Superintendent and business administrator report repairs, CUSAC waiver plan and rebid after ROD grant bids exceed budget

District leaders reported several operational updates and recommended board actions during routine reports.

Superintendent (speaking during the superintendent’s report) said a repaired flow valve restored heat to Millington School and that an after-school math tutoring program will begin later in the month; approval of teachers to run those tutoring classes is on the agenda. On state accountability, the superintendent said the state has modified CUSAC student-performance calculations, the district ran provisional scores under both the old and the new formulas, and "the new formula yields a slightly higher score, so we plan to submit the waiver," which must be board-approved and submitted to the county by Feb. 1.

The business administrator reported district preventive actions for flu season, including electrostatic sprayer cleaning of high-touch surfaces, and announced two staffing-related additions to the agenda: a contract with Uncommon Thread (an over-$44,000 contract) to supply a full-time 1:1 aide after advertising failed to produce a hire, and adding Bayada Home Health Care Services of Morris Plains to the district’s list of nursing staffing providers to cover substitute nurse needs.

On capital work, the business administrator said bids for the ROD grant came in approximately $270,000 over budget; the board rejected the bids and will rebid, with new bids due Jan. 22.

Board members asked whether the district would simply rebid or pursue state-contracted vendor options; the business administrator said bidding is required first and the district will evaluate state-contracted vendors if rebids remain unfavorable.

These operational and procurement updates were presented for board consideration and included several resolutions and motions on the agenda.