Plainfield Public Schools public meetings in 2022
26 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Work & Study / Business Meetings
The Plainfield Board of Education is meeting to take action on routine personnel matters, including appointments, leaves, resignations, retirements, and transfers. They will also vote on stipends for the Cedarbrook Saturday Academy and the STEM/Arts Academy. The agenda is largely procedural, with no major policy decisions or public hearings.
- Approval of contractual appointments, including Taiwo Ayorinde (Accounts Payable Clerk, $65,266) and Jeffrey Brutus (School Counselor, $86,266)
- Approval of administrator's contract for Cameron E. Cox, Acting School Business Administrator, effective Dec 8, 2022 – Jun 30, 2023
- Approval of stipends for Cedarbrook Panther Performance Saturday Academy, not to exceed $43,000
- Approval of stipends for Evening STEM and Visual & Performing Arts Academy, not to exceed $18,600
- Acceptance of resignations and retirements, including Caleb Moitui (Special Education Teacher, 14 years) and Damaris Gilleece (Secretary VI, 20 years)
Work & Study / Business Meetings
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a work/study and business meeting on November 29, 2022, starting with an executive session. The board will take action on multiple personnel items, including contractual appointments, salary adjustments, leaves of absence, resignations, retirements, and winter athletics coaching contracts. They will also discuss and possibly approve the updated organization chart, an e-sports program, and a facilities maintenance plan.
- Approval of 2022-23 organization chart
- Contractual appointments: Tafari Anderson (Project Manager, $99,216), Octavia Johnson (Support Technician, $64,781), Adam Wasko (English Teacher, $95,396), and others
- Appointment of Cameron Cox as Acting Business Administrator/Board Secretary effective Dec 5, 2022
- Approval of winter athletics coaching contracts (e.g., Crystal Cox, Indoor Track Varsity Head Coach Boys, $5,735)
- Approval of employment contract for SBA/Board Secretary Rashon Hasan
Strategic Plan Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education is holding a strategic plan meeting where the main action item is approving the NJQSAC District Performance Review and Declaration page for the 2022-23 school year. This is a state-mandated self-assessment of district performance in five areas. The meeting also includes public comments and routine procedural items.
- Approval of NJQSAC District Performance Review and Declaration page for 2022-23
- Public comment period (30 minutes, 3 minutes per speaker)
- Call to order, roll call, and pledge of allegiance
- Remarks from the Board President
- Adjournment
Strategic Plan Kick-Off Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education is holding a kick-off meeting for its strategic plan. The agenda includes opening procedures, public comments, and remarks from the board president, with no specific decisions or proposals listed.
- Public comments period of 30 minutes, with 3-minute speaking limit per person
- Meeting held at PHS Cafe, 950 Park Ave., and via Zoom
Work & Study / Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a business meeting on October 11, 2022, to take action on a range of personnel items, including contractual appointments, administrative appointments, leaves of absence, resignations, and salary adjustments. The board will also hear presentations on the NJQSAC report, aviation, and the comprehensive maintenance plan, and recognize cheerleading and marching band awards.
- Approve 28 contractual appointments, including teachers, bus drivers, and security officers, with salaries ranging from $30,356 to $95,396.
- Approve administrative appointments: Tasheen Crosby as Purchasing Supervisor ($91,068), Cory Tucker as Assistant Director of Athletics ($111,140), and Tanaisha White as Supervisor of Early Childhood ($120,253, administratively pulled).
- Approve Tutor Buddies Program stipends at $40/hour for certified staff, funded by 21st CCLC and Title I.
- Approve Home Instruction stipends at $45/hour for certified staff, up to 10 hours per week.
- Accept 9 resignations, including teachers and security officers, effective between September and November 2022.
Special Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education is holding a special meeting to take action on the superintendent's status. The board will vote on resolutions to place Dr. Diana Mitchell on medical leave, appoint Rashon K. Hasan as acting superintendent, and approve a settlement agreement accepting Dr. Mitchell's resignation.
- Resolution to place Superintendent Dr. Diana Mitchell on medical leave from October 5 to October 31, 2022
- Resolution to appoint Rashon K. Hasan as Acting Superintendent/Business Administrator/Board Secretary for the same period
- Resolution to approve settlement agreement with Dr. Mitchell and accept her resignation effective November 1, 2022
Board Retreat
The Plainfield Board of Education is holding a retreat to discuss board and district goals and the strategic plan, facilitated by Gwen Thornton of the New Jersey School Boards Association. The agenda includes routine items like call to order, roll call, public comments, and adjournment, with action possible on the retreat items.
- Discussion of Board/District Goals and Strategic Plan with Gwen Thornton, NJSBA
- Public comments on agenda items per Policy 9322
- Meeting held at Emerson School, 305 Emerson Ave., and via Zoom
Board Retreat
The Plainfield Board of Education is holding a retreat to discuss board and district goals and the strategic plan, led by Gwen Thornton of the New Jersey School Boards Association. The meeting includes public comment and may take action on adjournment.
