North Bergen Board approves emergency roof and envelope repairs, large electrical change orders and appoints assistant superintendent

The North Bergen Board of Education on Wednesday approved a set of emergency facility repairs, multiple contract change orders for a districtwide electrical upgrade and a set of personnel actions, including the appointment of Eugenia Ramos as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at an annual salary of $192,000.

The board voted unanimously on most items after motions were made and seconded; a small number of abstentions were recorded where noted. The meeting, held in the district conference room and called to order by Board Secretary Hugo Cabrera, included approvals ranging from volunteer coach appointments and stipends to multi-hundred-thousand-dollar emergency contracts to address water damage and aging electrical infrastructure.

Why it matters: The district cited long-standing deterioration in building systems and urgent safety concerns when authorizing emergency work. The largest set of financial changes approved were three change orders to Vanore Electric for the GL 0962 District-wide electrical upgrades, justified by utility requirements, design changes to support future HVAC installations and unforeseen site conditions discovered during work. Those change orders adjusted allowances and the contract sum; after approvals the contract total was recorded at $3,111,388.68.

Electrical upgrades and change orders: The board approved Change Order No. 01 for $136,620.00 to account for PSE&G-required revisions to combine disconnect and metering in a single cabinet; CO #01 reduced the project allowance but did not change the contract total. Change Order No. 02 for $152,338.68 authorized an alternate routing and support structure to carry electrical conduits and future ductwork, increasing the contract total to $3,111,388.68. Change Order No. 03, totaling $45,291.08, addressed site-specific conditions including deteriorated wiring related to photovoltaic connections, damaged wiring to essential sump pumps and rock encountered during trenching. Board materials state a portion of the original $250,000 allowance was consumed by CO #01; the COs together adjusted the remaining allowance as noted in the resolution text.

Emergency building repairs: Under emergency provisions the board awarded a Franklin School roof replacement to Paino Roofing for $607,000.00 after interior plaster and ceiling damage rendered at least one classroom unoccupiable. The proposal included removal and reinstallation of photovoltaic panels as needed, additional scans and installation of an EPDM membrane roof. The board also awarded $109,200.00 in additional building-envelope work at Horace Mann School to Spartan Construction to address parapet and terra-cotta deterioration that staff said was allowing water infiltration into upper floors.

Personnel and compensation actions: Among multiple routine personnel votes, the board appointed Eugenia Ramos as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction effective July 1, 2024, at a salary of $192,000. The meeting included formal approvals for new teachers, substitutes, paraprofessionals, custodial appointments and resignations; motions were recorded and carried by roll-call votes. On Resolution No. 3 (teacher and nurse appointment), board minutes record an abstention by Board member Luis Rabelo; the remainder of the personnel motions passed with the listed ayes.

Training, stipends and other contracts: The board approved several professional-development and consulting contracts funded by Title I, II and IV and other sources, including Jana Lee Consulting ($2,200) for 504 compliance training; NJCIE ($15,000) for inclusive-education training; Inspired Instruction ($10,200) for NJSLA-focused workshops; Handle With Care training ($9,750); and Magnolia Consulting ($22,100) for NJTSS implementation support. The district also authorized a contract to sell Solar Renewable Energy Credits to Twenty First Century Sales at $192 per SREC totaling $10,944.00 and approved a legal-services agreement with Scarinci Hollenbeck at $175 an hour not to exceed $25,000 without further board approval.

Finance and governance items: The board received and approved the Treasurer’s and Secretary’s financial reports for August 2024, certified budget line-item status consistent with NJAC requirements, ratified warrants, and approved budget transfers and other routine financial actions. A settlement agreement with the North Bergen Federation of Teachers regarding terminal leave compensation for five former employees was approved as presented.

Public comment and next steps: During audience participation Superintendent Dr. George J. Solter Jr. reviewed last year’s state-assessment results and graduation results and thanked staff for a successful school opening; NBFT representatives Lori Troiano and Teri Hammond asked about ACES program training and substitute pay. The board adjourned shortly after the public comments. No further action on the major facility projects was recorded at the meeting beyond the contract awards and change orders; contractors and project engineers will proceed per the awarded scopes and emergency-authority approvals.

What’s next: The district will move forward with the specified emergency repairs and the Vanore Electric work; the board materials show the projects are coordinated with the board architect and project engineers and were reviewed under applicable New Jersey procurement and emergency provisions. The meeting minutes and resolution documents are on file in the Board Secretary’s office for further detail.