February 26, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting
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Submitted by Cassandra_Bragg on Fri, 02/13/2026 - 11:01am
Dates:
Thursday, February 26, 2026 - 6:30pm
BOARD OF EDUCATION
School District of South Orange Maplewood
525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Thursday, February 26, 2026 6:30 pm
In-Person and Using online video conference platform
(The instructions are placed at the end of the agenda)
- ROLL CALL OF THE MEMBERS
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- NOTICE OF THE MEETING: Please take notice that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in the following manner:
- That written notice was sent from the Office of the Secretary of the Board at 7:58 a.m. on January 6, 2026.
- That said notice was sent via email to Maplewood and South Orange Township Clerks and the Editors of the News Record, Star-Ledger, TapintoSOMA, and the Village Green.
- EXECUTIVE SESSION
WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-11, permits the Board of Education to meet in closed executive session to discuss certain matters, and
WHEREAS, the length of the Executive Session is estimated to be seventy-five (75) minutes after which the public meeting of the Board shall (select one) □ reconvene and immediately adjourn or X reconvene and proceed with business where formal action will be taken, now, therefore be it
RESOLVED: The Board of Education adjourns to closed session to discuss personnel, legal, and miscellaneous confidential matters. Be it further
RESOLVED: The minutes of this closed session will be made public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists.
REGULAR MEETING (Approximately 7:30 PM)
- APPROVAL OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES: Special Meeting Minutes - January 5, 2026; Regular Board Meeting Minutes - January 29, 2026
- BOE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE UPDATE:
- SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE:
- BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR’S UPDATE:
- BOARD PRESIDENT’S UPDATE:
X. FIRST HEARING OF INDIVIDUALS AND DELEGATIONS:
Public participation in board meetings is governed by Policy 0167. The
second public comment period may be limited to 60 minutes. Statements are limited to three (3) minutes, except that if it appears public comments may exceed 60 minutes, statements may be limited to two (2) minutes. (Instructions for remote participation can be found below.)
XI. DISCUSSION
- Committee Reports
XII. ACTION ON BOARD RESOLUTIONS (Links to all resolutions may be found at the bottom of this page.)
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4918
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Approve: A) Memorial; B) Retirement; C) Resignation; D) Appointments; E) Leave Replacement Appointments; F) Administrative Leave; G) Change End Date; H) Leaves of Absence; I) Stipends; J) Salary Adjustments; K) Staff Funded by Preschool Education Expansion Aid (PEEA)
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4919
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Approve: A) Appointment of Substitute Teachers for the 25/26SY at $175; B) Appointment of Out of District Coaches for the 25/26 SY; C) Appointment of Volunteers for the 25/26 SY
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4920
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Approve: A) Financial Reports; B) Board of Education’s Monthly Certification; C) Attendance and Work Related Travel and/or Workshop Expenses; D) Use of Vendor(s); E) Clinical Affiliation Agreement w/ Teachers College, Columbia University; F) Out of District Tuition Student; G) Accept Donation to South Orange Middle School; H) Authorize the Business Administrator to Enter Into an Agreement with Camp Riverband; I) Participation in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools Certification Program; J) Submission of the NJDOE Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant Application
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4921
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Approve: Transfer or Removal of Non-Domiciled Students
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4922
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Abolish and/or Adopt Board Policy/Regulations - 2nd Read
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4923
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Abolish and Adopt Board: Policy/Regulations - 1st Read
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4924
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Approve: Confidential Settlement Agreement
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4925
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Approve: Affirmation, Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) Investigations for the Month of January 2026
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4926
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Approve: Resolution of the South Orange–Maplewood
Board of Education Approving Settlement of Level IV Grievance Regarding Lunch Period Scheduling
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4927
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Approve: Revised School Calendar for the 25/26 SY
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4928
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Approve: School Field Trip Destination(s)
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| 4929 |
Hand Carry - Approve: Affirming the District’s Implementation of the Strengthening Gifted And Talented Education Act
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| 4930 |
Hand Carry - Approve: Denying Level Iv Grievance – Grade Changes
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| 4931 |
Hand Carry - Approve: Level Iv Grievance - Increased Caseload for
CST Members
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XIII. SECOND HEARING OF INDIVIDUALS AND DELEGATIONS
Public participation in board meetings is governed by Policy 0167. The
second public comment period may be limited to 30 minutes. Statements are limited to three (3) minutes, except that if it appears public comments may exceed 30 minutes, statements may be limited to two (2) minutes. (Instructions for remote participation can be found below.)
XIX. NEW BUSINESS
XX. FUTURE MEETINGS
The Board of Education will meet in Public Session on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 6:30 pm in the District Meeting Room, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ. Immediately following the opening of the Public Session, the board will move to go into a Closed Session in the Superintendent’s Office, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ, as well as using an online video conference platform to discuss personnel, matters within the attorney-client privilege, legal, negotiations, and other matters that may arise and require discussion, to be announced at a later date. Immediately following the Closed Session, the Board of Education will meet in Public Session (estimated to be 7:30 pm) in the District Meeting Room, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ in person, utilizing an online video conference platform which will include Hearing of Individuals. The community can view the meeting by following the steps which will be listed on the agenda. If there are members of the community who would like to attend the meeting in person, please note that masks and social distancing are optional in accordance with the guidance received from the local DOH and the CDC. Action will be taken.
The Board of Education will meet in Public Session on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 6:30 pm in the District Meeting Room, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ. Immediately following the opening of Public Session, the board will move to go into a Closed Session in the Superintendent’s Office, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ, as well as using an online video conference platform to discuss personnel, matters within the attorney-client privilege, legal, negotiations, and other matters that may arise and require discussion, to be announced at a later date. Immediately following the Closed Session, the Board of Education will meet in Public Session (estimated to be 7:30 pm) in the District Meeting Room, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ in person, utilizing an online video conference platform which will include Hearing of Individuals. The community can view the meeting by following the steps which will be listed on the agenda. If there are members of the community who would like to attend the meeting in person, please note that masks and social distancing are optional in accordance with the guidance received from the local DOH and the CDC. Action will be taken.
XXI. ADJOURNMENT
JOIN OUR BOARD MEETING REMOTELY
Join By Computer / Smartphone
Choose one of two options:
● Watch on SOMSD's YouTube Live Stream: Click Here
● Watch on SOMSD's Webex Platform: Click Here For More Information
Board of Education Meeting: February 26, 2026 | Time: 6:30 PM
Quick Join Details
● Webex Link: Click Here to Join
● Event Number: 2338 952 0051
● Event Password: Orange20Maple
● Join by Phone: 408-418-9388 (US Toll)
How to Participate in Public Comment
If you would like to address the Board during the Hearings of Individuals and Delegations, please follow these three steps:
Step 1: Register to Speak
To be added to the speaker list, you must complete the signup form prior to the start of the session:
Step 2: Set Up Webex
Ensure your device is ready by installing the Webex app in advance:
Step 3: Connect and Comment
● Join the Meeting: Use the "Quick Join" above to enter the virtual room.
● Stay Ready: When it is your turn to speak, the moderator will unmute your microphone.
● Deliver Your Message: Speak clearly into your microphone or headset. Once your allotted time has concluded, the moderator will mute your microphone to allow the next speaker to begin.
Note: For the best experience, we recommend joining via a stable Wi-Fi connection and using a headset to minimize background noise.
Public Attachments:
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