- Discussion of Board/District Goals and Strategic Plan with Gwen Thornton, NJSBA
- Public comments on agenda items (Policy 9322)
- Meeting held at Emerson School, 305 Emerson Ave., and via Zoom
Work & Study/Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a Work & Study/Business Meeting on July 12, 2022, starting with an executive session at 5:30 p.m. The board will take action on a legal settlement with the Plainfield Education Association, approve numerous personnel items including contractual appointments, administrative assignments, leaves, resignations, and transfers, and adopt the June 21, 2022 minutes. Committee reports and public comments are also on the agenda.
- Approval of settlement in Plainfield Education Association v. Plainfield Board of Education (OAL Docket EDU-16962-19)
- 25 contractual appointments for 2022-23, including teachers, security officers, and IT staff, with salaries ranging from $31,995 to $96,896
- 6 administrative appointments: 4 vice principals at $120,253 each, 1 principal at $153,299, and 1 director at $133,831
- 15 resignations effective 06/30/22
- Fall 2022 athletic coaching stipends, e.g., $6,955 for football varsity assistant head coach
Special Meeting
This is a special meeting of the Plainfield Board of Education, where action may be taken. The agenda includes routine items such as the call to order, roll call, and public comments, followed by a report from the board president on board and district goals. No specific decisions or proposals are listed on the agenda.
- Public comment period of 30 minutes, with each speaker limited to 3 minutes
- Report of the Board President on Board and District Goals
- Meeting held at PHS Cafe, 950 Park Ave., and via Zoom
Work & Study/Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a work/study and business meeting on June 21, 2022, starting with an executive session. The board will take action on a range of human resources items, including contractual appointments, administrative appointments, leaves of absence, resignations, retirements, and transfers. Public comments will be heard for 30 minutes before committee reports.
- Approve 21 contractual appointments for 2022-23, including teachers, a social worker, and security officers, with salaries ranging from $30,356 to $95,396.
- Approve 7 administrative appointments, including 6 vice principals and a Director of Athletics, with salaries from $120,253 to $154,515.
- Accept 17 resignations and 1 resignation rescission, plus 4 retirements.
- Approve 24 leaves of absence for medical, personal, or FMLA reasons.
- Adopt minutes from May 3 and May 17, 2022 meetings.
Special Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education convened a special meeting including an executive session and a public session. The agenda includes remarks from the Board President and Superintendent, as well as a proclamation for Gregory J. McCray.
- Proclamation for Gregory J. McCray
Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a business meeting on May 17, 2022, to take action on a consent agenda that includes personnel appointments, leaves, resignations, retirements, and stipends for various programs. The board will also hear presentations on social-emotional learning, curriculum, and culture and climate, and will adopt minutes from prior meetings. Public comments will be taken for 30 minutes.
- Approve Gregory Sneed as Principal of PAAAS at $131,631 and Olivia Rodriguez as Principal of Hubbard at $134,982, effective July 1, 2022
- Approve stipends up to $9,800 for Spring 2022 and $10,560 for Summer 2022 Kindergarten WIDA language assessments
- Approve up to $128,000 for Technology Vanguard Building Consultants for 2022-2023
- Approve up to $62,300 for ASP Leadership Development Team strategic planning
- Accept retirements of Cheryl Hills, John Quinn, and MonaRae Stokes, effective July 1, 2022
Work & Study Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education is holding a work and study meeting with action items, including approving end-of-year elementary celebrations, professional development travel, and a large list of curriculum material adoptions and renewals for the 2022-2023 school year. The board will also hear reports from the superintendent and committees, including an enrollment update.
- Approval of end-of-year celebrations at Cook, Jefferson, and Evergreen elementary schools, with total costs not to exceed $3,727.50, $2,275.00, and $3,125.00 respectively.
- Approval for two staff members to attend the National School Safety Conference in Orlando, FL, July 24-29, 2022, at a total cost not to exceed $4,985.33.
- Approval for a community relations liaison to attend the virtual NSPRA 2022 National Seminar, July 18-20, 2022, at a cost of $995.00.
- Approval of numerous curriculum material renewals and new adoptions for SY 2022-2023, including HMH Into Reading (K-5) at $1,510,274.64, NewsELA (K-5) at $810,000.00, and HMH Classroom Libraries (K-5) at $812,988.18.
- Monthly enrollment report for April 2022 to be presented at the May 17 business meeting.
Board Retreat
The Plainfield Board of Education met for a retreat focused on assessment and accountability. The session was facilitated by Channel Powe.
- Board retreat discussion facilitated by Channel Powe
Board Retreat
The Plainfield Board of Education is holding a retreat, primarily to discuss how board members can best partner with and support the school superintendent, as led by Dr. Jesse Jackson. The agenda includes routine items like roll call, public comment, and adjournment, with no other substantive decisions or discussions listed.
- Discussion: How a school board member can best partner and support the school superintendent, led by Dr. Jesse Jackson
- Public comment period on agenda items (Policy 9322)
- Adjournment motion carried (moved by Carmencita Pile, seconded by Victor Webb)
Public Hearing 2022-2023 Budget Meeting
The Board of Education is holding a public hearing to adopt the final 2022-2023 school year budget. The meeting includes discussions on total expenditures, tax increases, and a major boiler replacement project.
