THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024

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 

❖    SSDS and HIB Report Quarter 1 September 2023 - December 2023

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)

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. Retirement - Certificated Staff

Move to accept, with regret, the retirement of Meghan Jeney, Reading Specialist at Campbell School, effective June 30, 2024.

2. Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff

Move to approve the leave of absence of Beth Abbott, Physical Education and Health Teacher at Metuchen High School, effective January 9, 2024 through approximately February 26, 2024.

3. Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff

Move to approve the leave of absence of Karen Calantoni, LDTC at Moss School, effective January 12, 2024 through approximately February 5, 2024.

4. Leave of Absence - Technology Staff

Move to approve the leave of absence of Andres Elias, Help Desk Technician for Metuchen Schools District, effective approximately March 4, 2024 through approximately June 3, 2024.

5. Salary Adjustment - Custodial Longevity

Move to approve a change in total salary for Liz Saccente, Custodian, from $44,602/year to $44,816/year as a result of completing 15 years of service, effective February 1, 2024.

6. Robotics - Chaperones

Move to approve Melissa Robbins, Ginny Wetzel and Ed Ronk as chaperones for the Gifted & Talented robotics competition in Mount Olive on 12/09/2023 & 12/10/23 at the teacher hourly rate of $49/ hour.

7. Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff

Move to approve the leave of absence of Kevin Smedley, Industrial Arts Teacher at Metuchen High School, effective approximately May 21, 2024 through approximately October 25, 2024.

8. Edgar School Robotics

Move to approve the following parents as volunteer coaches for the Robotics Team at Edgar School for the 2023-2024 school year:

9.    Appointment – Additional Event Staff

Move to approve the following additional Event Staff for the 2023-2024 school year, effective January 9, 2024 (Agenda 8/8/23, Section 13 A10):

10.    Instructional Stipends - Extension

    Move to extend the following Edgar School Instructional stipends for the 2023-2024 school year, from January 31, 2024 through April 11, 2024 as listed (Agenda 11/28/2023, Section 13, A2):

11.    Appointment - Additional Substitutes

Move to approve the appointment of additional substitutes for the 2023-2024 school year, effective January 2, 2024, pending completion of substitute training and criminal history clearance:

12.    Leave of Absence Extension - Certificated Staff

Move to approve the leave of absence extension of Andrea Agnone, Special Education Teacher at Edgar School, through approximately April 12, 2024. (Agenda 1/2/24, Section 19 A9).

13.    Leave of Absence Extension - Certificated Staff

Move to approve the leave of absence extension of Deanna Kindler, First Grade Teacher at Campbell School, through approximately April 7, 2024 (Agenda 1/2/24, Section 13, A10).

14.    Paraprofessional Reassignment

Move to approve the following paraprofessional reassignment for the 2023-2024 school year, effective January 22, 2024 (Agenda 12/19/23, Section 13, A6):

15.     Appointment - Certificated Staff

Move to approve the appointment of Lauren Corrigan, Special Education Kindergarten Teacher at Moss School, for the 2023-2024 school year, at a salary of $55,775, Step 1A, prorated, effective February 20, 2024, pending receipt of her certification. 

16.    Supplemental Tutoring Appointments

Move to approve the following teachers to provide supplemental tutoring services for the 2023-2024 school year at the rate of $60 per hour  (IDEA funded) : 

17.     Integrated Preschool Orientation Presenters

Move to approve  the following teachers as presenters at the Integrated Preschool Orientation on 1/31/2024 at the rate of $49/hour:

18.    Special Education Parent Advisory Council Presenters

Move to approve the following certified staff as workshop presenters for Special Education Parent Advisory Council for the 2023-2024 school year at the rate of $49/ hour:

19.    Mentor Teacher Assignments

Move to approve the following additional mentor assignments for the 2023-2024 school year (Agenda 8/8/23, Section 13,  A13 and 10/17/23, Section 13 A):

20.    Edgar Co-curricular Stipend

    Move to approve the following Edgar Co-curricular Stipend for the 2023-2024 school year:

21.    Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the leave of absence of Nicole Valera, 4th Grade Teacher at Campbell Elementary School, effective approximately February 9, 2024 through approximately February 26, 2024. 

22.    Instructional Stipend

    Move to approve the following Metuchen High School instructional Stipends for the 2023-2024 school year, retroactively beginning January 22, 2024, through May 3, 2024 as listed:

23.    Appointment - Technology Staff

    Move to approve Catherine LaMoreaux for technology assistance, as needed, at a rate of $20/hour for the 2023-2024 school year. 

----------------------------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 November 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 January 23, 2024 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 November 30, 2023.

4.    Professional Development

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

5.     Resolution 

Agreement to enter a Cooperative Pricing System between the County of Bergen and Metuchen Board of Education (Attached)

COOPERATIVE PRICING SYSTEM AGREEMENT

             New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Alliance # CK04

             AGREEMENT FOR A COOPERATIVE PRICING SYSTEM

This Agreement made and entered into this 23rd day of January, 2024, by and between the, COUNTY OF BERGEN and Metuchen Board of Education, who desire to participate in the # CK04, NJ Cooperative Purchasing Alliance.

                      W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-11(5), specifically authorizes two or more contracting units to establish a Cooperative Pricing System for the provision and performance of goods and services and enter into a Cooperative Pricing Agreement for its administration; and

WHEREAS, the County of Bergen is conducting a voluntary Cooperative Pricing System known as the New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Alliance with other contracting units; and

WHEREAS, this Cooperative Pricing System is to effect substantial economies in the provision and performance of goods and services; and

WHEREAS, all parties hereto have approved the within Agreement by Resolution in

accordance with the aforesaid statute; and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of all parties to enter into such Agreement for said purposes;

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION OF the promises and of the covenants, terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, it is mutually agreed as follows:

 1.      The goods or services to be priced cooperatively may include all goods and services which may be bid under the laws and stipulations of the State of New Jersey and such other items as two or more participating contracting units in the system agree can be purchased on a cooperative basis.

 2.      The items and classes of items which may be designated by the participating contracting units hereto may be purchased cooperatively for the period commencing with the execution of this Agreement and continuing until terminated as hereinafter provided.

 3.      The Lead Agency, on behalf of all participating contracting units, shall upon approval of the registration of the System and annually thereafter ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE REGISTRATION OF THE SYSTEM publish a legal ad in such format as required by N.J.A.C. 5:34-7.9(a) in its official newspaper normally used for such purposes by it to include such information as:

 (A)    The name of Lead Agency soliciting competitive bids or informal quotations.

 (B)    The address and telephone number of Lead Agency.

 (C)    The names of the participating contracting units.

 (D)    The State Identification Code assigned to the Cooperative Pricing System.

 (E)    The expiration date of the Cooperative Pricing System.

 4.      Each of the participating contracting units shall designate, in writing, to the Lead Agency, the items to be purchased and indicate therein the approximate quantities desired [IF NOT AN OPEN ENDED CONTRACT], the location for delivery and other requirements, to permit the preparation of specifications as provided by law.

 5.      The specifications shall be prepared and approved by the Lead Agency and no changes shall be made thereafter except as permitted by law.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent changes in specifications for subsequent purchases.

 6.      A single advertisement for bids or the solicitation of informal quotations for the goods or services to be purchased shall be prepared by the Lead Agency on behalf of all of the participating contracting units desiring to purchase any item.

 7.    The Lead Agency when advertising for bids or soliciting informal quotations shall receive bids or quotations on behalf of all participating contracting units.  Following the receipt of bids, the Lead Agency shall review said bids and on behalf of all participating contracting units, either reject all or certain of the bids or make one award to the lowest responsible bidder or bidders for each separate item.  This award shall result in the Lead Agency entering into a Master Contract with the successful bidder(s) providing for two categories of purchases:

 (A)    The quantities ordered for the Lead Agency’s own needs, and

 (B)      The estimated aggregate quantities to be ordered by other participating contracting units by separate contracts, subject to the specifications and prices set forth in the Lead Agency’s Master Contract.

8.    The Lead Agency shall enter into a formal written contract(s) directly with the successful bidder(s) only after it has certified the funds available for its own needs.

9.    Each participating contracting unit shall also certify the funds available only for its own needs ordered; enter into a formal written contract, when required by law, directly with the successful bidder(s); issue purchase orders in its own name directly to successful vendor(s) against said contract; accept its own deliveries; be invoiced by and receive statements from the successful vendor(s); make payment directly to the successful vendor(s) and be responsible for any tax liability.

10.    No participating contracting unit in the Cooperative Pricing System shall be responsible for payment for any items ordered or for performance generally, by any other participating contracting unit.  Each participating contracting unit shall accordingly be liable only for its own performance and for items ordered and received by it and none assumes any additional responsibility or liability.

11.    The provisions of Paragraphs 7, 8, 9, and 10 above shall be quoted or referred to and sufficiently described in all specifications so that each bidder shall be on notice as to the respective responsibilities and liabilities of the participating contracting units.

12.    No participating contracting unit in the Cooperative Pricing System shall issue a purchase order or contract for a price which exceeds any other price available to it from any other such system in which it is authorized to participate or from bids or quotations which it has itself received.

13.    The Lead Agency reserves the right to exclude from consideration any good or service if, in its opinion, the pooling of purchasing requirements or needs of the participating contracting units is either not beneficial or not workable.

14.    The Lead Agency shall appropriate sufficient funds to enable it to perform the administrative responsibilities assumed pursuant to this Agreement.

15.    This Agreement shall become effective on the date adopted on the resolution subject to the review and approval of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services and shall continue in effect for a period not to exceed five (5) years from said date unless any party to this Agreement shall give written notice of its intention to terminate its participation.

16.    The County of Bergen shall on behalf of all local units participating in the cooperative pricing system renew the system every 5 years in perpetuity; unless all parties give written notice that there is no longer a desire or a need for participation in the system.

17.    All records and documents maintained or utilized pursuant to terms of this Agreement shall be identified by the System Identifier assigned by the Director, Division of Local Government Services, and such other numbers as are assigned by the Lead Agency for purposes of identifying each contract and item awarded.

18.    This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the respective parties hereto.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed and executed by their authorized corporate officers and their respective seals to be hereto affixed the day and year above written.

FOR THE LEAD AGENCY

(NAME AND TITLE))

FOR THE PARTICIPATING UNIT

(NAME AND TITLE)

             RESOLUTION FOR MEMBER PARTICIPATION

IN A COOPERATIVE PRICING SYSTEM

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE METUCHEN BOARD OF EDUCATION

TO ENTER INTO the New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Alliance

COOPERATIVE PRICING AGREEMENT

RESOLUTION NUMBER _____             

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-11(5) authorizes contracting units to establish a Cooperative Pricing System and to enter into Cooperative Pricing Agreements for its administration; and

WHEREAS, the County of Bergen, hereinafter referred to as the “Lead Agency " has offered voluntary participation in the New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Alliance # CK04- a Cooperative Pricing System for the purchase of goods and services;

WHEREAS, on January 23, 2024 the governing body of the Metuchen Board of Education, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey duly considered participation in a Cooperative Pricing System for the provision and performance of goods and services;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED as follows:

                         TITLE

             This RESOLUTION shall be known and may be cited as the Cooperative Pricing Resolution of the Metuchen Board of Education.

                          AUTHORITY

             Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:11-11(5), the Business Administrator/Board Secretary is hereby authorized to enter into a Cooperative Pricing Agreement with the Lead Agency.

                     CONTRACTING UNIT

            The Lead Agency shall be responsible for complying with the provisions of the Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq.) and all other provisions of the revised statutes of the State of New Jersey.

                     EFFECTIVE DATE

             This resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage.

                     CERTIFICATION

                                                                        (NAME AND TITLE)

                                                                        (NAME AND TITLE)

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

3. POLICY

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1. Suspensions

The Board hereby acknowledges receipt of the suspension report summary for January 1, 2024 - January 19, 2024. 

 ----------------------------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. Field Trip - Revision

Move to rescind and approve the following changes to the listed field trip (Agenda 11/28/2023, Section 13, D1):

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