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North Bergen board approves dozens of hires, stipends and a $224,430.58 change order on NBHS West project
Summary
At its Aug. 28 meeting the North Bergen Board of Education approved a large slate of personnel appointments, extracurricular stipends and contracts and authorized Change Order No. 045, reducing the NBHS West project contingency by $224,430.58; most measures were approved unanimously.
The North Bergen Board of Education on Aug. 28 approved a broad set of personnel actions, extracurricular appointments, contracted services and a construction change order during a 19‑minute public meeting.
Board Secretary Hugo D. Cabrera called the session to order at 5:02 p.m. and the board moved through a lengthy consent agenda that included the appointment of Eugenia Ramos as Assistant Superintendent of Schools. The board directed its attorney to draft an employment agreement for Ramos and recorded that final ratification is subject to Executive County Superintendent approval.
The board also approved personnel resolutions that named dozens of teachers, substitute teachers, clerks, custodians, housekeepers, teacher aides and special‑education aides for the 2024–25 school year. Among individual actions recorded on the agenda, the board appointed Dr. Luis Ramirez as District Supervisor of Special Services with a listed salary of $110,840.00 and designated Shareen Shibli as the district’s Anti‑Bullying Coordinator for 2024–25 at $5,990.00.
In a separate personnel category the board adopted stipends and extracurricular assignments for high‑school and elementary coaches, club advisors and activity supervisors, including roles for athletics, band, chorus, yearbook and student government. Two motions recorded an abstention by board member Luis Rabelo on certain extracurricular items.
On finance and capital work, the board approved Change Order No. 045 for the North Bergen High School West renovations and additions project with ALNA Construction. The resolution deducts $224,430.58 from the project contingency — reducing the contingency from $466,130.45 to $241,699.70 — and specified there is no change to the total contract amount. The change order covered multiple extra work items and storage charges described in the resolution.
The board also authorized intent to contract with outside providers to meet state‑mandated services for nonpublic pupils: the Essex Regional Educational Services Commission and Catapult Learning were approved for Title I instructional services for specified nonpublic schools for the 2024–25 school year. Transportation contract renewals with vendors including Hudson County Transport and First Student, Inc., were authorized for the 2024–25 year with the increases described in the motion.
Superintendent Dr. George J. Solter Jr. used the public comment period to congratulate Ramos on her appointment and to outline district priorities for the coming school year: guidance on responsible use of technology and artificial intelligence, expanded data‑driven decision making, a continued focus on special education and ACES classrooms, plans to bring in restorative‑justice consultants, and de‑escalation and restraint training for administration and security staff. He said opening day for teachers is Sept. 3 and Sept. 5 for students.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution No. 1 — Appoint Assistant Superintendent (Eugenia Ramos): Approved (moved Sai Rao; second Ruth Shaw). Pending Executive County Superintendent approval for final ratification. - Resolution No. 2 — Appoint Supervisor of Special Services (Dr. Luis Ramirez, $110,840.00): Approved. - Resolution No. 3 — New appointed teachers (bulk list, effective Sept. 1, 2024): Approved (provisional pending certification/physical/background checks). - Resolutions 4–36 — Substitute teachers, clerks, custodians, aides, bus drivers, rehiring, salary adjustments, stipends and extracurricular assignments: Approved (two abstentions by Luis Rabelo noted on specified extracurricular motions). - Resolution No. 31 — Manager of Health & Wellness (Joseph Lombardi, $500/month): Approved. - Resolution No. 33 — Self‑Care stipend for ACES/Nurse/Clerical aides (one‑time $3,000 stipend): Approved. - Resolution No. 44 — ASBA contract (Assistant School Business Administrator Carrie Brady, $150,600): Approved. - Resolution No. 54 — Change Order No. 045 for NBHS West (deduct $224,430.58 from contingency; contingency reduced to $241,699.70): Approved. - Resolutions 55–56 — Agreements with Essex Regional Educational Services Commission and Catapult Learning (Title I services): Approved. - Resolution No. 57 — Transportation contract renewals (Hudson County Transport, First Student, Inc.): Approved (3% increases noted where specified). - Resolution No. 58 — Out‑of‑district tuition placements for students with disabilities (Benway School; North Hudson Academy): Approved. - Resolution No. 59 — HIB finding for Franklin (investigation dated 07/22/24): Board affirmed investigative finding and noted parent notification. - Resolutions 60–63 — Workshops, budget transfer and ratification of payment warrants: Approved.
What it means: The meeting moved a comprehensive package of routine administrative and personnel actions to staff the district for the coming school year, allocate federal Title I/Basic Skills salary charges, and continue capital work at North Bergen High School West with an approved change order drawing down the contingency. Several actions remain contingent on routine administrative steps: provisional hires await certification/background clearance and the assistant superintendent appointment awaits county superintendent ratification.
The board adjourned at 5:21 p.m.
