Township of Union Board of Education, Worksession Meeting, Tuesday, September 8, 2015 - 7:00 p.m. | Township of Union Public Schools

Date

Tuesday, September 8, 2015 - 07:00 pm

Township of Union Board of Education, Worksession Meeting, Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the James Caulfield Administration Building, 2369 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey 07083, and action will be taken on resolutions in bold.

UNION TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

WORKSESSION AGENDA

SEPTEMBER 8, 2015

A. Roll Call

B. Flag Salute

C. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

D. Comments from Public on Proposed Resolutions in bold only

E. Approval of Minutes:

1. July 21, 2015 – executive session

2. July 21, 2015 – regular meeting

3. August 11, 2015 – special meeting

F. Communication

Letter of resignation from Lisa Moniz Hutter, paraprofessional at Livingston Elementary School, effective August 18, 2015.
Request for maternity and family leave from Marissa Spies, paraprofessional at Union High School, effective October 5, 2015 and with a return date of March 14, 2016.
Letter of resignation from Penelope Vlastaras, teacher assistant at Washington School, effective September 8, 2015.
Letter from Educational Risk Insurance Consortium – North – ERIC North, advising of 2015 Safety Grant approval, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
Letter from Township of Union Recreation Department requesting open gym program at Jefferson School.
Letter of resignation from Maria Vinci, leave replacement teacher at Connecticut Farms Elementary School, effective September 2, 2015.
Letter of resignation from Danielle LaConti-Roe, school psychologist for the District, effective October 19, 2015.
Request for maternity leave from Rosemary Parson, school social worker at Battle Hill Elementary School, effective September 25, 2015 through December 22, 2015.
Request for sick, maternity and family leave from Kristen Leiger, teacher of special services at Burnet Middle School, effective October 13, 2015 and with a return date of December 7, 2015.
Request for leave of absence from Asimina Niotis, transportation driver, effective September 8, 2015 through October 15, 2015.
Letter from Township of Union Department of Public Safety Fire Division requesting the use of Hamilton School for training purposes from September 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015.
Letter of resignation from Lina Blanchet, teacher at Kawameeh Middle School, effective September 1, 2015.
Request for maternity and unpaid family leave from Kristal Phillips, art teacher at Union High School, effective November 17, 2015 and with a return date of April 27, 2016.
Request for maternity and unpaid family leave from Lauren Dougherty, English teacher at Kawameeh Middle School, effective November 9, 2015 and with a return date of February 23, 2016.
Request for extension of leave (original return date September 1, 2015) on unpaid intermittent family leave from Linda Steeb, teacher at Kawameeh Middle School, through June 3, 2016.
Letter of resignation from Susan Colonna, teacher assistant at Jefferson School, effective September 2, 2015.
Letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement from Dennis Mann, maintenance department, effective November 30, 2015.
Request for paid sick leave for Susan Kornblum, teacher at Washington School, effective September 2, 2015 and with a return date to be determined.
Letter of resignation from Sophy Cherukara, teacher assistant at Kawameeh Middle School, effective September 2, 2015.
Request for maternity and unpaid family leave from Christina Leung, music teacher at Franklin Elementary School, effective November 16, 2015 and with a return date of April 14, 2016.
Request for unpaid intermittent family leave from Roseanne Borges, math teacher at Union High School for the entire 2015-2016 school year (September 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.
Request for maternity and unpaid family leave from Alina Loguidice, pre-kindergarten teacher at Hannah Caldwell, effective January 4, 2016 and with a return date of May 2, 2016
Letter of resignation from Andrew Esposito, teacher assistant at Battle Hill, effective September 7, 2015.
Request from Vauxhall Historical Society, Inc. for permission to use the gym at Jefferson School as the venue for the VHS annual Veterans' Day program on November 7, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

G. Superintendent’s Report

H. Education/Student Discipline Committee Resolutions

E-1.     The committee recommends and I so move that approval be given to amend the 2015-2016 out-of-district atypical student placement list and students exited from out-of-district placement, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-2.     The committee recommends and I so move that approval be given to the list of students removed from the rolls [five (5) students exited from August 1st through August 31, 2015 or a total of five (5) students for the 2015-2016 school year] who are not domiciled in this school district and zero (0) students who will be allowed to complete the 2015-2016 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-3.     The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve reimbursement of a parent for transporting their special education student to and from DCF Regional School, Essex Campus, 395-97 North 5^th Street, Newark, New Jersey at a rate of $35.76 per day for the 2015-2016 school year.

