Where did Brian go? I swear I just saw him. >> Did I hallucinate Brian? I'm in the wrong seat. >> You're see 14 roll Sorry. >> All right. Good evening.
Good evening. Good evening. Good evening. I call to order the October 14th, 2025 meeting of the Matuchen Board of Education. Please stand for the flag salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Mrs. Alvich, notice of the meeting, please. when your blue is kind of
>> 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 19th 1976. Notice that 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 Burough Hall and the Matouchin Public Library, the Home News and Tribune and by filing a copy with the burough clerk as prescribed by this law. Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bot, >> here.
>> Miss Cheetah, >> here. >> Mr. Derflinger, >> he is advised he will not be here today. >> Thank you. Mr. Glassber, >> here. >> Dr. Johnson Marcus, >> I am here. >> Miss Colleen, >> also advised that she would not be here today. >> Thank you. Mr. Lifton,
>> here. >> Miss Michaels Lamort, >> here. >> Dr. Sper, here. >> Mr. Sass, >> here. All right. Thank you very much, Dr. Caputo. One of the fun things we get to do here. >> We do. Um last board meeting, the um the
board of education approved two new hires that we're really excited about and they're both here tonight. Um in a second, I'll invite uh each one up to the microphone and they can, you know, as we describe, say as little as thank you or or maybe they want to tell a little more about their background and, you know, maybe their first day or first
week in in district. Uh we're really excited. Uh as I said, we have two new teachers tonight. We have Chioma Asai who's going to be our music teacher leave replacement for Miss Gallagher who's on leave and Chioma's assignment is at Edgar and Moss. Um and in addition to starting their their their work here,
they got an opportunity have a great inservice day yesterday. So Joe, I invite you to the uh the microphone and you can say uh hello to the board and to the public. >> Good evening everybody. Thank you for having me. >> Um so I'll just say a quick little
thing. First off, thank you uh again for this opportunity. Um, everyone has been very kind and supportive, so that's been helpful. Um, I'm Chioma. I'm from New Jersey. I went to school at Monontlair State. Should probably put this up a little, a little little tall. Um, I went
to school at Monontlair State. Uh, studied classical piano and got the chance to study abroad. So, I went to Germany for 2 years and then studied in Pakistan for 3 years, uh, which I absolutely loved. And so I'm, you know,
now back in the States and here, you know, willing to contribute to the the music program here with the experience that I've learned and I'm very grateful to be here. So, thank you. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Welcome. >> J is smart and talented and she comes to
us at the perfect time. It's it's a hard position to fill. So, we're excited. Thank you, J. >> Glad to have you. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. Also here tonight with us is uh Julianne um Mer who will be working at Edgar in
the high school as a social worker leave replacement. Miss Granados is on leave. Um and we're so fortunate to have um Julianne join us. Um knows the school well because um dad Bob has been a longtime teacher and coach here in the
district. Uh, and it it's just such a pleasure to meet Julianne and and learn about her background and and her special talents that she's going to bring here as um a social worker. So, Julian, I invite you to the microphone and say a few words. >> Wonderful. Welcome. >> Hi everyone.
>> Hi. Thank you for having me and for this opportunity. Um, my name is Julianne Mer and as Dr. um Caputo said, my dad has been here for a long time, so I know the Mucha community very well. Um, I went to James Madison University. Um, and my
first internship I worked with, um, first-time mothers and children and their families in the Shannondoa Valley. So, that was a really fun experience. And I just graduated from Ruckers this past May with my MERS in social work. And I worked with um, high school students in an alternative education
program. So, that was a great experience also. And I'm from Middle Sex, New Jersey, so I'm kind of local. And yeah, um I look forward to being a part of this community and um working with my students, their families, staff, and administration. So, thank you so much
for this opportunity and I appreciate it. >> Thank you, Julian. >> Thank you. We're happy to have you. Welcome. >> All right. >> So, we continue that. Um Dr. Johnson Marcus, thank you for allowing us to bring our newly hired folks to the uh you know, a subsequent meeting when they're available to come. Both had long
days today and we appreciate them being here with us uh for the meeting tonight. And I think it's important for the community. Um, if you don't have a a student getting music or a student working with the child study team, you might not get a chance to um to, you know, to know some of our new folks. So, they're great and we're so proud that they're here with us.
>> Absolutely. That's part of what makes this community so fantastic. We get to know the folks in our community who will be helping our children or indeed just members of our community. So, welcome to you both. Thank you. >> Certainly. Oh, it certainly doesn't look like we have a very long meeting, but if you want to take just a 5-second pause,
uh, Julian to go home after the very long day. Absolutely. We will not be insulted if you don't stay for a meeting. So, thank you so much. And if you'd like to go, have a great night. >> Thank you. >> Good call. >> All right.
And at this time, we are open to the public. Anywh who um then seeing is that Dr. >> Yeah, I can't. Yeah, >> seeing no additional members of the public, uh I believe we can close that section. Dr. Caputo, do you have any
presentations for us? >> No presentations tonight. >> Fantabulous. Moving along. I don't have a report tonight. Do you have anything you'd like to report? >> No report tonight. I'll talk next meeting uh after the 28th to remind folks that uh election day will be the following week. Um, but in the meantime,
if if you received your ballot, um, I'll remind everyone again, but it's election season and it's critical in a democracy that that you exercise your your right to vote. So, we encourage folks to do that. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Caputo. All righty. We are up to committee reports.
Mr. Glber, I believe construction is the only uh committee that has met since our last meeting. >> Got it. Okay. So, construction met on October 6th. That meeting was started with open to the public in our media center. Um just some updates. Most of
the interior H at the high school most of the interior HVAC is installed. The cafeteria edition is complete although still may not be used at the moment just because of the configuration what's going on there. Uh most of the framing
rough electrical are in um in the new gym edition area. The translucent glass is going to be added around the end of October. The addition is expected to be complete around the third week of December. And after that, there will be
some commissioning of systems. Um there's a little bit more work to do in the new cafeteria edition because when the board office moves out, uh then they'll clean that up and put it into order as a as a cafeteria. But it won't take too long.
That'll take us into the middle part of January or later January. Um the new electrical service for the high school is expected to go in um during Jersey week, election week,
weather dependent. Um and then that will allow the air conditioning systems to be working shortly later after that. Um there's additional soils that were removed from or should have been removed previously. So, as of my report, it said
should be removed this week, but uh that week has passed, so should be removed at this point. Uh but the progress is going really well at the high school there. Uh we hope to be able to get in a couple games in January or some type of events in January uh to make use of that space
and I think it will be a really great community uh event time. So, I'm hoping when we are able to announce something happening in that new gym that the whole community will come out and pack the new gym at Moss. Uh the air and unit
ventilators are working. Uh full day kindergarten is up and running. Um later January is when the entire new structure should be completed in plenty of time for grade realignment for next year. At Edgar, the air and unit ventilators are
working. Um, as of the meeting, it was not fully working in a handful of rooms, um, due to some motors that needed to be replaced. Um, and there's still some balancing that's taking place that's in the works. So, there might be some rooms that are
abnormally cold or not, uh, while that balancing is being worked on, and we appreciate your patience as always. Uh, the landscaping should be completed very soon. Um, and then after that, there's two basketball um two basketball hoops
that are being installed out front. So, that will be great for kids to be able to use when everything is is ready. Um, and they're going through a completion list in the building for the new part of that addition that was put in. There are some items that needed to that still
need to be fixed. At Campbell, the air and unit ventilators are working. Uh the shades in the cafeteria edition were installed uh but were not working as of our last meeting. I'm not sure if you know anything new on on the shades in
the cafeteria. >> The uh the report today confirmed that the shades are working. >> Okay, great. All right. So hopefully the shades are now working in the cafeteria space. Um, regarding the anything from the public at that point, uh, there was a
question from, uh, public via email regarding the garage doors that are used at Campbell School. So, we're looking into that in the cafeteria area and then also regarding uh, landscaping that's going to be happening near the on the
edges of the moss school. So, those those are both things that are on our agenda to look at. In the close session, we discussed uh budget concerns. Um the contingency budgets are uh that we have for the plan are essentially used up at
this point. So hopefully things will go smoothly moving forward. Um we discussed security at uh Mos School um as it relates to just the construction area and making sure that we're keeping everybody safe in and around the building. We discussed celebrations.
there will be some type of public event at each of the schools so that the public is able to come into the new spaces, see what it is that they voted for, see the completed work. Uh so we continued to look at that and then we also spent a little time as well talking
about uh the EIP energy saving program and um evaluating our choices for different ways to potentially save money on our energy uses. That is the end of that report. Our next meeting is on November 17th and our next
meeting that's open to the public is on December 15th. I'll repeat that as we get closer. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Glassber. I appreciate that. Um I don't believe there are any other committee reports at this time. Um so now we turn to our student board
member, Miss Michaels Lamort. >> Uh hello. I just have uh one thing. On the 21st at Campbell, there's going to be a I believe a PTO sponsored book swap. So, look forward to that.
>> All right. Thank you. All right. At this time, is there any old business from the board? >> No. No. Well, I have old business, which is happy birthday, Mr. Lifton. >> Oh, >> that is certainly old business. >> Old business. >> I did have a question for um >> Happy birthday.
>> I did have two questions for Mr. Glber. I I um normally am on a construction committee but I was unable to make it. How many uh people from the public attended? >> There was at that meeting there there was nobody additional from the public. Okay. The uh correspondences were via um
uh they were one was via email and one was in person uh before before the meeting. >> And the other question is do you know when the construction will start on fixing the rest of Campbellfield? Do we have a date for that? Yes. Um, let me think. We had that that
was a topic at the construction meeting today at 10 o'clock. I think next week. >> Okay, great. >> Dr. Stans had asked about that and needs to have plans. It's not finalized today. I think it's next week. >> Excellent. Thank you. Um, I I'll piggy back off of that and then just repeat or
come back to one thing that I didn't mention. So, what Mr. Sus mentioned was not part of the referendum, but it is something that we agreed to do after the fact because we found that it would be worthwhile to level out the back field,
the field at Campbell, not closest to the school. So, as part of the referendum, we were dealing with drainage issues in and around the school, which was something that we heard a lot of at our public meetings leading up to the referendum. After the
fact, um, we were hearing more and amongst our board members and also amongst the public about, uh, drainage issues further out at the ball field. And that's something that we're going to be doing, although it's not specifically part of the referendum. And one thing that I neglected to mention is that at
Moss, there's an interior courtyard playground area, and that construction has begun finally. So that was a little bit uh delayed, but they have gotten working on that. So hopefully kids will be able to enjoy that additional space pretty soon.
>> All right, thank you for the questions and the further updates. Any other questions on the committee report? All right, wonderful. Or wait, we were in business. Sorry, >> that was old business. May go to new business. >> All right, that's not Mr. Lifton's.
>> I'm back now. I'm Listen, I did not call you back. Okay, awesome. Let the record reflect. >> Any new business from the board? See, I would have said it here. Happy birthday. All right. At this time, I'd like seeing none. No new business. All right. Uh, at
this time, I'd like to move to approve the September 30th minutes of the Matuchen Board of Education special business meetings one and two and the board meeting. Is there a second? Mr. Bot, any comments or questions on those minutes?
Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Mr. Bot, >> yes. >> Miss Cheetum, >> abstain. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Glassber, >> yes. >> Dr. Johnson Marcus, >> yes. >> Mr. Lifton, >> yes. >> Dr. Spar, >> yes. >> Mr. Sass, >> yes.
>> Motion carries. Thank you. Um, at this time, the meeting is open to the public. However, not seeing any change in the room since the last time I said that. Not seeing anyone looking like they want to say anything. We will close that section of the meeting. At this time, I
turn to the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. Oftentimes, 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 the administration and the superintendent to asssure 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. I'd like to move the personnel items A1 through A12. Could I have a second,
please, Mr. Sus? And any questions or comments? >> Hello. >> All right. Roll call, please. Miss Alabich. >> Mr. Bot. >> Yes. >> Miss Cheetah, >> yes. >> Mr. Glassber, >> yes.
>> Dr. Johnson Marcus, >> yes. >> Mr. Lifton, >> yes. >> Dr. Sper, >> yes. >> Mr. Sus, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Wonderful. Thank you very much, Mr. Sus. Finance. >> Yes. I'd like to move items B1 through B6 as listed on the agenda.
>> Wonderful. Can I have a second, please? Dr. Sper, any questions or comments on the finance items? Dr. Caputo. >> Thank you, Dr. Johnson. I just want to draw everyone's attention to one of the items. I mean, there's there's 28 excellent professional development requests that we're asking you to
approve, but at 1 2 3 4 5 6 7th down. Um on um October 21st, there'll be a group of green team members from uh each of the schools uh attending the program at workshop. Um each of the schools is
being honored with sustainable Jersey schools. And spoiler alert, I'll have more information for you, but um while it's still embargoed, there'll also be a a significant district award given out to a district that we know. Um and so we'll have more reports and we'll bring
that uh to to later meeting in October. Uh really excited by the the efforts under Kate Lemmer and all the green teams to schools um that's led to that. So more more to come on that when we can talk about it. Wonderful. It's always nice when we are at the school boards association to see our district being
recognized. We are a small district, but we punch above our weight often. So, always nice to see that. Thank you for pointing that out. Um, any other questions or comments on the finance section. Okay, roll call, please. Mrs. Alvich, >> Mr. Bot, >> yes.
