Califon Board approves $290,710.26 bill list, names Matthew Herzer purchasing agent and adopts equity plan

The Califon Borough School District board unanimously approved a bill list totaling $290,710.26, appointed Business Administrator and Board Secretary Matthew Herzer as the district’s Qualified Purchasing Agent with authority to award contracts up to the $44,000 bid threshold, and adopted a three-year Comprehensive Equity Plan for 2025–2028 at its regular meeting on Feb. 19, which began at 7:03 p.m. in the school library.

Vice President Michael Reaves opened the meeting and read the required Open Public Meetings Act notice. Roll call recorded Board President Christopher Keiser as absent; Vice President Michael Reaves, Dr. Rebecca Kipp-Newbold, Rita Lemley and Netz Sacro were present. Superintendent Dr. Michele Cone and Board Secretary Matthew Herzer were also in attendance.

The board first approved the Jan. 22, 2025 regular session minutes. During the Chief School Administrator’s report, Superintendent Dr. Michele Cone said enrollment stood at 94 students, that there were zero HIB incidents and zero suspensions, and listed upcoming events including Global Day of Play, International SEL Day and Read Across America Week; she also noted the girls’ basketball team won the championship.

Under the consent agenda the board approved bundled motions covering finance, facilities, personnel, curriculum and policy items. Finance actions included approval of the Feb. 19 bill list for $290,710.26 and a motion to file the Treasurer’s and Board Secretary reports for January 2025, with the board noting sufficient funds and no major account over-expended in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:23A:16.20.

By resolution citing New Jersey procurement statutes (N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-2, 18A:18A-3 and 18A:18A-37(c)), the board appointed Matthew Herzer as the district’s Qualified Purchasing Agent. The resolution authorizes Herzer to award contracts that do not exceed the established bid threshold in the aggregate and specifies that he may award contracts up to $44,000 without soliciting competitive bids; it also permits awarding contracts under 15% of the bid threshold without soliciting quotations when so authorized by board resolution.

Facilities items approved included documentation of mandated security/fire/evacuation drills (the transcript lists a security drill on Jan. 30, 2025) and approval of Califon School facility use by the Califon PTA for a K–5 STEM night in March, subject to custodial availability and applicable COVID-related restrictions.

Personnel motions on the consent agenda approved substitute-teacher appointments for Sophia Desire (pending a criminal history background check) and for Matthew Herzer.

Curriculum approvals included multiple field trips — the RVCC Planetarium for grades K–3 at a listed student cost of $13 plus transportation and the DaVinci Science Center for grades 3–5 at $17 per student plus transportation to be determined — and the board approved the district’s three-year Comprehensive Equity Plan for 2025–2028.

On policy the board approved first readings for revisions and new policies (including Use of Electronic Devices, Academic Integrity and Food Services) and second readings for P 5512 Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying; P/R 5533 Student Smoking; P & R 7441 Electronic Surveillance; and P & R 9320 Cooperation with Law Enforcement Agencies.

No members of the public spoke during either the agenda-only or general public-comment periods. With no items listed under old or new business, Rita Lemley moved and Dr. Rebecca Kipp-Newbold seconded a motion to adjourn; the meeting ended at 7:16 p.m. on a unanimous all-call vote.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Jan. 22, 2025 minutes: approved (all-call vote). - Consent agenda (finance, facilities, personnel, curriculum, policy): approved (unanimous roll call). - Bill list dated Feb. 19, 2025 — $290,710.26: approved (consent). - Appointment of Matthew Herzer as Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA), authority per statutes to award contracts up to $44,000: approved (consent). - Approval of 2025–2028 Comprehensive Equity Plan: approved (consent).

What’s next: The board’s negotiations committee will continue work, with a scheduled meeting on Feb. 24, 2025; no other follow-up actions or public hearings were announced at the meeting.