North Bergen board adopts career academy, approves construction change orders and broad consent agenda

The North Bergen Board of Education approved a broad consent agenda at its Oct. 16 regular meeting that included personnel appointments, program staffing, capital project change orders and multiple purchase orders. The board adopted a resolution to establish a new Career Academy and directed the administration to develop implementation plans to make the academy operational by Jan. 2, 2025.

Board Secretary Hugo D. Cabrera called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. and the nine members present approved a series of personnel resolutions, including appointments of a Career Academy administrator and assistant administrator and the designation of Candice Anacker as Title I director at an annual salary of $126,690, effective Oct. 17, 2024. The board also approved multiple teacher, aide and substitute appointments; many hires were provisional pending required certification, physical examination and background clearance per P.L.1986, c.116 and P.L.2018, c.5.

On facilities and capital work, the board approved two change orders for the North Bergen High School West (future junior high) project. Change Order No. 046 reflects a net deduction from contingency of $161,332.82 to resolve several extra work orders (including additional toilet accessories and gym equipment modifications), while Change Order No. 047 increases contingency by $373,572.54 to add items including pump station wiring and emergency lighting upgrades; both actions were described as adjustments to contingency balances with no change to the total contract amount.

The board awarded purchase orders to Tri‑State LED for LED lighting replacements at the future junior high (Area F $38,166.79; Field House Gym $8,719.33) and to Murray Paving and Concrete for flood restoration in Area F at $224,085.87, citing cooperative‑purchase proposals and the board architect's recommendation.

The board accepted the ARP ESSER grant final report as approved by the New Jersey Department of Education, noting a district list of employees paid from grant funds for the 2023–24 school year that was provided with the report. The board also accepted the results of the NJQSAC District Performance Review and directed administration to prepare an improvement plan for the November meeting.

Other business included approval of extra‑curricular stipends, Saturday program expansion (Nov.16, 2024–Apr.12, 2025) with a supervisor rate of $125 per hour, appointment of Title I Saturday program staff and nurses, a $10,000 contract for transportation consulting, and an extension of the Seton Hall University clinical internship affiliation agreement through Nov. 14, 2029.

During audience participation, Superintendent George Solter reviewed NJQSAC findings and said the district will finalize improvement plans by the November board meeting. Union representatives raised questions about de‑escalation and "Handle with Care" training and concerns about pull‑out replacement teachers; the transcript records the questions but does not record a substantive response during the meeting.

Votes at a glance (selected items; all listed resolutions were approved as recorded unless noted): • Resolution 64 — Adopt new Career Academy; outcome: approved (ayes recorded). • Resolution 59 — Change Order No. 046 (NBHSW); outcome: approved (ayes recorded). • Resolution 60 — Change Order No. 047 (NBHSW); outcome: approved (ayes recorded). • Resolution 61 — Purchase order to Tri‑State LED (Area F & Field House Gym); outcome: approved (ayes recorded). • Resolution 62 — Purchase order to Murray Paving and Concrete for flood restoration; outcome: approved (ayes recorded). • Resolution 56 — ARP ESSER grant final report acceptance (list of employees and salaries attached); outcome: approved (ayes recorded). • Resolution 70 — NJQSAC District Performance Review acceptance; outcome: approved (ayes recorded). • Resolution 85 — Seton Hall affiliation agreement extension; outcome: approved (ayes recorded). Abstentions: the transcript records that Board Member Luis Rabelo abstained on at least three items as noted in the minutes (recorded at the time of each resolution).

The meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m. and the board secretary certified the minutes. The board’s detailed resolutions and attached lists (personnel, stipends, purchase proposals and the ARP ESSER employee list) are on file in the Board Secretary’s office.