THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

 

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2026

 

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

• Edgar Spring Musical Edgar

 

Edgar Middle School Drama Club proudly presents Moana Junior, which takes place Friday April 10th, Saturday April 11th, and Sunday April 12th at Metuchen High School. Based on the 2016 Disney film, this thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village of Motunui and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within. Celebrating the rich history of Oceania and based on the beliefs and cultures of the people of the Pacific Islands, Moana Junior contains musical numbers sung in English, as well as the Polynesian languages of Samoan and Tokelauan. Tonight, Emory Gordon, as Maui, will preview our show with a performance of “You’re Welcome”.

 

❖    MEF Slide

❖    Edgar Middle School MEF Sponsored Science Fair 1st Place Winners

    5th grade - Fouzan Cluntun & Leo Silfen, Can a Fifth Grader Shoot Like Steph 

Curry?

    6th grade - Anaiya Bhatt & Sonam Vyas, Don’t Lose Your Cool 

    7th grade - Tia Park & Lyra Nechikat, Protecting from Pollen

8th grade - Sharvin Kanaga Sundaram, Dust vs Solar Panels: How Dust Storms 

Impact Rover Solar Energy

 

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

 

7. Presentations 

❖    Preliminary 2026-2027 Budget

 

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

 

 

 

----------------------------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 January 31, 2026.

 

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 March 24, 2026 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.    Professional Development

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

 

 

4.     IDEA Grant 

    Move to approve the following district’s IDEA Grant carryover and revised allocations for the 2025-2026 school year:

 

 

5.    Student Agreement

    Move to approve the settlement agreement for student # 2026127.

 

6.    ESEA Grant  

Move to approve the district’s ESEA grant carryover and revised allocations for 2025-2026 school year:

 

 

7.    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 2026-2027:

 

1. FSMC Fee:

The FSMC shall receive, in addition to the costs of operation, an administrative/management fee of $34,742.00 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 $3,474.20 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 $1,011,149.43.

 

8.    Donation 

    Move to accept the donation of 86 STEM-related games, manipulatives, and activities, valued at approximately $4,500, from Genus Boni, a toy shop in downtown Metuchen, for use in K–12 science, mathematics, and 21st century courses to enrich instruction, support teacher modeling and small-group learning, and provide engaging center-based opportunities for students throughout the district.

 

9.    Adoption of the 2026 – 2027 Tentative School District Budget

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Education must adopt and submit a tentative 2026-2027 school district budget to the New Jersey Department of Education.

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Metuchen Board of Education adopt the 2026-2027 tentative school district budget as follows:

 

 

The supporting documentation of the budget included an itemization of certain expenditures required under administrative regulations. Maximum travel budget is established at $90,000. Travel includes professional development that takes place outside the District.

 

The  Board of Education is requesting authority to utilize $670,956 in health care allowance and this allowance will be utilized by the end of the budget year and cannot be deferred or incrementally completed over a longer period of time.

 

The Board of Education is also requesting $12,652 in enrollment adjustment.

 

The  Board of Education includes in the budget a capital reserve withdrawal in the amount of $554,743 for repayment of debt. 

 

10.    Technology Equipment Disposal 

    Move to approve the disposal of the obsolete equipment on the attached manifest. 

    

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

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

    

1. Suspensions

The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary for March 9, 2026 - March 20, 2026. 

 

2.    Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

    Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported case.

 

• CES020526001

• EMS021926001

• METHS021926001

• EMS030226001

 

3.    School Bus Emergency Evacuation Drill Reports

    Move to accept the following reports on the completion of the School Bus Emergency Evacuation Drill:

 

• 3/9/2026 8:12 – 8:30 AM, Campbell Elementary School, Location for the drill was Durham Ave bus drop off lane. C4, C2, C7, C1, C8, C5, C3, C9, and C6 participated in the evacuation practice. Supervised by Kathy Keers, Panos Tzetzos, and Joe Fitzgibbon.

 

• 3/11/2026 8:20 AM, Campbell Elementary School, Location for the drill was the staff parking lot curb on Talmadge Ave. Van 20 and Van 24 participated in the evacuation practice. Supervised by Vincent Costanza.

 

• 3/11/2026 9:40 – 10:30 AM, Moss School, Location for the drill was on Hunt Place. Bus 23 was used for all Preschool and Kindergarten classes. Supervised by Marissa Plancher, Jen Asprocolas, and Billy Ortman.

• 3/13/2026 7:37 – 7:47 AM, Edgar School, back bus circle for all big busses and front school loop for Special Education Van. E4, E1, E2, E5, E7, E6, E3, E8, and Van 12 all participated in the evacuation practice. Supervised by Neyda Evans and Billy Ortman.

 

• 3/13/2025 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Metuchen High School, back of building. Full School Evacuation Practice during Physical Education or Health Classes, Bus 21 was used for all. Supervised by Brian Stike and Marissa Plancher / Teachers Leading the drill were Bob Ulmer, Nick Zaneto, Mark Mooney, Beth Abbott, and Julie Youngman.

 ----------------------------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: 

 

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