THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025
MEETING AGENDA
of the Metuchen Board of Education
Metuchen High School
400 Grove Avenue
Metuchen, NJ 08840
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Call to Order
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Flag Salute
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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.
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Roll Call
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Mr. Bhatt
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Ms. Killean
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Ms. Cheatham
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Mr. Lifton
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Mr. Derflinger
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Ms. Shrestha
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Mr. Glassberg
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Dr. Spigner
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Dr. Johnson-Marcus
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Mr. Suss
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Showcase of Success
❖ Edgar Middle School Science Fair 1st Place Winners
5th grade - Lincoln Holmes and Sonam Vyas - Fantastic Plastic
6th grade - Charles Weiss - Plant Growth: Salt, Sugar and Water
7th grade - Vidushi Singh and Lillian Keith - Where, Water, Why?
8th grade - Emma Gilliland-Duarte and Ayushi Kamath - Defying Gravity
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Meeting Open to the Public (for any topic)
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Presentations
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Reports
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Old Business
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New Business
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Approval of Minutes of the Board of Education Meetings
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March 25, 2025
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Special Business Meeting (1)
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March 25, 2025
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Special Business Meeting (2)
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March 25, 2025
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Board Meeting
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Meeting Open to the Public (for any topic)
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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.
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PERSONNEL
Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call
1. Appointment - Certificated Staff
Move to approve the appointment of Willow Brown, Teacher at Campbell School, for the 2025-2026 school year, at a salary of $64,050/year, Step 3A, effective August 27, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
2. Metuchen High School Spring Coaches
Move to rescind and approve the appointments of the following coaches for the Spring 2024-2025 school sports season at Metuchen High School (Agenda 5/28/2024, Section 13, A5):
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Name
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Assignment
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Stipend
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Rescind:
Ryan Corrigan
Joseph Corrigan
Jordan Leitner
Beth Abbott
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Assistant Baseball Coach 0.5 (Step 2)
Assistant Baseball Coach 0.5 (Step 2)
Spring Flag Football Coach
Spring Flag Football Coach
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$3,426
$3,426
$2,341
$2,341
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Approve:
Joseph Corrigan
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Assistant Baseball Coach (Step 2)
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$6,852
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3. Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff
Move to approve the appointment of Kristy Marietta, Leave Replacement for Samantha Palermo, Student Assistance Counselor for the Metuchen School District, effective approximately April 24, 2025 through approximately June 11, 2025, at a per diem rate of $311.76/day.
4. Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff
Move to approve the appointment of Kristy Marietta, Leave Replacement for Samantha Palermo, Student Assistance Counselor for the Metuchen School District, effective August 25, 2025 through approximately December 5, 2025, at a per diem rate of $329.73/day.
5. Instruction Training
Move to approve the following staff members to participate in Sheltered English Instruction training at an hourly rate of $50 an hour, not to exceed 15 hours and completed by June 30, 2025.
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Name
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School
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Scott Delaney
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Campbell
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Kara Wong
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Campbell
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Melissa Harley
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Edgar
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6. Appointment of Substitutes
Move to approve the appointment of substitutes for the 2024-2025 school year as listed on the chart below, effective April 9, 2025, pending completion of substitute training and criminal history clearance:
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2024-2025 Substitutes for Board Approval 4/8/25
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Pay Rates - $105/day - Substitute with 30+ college credits
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$110/day - Substitute with bachelor's degree (no teacher cert)
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$115/day - NJ Teacher Certification
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$16/hour - Paraprofessional Substitute
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$16/hour - Secretary Substitute
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$200/day - Nurse Substitute
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Sub Name
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Certification/Sub Category
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Tony Hogrebe
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Substitute teacher with certification
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Ken Graf
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Substitute teacher with certification
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Willow Brown
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Substitute teacher with college credits
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Jayalakshmi Sundaravaradhan
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Substitute teacher with college degree
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Robert Spigner
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substitute paraprofessional
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7. Appointment - Certificated Staff
Move to approve the appointment of Emily Vanderhoff, Teacher at Campbell School, for the 2025-2026 school year, at a salary of $62,000/year, Step 3D, effective August 27, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
8. Leave Replacement - Certificated Staff
Move to approve the appointment of Majorie Rosenberg, Leave Replacement for Christina Risitano, Teacher at Edgar School, effective approximately April 23, 2025 through approximately June 11, 2025, at a per diem rate of $311.76/day.
