THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, JULY 18, 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 Home News and Tribune, The Criterion Sentinel, The Star Ledger, and by filing a copy with the Borough Clerk as prescribed by this law.

4. Roll Call

5. Showcase of Success

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

7. Presentations 

❖    NJGPA Results Presentation

❖    HIB Report Period 2 (January 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023) – Dr. Caputo

❖    SSDS Report Period 2 (January 1, 2023 - June 30, 2023) - Dr. Caputo

❖    Update - Safe Return Plan and Virtual Instruction

❖    Open for Public Comment on Safe Return Plan and Virtual Instruction

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.    Salary Adjustment- Non-Tenured and Tenured Teachers

    Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following non-tenured and tenured teachers for the 2023-2024 school year, as shown on the attachment. (Agenda 06/13/2022, Section 13, A14, Agenda 05/9/2023, Section 13, A4).

2.     Salary Adjustment – Paraprofessionals 

Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following paraprofessionals for the  2023-2024 school year as shown on the attachment (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A29).

3.    Salary Adjustment - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the salary adjustment of Amanda Rossmeissl, Art teacher for C ampbell School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $55,775/year, Step 1-A, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024 (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A38).

4.    Salary Adjustment - Certificated Staff 

    Move to approve the salary adjustment of Jessica Kovacs, Preschool Teacher at Moss School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $56,275/year, Step 1B, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024 (Agenda 06/27/23, Section 13, A47).

5.    Salary Adjustment  - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the salary adjustment of Shannon MacMenamie, Special Education Preschool Teacher at Moss School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $56,275/year, Step 1B, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024 (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A48).

6.    Stipend Adjustments Coaches – Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School Fall 2023

    Move to approve the stipend adjustments of the Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School coaches for the Fall 2023 school sports season as shown on the attached list (Agenda 06/13/2023, Section 13, A18).

7.    Stipend Adjustments Coaches – Metuchen High School and Edgar Middles School Winter 2023- 2024

    Move to approve the stipend adjustments of the Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School  coaches for the Winter 2023-2024 school sports season as shown on the attached list (Agenda 06/13/2023, Section 13, A19). 

8.    Stipend Adjustments Coaches – Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School Spring 2024

    Move to approve the stipend adjustments of the Metuchen High School and Edgar Middle School coaches for the Spring 2024 school sports season as shown on the attached list (Agenda 06/13/2023, Section 13, A20). 

9.    Salary Adjustment - MHS Weight Room Supervisors

    Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following weight room supervisors for the 2023-2024  school year, effective July 1, 2023, at the rate of $30/hour, as needed (Agenda 06/13/2023, Section 13, A21):

**adjunct coach (not a member of district staff) 

10.    Salary Adjustment - Extended School Year Special Services Staff- Paraprofessionals

Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following paraprofessionals for the 2023 Extended School Year (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A17).

11.    Salary Adjustment - ESY Substitute Paraprofessionals

    Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following Substitute Paraprofessionals as needed for 2023 ESY (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A36):

12.    Salary Adjustment – ESY Bus Aides

Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following additional Bus Aides for 2023 ESY (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A18):

13.    Salary Adjustment – Custodial/Maintenance Staff 

Move to approve the salary adjustment 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 (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A25):

14.    Salary Adjustment – Custodial Longevity

    Move to approve a change in total salary for Juan Luna, Custodian, from $45,112/year to $45,328/year as a result of completing 15 years of service, effective August 1, 2023.

15.     Salary Adjustment – Bus Drivers/Substitute Bus Drivers 

Move to approve the salary adjustment of the following as bus drivers for the 2023- 2024 school year (Agenda 06/27/2023, Section 13, A27): 

16.    Appointment - Certificated Staff 

    Move to approve the appointment of Jillieanna Peguero, School Nurse at Edgar Middle School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $56,775/year, Step 1C, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

17.    Maternity Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the maternity leave of Sofia Lopes, 4th Grade Teacher at Campbell School, effective approximately January 8, 2024 through approximately May 23, 2024.

18.    Appointment - ESY Substitute Teachers

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

19.     Summer Work – Metuchen High School Peer Leadership 

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

20.    Safety Care Training

    Move to 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: 

21.    Supplemental 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): 

22.    Appointment - ESY 

    Move to approve the appointment of Gina Barrett, Occupational Therapist for 2023 Extended School Year, at a rate of $65/hour, not to exceed 100 hours.

23.    Medical Leave of Absence - Custodian

    Move to approve the medical leave of absence of Mark Cooper, Custodian at Campbell School, effective July 3, 2023 through approximately September 1, 2023. 

24.    Appointment - Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the appointment of Francesca Ghezzo, Paraprofessional at Campbell School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $23,127/year, prorated, effective September 5, 2023 through June 30, 2024. 

25.    Appointment - Leave Replacement

    Move to approve the appointment of Laurie Hathaway, 5th Grade Teacher Leave Replacement for Emily Mertz at Edgar Middle School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a rate of $301.49/day, effective approximately August 28, 2023 through approximately December 4, 2023. 

26.    Resignation - Paraprofessional

    Move to accept the resignation of Mili O'Brien, Paraprofessional at Moss School, effective June 30, 2023. 

3    ----------------------------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 May 31, 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 July 18, 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 May 31, 2023.

4.    Resolution for Award of Contract

WHEREAS, the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) has determined that it is in the District’s best interests to procure the services of a firm to provide construction advisory services in the area of HVAC system commissioning in connection with the construction projects associated with the approved referendum (“Services”); and

WHEREAS, the Division of Local Government Services (“DLGS”) in the Department of Community Affairs has issued guidance that construction advisory services are the type of service that would qualify as an extraordinary unspecifiable service (“EUS”) under the Public School Contracts Law; and

WHEREAS, notwithstanding the DLGS’s guidance, the services are of such a nature to qualify and an extraordinary unspecifiable service; and

WHEREAS, the Board solicited proposals from four (4) firms and received three (3) proposals in response to a scope of work for the Services provided to the firms; and

WHEREAS, the Board also conducted proposer interviews for the Services; and

WHEREAS, after reviewing the proposals and conducting interviews, the Board has determined that the lowest proposal did not adequately address the scope of services required by the Board; and

WHEREAS, despite not being the lowest proposal, the Board has determined that the proposal submitted by Concord Engineering was the best overall proposal and in the best interests of the Board, price and other factors considered, based on, among other factors, the substantially higher level of service offered by Concord, Concord’s familiarity with existing HVAC equipment in the District, and Concord’s understanding of the Services and the needs of the Board; and

WHEREAS, Concord’s proposal is below the anticipated cost for the Services based upon estimates provided by the Board’s professionals.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the above recitals are incorporated herein.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby awards a contract to Concord Engineering to provide the Services in the amount of $255,400.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this award is subject to the execution of a contract between the Board and Concord Engineering to be approved by the Board President and Superintendent.

5.    Moss, Campbell, Edgar and Metuchen High School DOE Submission

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Metuchen Boro Board of Education to approve the submission of the following projects to the New Jersey Department of Education, for FEA review and Department approval of a “school facilities project” with debt service aid state funding and amendment of the long-range facilities plan to be consistent with the projects.

❖ Renovations and Addition at Edgar Middle School

·         State Project No. 3120-070-22-1000

❖ Renovations and Addition at Campbell Elementary School

·         State Project No. 3120-060-22-1000

❖ Cafeteria/Classroom/BOE Addition and Renovations at Metuchen High School

·         State Project No. 3120-050-22-1000

❖Gymnasium Addition at Metuchen High School

·         State Project No. 3120-050-22-2000

❖ Classroom/ Cafeteria Addition and Renovations at Moss Elementary School

·         State Project No. 3120-090-22-1000

FURTHER, the Board authorizes Spiezle Architectural Group Inc, to make the submission to the Department of Education on behalf of the district.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; the Board authorizes the School Business Administrator to solicit bids for the above noted projects.

6.    Interlocal Services Agreement

Move to approve the interlocal services agreement between the Metuchen Public Library and the Metuchen Board of Education to share costs of certain library databases. 

7.    Resolution

    Move to approve the replacement and upgrade of the Metuchen School District's telephones, clocks and paging systems for $411,083.37 (ESCNJ 22/23-36).

8.    Professional Development

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

9.    Resolution

    The Board hereby approves the Memorandum of Agreement between the Metuchen Board of Education and the Metuchen Principals and Supervisors 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.    Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

    Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported cases:

• CES061523001

• EMS061623001

• EMS062023001

2.    District Calendar

Move to approve the Parent-Teacher Conference dates for the 2023-2024 district calendar.

----------------------------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.    Climate Change PD

    Move to approve the following staff members to prepare Turn Key Teacher workshops for the Climate Studies initiative and for our district on the In-service workshop on August 31, 2023, not to exceed 9 hours at the hourly rate of $49.

3.    Summer ESL Screening

    Move to approve Janelle Fisher to administer Summer ELL Screening assessments for the 2023-2024 school year at the rate of $49/hour to be paid from Title III funds.  

4.    Foundational Skills Curriculum Mapping 

    Move to approve the following staff member to create Foundational Skills Curriculum Maps for up to 5 hours at the current contractual hourly rate of $49 for the grade level indicated below:

5.    tNJMHFA Mental Health First Aid Training 

    Move to approve the following teachers to provide Mental Health First Aid training after-school for Metuchen High School for the 2022-2023 SY. 11th grade students, per the agreements within the tNJMHFA grant and per training provided at the contractual hourly rate of $48/hr, not to exceed 5 hours each.

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