Plumsted Township Board approves routine contracts, personnel changes and PTEA side‑bar agreement

The Plumsted Township Board of Education met Sept. 11, 2024, at New Egypt High School and approved a package of routine finance, personnel and policy items, ratified contracts for student placements and instructional materials, and approved a side‑bar agreement with the Plumsted Township Education Association (PTEA).

The board voted to approve the superintendent’s finance recommendations (A.1–A.15). The motions included tuition contracts for out‑of‑district placements — Mercer County Special Services District at $68,400 for student #202617 and The Rugby School at $78,142.15 for student #202978 — and purchases and subscriptions for instructional and administrative services including a ParentSquare subscription at $6,843.78, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Read 180 materials at $4,001, Lexia materials at $588, Frontline Education RTI/504 program management at $12,997.66 and an Applicant Tracking license at $11,998.24. The board approved these items by roll call (Yes: Mrs. Morgan, Mr. Goodman, Mrs. Kovacs, Mr. Meroney, Mr. Stepnowski, Dr. Giardina; Absent: Mrs. Raywood).

Superintendent Sean Ytreboe summarized operational highlights and thanked staff and local officials: “School year is off to a great start thanks to all the district staff,” he said, noting the district’s new website, fall sports (including the high school’s first competition in the Shore Conference), and that Head Coach Steven Fence recorded his 36th win.

On personnel matters (B.1–B.15), the board accepted the resignation of District Accountant Richard Trumper, effective Sept. 27, 2024, and approved the hiring of Kristen Bahnam as an MD 1:1 paraprofessional at Dr. Gerald H. Woehr Elementary School at a prorated salary of $18,320 (Para Step 6), pending required clearances. The personnel slate, which included extra‑duty assignments, interpreters, ESY and summer staffing ratifications, passed by roll call.

The board approved several policy readings and regulatory updates (C.1–C.16), including first and second readings for policies such as Civility (9202), Curriculum Content (2200), Student Use of Privately‑Owned Technology (2363), Student Suicide Prevention (5350), Emergency and Crisis Situations (8420) and Firearms and Weapons (8467). Roll‑call records show at least one abstention on policy items by Mrs. Morgan.

Under other business, the board approved the 2024–2025 organizational chart and district goals, mentoring and professional development plans, and authorized student participation in a 12+ Work Study program (estimated district transportation cost $2,477.92). Admissions agreements were ratified to permit children of district staff to attend local schools under existing collective‑bargaining stipulations.

The board approved a side‑bar agreement with the PTEA (motion by Mrs. Morgan; second by Mr. Goodman). The vote passed with one abstention by Mr. Meroney.

During the public comment period (7:14–7:23 p.m.), Bernard Bahnam raised concerns described as “ethics and student fight.” Tom Potter thanked Superintendent Ytreboe for his Sept. 11 remarks and asked about the status of PTEA contract negotiations and a land sale. Elizabeth Bloomfield asked about middle‑school moving‑up ceremonies and building usage. Board member Earl Meroney commented on sixth‑grade transitions and the reopening of the primary school.

After public comment the board received an NJSBA ethics training presentation from Mary Ann Friedman at 7:25 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Next steps: routine implementation of approved contracts and personnel actions; the board’s next stated meetings are Oct. 16, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11, 2024.