Metuchen Board approves personnel, finance, policy and curriculum items; introduces seven new teachers as construction work nears completion

The Metuchen Board of Education on Sept. 9 approved a slate of consent-agenda items including personnel A1–A15, finance B1–B7, policy C1 and curriculum D1–D3, introduced seven new hires for the start of the school year and received a construction update that officials said aims for late December to mid‑January completion at the high school.

The personnel approvals included seven classroom leave-replacement and special-education hires the district publicly introduced at the meeting. Dr. Caputo, superintendent of schools, said the district “like[s] to introduce our new teachers publicly to the public and the board at a meeting,” and called up each new hire to identify their assignment.

The new hires introduced were: Rhianna Anderson, Campbell School leave-replacement (starts in November); Alicia Fernandez, Campbell leave-replacement teacher; Amy Fitaras, Edgar School physical education and health teacher; Robin Gill, Edgar leave-replacement teacher; Deborah (Debbie) Lee, Edgar fifth‑grade leave replacement; Rebecca Pareto, Campbell fourth‑grade ELA (ICR classroom); and Julia Sudal, Edgar special-education resource teacher for grades 5, 7 and 8. Several new teachers spoke briefly; Rhianna Anderson said, “I’m very excited to start my position at the October at Campbell School,” and Rebecca Pareto said she was “really excited to have a permanent position in fourth grade.”

Board members said the introductions were timed with the early days of the school year. Dr. Caputo told the board that, six days into the school year, “it feels like we’re kind of in mid season form already,” and praised teachers and students for a strong start.

On facilities, board member Mister Glassberg reported construction work “is moving along” and that the district is targeting “late December to mid January” for substantial completion at Metuchen High School. Glassberg said air-conditioning at Edgar, Moss and Campbell schools “should be turned on this week,” and noted the new Campbell School playground is open and receiving positive feedback. He also announced an open construction-committee meeting scheduled for Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Metuchen High School media center.

Votes at a glance - Personnel (A1–A15): Motion to approve personnel items A1–A15 as listed on the agenda — seconded by Mister Bott — outcome: approved. The roll-call vote recorded board members voting yes; Mister Lifton later requested an abstention be recorded on item A6. - Finance (B1–B7): Motion to approve finance items B1–B7 — seconded as noted on the record — outcome: approved by roll call. - Policy (C1): Motion to approve policy item C1 — outcome: approved by roll call. - Curriculum (D1–D3): Motion to approve curriculum items D1–D3 — outcome: approved by roll call.

Board members held little debate on the consent-agenda items; votes were taken by roll call with motions carrying unanimously except for the single recorded abstention on personnel item A6. The board president explained the district’s review process for agenda items, saying matters are reviewed by administration, the superintendent and the appropriate committee before appearing for formal action.

Other announcements included schedule reminders from district staff about upcoming “meet the teacher” and picture days across schools and a recognition of a districtwide assembly by speaker Joe Beckman, which the board said was supported by local PTO groups and presented to grades across Edgar Middle School and Metuchen High School.

The meeting was opened to public comment with no speakers and adjourned after the consent votes. The board’s next publicly noted construction committee meeting is Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Metuchen High School media center.