July 30, 2026 - Board Retreat & Regular Session

Dates:

Thursday, July 30, 2026 - 4:30pm

BOARD OF EDUCATION

School District of South Orange Maplewood

525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040

BOARD RETREAT/REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Thursday, July 30, 2026

BOARD RETREAT: 4:30 PM

REGULAR BOARD MEETING: 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 11:22 a.m. on July 22, 2026.
That said notice was sent via email to Maplewood and South Orange Township Clerks and the Editors of the Star-Ledger, TapintoSOMA, and the Village Green.

BOARD RETREAT
- Board Self-Evaluation
- Annual Goal setting

CELEBRATING CHS FENCING TEAM

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: Executive and Special Meeting Minutes - June 11, 2026; Executive and Regular Board Meeting Minutes - June 25, 2026

SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE:

Transportation Presentation

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

4994	Approve: Memorial Retirement Resignations Revised Reappointments for the 26/27 SY Appointments for the 26/27 SY Appointment of Leave Replacement Staff for the 26/27 SY Rescind Leaves of Absence Leaves of Absence Transfer/Reassignments Salary Adjustments SOMEA Perfect Attendance Award for 25/26 SY Stipends (Co-Curricular) Stipends (Athletics) Summer School Employment
4995	Approve: Reappointment of Substitute Teachers for 26/27 SY at $175/Day Appointment of Out of District Coaches for the 26/27 SY Appointment of Volunteers for the 26/27 SY Appointment of OOD Stipend Positions for the 25/26 SY Appointment of Athletic Event Ticket Takers, Supervisors, and Officials for the 26/27 SY
4996	Approve: 2026 Extended SY Out of District Placements 26/27 SY Out of District Placements
4997	Approve: Financial Reports Attendance and Work Related Travel and/or Workshop Expenses Service Providers Use of Vendors Accept NonPublic Textbook Aid Entitlement for the 26/27 SY Accept NonPublic Nursing Aid Entitlement for the 26/27 SY Accept NonPublic Technology Aid Entitlement for the 26/27 SY Accept NonPublic Security Aid for the 26/27 SY Agreement with Essex Regional Educational Services Commission for Security Services to NonPublic School Students for the 26/27 SY Agreement with Essex Regional Educational Services Commission for Technology Services to NonPublic School Students for the 26/27 SY Contract to Provide Education Services for Students Who Are Visually Impaired Apply for FY 2027 Federal I.D.E.A. Basic Part-B and Preschool Handicapped Funds Accept Donation to Columbia High School Authorize Insurance Coverage for District Clubs, Parent Organizations and PTAs Authorize Disposal of District Furniture Organizational Appointments for the 26/27 SY Agreement with Family Connections Inc. at Columbia High School for In-Kind Contribution Agreement w/ Family Connections Inc. at MMS for In-Kind Contribution Award Lease Purchase Financing Bid to Webster Public Finance Corporation Capital Reserve Transfer Board of Education’s 10% Transfer Report Agreement w/ PowerSchool Group for 26/27 SY Revised Business Office Purchasing Manual
4998	Approve: Transfer or Removal of Non-Domiciled Students Student ID# 1903469507 Student ID# 6503741071 Student ID# 7662311935 Student ID# 8450511809 Student ID# 2428186586 Student ID# 9337939357 Student ID# 7259199134 Student ID# 8953495621 Student ID# 7081511221 Student ID# 5390606214 Student ID# 7650487993
4999	Approve: Affirmation of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Investigations for the Month of June 2026
5000	Abolish/Approve Policies for 2nd Read: Policy 0162 Notice of Board Meetings Policy 0162.01 Legal Notices Policy 1643 Family Leave
5001	Abolish/Approve Policies/Regulations for 1st Read Policy 2200 Curriculum Policy 2260 Equity in School and Classroom Practices Policy 5460 High School Graduation 5461 High School Diplomas Policy 5561 Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion Techniques for Students with Disabilities Policy 6112 Reimbursement of Federal and Other Grant Expenditures Policy 6115.02 Federal Awards/Funds Internal Controls - Mandatory Disclosures Policy 6311 Contracts for Goods or Services Funded by Federal Grants Regulation 6115.01 Federal Awards/Funds Internal Controls - Allowability of Costs
5002	Approve: Confidential Settlement Agreements Student ID # 5800776010 Student ID# 2315427153 Student ID# 8148256344
5003	Approve: Emergency Virtual or Remote Instruction Plan 2026/27 SY
5004	Approve: Revised 26/27 SY Calendar
5005	Approve: Correction to Student State ID Number in Previously Approved Confidential Settlement Agreement Confidential Settlement Agreement for Student ID# 8718353933

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

On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., the Board of Education will hold an Annual Goal Setting Retreat. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and establish the Board’s annual goals and objectives. Action will not be taken.

The Board of Education will meet in Public Session on Thursday, August 27, 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 matters, 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 a Hearing of Individuals. The community can view the meeting by following the steps which will be listed on the agenda. Action will be taken.

XVII. 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: July 30, 2026 | Time: 4:30 PM

Quick Join Details

Webex Link: Click Here to Join
Event Number: 2539 677 0176
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

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: