THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023 

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 Star Ledger, 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

❖    Valedictorian - Alexandra Lipshutz

❖    Salutatorian - Marcus Iong

 

❖    Greeting of the 2023-2024 Student Board Member, Regina Nguyen

 

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

 

7. Presentations 

❖    District Goals Final Report 

 

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. Metuchen High School Summer Institute Stipends

Move to approve the following teachers for additional guidance and support to students preparing for college admissions, the application process and algebra courses; as well as for pre-advanced placement instruction:

 

2.    Summer Work - Metuchen High School Band Camp

    Move to approve the following staff for summer work at Metuchen High School band camp:

 

 

3.    Summer Work - Metuchen High School Guidance Department

    Move to approve the following Guidance staff for summer school work at Metuchen High School:

 

 

4.    Resignation - Paraprofessional 

    Move to accept the resignation of Briana DeMaio, Paraprofessional at Edgar Middle School, effective June 30, 2023.

 

5.    Resignation - Paraprofessional 

    Move to accept the resignation of Margie Clark, Paraprofessional at Moss School, effective June 30, 2023.

 

6.    Resignation - Paraprofessional

Move to accept the resignation of Olivia Williams, Paraprofessional at Campbell Elementary School, effective June 30, 2023. 

 

7.    Appointment - Event/Security Staff for 2023 High School Graduation

    Move to approve the following staff as event oversight and security for the 2023 Metuchen High School graduation ceremony on June 23, 2023:

 

 

 

8.    Medical Leave of Absence - Bus Aide

    Move to approve the medical leave of absence of Linda Rhodes, Bus Aide for Metuchen School District, effective June 13, 2023. 

 

9.    Appointment - Technology Staff

    Move to approve Marcos Elias as help desk technician, as needed, at a rate of $40/hour for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

10.    Appointment – School Secretary

    Move to approve the appointment of Audrey Hausser, School Secretary at Edgar Middle School, at a salary of $47,913*/year, prorated, for the 2023-2024 school year, effective approximately July 24, 2023.

 

*salary may be adjusted upon settlement of contract 

 

11.    Appointment – Leave Replacement 

    Move to approve the appointment of Susan Fackler, Leave Replacement for Amanda Marciante, School Nurse at Campbell School, at a salary of $301.49/day, effective approximately August 30, 2023 through approximately June 1, 2024.

 

12.    Appointment - Substitute Nurses

    Move to approve the following substitute nurses for the 2023-2024 school year, at a rate of $200/day:

 

 

13.    Appointment – 1:1 Substitute Nurses

    Move to approve the appointment of the following 1:1 per diem substitute registered nurses for the 2023-2024 school year, at a rate of $280/day:

 

 

14.    Appointment – 1:1 Nurse

    Move to approve the appointment of Laura Hermans. 1:1 Nurse at Moss School, for the 2023-2024  school year, at a rate of $46.76/year.

        

15.    Extended School Year Special Services Staff - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the following as special services staff for the 2023 Extended School Year Program:

 

 

 

16.    Extended School Year Special Services Staff - Child Study Team

    Move to approve the following Child Study Team Staff for the 2023 Extended School Year Program:

 

 

17.    Extended School Year Special Services Staff- Paraprofessionals

Move to approve the following paraprofessionals for the 2023 Extended School Year.

 

*hourly rate may be adjusted upon settlement of the paraprofessional contract

 

18.    Appointment – ESY Bus Aides

Move to approve the following additional Bus Aides for 2023 ESY:

 

 

*hourly rate may be adjusted upon settlement of the paraprofessional contract

 

19.    Reappointment – Tenured Administrators 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following tenured Central Office  Administrators for the 2023-2024 school year effective July 1, 2023 through  June 30, 2024 at the annual salary as follows: 

 

 

20.     Reappointment of Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds 

Move to approve the reappointment of Brian Shanley as Supervisor of Buildings  and Grounds for the 2023-2024 school year effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 at an annual salary of $121,552.

 

21.     Reappointment - Technology Staff 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following as technology staff for the  2023-2024 school year effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 at the  annual salary as follows: 

 

 

22.     Reappointment - Central Office Staff 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following central office support staff for  the 2023-2024 school year effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 at the  annual salary as follows: 

 

 

23.    Reappointment – Business Office Support Staff 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following business office support staff  for the 2023-2024 school year effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 at  the annual salary as follows: 

 

 

24.     Reappointment – School Secretaries 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following school secretaries for the  2023-2024 school year effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 at the  annual salary as follows:

 

 

 

**Part-time secretaries may be used as substitute secretaries at their hourly rate.

*Salary may be adjusted upon settlement of the contract 

25.    Appointment – Custodial/Maintenance Staff 

Move to approve the appointment of the following custodial staff for the 2023- 2024 school year effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 at the annual  salary as follows:

 

*Salary may be adjusted upon settlement of the contract

 

26.     Appointment – Substitute Custodians 

Move to approve the appointment of the following as substitute custodians for the  2023-2024 school year: 

 

 

27.     Reappointment – Bus Drivers/Substitute Bus Drivers 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following as bus drivers for the 2023- 2024 school year: 

 

*Salary may be adjusted upon settlement of the contract

 

28.     Reappointment - Bus Aides 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following as bus aides for the 2023-2024 school year: 

 

 

29.     Reappointment – Paraprofessionals 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following paraprofessionals for the  2023-2024 school year as shown on the attachment.

 

30.     Reappointment – Substitute Secretaries 

Move to approve the reappointment of the following substitute secretaries for the  2023-2024 school year: 

 

 

31.     Appointment – McKinney-Vento Liaison 

Move to approve William Ortman as McKinney-Vento homeless liaison for the 2023-2024 school year, contingent on the completion of credential training. 

 

32.     Summer Work – District Safety Coordinator 

Move to approve William Ortman, District Safety Coordinator, for 2023 summer work,  district wide: 

 

 

33.     Summer Work – Edgar Middle School Guidance Department 

Move to approve the following counselor for 2023 summer work at Edgar Middle School:

 

 

34.     Summer Work – Metuchen High School Peer Leadership 

Move to approve the following peer leadership trainer for 2023 summer work at Metuchen High School: 

 

 

35.    Appointment - ESY Substitute Teachers

Move to approve the following as Substitute Teachers as needed for 2023 ESY:

 

 

36.    Appointment - ESY Substitute Paraprofessionals

    Move to approve the following as Substitute Paraprofessionals as needed for 2023 ESY:

 

*hourly rate may be adjusted upon settlement of the paraprofessional contract

 

37.    Fall 2023 Student Teacher

    Move to approve the following student teacher for Fall 2023 in our schools: 

 

 

38.    Appointment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Amanda Rossmeissl, Art Teacher for Campbell School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $54,000/year,* Step 1-A, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024. 

        *salary may be adjusted upon settlement of the contract

 

39.    Intervention Services

    Move to approve the following certified staff to provide supplemental intervention services for the 2023-2024 school year at the hourly rate of $49/hr (ESSER funded): 

 

 

40.    Appointment - Child Study Team Substitutes

    Move to approve the following to provide substitute Child Study Team School Social Work services, at the professional rate of $49/hour: 

 

 

41.    Safety-Care Trainer Training

    Move to approve Christina Dybas to attend Safety Care “Train the Trainer” recertification at the rate of $49 per hour, not to exceed 10 hrs.

 

42.    Safety Care - Training

Move to approve Isabella Massaro and Christina Dybas to provide Safety Care training to district staff at the rate of $49/hour.

 

43.     Safety Care Training - Certificated Staff

    Approve the following certified staff to participate in Safety Care Training at the the rate of $49 per hour, not to exceed 12 hours each: 

 

 

44.    Safety Care Training - Non-Certificated Staff

    Approve the following non-certified staff to attend Safety Care Training at the their hourly rate, not to exceed 12 hours each: 

 

 

45.    Appointment - Leave Replacement

Move to approve the appointment of Brianna Fortino, Leave Replacement for Emily Peluso, Speech Therapist at Moss School, at a salary of $301.49/day, effective approximately October 5, 2023 through approximately June 20, 2024. 

 

46.    Transfer – Certificated Staff

Move to approve the transfer of Alicia Haller, from Special Education Teacher at Moss School, to Special Education Teacher at Edgar Middle School, effective August 30, 2023.

 

47.    Appointment - Certificated Staff 

    Move to approve the appointment of Jessica Kovacs, Preschool Teacher at Moss School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $54,500*/year, Step 1B, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024 

 

*salary may be adjusted upon the settlement of the new contract

 

48.    Appointment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the appointment of Shannon MacMenamie, Special Education Preschool Teacher at Moss School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $54,500*/year, Step 1B, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

 

*salary may be adjusted upon the settlement of the new contract

 

49.    Reappointment - Educational Consultant

    Move to approve Kathy Glutz as an educational consultant, as needed, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a per diem rate of $500/day.

 

    ----------------------------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 April 30, 2023.

 

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 June 27, 2023 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 April 30, 2023.

 

4.    Facilities Use Agreement with YMCA

    Move to approve the Facilities Use Agreement with YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy, effective September 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 at the rate of $2,095/month. 

 

5.    Appointment – Treasurer of School Monies

    Move to approve the appointment of Rebecca Cuthbert as Treasurer of School Monies for the 2023-2024 school year at a rate of $5,737/year. 

 

6.    Appointment – Architects of Record

    Move to approve the appointment of Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. as Architects of Record for the 2023-2024 school year. 

 

7.    Appointment – Board Attorney 

    Move that the Board of Education (Board) approve the appointment of David Rubin, P.C. (Firm) as General Counsel and approve the Firm for the period of July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. The Board will pay the Firm an hourly rate of $185/hr.

8.    Appointment – Board Attorney

    Move that the Board of Education (Board) approve the appointment of The Machado Law Group (Firm) as Special Education Counsel and approve the Firm for the period of July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. The Board will pay the Firm an hourly rate of $160/hr. 

 

9.    Appointment –Board Attorney

    Move that the Board of Education (Board) approve the appointment of Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC for the construction and procurement and approve the Firm for the period of July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. The Board will pay the Firm $170/hr for partners and counsel, $160/hr for associates and $100/hr for clerks and paralegals. 

 

10.    Appointment – Bond Attorney

    Move that the Board of Education (Board) approve the appointment of McManimon, Scotland & Baumann (Firm) as Bond Counsel and approve the Firm for the period from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. The Board will pay the firm an hourly rate of $215/hr. 

 

11.    Establishment of Petty Cash Funds for the 2023-2024 School Year

    Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:19-3 move to approve the establishment of petty cash funds as of July 1, 2023. The individuals responsible for proper disposition of the indicated fund amounts are as follows:

 

 

12.    Tax Shelter Annuity Companies

    Move to approve PlanConnect as the third party administrator for the following Tax Shelter Annuity Companies for the Metuchen School District for the 2023 -2024 school year. 

a)        403b & 457: Valic/Corebridge Financial and Equitable

b)        403b: USAA, Vanguard, and MetLife.

 

13.    Appointment – Insurance Broker of Record

    Move to approve the appointment of The Schenck Agency as the Metuchen School District’s Insurance Brokers of Record for the 2023-2024 school year, for the purpose of providing necessary services including the solicitation of competitive insurance rates, provision of advice regarding coverage maintained by the Board and responding to both the general and specific coverage questions. Awarded as an Extraordinary Unspecifiable Service.  

 

14.    Minimum Chart of Accounts

    Move to approve the 2023-2024 Uniform Minimum Chart of Accounts for New Jersey Public Schools.

 

15.    Appointment – School Physician 

    Move to approve the appointment of Kevin Lukenda, MD, as district school physician for the 2023-2024 school year at the rate of $23,196/year.

 

16.    Appointment – Auditor

    Move to appoint Suplee, Clooney and Company as auditor for the 2023-2024 school year at a rate of $44,550.

 

17.    Appointment of Representatives Requesting Federal and State Funds

    Motion to adopt the following resolution: 

 

RESOLVED that Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools, Michael Harvier, Board Secretary/ Business Administrator of the Metuchen Board of Education, Richard Cohen, Assistant Superintendent, and Tania Herzog, Director of Special Services or their designees, be designated as the Board’s agents to request state and federal funds under the existing State and Federal Laws for the 2023-2024 school year. 

 

18.    Approval of Officer of Bidding, Purchasing and Sale of Property 

    Motion to adopt the following resolution: 

 

    RESOLVED that Michael Harvier, Board Secretary/Business Administrator be designated and empowered as the Board of Education’s Purchasing Agent as set forth in the N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-2-2, 18A:18A-7, 18A:18A-37, including authorization to:

 

1.     advertise for and receive bids;

2.     act as the Board’s Purchasing Agent for both sale of property and purchase contracts up the statutory limit and for emergency purchase contracts; and

3.     purchase through state, county and other local contracts wherever practical and in the best interest of the Board of Education for the period from this date to the Board Organization Meeting in the next calendar year.

 

19.    Resolution

 

    RESOLUTION APPOINTING A QUALIFIED PURCHASING AGENT IN A BOARD OF EDUCATION OR OTHER ENTITY SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF N.J.S.A. 18A:18a-1 et seq.

 

WHEREAS, N.J.A.C. 5:34-5 et seq. establishes the criteria for the qualifying as a Qualifying Purchasing Agent; and

 

WHEREAS, Michael Harvier possesses the designation of Qualified Purchasing Agent as issued by the Director of the Division of local Government Services in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:34-5 et seq; and

 

RESOLVED, that the governing body hereby appoints Michael Harvier as the Qualified Purchasing Agent to exercise the duties of a purchasing agent pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-2b, with specific duties of a purchasing agent authority, responsibility, and accountability of the purchasing activity of the Board of Education, and 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:34-5.2 THE Board of Education Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution and a copy of Michael Harvier’s certification to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services. 

 

20.    RESERVE ACCOUNTS 

 

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 18A:21-2, N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-31, and N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-41 permit Board of Education to establish and/or deposit into certain reserve accounts at the end, and

 

WHEREAS, the aforementioned statutes authorize procedures, under the authority of the Commissioner of Education, which permits a Board of Education to transfer unanticipated excess current revenue or unexpended appropriations into reserve accounts during the month of June by board resolution, and 

 

WHEREAS, the Metuchen Board of Education wishes to transfer unanticipated excess current year revenue or unexpended appropriations from the general fund into the Capital Reserve Fund in the amount not to exceed $4,000,000. 

