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Weehawken Board approves staff hires, vendor contracts and $25,000 special-education reimbursement
Summary
The Weehawken Board of Education on Sept. 16 unanimously approved multiple staff appointments and stipends, awarded several vendor contracts including a Daniel Webster partial roof change order, accepted a $12,918 tutoring grant and authorized a $25,000 reimbursement to parents of a classified student.
The Weehawken Board of Education on Sept. 16 approved a slate of personnel actions, vendor contracts and funding decisions, including a $25,000 reimbursement to the parents of a classified student and a change order on a Daniel Webster School roof project.
President Bolcar opened the meeting by announcing that “Adequate notice of this meeting was provided” and the board then took unanimous roll-call votes on routine and substantive business. The board accepted the Superintendent’s monthly report and approved minutes and financial reports for the record.
Why it matters: The actions move forward facility repairs, special-education services and school programming while committing district funds for staff stipends and a parental reimbursement tied to a unilateral placement for a classified student.
What the board approved: Votes were unanimous unless noted.
Votes at a glance - Personnel: Appointed multiple salaried staff (effective Sept. 17, 2024) including a WHS grades 5–8 math teacher (Kaitlyn Nagi, $82,396, MA+30, Step 15) and a behavior specialist (Dylan Matriano, $58,000). The board also approved a long list of extracurricular advisor stipends, 6th-period stipends and hourly/per diem hires (substitutes and aides). Motion to appoint salaried staff by Mr. Pinal; motion carried by roll call.
- Contracts and services: Approved a change order (No. 001) for the Daniel Webster partial roof replacement with Northeast Roof Maintenance; original contract $432,000, contingency $25,000, change order $24,989.50, remaining contingency $10.50. The board also contracted audiological services with Bergen County Special Services (up to 25 hours/week), occupational/physical/speech therapy with Deanna Jannicelli Corby, LLC (up to 18 hours/week), and ABA coaching/training with MCL Consulting. Motions by Ms. Carson; all approved by roll call.
- Grants and transportation: Accepted $12,918 from the NJ High Impact Tutoring Reissue Competitive Grant (Grant #24E00815) and approved a parental transportation contract for Route ES2425 for $18,300 for the 2024–25 school year.
- Special-education reimbursement: Approved a total $25,000 reimbursement to the parents of a classified Weehawken student (TRS11) to apply toward expenses for their unilateral placement for the period Sept. 1, 2024–June 30, 2025; payments are to be made twice a year on submission of proof of payment and attendance. Motion by Ms. Carson; approved by roll call.
Other business: The board accepted resignations from two staff members effective Sept. 1, 2024; accepted the HIB report for August 2024 (no pending items); and certified that the Board Secretary’s monthly financial report showed no overexpenditure in major accounts.
Public comment and board response: Donna Hochhauser, a TRS building representative, raised concerns about stipends, club postings, salaries and specific employees; the board responded that personnel matters cannot be addressed during public board meetings and directed her to contact the superintendent to arrange a separate meeting. Webster School PTA President Jennifer Martin-Melgarejo announced two upcoming fundraisers.
Next steps: Several approved contracts and hires become effective immediately or on the dates specified in personnel motions; the board’s minutes record full lists of positions, stipend amounts and contract references. The board adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
