Plainfield Public Schools public meetings in 2023
17 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Post Retreat Training Session
The Plainfield Board of Education is meeting for a post-retreat training session, which includes a review of a board assessment, an escape room exercise, and discussions on roles, responsibilities, and aligning board goals to the strategic plan. Public comments are scheduled for thirty minutes at the start of the meeting.
- Public comments: 30 minutes, 3 minutes per speaker
- Board TTI Assessment Review with Shawn Joseph, Ed.D., HYA
- Escape Room Exercise led by NJSBA trainers Charline Peterson and Patricia Reese
- Discussion on Roles & Responsibilities
- Aligning Board Goals to the Five-Year Strategic Plan
Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a business meeting on November 21, 2023, to take action on several items, including approving memoranda of understanding for dual-enrollment programs with Bard College and NJIT, a survey engagement plan, and a student recruitment campaign. The board will also consider the treasurer's report, school safety drill compliance, and various personnel actions such as appointments, leaves, retirements, and resignations.
- Approve MOU with Bard College for dual enrollment program
- Approve MOU with NJIT for academy and options programs
- Approve Caissa K12 survey engagement plan at $14,150.00
- Approve Caissa K12 student recruitment campaign at $950 per student, not to exceed $43,700.00
- Approve contractual appointments including 16 new hires with salaries ranging from $20,160 to $100,276
Business Meeting
The Board of Education is reviewing district improvement plans for instruction and personnel. The meeting also includes discussions on establishing an educational foundation and approving various staff appointments and resignations.
- Approval of District Improvement Plans for Instruction & Programs and Personnel
- Establishment of the Plainfield Public Schools Educational Foundation
- Acceptance of a $1,000.00 donation from Raymour & Flanigan
- Appointment of April Morgan as Vice Principal of Barlow/Jefferson School
- Approval of multiple contractual staff appointments and salary advancements
Board Retreat
The Plainfield Board of Education is holding a retreat on October 14, 2023, at the Administration Building. The agenda includes roll call, welcome, public comment, and a discussion led by Micah Ali of Synergistic Solutions. No formal decisions or votes are listed; the meeting is primarily for discussion and team-building.
- Retreat held at Cafetorium, Administration Building, 1200 Myrtle Avenue
- Public comment period: 30 minutes, 3 minutes per speaker
- Discussion with Micah Ali of Synergistic Solutions
- Meeting advertised in Courier News, Star-Ledger, and Tap Into Plainfield
Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a business meeting on September 26, 2023, where action will be taken on several items. Key actions include approving a Memorandum of Understanding with Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (up to $42,000 annually) and a large list of contractual appointments for the 2023-24 school year. The agenda also includes routine items such as the treasurer's report, recognition of retirees and Hispanic Heritage Month, and public comments.
- MOU with Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, $42,000 annually, Oct 1 2023–Jun 30 2025
- Contractual appointments: 60+ positions including teachers, assistants, security officers, custodians
- Treasurer's report submitted per N.J.S.A. 18A:17-36
- Recognition of retirees and Hispanic Heritage Month
- Public comments: 30 minutes, 3 minutes per speaker
Special Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education is holding a special meeting on September 18, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the PHS Cafe and via Zoom. The agenda includes an executive session to discuss a Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) matter, followed by remarks from the board president and superintendent, a delegate assembly presentation, and public comments. Action may be taken during the meeting.
- Executive session on HIB (Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying)
- Public comments: 30 minutes, 3 minutes per speaker
- Delegate Assembly presentation
- Remarks from Board President and Superintendent
Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a business meeting on August 15, 2023, taking action on several items. Key actions include approving travel for the superintendent to attend a national leadership forum and enroll in an urban superintendent academy, as well as approving a large list of personnel appointments and funding allocations for federal programs. The meeting also includes public comments and adoption of previous meeting minutes.
- Approve $1,533 for Rashon K. Hasan and Jean-Marie Gordon to attend Age of Learning National Leadership Forum in Glendale, CA
- Approve $6,500 for Rashon K. Hasan to enroll in AASA Urban Superintendents Academy
- Approve FY 2024 ESSA Title I, Title IIA, Title III, IDEA CEIS, and ESSER funding for 45 personnel positions, with salaries ranging from $6,902.88 to $102,776.00
- Provisionally approve 40+ contractual appointments for 2023-2024 school year, including teachers, secretaries, and custodians
- Public comments period of 30 minutes, with each speaker limited to 3 minutes
Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a business meeting on July 18, 2023, to take action on a range of personnel items, including contractual and administrative appointments, leaves of absence, retirements, and transfers. The board will also consider approving the superintendent's participation in an Affirmative Action Officer certification program and his representation on the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey. Public comments will be heard for 30 minutes.