>> Miss Cheetum, >> yes. >> Mr. Blber, >> Dr. Johnson Marcus, >> yes. >> Mr. Lifton, >> yes. >> Dr. Spner. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sus. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you, Dr. Spner. Policy.
>> I'd like to move items C1 through C2 as listed on the agenda, please. >> Wonderful. May I have a second, please? Miss Cheetum. Any questions or comments on the policy items? Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Mr. Bot, >> yes.
>> Miss Cheetum, >> yes. >> Mr. Glber, >> yes. >> Dr. Johnson Marcus, >> yes. Mr. Lifton, >> yes. >> Dr. Sper, >> yes. Mr. Sus, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Thank you so much. On
behalf of Mr. Jinglinger, I'll move curriculum item D1. May I have a second, please? Mr. Glassberg, any questions or comments on the curriculum items at this time? Yes, Dr. Caputo. >> Just had a few thanks. Um, I wanted to
thank the responsiveness of the extracurricular committee members. Um, we were going back and forth. um even up until today uh around some of the items I'll talk about. I also want to thank uh Mrs. Alvich and Miss Plancher and Mrs. Orcott for helping put the um the the
the band competitions on here in such a way that could be um public and votable for the board. So, you know, our band is growing and ever improving. And speaking about punching above their weight, um you know, have outclassed some of the
the competitions locally. So they're expanding out of just the Middle Sex County area. And um so we we've started treating the band as their own entity in addition to a a support group for football and football games. So we'll begin by putting the band competitions
on here, treating it like as a field trip um for the board. So we appreciate again the work of our folks in central office and Mrs. Jay and Mr. messenger and all the the our students who do wonderful work as well as the extracurricular committee members for the last month um engaging with us in
this process on how to make it um how to best going forward. So thank you for that. >> Thank you to all who work to make that a sustainable process and indeed any of us who live within earshot of the school can hear how hard they are working. So I can attest to that. All right, >> one more.
>> Yes. Question comment >> just for the Harvard model congress. Is that still online or is that still a virtual activity? Cuz I see zero cost for it. >> No, it's zero cost to the board. >> Okay. >> Um, >> so is it >> but students pay?
>> Students pay. Okay. >> Yep. >> All of our clubs >> because I know it was virtual d sorry it was virtual during co. So, right. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Any other questions or comments on the curriculum items? >> All right. Seeing none, roll call, please. Mrs. Valovich.
>> Mr. Bot, >> yes. >> Miss Cheetum, >> yes. >> Mr. Glber, >> yes. >> Dr. Johnson Marcus, >> yes. >> Mr. Lifton, >> yes. >> Dr. Sper, >> yes. >> Mr. Sus, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Uh, no change to
the room. But indeed, we are open to the public. If there was anyone outside waiting for their moment, you can come in now. Uh, just kidding. There's no one else here. Uh, so I'll close that section of the meeting. Uh, Mrs. to see them announcements. >> Thank you very much. Um I'll start with
MOS. Uh similar to the um the inner courtyard that Mr. Glasber just talked about, they are well underway in their moss bottle cap mural. Local recycled mixed media artist Julia Wyn has been commissioned to do the mural mural, excuse me. Um so we're hoping to get it
done. They're hoping to get it done in the spring barring any uh construction delays. There are uh bottle cap collection bins at Moss and in the public library in addition to a few other PTO board member porches. Uh more information can be found on the MOS PTO
Facebook page. And with that, moving on to Campbell. Um as already mentioned, they did have um oh, sorry, I'm going back going forward. Going back. Um they had their book fair last week, which was very successful. um they were able to use the scholastic dollars um to buy the
teachers books as well for their classrooms and several books for the school library. So always a nice event there. The next book swap again as mentioned is Tuesday the 21st and preparations are well underway for the Halloween parties on the 31st. >> Um next going over to Edgar. Um their
book fair starts November 11th after the break and then the first Edgar PTO meeting is Monday night for those that want to join. Thank you very much. Wonderful. Thank you, Mrs. Cheetum. I appreciate it. All right. Um, at this time, I would like to move to adjourn
the meeting. Is there a second? >> I feel like you should on your birthday. >> I, >> Mr. Lifson. All in favor? >> Good night, everyone.