E-4. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the New jersey Department of Education School Self Assessment for Determining Grades, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-5. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board accept the one of each of the following musical instruments listed at no charge provided through the GSA agreement with the Township of Union: (a) Clarinet, (b) Piccolo, (c) Alto Sax, (d) Baritone Sax, (e) Trumpet, (f) Trombone, (g) Bass Guitar, (h) Sousaphone, (i) Piano.

I. Fiscal and Planning Committee Resolutions

F-1.      The committee recommends and I so move that the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2015 be accepted.

F-2.      The committee recommends and I so move that the Secretary’s Report dated August 31, 2015 be accepted.

F-3.      Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a), I certify that as of August 31, 2015 no budgetary line item account has obligations and payments (contractual orders) which in total exceed the amount appropriated by the district board of education pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:22-8 and 18:22-8.1.

                           James J. Damato, Board Secretary                     Dated

Pursuant to N.J.A.C.6A:23-2.2(h), we certify that as of August 31, 2015 after review of the secretary’s monthly financial report (appropriations section) and upon consultation with the appropriate district officials that to the best of our knowledge no major account or fund has been over-expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.2(d)3 and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year. This certification is solely based on the information provided by the School Business Administrator and Board Secretary and is assumed by the board to be correct.

F-4.      The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve line item transfers, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-5.      The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the attached list of contracts and/or purchase orders pursuant to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5 and 8A:18A-10(a), and in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-6.      The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve district wide travel and related expenses pursuant to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:11-12, N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-7 and Board Policy File Code 6471, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-7.      The committee recommends and I so move that the Board pre-approve districtwide student field trip destinations and purposes pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-5.8, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-8. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board the amended list of 2015-2016 State Contract Vendors to facilitate schools’ purchasing, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-9. The committee recommends and I so move that the board approve attached list of contracts and/or purchases pursuant to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5(21) in accordance with the information in the hands of each board member: (a) Collins Sports Medicine – $1,015 – Union High School Athletics-Student Trainer Account - sale of Gatorade as fundraiser for scholarships, (b) Galloping Hill Caterers - $30,000 (approx) - Union High School Athletics-Alumni - alumni dinner, (c) Patel Printing - $3,000 (approx) - Union High School Athletics - invitations for alumni dinner, (d) Kass Glass - $3,000 (approx) - Union High School Athletics-alumni - alumni awards.

J. Operations Committee Resolutions

O-1. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve use of Jefferson School Gym by the township of Union Recreation Department for its Open Gym Program from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on various dates during the 2015-2016 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-2. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the Rental Fee Schedule of charges for the use of school facilities for the 2015-2016 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-3. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve use of portions of Hamilton School by the Township of Union Department of Public Safety Fire Division for training purposes from September 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-4. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the restriping at the preschool parking lot to increase the parking supply from 14 spaces to 22 spaces which will accommodate the parking needs of the school administration, school staff and staff the recreation center.

O-5. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board (a) approve the implementation of a one-way traffic flow eastbound with the traffic entering from Hendricks Drive and exiting onto Commerce Avenue and (b) recommend transmitting the request for approval by the Township.

O-6. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the restriction all vehicular activity in the courtyard/playground/delivery area north of the school bus drop-off area adjacent to the Board of Education supply building from 7:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Enforcement of this recommendation can be immediately implemented by the use of movable barricades and ultimately managed with a permanently installed swing gate that is locked with a knox box and provides a 5-foot wide pedestrian opening adjacent to the school building.

O-7. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the striping of a 6 to 8-foot wide pedestrian walkway from the school bus drop-off area along the west side of the school building to the playground area.

O-8. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the modification of the parking practices of Commerce Avenue south of Ken Road to provide 5 to 6 school permit parking spaces from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to accommodate school staff.

O-9. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve (a) the installation of a 4-foot high fence parallel to Hendricks Drive from the Board of Education storage/warehouse building to the southwest corner of the recreation center. The fence construction installation shall provide a pedestrian opening, via gate, south of the recreation department office where appropriate based on existing topography and location of trees, and (b) add a 5 to 6-foot wide pedestrian sidewalk from Hendricks Drive to the courtyard area in conjunction with (a) herein (approximate cost for (a) and (b) is $13,060).

O-10. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the enhancement of enforcement of the Hendricks Drive closure during school hours with the planting of shrubs on the north side of the gate to prohibit vehicular movement between Hendricks Drive and the school parking lot when the gate are closed.

O-11. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve to provide 1 or 2 traffic directors/monitors in the south parking field to manage the vehicular and pedestrian traffic ($18,000/year).