- Adoption of the $286,335,108 final budget for the 2022-2023 school year
- Proposal to raise $27,146,300 in taxes for the upcoming school year
- Establishment of a $102,024 maximum travel expenditure limit
- Approval of a $996,950 boiler replacement project at Hubbard Middle School with McCloskey Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Work & Study / Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a work/study and business meeting on April 12, 2022, where action will be taken. The most significant item is approval of a $295,000 settlement in the lawsuit Terry Shareef v. Plainfield Board of Education. The board will also consider routine personnel actions, including appointments, resignations, retirements, and reassignments.
- Approval of $295,000 settlement in Terry Shareef v. Plainfield Board of Education
- Contractual appointments for teacher assistants, a science teacher, and a bus driver
- Rescission of a previously approved employment contract
- Acceptance of resignations and retirements of staff members
- Approval of leaves of absence and reassignments/transfers
Town Hall Meeting
This meeting is a town hall session intended to be informative for the public. The agenda consists of procedural items including a roll call and a period for public discussion.
- Public discussion period with three-minute limits per speaker
Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education is holding a business meeting where action will be taken on a preliminary budget presentation for fiscal year 2022-23, along with numerous personnel items including appointments, resignations, retirements, leaves, and salary adjustments. The board will also hear public comments and consider approval of February 2022 meeting minutes.
- Preliminary Budget Presentation for FY 2022-23
- Contractual appointments: 13 positions including teachers, bus drivers, and assistants with salaries from $28,060 to $80,580
- Resignations: 4 staff including a Computer Literacy Teacher at PHS and a Senior Case Manager
- Retirement: Linda Gorczyca, ESL Teacher at PHS, after 34 years
- Hubbard After-School and Saturday Enrichment Program: $11,340 total for 3 teachers at $35/hr
Work & Study Meeting
The Board of Education met to review student enrollment, financial reports, and curriculum updates. Key actions included approving virtual test preparation courses for students and funding for IT staff to attend a professional development conference in New Orleans.
- Approved Tutor.com virtual PSAT and SAT prep courses for grades 9-11 at a cost not to exceed $24,500.00
- Approved funding up to $20,543.81 for eleven IT and Instructional Technology staff to attend ISTELive 22 in New Orleans
- Accepted the 2020-2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and a Corrective Action Plan regarding audit findings
- Reviewed February 2022 enrollment report showing 8,484 total students enrolled
- Noted an $84,977 overdraft in the worker's compensation claims disbursement account as of June 30, 2021
Special Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education convened a special meeting on March 1, 2022. The agenda consists of procedural items including a call to order, roll call, and a report from the Board President. The meeting also included an executive session.
- Executive Session
Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education met to approve several contractual appointments for teachers and support staff. The board also authorized funding for after-school tutoring programs and community learning center interns.
- Approval of 12 new contractual appointments including teachers and assistants
- Authorization of up to $57,600 for after-school tutoring stipends through May 31, 2022
- Approval of $18,000 for high school interns in the 21st Century Community Learning Center program
- Acceptance of several staff resignations and two retirements
- Approval of $4,833 in mentoring fees for novice teacher support
Work & Study Meeting
The Board of Education held a Work & Study meeting to discuss January 2022 enrollment figures and approve several educational initiatives. The agenda included resolutions for student field trips, professional development, and special education tuition.
- Approval of $5,813.00 for Queen’s TV Network overnight trip to Syracuse University
- Approval of winter activity trips for Maxson Middle School (up to $4,380.00) and Plainfield High School (up to $9,720.00)
- Approval of $2,919.50 for Zelda Spence to attend the National After-School Association Convention
- Resolution to provide out-of-district special education services for 23 pupils
- January 2022 enrollment report showing fluctuations across district schools
Work & Study/Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education is voting on the adoption of a District Demographics Study presented by Dr. Richard Grip. The board will also approve 12 contractual staff appointments, including teachers and counselors, with salaries ranging from $28,060 to $96,850. Additionally, the board is set to approve a $30,600 stipend package for the Grades 3-12 STEM Enrichment Academy and accept three staff resignations.
- Adoption of District Demographics Study presented by Dr. Richard Grip
- Approval of 12 contractual appointments, including Alisa M. Barnes ($81,795) and Sa-Kinah Calder ($96,850)
- Approval of $30,600 in stipends for the Grades 3-12 STEM Enrichment Academy
- Acceptance of resignations from Lee Best, Laura Mejia, and James Quinn
- Approval of Jeffrey Morton as Coordinator, Accounting at $94,886
Organization Meeting
The Board of Education met to administer oaths of office to newly elected members and establish administrative procedures for the 2021-2022 school year. The agenda included the election of board officers, designation of official bank depositories, and adoption of annual policies.
- Administration of oath of office to Sarah B. Virgo, Victor L. Webb, Jr., and Hanae M. Wyatt
- Designation of Investors Bank and Industrial Bank as official board depositories
- Establishment of a $500 petty cash fund authorized for the School Business Administrator
- Approval of a $6,362.21 maximum travel expenditure limit
- Adoption of a municipal tax payment schedule totaling $26,950,177.00 for the school year