- Approve 17 contractual appointments (counselors, teachers, nurses, etc.) for 2023-24, with salaries ranging from $56,410 to $98,026
- Approve 9 administrative appointments as vice principals and an acting supervisor, with salaries from $126,483 to $134,655
- Approve 5 leaves of absence (medical/FMLA) for staff
- Accept retirements of Martha Guardado (25 yrs) and Brenda Pryor (22 yrs)
- Approve superintendent's $1,024 AAO certification program and ESCNJ board representation
Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a business meeting on June 20, 2023, to take action on personnel items, including the approval of 49 contractual appointments for the 2023-24 school year. The board will also consider several lists of substitute and hourly employees, and approve summer transportation pay rates for bus drivers and assistants. Public comments will be heard for 30 minutes before committee reports.
- Approval of 49 contractual appointments for 2023-24, including teachers, custodians, and specialists, with salaries ranging from $36,335 to $105,335.
- Approval of summer 2023 substitute and hourly employee list.
- Approval of substitute and hourly appointments for 2023-24 school year.
- Approval of 2022-23 substitute and hourly appointments.
- Approval of summer transportation pay: bus drivers at $21.88/hr and assistants at $22.00/hr, July 1-Aug 31, 2023.
Special Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education is holding a special meeting to take action on several personnel and financial items. Key decisions include appointing a new superintendent, approving five principal appointments, and adopting a new strategic plan. The board will also consider collective bargaining agreements, settlements, and food service contracts.
- Approve contract with Rashon K. Hasan as Superintendent for five years (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2028)
- Appoint five principals: Tenisha Fort (Cedarbrook, $137,861), Johan Rojas (Evergreen, $147,583), Juan Pablo Jimenez (Booker, $147,132), Aurora Hill (Clinton, $165,121), Shadin Belal (Plainfield High, $158,624)
- Approve PASA collective bargaining agreement with salary guides
- Approve 2023-2024 food service management contract with Maschio's (total cost $6,857,850.31)
- Adopt Strategic Plan and new Mission Statement for July 2023 – June 2028
Public Hearing and Final Adoption of the 2023-2024 Budget
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a public hearing and take final action on the 2023-2024 school year budget, totaling $318,941,238. The board will also vote on related finance items, including appropriations from restricted legal reserve and surplus, a preschool budget, and travel expense limits. Public comments are invited on agenda items.
- Adoption of final 2023-2024 budget totaling $318,941,238, with $27,146,172 to be raised by taxes
- Appropriation of $8,656,853 from restricted legal reserve and $2,291,113 from surplus
- Approval of $26,513,042 early childhood preschool budget serving 1,605 preschoolers
- Setting maximum travel expenditure at $278,021.90 for 2023-2024
- Approval of special meeting on May 10, 2023 for redistricting plan
Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a business meeting on April 18, 2023, preceded by a 6:00 p.m. executive session. The board is scheduled to take action on administrative appointments, including a new Director of Marketing and Director of School Safety and Security, and to approve stipends for the 2023 Summer Leadership Team and Title I Family ELA Nights. The agenda also includes reports on drill compliance and ESSA school performance data, as well as public comments and committee reports.
- Approve Vashon Hill as Director of Marketing at $105,000 prorated salary, effective April 19, 2023
- Approve Hakim Sims as Director of School Safety and Security at $135,000 prorated salary, effective May 1, 2023
- Approve $90,720 in stipends for 2023 Summer Leadership Team (July 1-August 15, 2023)
- Approve up to $4,800 in stipends for Title I Family ELA Nights for grades 6-12 literacy teachers
- Accept resignation of Lauren Rodriguez (Social Worker/Evergreen) and retirements of Lory Estefa and Felicia Petway
Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a business meeting on March 28, 2023, preceded by a 6:00 p.m. executive session. The board is scheduled to take action on a series of human resources items, including contractual appointments, resignations, retirements, leaves of absence, and transfers. The agenda also includes an audit presentation for the 2021-2022 school year, public comments, and the adoption of the February 28, 2023 meeting minutes.
- Contractual appointments for 14 positions, including teachers, bus drivers, and security officers, with salaries ranging from $30,356 to $99,146
- Acceptance of 6 resignations and 11 retirements, including Principal Frank Asante (30 years) and Elementary Teacher Delores Jackson (37 years)
- Approval of 12 leaves of absence for various medical and personal reasons
- Approval of 13 transfers, reassignments, and salary adjustments for staff
- Approval of $6,630 in athletic stipends for a weight room supervisor and a softball assistant coach
Public Tentative Budget Hearing For 2023 - 2024 School Year
The Plainfield Board of Education is holding a public hearing to consider adopting the tentative 2023-2024 school year budget of $318,941,238, which includes raising $27,118,640 in taxes. The board will also vote on related items such as travel expense limits, the preschool budget, and organization charts. Public comments are invited.
- Adoption of tentative 2023-2024 budget totaling $318,941,238, with $27,118,640 to be raised in taxes
- Maximum travel expenditure set at $278,021.90 for 2023-2024
- Early Childhood 2023-2024 Preschool Budget of $26,043,650 to serve 1,605 preschoolers
- Approval of 2023-2024 organization charts, including new positions and re-establishment of Director of School Counseling and Director of Multilingual Education
- Public hearing on the budget scheduled for April 25, 2023, at Plainfield High School
Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a business meeting with an executive session, followed by public comment and action items. The board is expected to vote on a series of personnel actions, including contractual appointments, leaves, resignations, retirements, transfers, and spring athletics coaching stipends. They will also consider a tutoring program and hear reports on testing, goals, and other district matters.
- Approval of 18 contractual appointments, including teachers, assistants, and a network administrator, with salaries ranging from $30,356 to $99,146.
- Approval of spring 2023 coaching stipends totaling $127,609 for 32 positions.
- Approval of after-school tutoring program with stipends not to exceed $84,480, funded by ARP ESSER III.
- Acceptance of 7 resignations and 5 retirements, including Director of Security Tyrone Williams after 34 years.
- Approval of 10 leaves of absence, including medical and personal leaves.
Work & Study / Business Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education will hold a work/study and business meeting on January 24, 2023, starting with an executive session. The board will take action on a revised meeting calendar, December 2022 minutes, and numerous personnel items including contractual appointments, substitute nurses, administrative appointments, leaves, resignations, retirements, transfers, and a high school credit recovery program. Public comments are permitted on agenda items.
- Approve 15 contractual appointments including custodians, teacher assistants, a dance teacher, social worker, and secretary, with salaries ranging from $30,356 to $73,616
- Approve administrative appointments: Elizabeth Bauer as Supervisor of Special Education ($122,074) and KeLee Brown as Supervisor of Early Childhood ($130,342)
- Approve $96,000 for high school academic support and credit recovery program for grades 9-12 teachers
- Accept 8 resignations and 3 retirements, including Jerald Williams (27 years), Trevor Pennycooke (25 years), and Lilliam Taylor (30 years)
- Approve 11 transfers/reassignments/promotions, including two promotions to Operations Support Technician and Accounts Payable Specialist
Organization Meeting
The Plainfield Board of Education holds its annual organization meeting to certify election results, administer oaths to newly elected members, and elect a president and vice president. The board will also vote on routine resolutions, including adopting a code of ethics, readopting policies, designating depositories and official publications, and approving a $13,382.20 expenditure for staff to attend the NJASA TECHSPO '23 conference.
- Certified election results: Shonté Smith (3,937 votes), W. Pat Hembree (3,759), Azim A. Gray (3,711), Lynn Anderson-Person (2,953), Shatera Smith (2,822), Carmencita T. Pile (2,806)
- Oath of office for new board members Azim A. Gray, W. Pat Hembree, and Shonté Smith (three-year terms through 2025)
- Approval of $13,382.20 for 13 staff and board members to attend NJASA TECHSPO '23 in Atlantic City, Jan 25-27, 2023
- Acceptance of anonymous $4,393.00 donation to cover outstanding lunch balances for students denied Free/Reduced Lunch
- Designation of Investors Bank, Valley National Bank, and Industrial Bank as official depositories