September 24, 2026 - Regular Session

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Submitted by Adaliana_Cuadrado on Mon, 09/14/2026 - 10:26am

Dates:

Thursday, September 24, 2026 - 6:30pm

BOARD OF EDUCATION

School District of South Orange Maplewood

525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Thursday, September 24, 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 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.

OATH OF OFFICE
- Penn Shapiro - Student Representative to the Board
- Scarlet Strogov - Student Representative to the Board

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.

APPROVAL OF BOARD MEETING MINUTES: Board Retreat Meeting Minutes - August 18, 2026; Executive and Regular Board Meeting Minutes - August 27, 2026

BOE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE UPDATE:

SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE:

BOARD PRESIDENT’S UPDATE:

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE:

FIRST HEARING OF INDIVIDUALS AND DELEGATIONS:

Public participation in board meetings is governed by Policy 0167. The

first 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.)

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ACTION ON BOARD RESOLUTIONS

5017	Approve: Memorial Retirement Resignations Change in End Date Change in Start Date Appointments Appoint of Leave Replacement Staff Transfer/Reassignment Leaves of Absence Salary Adjustments Stipends Stipends Title I Funded
5018	Approve: Appointment of Substitute Teachers for the 26/27 SY at $175/Day Appointment of Summer Substitute Secretaries for the 26/27SY Paid at an Hourly Rate $16.42 Reappointment of Substitute Secretaries for the 26/27 SY Paid at an Hourly Rate $15.92 Appointment of Out of District Coaches for the 26/27 SY Appointment of Out of District Stipend Positions for the 26/27 SY Appointment of Volunteers for the 26/27 SY Appointment of Emergency Clerical Substitutes at an Hourly Rate of $37.50 from 8/31/2026 - 10/2/2026 (Transportation Department)
5019	Approve: Out of District Placements 2026 Extended School Year Out of District Placements 2026-2027 School Year Out of District Placements
5020	Approve: Financial Reports Board of Education Monthly Certification Attendance and Work Related Travel and/or Workshop Expenses Service Providers Use of Vendors Accept Donation to District High School Fine and Performing Arts Teachers Accept Donation from the Achieve Foundation Authorize the Business Administrator to Enter into an Agreement with Community First Soccer Authorize the Business Administrator to Enter Into an Agreement w/ South Orange Symphony Orchestra Out of District Tuition Students 2027-2028 Budget Calendar Amend Parental Transportation Agreement Authorization for 403(B), 457(B), and/or 401(A) Third Party Administrative Services Business Office Standard Operating Procedures Manual Clinical Affiliation Agreement w/ Fordham University Authorizing the Solicitation of Requests for Proposals (RFP) for Professional Architectural Services Resolution Authorizing the School Business Administrator to Solicit Separate Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for Health Insurance Broker of Record Services and Insurance Risk Management Broker of Record Services Accept FY 2027 Federal I.D.E.A. Basic Part-B and Preschool Handicapped Funds Authorize Insurance Coverage for District Clubs, Parent Organizations and PTAs
5021	Approve: New or Revised Curriculum
5022	Approve: School Field Trip Destinations
5023	Approve: Abolish and/or Adopt for 2nd Read Regulation 2200 Curriculum Content Policy 2200 Curriculum Policy 2411 Career Education and Academic Counseling Policy 5460 High School Graduation Policy 5561 Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion Techniques for Students with Disabilities
5024	ASCA Sidebar Agreements Coordinator Of Career & Technical Education (CTE) & 21st Century Programs Rooster Monitor Stipends

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.)

NEW BUSINESS

FUTURE MEETINGS

The Board of Education will meet in Public Session on Thursday, October 29, 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. Action will be taken.

ADJOURNMENT

JOIN OUR BOARD MEETING REMOTELY

Join By Computer / Smartphone

Choose one of three 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

Date: June 25, 2026 | Time: 6:30 PM

Quick Join Details

Date: September 24, 2026 | Time: 6:30 PM
Webex Link: Click Here to Join
Event Number: 2535 979 8004
Event Password: Orange20Maple
Join by Phone: 650-479-3208 (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:

Public Session Comment Signup Form - (September 24, 2026)

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 using the WebEx meeting links 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, your microphone will be muted 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: