THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

METUCHEN, NEW JERSEY

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 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, 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 

❖    Review of Baseline Data, Maintenance and Custodial, Transportation - Mr. Harvier

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 - Rescind

Move to rescind the retirement of Meghan Jeney, Reading Specialist at Campbell School (Agenda 01/23/2024, Section 13 A1).

2. Appointment - Leave Replacement

Move to approve the appointment of Rebecca Porretto, Leave Replacement for Andrea Agnone, Special Education Teacher at Edgar School, at a rate of $301.49/day, effective February 5, 2024 through approximately April 15, 2024. 

3. Appointment - Leave Replacement 

Move to approve the appointment of Saima Khan, Leave Replacement for Deanna Kindler, First Grade Teacher at Campbell School, at a rate of $301.49/day, effective February 8, 2024 through approximately April 9, 2024. 

4. Leave of Absence - Paraprofessional

Move to approve the leave of absence of Erin Gawronski, Paraprofessional at Campbell School, effective January 22, 2024 through approximately February 29, 2024.

5. Salary Adjustment – Certificated Staff 

Move to approve a change in base salary for Lauren Thompson, Special Education Teacher at Edgar School, from Step 1F, $59,000/year, to Step 3F, $61,950/year, as a result of her earning her Master’s Degree, effective March 1, 2024. 

6.    Coaches - Revision MHS Spring Coaches

    Move to rescind and approve the following 2023-2024 Metuchen High School spring coach appointments (Agenda 07/18/2023, Section 13, A8):

7.    Appointment - Interim Moss Principal

    Move to approve the appointment of Kathy Glutz as Interim Principal at Moss School, from March 18, 2024 through June 30, 2024, at a rate of $600/day. 

8.    Leave of Absence - Administrator

    Move to approve the leave of absence of Brian Stike, Vice Principal at Metuchen High School, effective April 8, 2024 through approximately May 3, 2024.

9.    Appointment - Leave Replacement

    Move to approve the appointment of Adero Solomon, as Leave Replacement for Special Education Math Teacher at Metuchen High School, effective January 29, 2024 through approximately March 31, 2024, at a rate of $150/day. 

10.    Appointment - Additional Substitutes

Move to approve the appointment of additional substitutes for the 2023-2024 school year, effective February 8, 2024, pending completion of substitute training and criminal history clearance:

11.    Leave of Absence - Rescind 

    Move to rescind the leave of absence of Nicole Valera, 4th Grade Teacher at Campbell School, effective approximately February 9, 2024 through approximately February 26, 2024 (Agenda 1/23/2024, Section 13, A21).

12.    Resignation - Rescind

    Move to rescind the resignation of Joelle Williams, Moss School Self-contained Kindergarten Teacher, effective February 16, 2024 , as per agreement (Agenda 01/02/2024, Section 13, A5).

13.    Transfer - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the transfer of Joelle Williams, from Self-contained Kindergarten Teacher at Moss School, to Science ICR Teacher at Edgar Middle School, effective January 15, 2024.

14.    Leave of Absence - Certificated Staff

    Move to approve the leave of absence of Joelle Williams, Science RCI Teacher at Edgar Middle School, effective January 15, 2024 through June 30, 2024.

15.    Home Programming

Move to approve Hope Serratelli for home programming for the 2023-2024 school year at her hourly rate of $25.09/hr.

16.    Resolution – Administrative Leave

    Be it resolved, employee #102213 was placed on administrative leave with pay from February 2, 2024 through February 7, 2024. 

17.    Supplemental Tutoring Services

    Move to approve Lindsay Kaye, Special Education Teacher at Edgar Middle School, to provide supplemental tutoring services for the 2023-2024 school year, as needed, at the rate of $60/hour (IDEA funded). 

18.    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):

19.    Edgar Middle School Club Advisor

    Move to approve the following co-curricular stipend for the 2023-2024 school year as listed (Agenda 8/22/2023, Section 13, A9):

----------------------------end of personnel section--------------------------

2. FINANCE

Motion/Second/Comments/Roll Call

1.    Professional Development

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

2.    Acceptance of the 2022-2023 School Year Audit

    Move to accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), the accompanying Report to Management, and the synopsis prepared by the Superintendent, the Business Administrator, and Suplee, Clooney & Company, with no corrective action necessary for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2023.

3.    Nonpublic Technology Aid

    Move to approve the following nonpublic technology aid for the 2023-2024 school year. These expenditures are required for the district to fulfill certain legal obligations under state legislation to administer federal or state funds provided to nonpublic schools within our jurisdiction.

4.    Resolution

WHEREAS, the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) seeks to procure the services of a third-party vendor to audit the Board’s utility services and for the purposes of achieving as much savings as possible (“Services”); and,

WHEREAS, the Services constitute a concession under the New Jersey Public School Contracts Law (“PSCL”); and,

WHEREAS, the benefits of the concession to the Board include potential savings in its utility bills and that there will be no payment required from the Board in the event no savings are reached (and that any payment will be a percentage of savings realized); and,

WHEREAS, the risks involved are minimal since no payment is due unless savings are achieved through the concession; and

WHEREAS, the estimated value of the concession is unknown but is anticipated to be above the Board’s bid threshold; and

WHEREAS, the total revenue of the concession is unknown but will be a percentage of savings realized; and

WHEREAS, the services required by the Board and costs incurred by the Board will be minimal; and

WHEREAS, the Board intends to procure the concession through the use of the competitive contracting procedures of the PSCL and award to the vendor whose proposal, price and other factors considered, is in the best interests of the Board.

