Board Meeting - April 13, 2021

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Dates: 
Friday, April 9, 2021 - 3:30pm
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY
 
TUESDAY, April 13, 2021
 
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 Criterion Sentinel, The Star Ledger, The Metuchen Mirror, and by filing a copy with the Borough Clerk as prescribed by this law.

4.Roll Call

Mr. Benderly
 
Ms. Killean
 
Ms. Cook
 
Mr. Lifton
 
Mr. Derflinger
 
Mr. Manley
 
Mr. Glassberg
 
Mr. Suss
 
Dr. Johnson-Marcus
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

5.Showcase of Success

v Metuchen High School Governor’s Educator of the Year Recipients – Ms. Samantha Rubin and Mr. Christopher Giddes.
v Student Advisory Board

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

 

7.Presentations

 

8.Reports

  1. President’s Report
  2. Superintendent’s Report
  3. Business Administrator/Board Secretary’s Report
  4. Committee Reports

 

9.Old Business

 
  1. New Business

11.Approval of Minutes of the Board of Education Meetings

Move to approve the minutes of the following meetings:
March 23, 2021
Special Business Meeting (1)
March 23, 2021
Special Executive Meeting (2)
March 23, 2021
Board Meeting
 
 

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. Medical Leave of Absence
Move to approve a medical leave of absence for Franchesca Hunt, Campbell School Teacher, effective April 5, 2021 through approximately May 11, 2021.
 
  1. Appointment – Leave Replacement
Move to approve the appointment of Krista Szark as Leave Replacement for Franchesca Hunt, Campbell School Teacher, at a rate of $275.68/day, effective April 7, 2021 through approximately May 11, 2021.
 
  1. Instructional Stipends - Rescission
Move to rescind the following instructional stipends for the 2020-2021 school year as follows, effective April 5, 2021 (Agenda 9/22/20, Section 13 A10):
 
Name
Assignment
2020-2021 Stipend
Mike Warnock
MHS Math
$7,281, prorated
Nick Romanak
MHS Math
$7,281, prorated
Janis Lewandowski
MHS Math
$7,281, prorated
Sheri Lifson
MHS Math
$7,281, prorated
 
  1. Campbell School Lunch/Recess Stipend - Rescission
Move to rescind the following Campbell School Lunch/Recess stipend for the period of April 5, 2021 to June 15, 2021 (Agenda 3/23/21, Section 13 A9):
 
Name
Assignment
2020-2021 Stipend
Franchesca Hunt
Campbell lunch/recess
$1,873
 
 
  1. Formal Mentor Teachers
Move to approve the following mentor teachers to work with the following mentee teachers for the 2020-2021 school year, effective April 5, 2021, as listed:
 
New Teacher/Leave Replacement
Mentor
 Traditional Route - $550
 Alternate Route - $1,000
Tomasz Sobieniak
Mike Warnock, MHS
 Alternate Route; Partial Year –
 % TBD
Chris Russomanno
Yoko Kato, MHS
 Alternate Route; Partial Year –
 % TBD
 
  1. Informal Mentor
Move to approve the following staff to serve as an informal mentor for the 2020-2021 school year, effective April 5, 2021, to be paid at a rate of $46/hour, not to exceed six hours:
 
New Teacher
School
Mentor
Ji Yeon Lim
MHS
Chad Murray
 
  1. Approval and Rescission of MHS Spring Coaches
Move to rescind and approve the following Metuchen High School spring coaches for the 2020-2021 school year (Agenda 7/21/20, Section 12 A2, Agenda 9/8/20, Section 14 A26 and Agenda 12/15/20, Section 13 A24):
 
Name
Assignment
20-21 Stipend
Rescind:
Michael Spark (Step 3)
Joe DiMeglio (Step 3)
 
Assistant Track Coach
Assistant Track Coach
 
$3,209.50 (.5)
$3,209.50 (.5)
Approve:
Joe DiMeglio (Step 3)
Michelle Huff (Step 1)
Mark Mooney (Step 1)
 
Assistant Track Coach
JV Softball Coach
Assistant Coach
 
$6,419
$6,148
$5,653
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  1. Appointment – Spring 2021 Observation
Move to approve the following 2020-2021 Observation in our schools:
Name
 School
Lindsey Curtis, University of Phoenix, Observation
 Moss
 
 
  1. Appointment – Fall 2021 – Spring 2022 Student Teachers in our schools
Move to approve the following 2021-2022 Student Teachers in our schools:
Name
 School
Erin Wallace, Kean University, Student Teacher
 Edgar
Olivia Freed, Rutgers University, Student Teacher
 MHS
Ashlyn Jarius, Kean University, Student Teacher
 Edgar
 
 
 
  1. Appointment - Substitute Paraprofessional
Move to approve the appointment of the following substitute paraprofessionals for the 2020-2021 school year at a rate of $13.35/hour, effective April 14, 2021, pending criminal history clearance:
 
 
Brendan McCunney
 
 
  1. Appointment – Substitute Teachers
Move to approve the following substitute teachers for the 2020-2021 school year:
 
Name
Certification
Rate
Michael Small Jr
Sub with college degree
$90/day
Allison Sullivan
Sub with college degree
$90/day
 
  1. Retirement – Certificated Staff
Move to accept, with regret, the retirement of Valerie Gazda, MHS Physical Education Teacher, effective June 30, 2021.
 
