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Hillsdale board votes to join Metropolitan Health Insurance Fund, approve EPIC construction-manager contract and pass routine personnel and finance items
Summary
At its Dec. 15 meeting, the Hillsdale Board of Education voted unanimously to join the Metropolitan Health Insurance Fund and to terminate participation in the SHBP/SEHBP pending state approval; it also approved an EPIC Management construction-management agreement for the George G. White project, the November bill list and multiple personnel and policy items.
The Hillsdale Board of Education voted on Dec. 15 to join the newly formed Metropolitan Health Insurance Fund and to terminate participation in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and School Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP), a change the district says will take effect the first of the month following a 60-day period after the state commissions receive the board’s resolution.
The action, approved by a 5–0 consensus vote, also named Sacha Pouliot as the district’s Fund Commissioner and Superintendent Robert Lombardy as alternate commissioner, effective Dec. 15, 2025. The approvals followed board discussion of the Fund’s indemnity and trust agreement and statutory requirements under N.J.S.A. and administrative regulations governing joint insurance funds.
In other major business, trustees ratified an AIA C132-2019 construction-management agreement with EPIC Management, Inc. for the referendum project at George G. White Middle School. The contract sets a preconstruction lump-sum fee of $32,500, a monthly construction-phase fee of $22,250 (project executive, site manager and support staff) and a closeout-phase fee of $18,400. The board approved the contract by consensus, 5–0.
The board also approved the November bill list totaling $2,740,345.83 and the George White Student Activity Account bills of $608.00; authorized augmentative communication services from Bergen County Special Services for a student at a rate not to exceed $800; and approved a lease addendum with Hillsdale United Methodist Church for temporary use of rehearsal space Jan. 5–Mar. 9, 2026 at $300 per week for play rehearsals. All motions were passed by consensus, 5–0.
Trustees approved routine education and personnel items including acceptance of a donation of thirty-two $25 grocery gift cards (totaling $800) to be distributed to Hillsdale Helping Hands Food Pantry; the 2026–27 school calendar; an affiliation agreement with Seton Hall University to provide supervised clinical placements for 2025–26; substitutes and home-instructor appointments for the 2025–26 year; multiple leaves under FMLA/NJFLA with specified dates; a long-term special-education substitute appointment for Alisa Barnes-Gaskins (Dec. 16, 2025–Apr. 15, 2026) at a per-diem rate equivalent to BA Guide/Step 1 ($270 per day); and a resignation by Shannon DeMaio as girls’ basketball coach, effective Dec. 3, 2025.
Policy updates approved on second and final reading included P5460 (Graduation Requirements), P5701 (Academic Integrity), P5710 (Student Grievance), P8500 (Food Services), P9163 (Spectator Code of Conduct for Interscholastic Events) and P9320/R9320 (Cooperation with Law Enforcement Agencies).
Superintendent Robert Lombardy reported on enrollment, disciplinary items, a successful second round of school bonds and said the George G. White project continues to experience delays. He closed his report by wishing the community “A Happy Holiday Season to All!”
All votes recorded at the meeting were consensus approvals with five trustees voting in favor. The board listed motions and approvals in its minutes and indicated the actions will be filed with board records. The board is scheduled to take further action as needed on the George G. White project and insurance transitions pending required approvals from state authorities.
