THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 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, and by filing a copy with the Borough Clerk as prescribed by this law.

4. Roll Call

5. Showcase of Success

❖Vivaldi String Ensemble

The Vivaldi String Ensemble is an after-school chamber orchestra comprised of students from the Metuchen High School curricular orchestra. The group meets after school once a week to work on advanced repertoire from different genres and time periods. Today the Vivaldi Ensemble will be performing one movement of the Ancient Wonders Suite by Todd Parrish. This movement is entitled "Temple of Artemis at Ephesus," and is the first of the four-movement suite.  The suite will be performed in its entirety at the MHS Winter Concert on Monday, December 13th at 7pm. All are welcome, we hope to see you there! 

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

7. Presentations 

❖ Start Strong Data Presentation by Rick Cohen

8. Reports

• President’s Report

• Superintendent's Report

• Committee Reports

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. Medical Leave of Absence Extension

Move to extend the medical leave of absence of Rhonda Silverman, Paraprofessional at Metuchen High School, through approximately January 11, 2022.

2. Medical Leave of Absence 

Move to approve the medical leave of absence of Kelly Murphy, Art Teacher at Metuchen High School, from December 14, 2021 through approximately January 11, 2022.

3. Leave Replacement Extension

Move to extend the leave replacement term of Sarah Cosenza, leave replacement for Laura Fischer, Kindergarten Teacher at Moss School, through approximately December 15, 2021.

4. Medical Leave of Absence

Move to approve the medical leave of absence of Tara Palmieri, First Grade Teacher at Campbell School, from November 29, 2021 through approximately January 21, 2022.

5. Resolution - Administrative Leave

Be it resolved , Employee number 102363 was placed on administrative leave from Wednesday, October 27, 2021 thru Monday, November 15, 2021.

6. Coping Skills Pilot Training

Move to approve the following staff to conduct coping skills pilot training for the 2021-2022 school year at the hourly rate of $47/hour. Total amount of hours not to exceed 15 hours. To be paid with Esser II Funds. 

7. Coach Appointment Revisions - Metuchen High School

Move to approve the following revisions to the 2021-2022 Metuchen High School Coach Appointments, pending criminal history clearance (Agenda 6/22/2021, Section 13 A27 and Agenda 9/28/21, Section 13 A6):

8. Appointment - Substitutes

Move to approve the additional substitute teachers for the 2021-2022 school year, effective November 24, 2021, pending completion of substitute paperwork and criminal background clearance (Agenda 8/24/2021, Section 13 A5):

9. Appointment - Substitute Paraprofessionals

Move to approve the additional substitute paraprofessionals for the 2021-2022 school year, effective November 24, 2021, at a rate of $13.75/hour, pending completion of substitute paperwork and criminal background clearance (Agenda 8/24/2021, Section 13 A6):

10. Appointment - Leave Replacement

Move to approve the appointment of Danielle Movsessian, as Leave Replacement for EMS/MHS German Teacher, effective November 29, 2021 through December 23, 2021, at a rate of $278.38/day. 

11. Volunteer Clubs - Metuchen High School

Move to approve the following additional volunteer clubs at Metuchen High School for the 2021-2022 school year (Agenda 8/24/21, Section 13 A15):

----------------------------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 September 30, 2021

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 November 23, 2021 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 September 30, 2021.

4.     RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE BOROUGH OF METUCHEN IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH A  PROPOSED SCHOOL FACILITIES PROJECT

WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Borough of Metuchen in the County of Middlesex, New Jersey (the “Board”), seeks to submit school facilities projects to the voters consisting of additions, renovations and security improvements to Moss Elementary School, Campbell Elementary School, Edgar Middle School, Metuchen High School (collectively, the “Project”); and

WHEREAS, the School District will seek Debt Service Aid with respect to the Project; and

WHEREAS, the Board now seeks to take the initial steps in order to proceed with the planning and authorization of (i) the Project and (ii) the submission of a bond referendum authorizing the Project to the voters at the annual School District election to be held on November 8, 2022.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE BOROUGH OF METUCHEN IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY, as follows:

Section 1. In accordance with the requirements of Section 6A:26-5.1 through 6A:26-5.3 of the New Jersey Administrative Code, the Board, approves the preparation of Schematic Plans and Educational Specifications, if applicable, by EI Associates (the “Architect”) in connection with the Project and Board further authorizes and directs the Architect to submit same to the New Jersey Department of Education and to the Middlesex County Superintendent of Schools for review and approval. The Board further authorizes and directs the submission of the Schematic Plans to the Metuchen Borough Planning Board for its review, to the extent required.

Section 2. In accordance with the requirements of Section 6A:26-2.3 of the New Jersey Administrative Code, the Board approves an amendment to the Long Range Facilities Plan, as necessary, to reflect the Project and approves the submission of such amendment to the New Jersey Department of Education.

Section 3. In accordance with the requirements of Section 6A:26-3.2 of the New Jersey Administrative Code, the Board approves the Project applications, the Architect is hereby directed to submit such application to the New Jersey Department of Education seeking debt service aid for the Project.

Section 4. With respect to the Project, the Board authorizes and directs the Board President, the Superintendent, and the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, as applicable, to execute the schematic plans and educational specifications, if applicable, the amendment to the Long Range Facilities Plan, the Project cost estimate sheets and all related project documents allowing submission of same to the New Jersey Department of Education.

Section 5. The Board hereby authorizes and directs the Board President, the Superintendent, the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, the  Architect and Bond Counsel, McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, LLC., as applicable, to take all action required to preserve the opportunity to present all or a portion of the Project to the voters via a bond referendum at the annual School District Election to be held on November 8, 2022.

Section 6. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

5.    Joint Transportation Agreements 2021-2022 School Year

    Move to approve the Joint Transportation Agreement between Metuchen BOE and BCSSSD ESU. BCSSSD ESU to transport one Metuchen student to Yale School West II in Cherry Hill, NJ for the 2021-2022 school year on Route J03 for the sum total of $19,057.30.

6.    American Rescue Plan, Esser III Grant Application

    Move to approve the District’s American Rescue Plan, ESSER III Grant Application for the 2021-2022 school Year. 

7.  Professional Development

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

8.     Appointment - Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Services

    Move to approve the appointment of The Uncommon Thread to provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for the 2021-2022 school year at the following rates:

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

• BCBA services at a range of $100-$130 per hour

• Skills Assessment at a rate of $1,000

• Behavior Technician Services $50-$65 per hour

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

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1. Second Reading of Policy

Move to approve the second reading of the following policy:

    P 1648.14         Safety Plan for Healthcare Settings In School Buildings - Covid 19

2.    Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

    Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported cases:

• (a) EMS101921001

• (b) EMS110221001

3.     Suspensions

    The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary for November 8, 2021 - November 19, 2021.

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

4. CURRICULUM

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1. Rescind and Approve Curriculum Writing Documents, Writers and Amounts

Move to rescind and approve the following curriculum writing documents, writers and amounts. (Agenda 6/8/21, Section D2). 

2. Field Trips

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

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