9. Appointment - Certificated Staff
Move to approve the appointment of Danielle Wright, School Counselor at Moss School, for the 2025-2026 school year, at a salary of $65,100/year, Step 3D, effective August 27, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
----------------------------end of personnel section--------------------------
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FINANCE
Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call
1. Professional Development
Move to approve the following professional development activities as shown on the following chart:
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Start Date
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End Date
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Activity Title
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Name
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Building
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Approved
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Payment
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FFPI
Proposal #
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4/25/
2025
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4/25/
2025
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New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis Conference
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McLaughlin, Beth
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Edgar
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$275
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FFPI
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25-138
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4/29/
2025
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4/30/
2025
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Capturing Kids Hearts
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Crawford, Courtney
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Edgar
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$0
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No cost
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|
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4/29/
2025
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4/30/
2025
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Capturing Kids Hearts
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Divanno, Rachel
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Edgar
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$40.80
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FFPI
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25-140
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4/29/
2025
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4/30/
2025
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Capturing Kids Hearts
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Vaughn, Julia
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Edgar
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$0
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No cost
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4/29/
2025
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4/30/
2025
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Capturing Kids Hearts
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Azevedo, Suzy
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Central Office
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$0
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No cost
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4/29/
2025
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4/30/
2025
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Capturing Kids Hearts
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Herzog, Tania
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Central Office
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$0
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No cost
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|
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5/9/
2025
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5/9/
2025
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Sustainability Summit
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Omark, Lindsey
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Central Office
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$90
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Other
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5/16/
2025
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5/16/
2025
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Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: 4rd Annual Effective Practices Statewide Summit
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Herzog, Tania
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Central Office
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$150
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Other
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5/22/
2025
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5/22/
2025
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Biotechnology Workshop
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Green, Samantha
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MHS
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$0
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No cost
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5/22/
2025
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5/22/
2025
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Community of Practice
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Valovcin, Dawn
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MHS
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$28
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FFPI
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5/26/
2025
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6/30/
2025
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Space, Time and Motion
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Robbins, Melissa
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Edgar
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$599
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FFPI
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25-139
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2. Resolution - Food Service
Be it resolved that the Metuchen Board of Education “SFA” approves the renewal of the Food Service Management contract with The Pomptonian, Inc. “FSMC” for the food service operation for 2025-2026.
1. FSMC Fee:
The FSMC shall receive, in addition to the costs of operation, an administrative/management fee of $33,768.00 to compensate the FSMC for administrative and management costs. This fee shall be included as a cost of operation and billed in 10 monthly installments of $3,376.80 per month. The SFA guarantees the payment of such costs and fee to the FSMC.
2. There is no guaranteed financial performance
3. Total Estimated Cost of Contract:
Total estimated expenses (cost) include food, labor, supplies, other expenses, and FSMC management fee.
The Total Estimated Cost of Contract is $871,971.38
3. Nonpublic Security Aid
Move to approve the following nonpublic security aid for the 2024-2025 school year. These expenditures are required for the district to fulfill certain legal obligations under state legislation to administer federal or state funds provided to nonpublic schools within our jurisdiction:
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School
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Vendor
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QTY
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Item #
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Description
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Price
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Total
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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1
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7849016
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1-Pro Panasonic 8mp outdoor multi-direct
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$1147.01
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$1147.01
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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5
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6705163
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Panasonic I-pro network surveillance camera dome
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$433.52
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$2167.60
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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1
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6758384
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I-Pro WV Network Surveillance Camera Dome
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$606.94
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$606.94
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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2
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7270201
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HPE Networking Instant on Switch
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$563.98
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$1127.96
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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1
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7939610
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Samsung Business Pro T.V. 55”
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$443.90
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$443.90
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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1
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6236082
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Tripp lite TV wall mount full motion swivel tv arm
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$98.17
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$98.17
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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1
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7289798
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Brivo ACS 6100 Regular Panel
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$2240.77
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$2240.77
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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1
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5581099
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Brivo Onair AC300 IP WIFI door C TRL
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$950.77
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$950.77
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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2
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7058570
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Brivo SGL GANG TRI Technology Readers
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$348.79
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$697.58
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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4
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8035685
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LTW Installation Materials Per CAM
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$202.63
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$810.52
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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2
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MISC
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Single Door ACS Hardware Kit
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$925.00
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$1850.00
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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8
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MISC
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Brivo Access Standard Edition
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$14.50
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$116.00
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Metuchen Christian Academy
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CDW-G
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1
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MISC
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Installation Services
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$15042.78
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$1502.78
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| |
|
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Shipping
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$153.87
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St. Joseph High School
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Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
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24
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1
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Electrician Tasks not included in task catalogue
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$121.96
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$2,777.47
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St. Joseph High School
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Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
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2
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2
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½ to ¾ Ton Pickup Truck and Driver
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$1,106.31
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$2,099.56
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St. Joseph High School
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Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
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6
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3
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Transfer delivered material between stairs
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$20.82
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$118.54
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St. Joseph High School
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Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
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6
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4
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Transfer demolition debris between floors
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$20.82
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$118.54
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St. Joseph High School
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Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
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6
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5
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Transfer demolition debris greater than 125'
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$8.45
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$48.11
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St. Joseph High School
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Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
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1
|
6
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30 CY Dumpster
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$809.99
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$768.60
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St. Joseph High School
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Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
102
|
7
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Grout door frames
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$6.38
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$617.51
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St. Joseph High School
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Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
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102
|
8
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1 ¼" Poly Backer Rod
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$4.92
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$476.20
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St. Joseph High School
|
Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
2
|
9
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¾" x 1" joint sealant and caulking
|
$1,114.98
|
$2,116.01
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St. Joseph High School
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Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
6
|
10
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For >8 to 10 SF Factory installed 20-gauge steel frame
|
$455.21
|
$2,591.69
|
|
St. Joseph High School
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Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
6
|
11
|
3' x.7'2" through 9' high 5- ¾" deep 16-gauge knock
down
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$787.37
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$4,482.81
|
|
St. Joseph High School
|
Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
124
|
12
|
4- ¾" 16-gauge frame steel transom
Demolition
|
$96.60
$16.08
|
$13,258.33
|
|
St. Joseph High School
|
Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
6
|
13
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3' x 7' x 1 ¾" 18 gauge insulated poly core
Demolition
|
$1,348.17
$68.92
|
$8,068.06
|
|
St. Joseph High School
|
Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
42
|
14
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Full surface aluminum continuous hinge
|
$66.17
|
$2,637.13
|
|
St. Joseph High School
|
Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
42
|
15
|
MOD heavy duty add
|
$12.77
|
$508.93
|
|
St. Joseph High School
|
Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
6
|
16
|
8" x 24" 0.050" thick satin aluminum finish
|
$79.51
|
$452.68
|
|
St. Joseph High School
|
Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
6
|
17
|
Surface mounted heavy-duty door closer
|
$596.71
|
$3,397.31
|
|
St. Joseph High School
|
Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
6
|
18
|
For stainless steel finish, add
|
$145.00
|
$825.54
|
|
St. Joseph High School
|
Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
6
|
19
|
Classroom FOS mortise lockset
|
$958.78
|
$5,458.72
|
|
St. Joseph High School
|
Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
18
|
20
|
¾" thick, tempered clear float field installed glass
|
$89.35
|
$1,526.12
|
|
St. Joseph High School
|
Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
324
|
21
|
1 coat paint, brush/roller work
|
$1.69
|
$519.58
|
|
St. Joseph High School
|
Ascend Construction Management, Inc.
|
12
|
22
|
1 coat primer, brush/roller work
|
$120.85
|
$1,376.09
|
|
Apple Montessori School of Metuchen
|
CDW-G
|
4
|
Installation
|
4 Camera Installs-Metuchen
|
$656.25
|
$2625.00
|
4. Nonpublic Technology Aid
Move to approve the following nonpublic technology aid for the 2024-2025 school year. These expenditures are required for the district to fulfill certain legal obligations under state legislation to administer federal or state funds provided to nonpublic schools within our jurisdiction:
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School
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Vendor
|
QTY
|
Item #
|
Description
|
Price
|
Total
|
|
Friends of the Family dba CalliCORP
|
CDW-G
|
1
|
MFCL9570CDW
|
Brother MFC-L9570CDW Multi Functional Printer
|
$886.49
|
$886.49
|
5. Transportation Provider
Move to approve Coach America as an additional Transportation provider for the 2024 - 2025 school year.
6. 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 March 25, 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.
7. Change Order M&M Construction and Epic Management
Move to approve the change order as listed below:
EPIC:
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Change Order #
|
Description
|
Amount
|
|
8
|
MOSS: Provide Material and Labor for Pump Station
|
$34, 385.26
|
9
|
Moss: Provide Material and Labor for sewer repairs
Moss: Boiler flue
|
$88,164.53
|
|
11
|
Moss: Courtyard Changes
Edgar Cafeteria Windows
|
$234,650.65
|
M&M:
|
Change Order #
|
Description
|
Amount
|
|
10
|
MHS: Complete Cafeteria
MHS: Complete Field House
CES: Complete Cafeteria
|
$40,000.00
|
|
12
|
MHS: Removal of Site Light Pole at Cafeteria
MHS & CES added FEC Cabinets
MHS: T & M added existing foundation demolition
CES: RFI Response – Basketball Court
MHS – EUC Connect Unknown Clay Pipe
MHS- Submittal #44 Change
|
$60,000.00
|
----------------------------end of finance section--------------------------
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POLICY
Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call
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Suspensions
The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary for March 24, 2025 - April 4, 2025.
2. Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported case.
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EMS02242025001
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EMS031125001
3. Policies and Regulations for 2nd Reading
Move to approve the second readings of the following policies and regulations:
❖ P&R 7441 Electronic Surveillance In School Buildings and On School Grounds (M)
❖ P 5111 Eligibility of Resident/Nonresident Students (M)
❖ P 8500 Food Services (M)
----------------------------end of policy section--------------------------
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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:
|
School
|
Destination
|
Class/Group/
Purpose
|
Teachers/
Advisors
|
Date(s)
|
No. Of Students
|
Board
Cost- Transportation
|
Number of Subs Needed
|
|
Moss
|
Kentnor Park
|
Grade K; Students will be engage in community based instruction to Kentnor Playground to generalize social emotional/behavioral skills, communication goals, motor and play skills outside of the classroom and practice them within a community setting.
|
Shannon MacMenamie, Lori-Anne DiSerio, Karen Calantoni, Dana Donatelli, Kaitlyn Kodersha, Emily Peluso, Caroline Mandel, Vanessa Beibide, Sandy Iacona, Laura Hermans, Lauren Corrigan, Neha Jansari, Farhana Khan, Katie Upshaw
|
4/25/
2025
|
13
|
$30
|
no subs needed
|
|
MHS
|
Jostens Cover Workshop
|
Grades 11-12; Students will plan cover for next year's yearbook
|
Adam Levy
|
5/1/
2025
|
12
|
$120
|
1 sub needed
|
|
Moss
|
Rutgers Farm
|
Grade K; K Standards: ELA.EE.SL.K.1 Participate in conversations with others. ELA.EE.SL.K.6 With guidance and support, communicate thoughts, feelings, and ideas. ELA.EE.L.K.1.d With guidance and support, identify answers to simple questions (e.g., who, what) from an array of choices. Students will engage in community based instruction to the Rutgers Farm. Students will be able to use prior knowledge to understand this new experience, develop an expanding expressive vocabulary and engage in conversations about what they seen with peers and teachers.
|
Shannon MacMenamie, Lori-Anne DiSerio, Karen Calantoni, Dana Donatelli, Kaitlyn Kodersha, Emily Peluso, Caroline Mandel, Vanessa Beibide, Sandy Iacona, Laura Hermans, Lauren Corrigan, Neha Jansari, Farhana Khan, Katie Upshaw
|
5/5/25 (Rain date)
|
12
|
$100
|
no subs needed
|
|
Moss
|
What's the Scoop
|
Grade K; Students will engage in community based instruction to What's The Scoop to generalize social emotional/behavioral goals, engaging socially with peers, awareness in the community, and communication goals.
|
Shannon MacMenamie, Lori-Anne DiSerio, Karen Calantoni, Dana Donatelli, Kaitlyn Kodersha, Emily Peluso, Caroline Mandel, Vanessa Beibide, Sandy Iacona, Laura Hermans, Lauren Corrigan, Neha Jansari, Farhana Khan, Katie Upshaw
|
6/3/
2025
|
12
|
$40
|
no subs needed
|
----------------------------end of curriculum section--------------------------
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Meeting Open to Public (for any topic)
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Announcements
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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.
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Adjournment