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby authorizes the procurement of third-party utility services as a concession through the competitive contracting procedures of the PSCL.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administration is authorized to take such steps as necessary to implement this resolution.

5.    Student Placement

    Move to approve placement of student #2032001 to attend Future Foundations Academy, effective approximately February 26, 2024 at the daily rate of $349 with a pro-rated annual tuition of $62,820.

6.    Aid Expenses

    Move to approve extraordinary aid expenses to Future Foundations Academy for student #2032001, with the annual rate of $45,360, which will be prorated for the 2023-2024 school year.

7.    Home Instruction

    Move to approve Hampton Behavioral Health to provide home instruction for the 2023-2024 school year, at the rate of $70/hr.

8.    Resolution - Small Group Intentional Teaching

WHEREAS, the Metuchen Board of Education (”Board”) publicly advertised a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for a contract for High Impact Tutoring Services (“Services”) pursuant to the competitive contract procedures of the Public School Contracts Law; and

WHEREAS, the Board received two proposals in response to the public advertisement; and

WHEREAS, the highest ranking proposal based upon the criteria set forth in the award was submitted by Imagine Learning, LLC 8860 East Chaparral Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85250; and

WHEREAS, Imagine Learning’s proposal was responsive to the requirement of the RFP.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED. that pursuant to the competitive contracting procedures in the PSCL, the Board hereby awards a contract for the services of Imagine Learning at the rates set forth in their proposal for an initial term of one (1) year plus option of four (4) one-year extensions;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administration is required to take all steps necessary to effectuate this award including publication of notice of the award.

9.    Resolution - Award Contract additions and Alterations Moss Elementary School and Edgar Middle School

WHEREAS, on February 7, 2024, the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) held a public bid opening for the re-bid of the Additions & Alterations to Moss Elementary School and Edgar Middle School project (“Project”); and

WHEREAS, the Board received four (4) bids at the public bid opening; and

WHEREAS, the lowest numerical bid was submitted by Epic Management, Inc., Piscataway New Jersey, with a total bid, inclusive of a $300,000.00 General Allowance, and selected deduct alternate bids, in the amount of $37,186,409, inclusive of a base bid (including General Allowance) of $42,660,000.00, a deduct of $130,000.00 on Alternate Bid AB-10,  a deduct of $265,000.00 on Alternate Bid AB-12, a deduct of $400,000.00 on Alternate Bid AB-13, and a deduct of $4,678,591.00 on Alternate Bid AB-14; and

WHEREAS, the Board has determined Epic Management, Inc. to be the lowest responsible bidder.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the above recitals are incorporated as if set forth here at length.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that pursuant to New Jersey’s Public School Contracts Law, the Board hereby awards a contract for the Project to Epic Management, Inc, in the amount of $37,097,409.00 as broken out above.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby authorizes the Business Administrator to return the bid bond to all but the three lowest bidders.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon receipt of the executed contract, bonds, insurance certificate and other contract documents from Epic Management, Inc., the Business Administrator is authorized to return the bid securities to the remaining bidders, if requested.

10.    Resolution - Award Contract additions and Alterations Campbell Elementary School and Metuchen High School

WHEREAS, on February 7, 2024, the Metuchen Board of Education (“Board”) held a public bid opening for the re-bid of the Additions & Alterations to Campbell Elementary School and Metuchen High School project (“Project”); and

WHEREAS, the Board received four (4) bids at the public bid opening; and

WHEREAS, the lowest numerical bid was submitted by M&M Construction, Cranford New Jersey , with a total bid, inclusive of a $300,000.00 General Allowance, and selected deduct alternate bids, in the amount of $38,020,000 inclusive of a base bid (including General Allowance) of $38,400,000, a deduct of $90,000.00 on Alternate Bid AB-04, a deduct of $120,000.00 on Alternate Bid AB-05,  a bid of $20,000.00 on Alternate Bid AB-09, and a deduct of $190,000.00 on Alternate Bid AB-11; and

WHEREAS, the Board has determined M&M Construction to be the lowest responsible bidder.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the above recitals are incorporated as if set forth here at length.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that pursuant to New Jersey’s Public School Contracts Law, the Board hereby awards a contract for the Project to Epic Management, Inc, in the amount of $38,020,000.00 as broken out above.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board hereby authorizes the Business Administrator to return the bid bond to all but the three lowest bidders.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon receipt of the executed contract, bonds, insurance certificate and other contract documents from M&M Construction, the Business Administrator is authorized to return the bid securities to the remaining bidders, if requested.

----------------------------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 22, 2024 - February 9, 2024. 

2.    Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

    Move to affirm the findings of the previously reported case.

• CES121823001

• EMS122223001

• METHS011024001

• EMS011124001

• EMS011224001

3.    Ice Hockey Tri-op

Move to approve the submission of an application for tri-op with JP Stevens High School and Edison High School for Ice Hockey for the 2024-2027 school years. Final commitment to the program will be subject to negotiation and approval of an acceptable agreement between the Metuchen Board of Education, Edison Board of Education and Ice Hockey Association detailing the operations of the tri-op program.

4.    Sidebars

Move to approve the Metuchen Board of Education Sidebars with the Metuchen Education Association concerning the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school calendars. 

5.    School Calendar

    Move to approve the district calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. 

 ----------------------------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.    Textbook Disposal

    Move to approve the disposal of the following textbooks as per the guidelines outlined in the district's policy on Disposition of Property:

3.    Student Observer

    Move to approve the following Student Observer in our school district for the 2023-2024 school year, for up to 4 hours:

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