  1. Appointment – 2020-2021 CARES Act (ESSER) Tutoring Teachers
Move to approve the following 2020-2021 MHS CARES Act (ESSER) Virtual Tutoring teachers at the rate of $46/hour, plus an additional .5 preparation time for each hour of student contact time:
 
Name
Janis Lewandowski
Sheri Lifson
 
 
----------------------------end of personnel section---------------------------
 
 
 
 
 
  1. FINANCE
 
 
Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call
 
 
  1. Contract - Pines Manor for 2021 Prom
Move to approve Pines Manor contract for the 2021 prom, on May 27, 2021.
 
 
  1. Student Agreement
Move to approve the settlement agreement of Student # 2029010.
 
 
  1. Professional Development
Move to approve the following professional development activities as shown on the attached chart:
 
 
Start Date
End Date
Activity Title
Last, First Name
Building
Requested
Payment Method
FPPI #
3/24/2021
3/24/2021
Rutgers Interdisciplinary Collaboration Conference
Calantoni, Karen
Moss
$           -
No cost
 
3/24/2021
3/24/2021
NJ Labor Management Inter-District Meeting
Kirschner, Brooke
Campbell
 $          -  
No cost
 
3/24/2021
3/24/2021
NJ Public School Labor Management Collaborative
Fitzgibbon, David
Campbell
 $          -  
No cost
 
3/24/2021
3/24/2021
Rutgers Interdisciplinary Collaboration Conference
Reed, Michele
Moss
 $          -  
FFPI
 
4/16/2021
4/16/2021
New Jersey School Counselors Association Spring Conference
Gupta, Brenda
Central
$20.00
Other
 
4/27/2021
4/27/2021
Medical and Recreational Marijuana for Mental Health and Healthcare Professionals
Rubin, Samantha
MHS
 $219.00
FFPI
21-097
5/13/2021
5/13/2021
The basics of storytelling using the movie talk technique and effective comprehensible reading instruction
Cermak, Danielle
MHS
 $50.00
FFPI
21-081
5/13/2021
5/13/2021
The basics of storytelling using the movie talk technique and effective comprehensible reading instruction
Egan, Estephania
MHS
 $50.00
FFPI
21-083
5/13/2021
5/13/2021
The basics of storytelling using the movie talk technique and effective comprehensible reading instruction
Flores, Karin
MHS
 $50.00
FFPI
21-086
5/13/2021
5/13/2021
The basics of storytelling using the movie talk technique and effective comprehensible reading instruction
Girin, Anna
MHS
 $50.00
FFPI
21-082
5/13/2021
5/13/2021
The basics of storytelling using the movie talk technique and effective comprehensible reading instruction
Vosinas, Nickolas
MHS
$50.00
FFPI
21-085
5/14/2021
5/14/2021
The basics of storytelling using the movie talk technique and effective comprehensible reading instruction
Garfinkel, Linda
Edgar
$50.00
FFPI
21-087
5/14/2021
5/14/2021
The basics of storytelling using the movie talk technique and effective comprehensible reading instruction
Smith, Audra
Edgar
 $50.00
FFPI
21-088
5/14/2021
5/14/2021
The basics of storytelling using the movie talk technique and effective comprehensible reading instruction
Camargo, Laura
Edgar
 $50.00
FFPI
21-089
5/14/2021
5/14/2021
The basics of storytelling using the movie talk techniques and effective comprehensible reading instruction
King, Barbara
Edgar
 $50.00
FFPI
21-084
5/21/2021
5/21/2021
Creating a Diverse and Equitable Music Curriculum
Flynn, John
Campbell
$150.00
FFPI
21-093
5/21/2021
5/21/2021
Creating a Diverse and Equitable Music Curriculum
Gallagher, Jordyn
Edgar
$150.00
FFPI
21-095
5/21/2021
5/21/2021
Creating a Diverse and Equitable Music Curriculum
Keyes, Robyn
Edgar
$150.00
FFPI
21-096
5/21/2021
5/21/2021
creating a diverse and equitable music curriculum
Krombholz, Stefeny
MHS
$150.00
FFPI
21-091
5/21/2021
5/21/2021
Creating a Diverse and Equitable Music Curriculum
McEwan, Christopher
Edgar
$150.00
FFPI
21-094
5/21/2021
5/21/2021
Creating a Diverse and Equitable Music Curriculum
Messenger, John
MHS
$150.00
FFPI
21-090
5/21/2021
5/21/2021
Creating a Diverse and Equitable Music Curriculum
Peckhardt, Christofer
Edgar
$150.00
FFPI
21-092
 
 
       - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - end of finance section - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
 
 
 
 
  1. POLICY 
 
 
  1. Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported cases:
  • EMS031621001
  • EMS031821001
  • EMS031921001
 
 
  1. Suspensions
The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary for March 24, 2021 – April 9, 2021.
 
  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - end of policy section - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
  1. CURRICULUM
 
Nothing at this time
 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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: