THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 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 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  

❖ ACCESS Data Presentation - Natalie Dougherty

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. Resignation - Certificated Staff

Move to accept the resignation of Audra Smith, Spanish Teacher at Edgar Middle School, effective October 10, 2023, or earlier if a replacement is hired.

2.    Appointment - Zone Staff

    Move to approve the following Zone Staff at Edgar Middle School for the 2023-2024 school year:  

Supervisors and Office Staff:

Paraprofessionals:

Mentors:

3.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Suzette Brown, Paraprofessional at Campbell School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $23,127/year, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

4.    Appointment - Paraprofessional

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

5.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Neha Jansari, Paraprofessional at Moss School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $24,255/year, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

6.    Non-Instructional Stipend - Athletic Trainer

    Move to approve the non-instructional stipend of $6750 for Molly Yelencsics, Athletic Trainer for Metuchen High School, for the 2023-2024 school year.

7.    Medical Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the medical leave of absence of Lisa Chango, Guidance at Edgar Middle School, effective approximately November 2, 2023 through approximately February 1, 2024.

8.    Medical Leave of Absence - Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the medical leave of absence for Hope Serratelli, Paraprofessional at Campbell Elementary School, effective August 30, 2023 through approximately September 27, 2023. 

9.    Clubs and Co-Curricular Activities

    Move to approve the following co-curricular stipends for the co-curricular activities for the 2023-2024 school year as listed on the attached chart. 

10.     MHS and EMS Volunteer Clubs

    Move to approve the following MHS and EMS volunteer clubs for the 2023-2024 school year as listed on the attached chart.

11.    Appointment of Substitutes

    Move to approve the appointment of substitutes for the 2023-2024 school year on the attached chart, pending completion of substitute training and criminal history clearance. 

12.    Appointment – Re-Registration Support Staff    

Move to approve the following support staff to work the re-registration sessions for incoming 5th and 9th grade families, through approximately August 19, 2023, at their hourly rates, not to exceed 26 hours per support staff member. 

13.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Deborah Stolz, Paraprofessional at Moss School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $24,255/year, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

14.    Mentoring

    Move to approve Emily Bianchi to provide mentoring to Brianna Fortino for Speech license requirements at a rate of $49/hr, not to exceed 36 hours.

15.    Student Observations

    Move to approve Middlesex College Nursing Program student observations for 2023-2024 school year.

16.    Beyond School Day Nursing Services

    Move to approve the following staff to provide nursing services beyond the school day, as needed, at an hourly rate of $49/hour:

17.    Home Based Services

    Move to approve the following Special Educators to provide home based services and parent training at a rate of $49/hour, as needed: 

18.    Informal Mentor Teacher Assignment

Move to approve the following additional informal mentor assignment for the 2023-2024 school year, to be paid at a rate of $49/hour, not to exceed six hours (Agenda 8/8/23, Section 13 A12):

19.    Retirement - School Secretary

    Move to accept, with regret, the retirement of Mary Miranowic, School Secretary at Metuchen High School, effective November 1, 2023. 

20.    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:

21.    Resignation - Paraprofessional

Move to accept the resignation of Raquel Class, Paraprofessional at Campbell Elementary School, effective August 18, 2023.

22.    Appointment - Certificated Staff 

    Move to approve the appointment of Joelle Williams, Special Education Kindergarten Teacher at Moss School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $76,925/year, prorated, Step 1K, effective October 23, 2023 (or earlier if released from current district) through June 30, 2024. 

23.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Ernest Svolto, Paraprofessional at Edgar Middle School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $23,127/year, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024, pending criminal history clearance.

24.    Appointment - Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the appointment of Karen Brock, Paraprofessional at Moss School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $24,255/year, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024, pending criminal history clearance.

25.    Coaches - Metuchen High School Fall 2023

Move to approve the following Metuchen High School coaches for the Fall 2023 school sports season (Agenda 06/13/2023, Section 13, A18):

26.    Appointment - Paraprofessional

    Move to approve the appointment of Chelsea Coxon, Paraprofessional at Moss School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $24,255/year, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024, pending criminal history clearance.

27.    Appointment - Paraprofessional 

    Move to approve the appointment of Erin Gawronski, Paraprofessional at Campbell School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $23,127/year, effective August 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

28.    Medical Leave of Absence – Certificated Staff

    Move to accept the medical leave of absence of Kerry Blaze, Social Studies Teacher at Metuchen High School, effective August 30, 2023 through approximately October 1, 2023. 

----------------------------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 June 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 August 22, 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 June 30, 2023.

4.    RESOLUTION RATIFYING COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT WITH the Metuchen Education Association

WHEREAS, Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) and the Metuchen Education Association President (“President”) have reached an agreement concerning a successor collective agreement (“Agreement”) covering the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026; and

WHEREAS, the Board has been advised by the president of the Metuchen Education Association that it has properly approved and/or ratified said Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby ratifies and approves the terms of said Agreement;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board authorizes and directs the Board President and the Business Administrator/Board Secretary to execute the Agreement referenced above, as well as any other documents necessary to effectuate the Agreement, on behalf of the Board; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board hereby approves the appropriation of any additional funds necessary to implement the terms of said Agreement.

5.    RESOLUTION RATIFYING COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT WITH the Metuchen Paraprofessional Association

WHEREAS, Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) and the Metuchen Paraprofessional Association President (“President”) have reached an agreement concerning a successor collective agreement (“Agreement”) covering the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026; and

WHEREAS, the Board has been advised by the president of the Metuchen Paraprofessional Association that it has properly approved and/or ratified said Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby ratifies and approves the terms of said Agreement;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board authorizes and directs the Board President and the Business Administrator/Board Secretary to execute the Agreement referenced above, as well as any other documents necessary to effectuate the Agreement, on behalf of the Board; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board hereby approves the appropriation of any additional funds necessary to implement the terms of said Agreement.

6.    RESOLUTION RATIFYING COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT WITH the Metuchen Custodial and Maintenance Association

WHEREAS, Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) and the Metuchen Custodial and Maintenance Association President (“President”) have reached an agreement concerning a successor collective agreement (“Agreement”) covering the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026; and

WHEREAS, the Board has been advised by the president of the Metuchen Custodial and Maintenance Association that it has properly approved and/or ratified said Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby ratifies and approves the terms of said Agreement;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board authorizes and directs the Board President and the Business Administrator/Board Secretary to execute the Agreement referenced above, as well as any other documents necessary to effectuate the Agreement, on behalf of the Board; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board hereby approves the appropriation of any additional funds necessary to implement the terms of said Agreement.

7.    RESOLUTION RATIFYING COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT WITH the Metuchen Principals and Supervisors Association

WHEREAS, Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) and the Metuchen Principals and Supervisors Association President (“President”) have reached an agreement concerning a successor collective agreement (“Agreement”) covering the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026; and

WHEREAS, the Board has been advised by the president of the Metuchen Principals and Supervisors Association that it has properly approved and/or ratified said Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby ratifies and approves the terms of said Agreement;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board authorizes and directs the Board President and the Business Administrator/Board Secretary to execute the Agreement referenced above, as well as any other documents necessary to effectuate the Agreement, on behalf of the Board; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board hereby approves the appropriation of any additional funds necessary to implement the terms of said Agreement.

8.    Out of District Student Placements - 2023-2024 School Year

    Move to approve the following 2023-2024 school year out of district student placements: 

9.     Professional Development

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

10.    Resolution - Camera System

WHEREAS, in connection with the referendum project (“Project”), the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) will be installing additional security cameras throughout the district in those areas that do not currently have such a system; and,

WHEREAS, the Board currently  has installed at several of its facilities a camera system manufactured by Avigilon, which system is still within its useful life and is not being replaced; and,

WHEREAS, the Avigilon system 1) contains storage servers which only run on Avigilon software, 2) will not support off-branded cameras, and 3) is run on software that will only support Avigilon hardware; and,

WHEREAS, the District has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Avigilon system, and has spent significant time training staff on the specifics of the system in order to maintain the security of the District, its buildings, personnel and students; and,

WHEREAS, the Board believed that introducing another brand of security cameras would compromise the safety and swift response practices built up in the district since the installation of the Avigilon system; and,

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the Avigilon camera system meets the proprietary requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5 and N.J.A.C. 5:34-9.1.

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the for the reasons set forth above, the Board authorizes the bid specifications to include the Avigilon camera system as proprietary goods.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administration is authorized to take such other and further steps as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this resolution.

11.    Resolution – Door Security System

WHEREAS, in connection with the referendum project (“Project”), the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) will be installing additional doors for the its door security system throughout the district in those areas that do not currently have such a system; and,

WHEREAS, the Board currently  has installed at several of its facilities a door security system manufactured by Avigilon, which system is still within its useful life and is not being replaced; and,

WHEREAS, the equipment and software of the Avigilon system will only work with each other and do not support another company’s hardware or software; and, 

WHEREAS, the District has invested significant funds for the Avigilon system, and has spent significant time training staff on the specifics of the system in order to maintain the security of the District, its buildings, personnel and students; and,

WHEREAS, the Board believed that introducing another brand of security doors would compromise the safety and swift response practices built up in the district since the installation of the Avigilon door security system; and,

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the Avigilon door security system meets the proprietary requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5 and N.J.A.C. 5:34-9.1.

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the for the reasons set forth above, the Board authorizes the bid specifications to include the Avigilon door security system as proprietary goods.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administration is authorized to take such other and further steps as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this resolution.

12.    Resolution - BMS

WHEREAS, in connection with the referendum project (“Project”), the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) requires the installation of a building management system (“BMS”) for various HVAC units, both new and existing; and,

WHEREAS, the Board current BMS system is a Jersey State Controls (“Jersey State”) system; and,

WHEREAS, a substantial portion of the current Jersey State BMS system is not being replaced in the Project and will remain; and,

WHEREAS, the District’s professionals advise that there is a strong possibility that systems from two separate vendors will not be able to be successfully or seamlessly integrated; and,

WHEREAS, having multiple BMS systems would complicate the District’s ability to adequately control the systems at all of its facilities, would require multiple service providers and increase maintenance costs, and would undermine the District’s investment in not only the existing equipment, but also the training of the District’s employees on the Jersey Control BMS system; and

WHEREAS, the District has determined that the Jersey State BMS system meets the proprietary requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5 and N.J.A.C. 5:34-9.1.

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the for the reasons set forth above, the Board authorizes the bid specifications to include the Jersey State Controls BMS system as proprietary goods.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administration is authorized to take such other and further steps as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this resolution.

13.    Resolution –Notifier, Fire Alarm System by Honeywell

WHEREAS, in connection with the referendum project (“Project”), the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) will be installing additional Fire Alarm devices throughout the district in those areas that do not currently have such a system; and,

WHEREAS, the Board currently has the Notifier Fire Alarm System installed at all its facilities manufactured by Honeywell, which system is still within its useful life and is not being replaced; and,

WHEREAS, the equipment and software of the Notifier system will only work with each other and do not support another company’s hardware or software; and,

WHEREAS, the District has invested significant funds for the Notifier Fire Alarm system, and has spent significant time training staff on the specifics of the system to maintain the security of the district, its buildings, personnel, and students; and,

WHEREAS, the Board believed that introducing another brand of Fire Alarm System would compromise the safety of the buildings and staff by adding an additional system to district, since the installation of the Notifier system; and,

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the Notifier Fire Alarm System meets the proprietary requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5 and N.J.A.C. 5:34-9.1.

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the for the reasons set forth above, the Board authorizes the bid specifications to include the Notifier Fire Alarm system as proprietary goods.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administration is authorized to take such other and further steps as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this resolution.

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

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.   Revised Regulation and Policy

Move to approve the Board of Education suspend Bylaw 0131 and adopt new Policy 1642.01 and new Regulation 1642.01 and revised Policy 2419 and new Regulation 2419 with one reading based on recently approved sick leave legislation that is effective immediately and recent New Jersey Department of Education guidance provided to school districts that is effective September 1, 2023

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