses that compromise the district’s approved curriculum documents for annual implementation during the 2025-2026 2025-2026 school year. 

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