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Metuchen Board of Education that it hereby authorizes the district’s School Business Administrator to make this transfer consistent with all applicable laws and regulations.

 

21.    Residency Investigations

Move to approve DPZ Professional Services to conduct Residency Investigations at a rate of $50/hr.    

 

22.    Designation of Board Depositories

 

    BE IT RESOLVED that effective July 1, 2023, TD Bank, Manasquan Bank, and MBIA Investment Bankers are hereby designated as the official depositories for the funds of the Metuchen Board of Education for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

23.    Multi-Media and Communication Services

    Move to approve a contract with Brandon Uhlig, LLC to provide multi-media and communication services at the rate of $10,000 for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

24.    RESOLUTION

    

    Renew Membership - NJSIG Educational Risk & Insurance Consortium-North Indemnity and Trust Agreement 23-24

 

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 18A:18B-1, et seq., enables boards of education to join with other boards of education in school board insurance trusts for the purpose of forming self-insurance pools;

 

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Schools Insurance Group (“NJSIG”) is a joint insurance fund authorized by N.J.S.A. 18A:18B-1, et seq. to provide insurance coverage and risk management services for its members;

 

WHEREAS, the Metuchen Board of Education, herein after referred to as the “Educational Institution,” has resolved to apply for and/or renew its membership with NJSIG; 

 

WHEREAS, the Educational Institution certifies that it has not defaulted on a claim, and has not been cancelled for non-payment of insurance premium for a period of at least two (2) years prior to the date of its application to NJSIG;

 

WHEREAS, the Educational Institution desires to secure protection, services, and savings relating to insurance and self-insurance for itself and its departments and employees; and,

 

WHEREAS, the Educational Institution finds that the best and most efficient way of securing this protection and services is by cooperating with other boards of education in the State of New Jersey.

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT:

1. This agreement is made by and between NJSIG and the Educational Institution;

2. The Educational Institution joins with other boards of education in organizing and becoming members of NJSIG pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18B-3(a), for a period of three years, beginning on July 1, 2023, and ending July 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.;

3. In consideration of membership in NJSIG, the Educational Institution agrees that for those types of coverage in which it participates, the Educational Institution shall jointly and severally assume and discharge the liabilities of each and every member of NJSIG to such agreement arising from their participation in NJSIG. By execution hereof the full faith and credit of the Educational Institution is pledged to the punctual payment of any sums which shall become due to NJSIG in accordance with the bylaws thereof, the plan of risk management, this Agreement and any applicable statute or regulation;

4. The Educational Institution and NJSIG agree that NJSIG shall hold all monies paid by the Educational Institution to NJSIG as fiduciaries for the benefit of NJSIG claimants all in accordance with applicable statutes and/or regulations;

5. NJSIG shall establish and maintain Trust Accounts in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:18B-1, et seq. and such other statutes and regulations as may be applicable;

6. By adoption and signing of this resolution, the Educational Institution is hereby joining NJSIG in accordance with the terms of this Indemnity and Trust Agreement and Resolution to Join / Renew Membership, effective the date indicated below, for the types of insurance as indicated in the Insurance Binder issued by NJSIG;

7. The Educational Institution hereby ratifies and affirms the bylaws and other organizational and operational documents of NJSIG, and as from time to time amended by NJSIG and/or the State of New Jersey, Department of Banking and Insurance, in accordance with the applicable statutes and regulations as if each and every one of said documents were re-executed contemporaneously herewith;

8. The Educational Institution agrees to be a participating member of NJSIG for the period herein provided for and to comply with all of the rules and regulations and obligations associated with said membership, including, but not limited to the NJSIG’s Plan of Risk Management;

9. The Educational Institution under its obligations as a member of NJSIG agrees to allow for safety inspections of its properties, to pay contributions in a timely fashion and to comply with the bylaws and standards of participation of NJSIG including the plan of risk management;

10. If NJSIG, in the enforcement of any part of this Agreement, shall incur necessary expense or become obligated to pay attorney’s fees and/or court costs, the Educational Institution agrees to reimburse NJSIG for all such reasonable expenses, fees and costs on demand;

11. The Business Administrator is hereby authorized in accordance with the Public School Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-1, et seq., to execute such contracts and documentation with NJSIG as is necessary to effectuate this resolution; and,

12. The Business Administrator is directed to send a certified copy of this Indemnity and Trust Agreement and Resolution to Join / Renew Membership to NJSIG.

 

I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution passed by the Educational Institution at the meeting duly held on this                day of                  ,          .

25.    Textbook Disposal

    Move to approve the disposal of the following textbook:

 

 

26.     Out of District Student Placements - Extended School Year 2023

    Move to approve the following 2023 extended school year out of district student placements:    

 

 

27.     Professional Development

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

 

 

28.    Appointment - Clinical, Therapeutic, Counseling and Behavioral Services 

    Move to approve the appointment of the following to provide clinical, therapeutic, counseling and behavioral services for the 2023-2024 school year:  

 

•    First Children Services to provide the following professional services: 

o    Licensed Clinician $80/hour

o    Mental Health Technician $80/hour

o    Social Skills $117.50/hour

o    RBT $63.50/hour

o    Behavior Technician $53/hour

o     BCBA services $117.50/hour, not to exceed $150,000.

o    FBA $1,500 per evaluation

o    Home Instruction $75/hour

o    Safety Care Initial Training $3,000

o    Safety Care Recertification $1,000

•     The Uncommon Thread to provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services at the following rate:

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

o     BCBA services at $130/hour 

o    Skills Assessment at a rate of $1,000 

o     Behavior Technician Services $50-$65/hour

•    Invo HealthCare Associates: 

o    BCBA- $98/hour

 

29.    Appointment – Providers of Psychiatric Assessments/ Evaluations 

    Move to approve the appointment of the following to provide psychiatric assessments/evaluations for the 2023-2024 school year: 

 

•    Dr. Steven Dyckman at the rate of $1,200/evaluation 

•    Platt Psychological Associates at the rate of $1,000/assessment (includes consult and report)

•    Stress Care to conduct Psychiatric Assessments- at $300 per assessment 

•    Dr. Rajeswari Muthaswamy of Center for Behavioral health- for Psychiatric Evaluations,  neurological evaluation and Fit to Return evaluations at $575 per evaluation

•    Neuropsychiatric evaluation $675 per evaluation

•    Initial Psychiatric Evaluation and Medical assessment for treatment at $650 per assessment

•    Follow up for medication monitoring- $225

 

30.    Appointment – Neurodevelopmental Specialists 

    Move to approve the appointment of the following to perform specialized neurodevelopmental evaluations for the 2023-2024 school year: 

    

•    St. Joseph’s Healthcare at a rate of $450/evaluation

•    Dr. Vanna Amorapanth at the rate of $1000/evaluation

•    Dr. Lewis Milrod- at the rate of $800.00 

•    Dr. Kavita Sinha- at a rate of $550/evaluation

•    Dr. Romana Kulikova- at a rate of $600 (in office) and $600/evaluation 

•    Dr. Joel Morgan and Neuropsychology Associates of New Jersey (NPANJ) to conduct comprehensive neuropsychological assessments at a rate of $5,000/ evaluation

 

31.    Appointment – Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA )Services

    Move to approve the appointment of the following for the 2023-2024 school year: 

    

•    The Special Education Teacher- for ABA services at $90/hr, not to exceed $111,000.

•    Leonard Behavioral Consulting Services, LLC for ABA services at $90/hr, not to exceed $111,000.

•    Brett DiNovi & Associates -as a provider of independent BCBA at a rate of $135.00/hour and Clinical Associates $60.50/ hour

•    Behavior Therapy Associates at the rate of:  

        o    Dr.Steven Gordon $320/hour

        o    Dr. Michael Selbst $320/hour

        o    Dr. Debra Salzman $320/hour

        o    Dr. Erik Dranoff $320/hour

        o    Dr. Rory Panter $320/hour

        o    Dr. Rebecca Schulman $320/hour

        o    Dr. Bianca Coleman BCBA-D $260/hour

        o    Dr. Briana Ostrosky, BCBC-D $200/hour

        o    Dr. Ashley Zultanky $240/hour

        o    Katherine Weiedemann, BCBA $200/hour 

o    Douglas Outreach Services for $180/ hour plus mileage for consultation and $2,950 for Functional Behavioral Assessments. 

•    We Care Autism to provide the following ABA services at the following rates:

o    ABA therapy- $85/hour

o    Speech therapy $150/hr

o    BCBA services $150/hr

 

    *indicates estimated fee pending receipt of final agreement

 

32.    Appointment- Occupational/Physical Therapy/Speech Services

    Move to approve the appointment of the following for the 2023-2024 school year:

 

•    Lori-Anne DiSerio as a Physical Therapist at the rate of $93/hour- not to exceed $75,000 annually

•    Marlana Hamfeldt Loden to conduct Speech and Language evaluations, as needed, at a rate of $450/evaluation

•    Kaleidoscope Education Solutions to provide related services, as needed, at the following rates: 

        o    Occupational Therapy Services- $93/hour

        o    Speech Therapy Services- $93/hour

        o    Physical Therapy- $96/ hour

•    Educational Based Services (EBS Healthcare) to provide the following therapy and professional services at the listed hourly rates:

        o    Speech Language Pathologist $90/hour

        o    Occupational Therapist $90/hour

        o    Physical Therapist $95/hour 

•    CCL Therapy LLC for Occupational Therapy evaluations at rate of $400/evaluation and Occupational Therapy services at a rate of $95/hour

•    Invo HealthCare Associates:

o    Occupational Therapy, $87/hour, not to exceed $268,672

o    Speech Therapy, $87/hour

o    Speech Evaluations, $300/evaluation 

o    Occupational Therapy, $306/evaluation 

o    RBT- $47/hour

o    BCBA- $98/hour

o    LCSW- $68/hour

 

33.    Appointment – Healthcare/Nursing Services

    Move to approve the appointment of the following for the 2023 – 2024 school year:

    

•    Bayada Pediatric at the rate of:

        o    Substitute school nurse, RN & LPN, $65.00/hour

        o    RN & LPN 1:1 $62.00-$67.50/hour not to exceed $105,000

•    Educational Based Services (EBS Healthcare) through The Stepping Stones Group to provide the following nursing services at the listed hourly rates:

        o    RN $70/hour 

        o    LPN $60/hour

•    Preferred Nursing:

        o    LPN $56/hour  

        o    RN $64/hour 

 

34.    Appointment – Hearing and Vision Services

    Move to approve the appointment of the following for the 2023 – 2024 school year:

 

•    Summit Speech School:

        o    Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf services at the rate of $225/hour

        o    Audiologist Consultation at the rate of $250/hour

•    NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired-at the rate per level of impairment as follows:

        o     Level 1: $2,200

•    Speech & Hearing Associates LLC to provide the following services at the listed rates:

        o    Central Auditory Processing Evaluation $650

o    Comprehensive Audiological Evaluation $300

o    Hearing Aid Evaluation $450

o    Speech-Language Evaluation $650

o    Bilingual Speech-Language Evaluation $850

o    Language Processing Evaluation $950

o    Speech-Language Therapy- $85.00 (30 min), $127.50 (45 min), $160 (1 hour)

o    In-School Consultation (2 Hr. Minimum) $175 per hour

•    Hackensack Meridian Health- JFK Hospital for:

        o    Audiological Evaluation at $744/evaluation (ages 5+)

        o    Audiological Evaluation at $795/evaluation (ages 4 and under)

        o    Auditory Processing Evaluation at $1,368/evaluation 

 

35.    Appointment- Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Evaluations, Consultations, and Training

    Move to approve the appointment of the following providers for the 2023 – 2024 school year:

    

•    Melissa Donovan of Garden State AAC Specialists-to provide professional services at the following rates:

o    Augmentative and Alternative Communication Evaluation: $150/hour

o     Comprehensive AAC Evaluation Written Report: $300

o    Attendance at a follow-up IEP Meeting: $140/hour

o    Professional Development/Training: $200/hour

o    Technical Assistance: $75/hour

o    AAC Coaching: $140/hour

o    Written Implementation Plans: $140/hour

o    Cancellation Fee (less than 24 hours’ notice): $80

•    Brian Friedlander, AssistiveTek, LLC to provide Assistive Technology- services at the following rates, as needed: 

o    Assistive Technology Evaluation with report- $1,600

o    Assistive Technology Consulting - $250/ hour

o    Assistive technology ½ day Training- $1,500

o    Assistive technology full day Training- $3,000

o    Travel - $100/hour

•    Adam Krass Consulting to provide Assistive Technology services at the following rates:

o     AT and AAC evaluations up to $1,400

o    AT services $170/hour

o    AAC services $220/hour

o    In Service Training $900 per half day and $1,400/day

•    Advancing Opportunities: 

o    AT Evaluation- travel included $1200 

o    AT Support and Training- travel included $180/hour 

o    AAC Evaluation- travel included $1400

o    ACC Supp and Training- travel included $200/hour

 

36.    Appointment – Multidisciplinary Evaluation, Consultation and Training

    Move to approve the appointment of the following independent assessment providers for the 2023-2024 school year: 

 

•    Beautiful Mind Psychological Services to provide Psychological Evaluations at the following rates:

o    Psychological Evaluation (English) $300

o    Bilingual Psychological Evaluation (Polish) $600

•    Supreme Consultants, LLC:

o    Mono-lingual evaluation $650

o    Bilingual evaluation $800

•    Cross County Clinical 

o    English evaluation $725

o    Bilingual evaluation $980

o    English Battelle Developmental Inventory $1,085

o    Bilingual Battelle Developmental Inventory $1,310

o    Report summary in other language $295

o    Report translation $450

o    FBA/BIP $2,350

o    Translation/Interpreter Services- minimum of 2 hours a day on site: $100-250/hr 

•    Learning Tree Multicultural/Multilingual: 

o    Evaluations $850

o    Spanish evaluation $800

o    Written Translation $120/page

•    Tomasso Educational Services to conduct Educational Evaluations, at a rate of $550/evaluation and $75/hour for meetings. 

•    Dr. Francie Matthews -Educational Evals including observations at: 

o    Educational Evaluation $2,550

o     Literacy evaluation $1,450

•    Delta T- Group:

o    Psychological evaluations $450* 

o    Functional Behavioral Assessment $570*

•    Educational Services Commission of NJ for evaluations: 

o    Evaluations $284

o    Bilingual $464

o    Social history $242

•    Camden County Educational Services for evaluations:

o    Educational, Psychological, and Speech evaluations at a rate of $360/ evaluation

o    Occupational Therapy evaluations at a rate of $300-$400/evaluation*

•    New Jersey Pediatric Feeding Associates at the rate of $850 per evaluations and $200/hour for training.*

•    Lisa Jiannetto-Surrusco of Reach for the Stars, LLC. to provide professional feeding therapy services of consultation and staff training at the rate of $175/ hour

•    New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education for professional development and consultation services at a rate of:

o    $1,600 full day- PD

o    $1,000 half day- PD

o    $200 hour or $1,000/day- Consultation

•    Brunswick Reading and Speech Center to conduct Educational Evaluations, as needed, at a rate of $450/evaluation

*indicates estimated fee pending receipt of final agreement

 

37.    Appointment – Home Instruction, Bedside Instruction, and Educational Services 

    Move to approve the appointment of the following as providers of Home Instruction for the 2022-2023 school year: 

 

•    Brookfield Schools - for Educational Services at the rate of $50/hour*

•    Silvergate Prep at the rate of $60/hour

•    Rutgers UBHC – UMDNJ Home Instruction - at the rate of $70/hour

•    LearnWell (Education Inc)- at the rate of $60.25/hour for 10 hours/week, plus 33% admin/prep time fee

•    NJ Educational Services Commission Home Instruction at $54/hour

•    Bergen County Special Services to provide Home Instruction at a rate of $75 per hour*

•    Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) School Program to provide home instruction at a rate of $62.76/ hour

•    Educere LLC online home instruction

•    Educere LLC online courses- courses start at $195

•    Open Book Educational Consulting Limited, Sherri Keenan, to provide reading intervention services at a rate of $200/hour 

•    Jessica Warner of Individualized Instruction & Consultation LLC to provide specialized reading training and consultation at the following rates:

o    Half day training- $1800

o    Full day training- $2,500

•    Jodi Reiner, Reiner Reading Consulting to provide Specialized Reading Services, $110/hour for individual and $150 per hour for group, not to exceed $80,000.

•    Approve Jessica Fessock, to provide specialized reading intervention services at a rate of $110/hour, not to exceed $99,000.

*indicates estimated fee pending receipt of final agreement

 

38.    Appointment - Transition Services 

    Move to approve the following transition services for the 2023-2024 school year: 

 

•    The Arc of NJ Project Hire to provide onsite vocational training and transitional services at a rate of $67/hour

•    The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities for Job Coach Training

 

39.    Duties of Director of Special Services

    Move to approve the following duties/positions for Director of Special Services for Dr. Tania Herzog, for the 2023-2024 school year: 

a. Residency Officer 

b. Truancy Officer

 

40.    Re-adoption of Nursing Services Plan 

Move to approve the re-adoption of the Nursing Services Plan for the 2023-2024 school year. 

 

41.    Re-adoption of Standing Orders for School Nurses

    Move to approve the re-adoption of Standing Orders for School Nurses for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

42.    Safety Coordinator

    Move to approve William Ortman, District Safety Coordinator, as District Liaison to Law Enforcement Authorities for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

43.    OOD Transportation Agreements

    Move to approve the transportation agreements for the following students: 20341125, 2029030, 2020006, 20281109.

    

 

44.    Professional Technical Services for the 2022-2023 School Year

    Move to approve the following “not to exceed amounts”, for the previously board approved professional technical services from 2022-2023 School Year 

 

•    We Care Autism to provide the following ABA services at the following rates, as needed, ABA Therapy- $85/hr, Speech therapy $150/hr, BCBA services $150/hr, not to exceed $55,000 (Agenda 01/3/2023, Section 13, Item A6).

 

45.    Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract 2022-2023

Move to approve joining and purchasing items thru the Sourcewell Cooperative purchasing contract for the 2022-2023 school year.

 

46.    Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract 2023-2024

Move to approve joining and purchasing items thru the Sourcewell Cooperative purchasing contract for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

47.    Resolution

    The Board hereby approves the Memorandum of Agreement between the Metuchen Board of Education and the Metuchen Education Association, for the collective bargaining agreement covering July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, and authorizes the Board attorney to draft the final version of the contract for execution by the Board of Education and the Association. 

 

48.    Resolution

    The Board hereby approves the Memorandum of Agreement between the Metuchen Board of Education and the Metuchen Paraprofessional Association, for the collective bargaining agreement covering July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, and authorizes the Board attorney to draft the final version of the contract for execution by the Board of Education and the Association. 

 

49.    Resolution 

    The Board hereby approves the Memorandum of Agreement between the Metuchen Board of Education and the Metuchen Custodial and Maintenance Association, for the collective bargaining agreement covering July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, and authorizes the Board attorney to draft the final version of the contract for execution by the Board of Education and the Association. 

 

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

 

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

 

1.    Re-adoption of Policy Manual

    Motion to adopt the following resolution:

 

Resolved, that all current written policies, by-laws and rules/regulations in the official Policy Manual of the Metuchen School District be readopted 2023-2024 school year unless modified by the Board of Education in accordance with those applicable policies, by-laws and/or rules/regulations. 

 

2.    Suspensions

    The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary for June 12, 2023 - June 23, 2023.

 

3.    Second Reading of Policies and Regulations 

    Move to approve the second reading of the following policies and regulations:

 

❖ P 0144    Board Member Orientation and Training 

❖ P & R 2520    Instructional Supplies (M)  

❖ P 3217    Use of Corporal Punishment 

❖ P 4217    Use of Corporal Punishment (New)

❖ P 5305        Health Services Personnel (M)  

❖ P & R 5308        Student Health Records (M)  

❖ P & R 5310        Health Services (M)  

❖ P 6112        Reimbursement of Federal and Other Grant 

  Expenditures (M)  

❖ R 6115.01        Federal Awards/Funds Internal Controls – Allowability

  of Costs (M)  (New)

❖ P 6115.04        Federal Funds – Duplication of Benefits (M)  (New)

❖ P 6311        Contracts for Goods or Services Funded by Federal

  Grants (M)  

❖ P 7440        School District Security (M)  

❖ P 9100        Public Relations  (Abolished)

❖ P 9140        Citizens Advisory Committees  

❖ R 9140        Citizens Advisory Committee (M)  (Abolished)

 

4.    Designation of Advertising Media

    Move to approve the designation of the Star Ledger and/or the Home News Tribune as the approved advertising media for the Board of Education legal advertisements during the 2023-2024 school year.

 

5.    Duties of Business Administrator/Board Secretary

    Move to approve the following as duties/positions of Michael A. Harvier, Business Administrator for the 2023-2024 school year:

a)  Purchasing Agent with authorization to award contracts up to bid threshold and to set quote threshold at 15% of bid threshold amount

b)  Custodian of School Records

 

6.    Resolution

    Move to elect Jonathan Lifton as the Metuchen Board of Education's delegate and Brian Glassberg as alternate delegate to the New Jersey School Boards Association for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

7.    Appointment - 504 Coordinators

    Move to approve the appointment of Ilana Kurtin as District 504 Committee Coordinator and the following as 504 School Coordinators for the 2023-2024 school year:

 

 

8.  Appointment - Safety Health Designees

    Move to approve the appointment of the following Safety Health Designees for the 2023-2024 school year:

 

 

9.    Appointments - Facilities Related

    Move to approve the appointment of Brian Shanley to the following positions for the 2023-2024 school year:

            a) Asbestos Management Officer

b) Indoor Air Quality Designee

c) Integrated Pest Management Coordinator

d) Right to Know Officer

e) AHERA Coordinator

f) Chemical Hygiene Officer

 

10.    Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

    Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported case:

 

• METHS052323001

 

----------------------------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.    2023 Summer Reading STAR Academy

Move to approve Kristina Bormann for the 2023 Summer Reading S.T.A.R. Academy program with payment of 3 stipends at $1,000 each and 9 hours at an hourly rate of $49/hr for the Parent Academy sessions

 

3.    Mental Health First Aid Training 

    Move to approve the following teachers to provide Mental Health First Aid training for Metuchen High School students for the 2023-2024 school year, per the agreements within the tNJMHFA grant and per training provided at the contractual hourly rate of $49/hr., not to exceed 5 hours each.

 

 

4.    Work Based Experience

    Move to approve work based learning and community based experiences for the Metuchen Internship Learning Experience classes at MHS for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

5.     Work Based Experience - ESY 2023

    Move to approve work based learning and community based instruction trips for the Metuchen Internship Learning Experiences classes during 2023 ESY to include: Boro Hall, What’s the Scoop, ShopRite, TJMaxx and Top Golf

 

6.    Turn-Key Trainers 

Move to approve the following teachers to serve as turn-key trainers of the K-5 STEM PD Plan for the 2023-2024 school year for 2 hours at the contractual rate of $49 per hour.

 

 

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