O-12. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the designation of 16 parking spaces south of the handicapped spaces in the south lot as employee only in order to minimize the parking activity in the drive aisle during the peak morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up time frames.

O-13. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the updated School Health Standing Orders to add to the Medical Service Handbook, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-14. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the request from the Union High School Girls Track team to fundraise for and attend the Disney Cross Country Classic presented by New Balance in Florida, district cost approximately $2,390, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-15. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the request from Vauxhall Historical Society, Inc. (VHS) to use the gym at Jefferson School as the venue for the VHS annual Veteran's Day Program on November 7, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and requesting any fees be waived.

Discussion Item:

1. Presentation – United Way of Greater Union County - Request for the use of Annex portion of Hamilton School for the proposed “Family Success Center”, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

K. Personnel Committee Resolutions

P-1.      The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that Personnel Actions be approved, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-2.      The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board amend Substitute Lists for the 2015-2016 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each board.

P-3.      The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board accept letters of resignation from the following staff: (a) Lisa Moniz Hutter, paraprofessional at Livingston Elemental School, effective August 18, 2015, (b) Penelope Vlastaras, teacher assistant at Washington School, effective September 8, 2015, (c) Maria Vinci, leave replacement teacher at Connecticut Farms Elementary School, effective September 2, 2015, (d) Danielle LaConti-Roe, school psychologist for the District, effective October 19, 2015, (e) Lina Blanchet, teacher at Kawameeh Middle School, effective September 1, 2015, (f) Susan Colonna, teacher assistant at Jefferson, effective September 2, 2015, (g) Dennis Mann, maintenance department, for the purpose of retirement, effective November 30, 2015, (h) Sophy Cherukara, teacher assistant at Kawameeh Middle School, effective September 2, 2015, (i) Andrew Esposito, teacher assistant at Battle Hill Elementary School, effective September 7, 2015.

P-4.      The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve leaves for the following staff: (a) Marissa Spies, paraprofessional at Union High School, maternity and family leave, effective October 5, 2015 and with a return date of March 11, 2016, (b) Rosemary Parson, school social worker at Battle Hill Elementary School, maternity leave, effective September 25, 2015 through December 22, 2015, (c) Kristen Leigher, teacher of special services at Burnet Middle School, sick, maternity and family leave, effective October 13, 2015 and with a return date of December 7, 2015, (d) Asimina Niotis, transportation driver, leave of absence, effective September 8, 2015 to October 15, 2015, (e) Kristal Phillips, art teacher at Union High School, maternity and family leave, effective November 17, 2015 and with a return date of April 27, 2016, (f) Lauren Dougherty, English teacher at Kawameeh Middle School, maternity leave, effective November 9, 2015 and with a return date of February 23, 2016, (g) Linda Steeb, teacher at Kawameeh Middle School, extension of leave on unpaid intermittent family leave through June 3, 2016, (h) Susan Kornblum, teacher at Washington School, paid sick leave, effective September 2, 2015 and with a return date to be determined, (i) Christina Leung, music teacher at Franklin School, maternity and unpaid family leave, effective November 16, 2015 and with a return date of April 14, 2016, (j) Roseanne Borges, math teacher at Union High School, intermittent unpaid family leave for the 2015-2016 school year (September 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016), (k) Alina Loguidice, pre-kindergarten teacher at Hannah Caldwell School, effective January 4, 2016 and with a return date of May 2, 2016.

P-5. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve the Change of Salary Class (effective September 2015), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-6. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve Helene Sarnell to provide Speech-Language Services at the rate of $85/hr. (not to exceed $12,240) for the 2015-2016 school year.

P-7. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that theBoard approve the list of staff members whose salaries are funded in part through the District's NCLB FY16 grant, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-8. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve Heather Borman to replace Tommy Harrell on the 8th Grade Science Curriculum Writing Team for 2015-2016 at the rate of $20/hr for 15 hours (not to exceed $300).

L. Policy Committee

POL-1. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 2224 – Nondiscrimination/Affirmative Action, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-2. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 3542.1 – Wellness and Nutrition, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-3. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 4111 – Recruitment, Selection and Hiring, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-4. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 4111.1/4211.1 – Nondiscrimination/Affirmative Action, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-5. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 4119.26/4219.26 – Electronic Communication by School Staff, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-6. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 4211 – Recruitment, Selection and Hiring, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-7. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 5120 – Assessment of Individual Needs, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-8. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 5141 - Health, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-9. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 5145.4 – Equal Educational Opportunity, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-10. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 6121 – Nondiscrimination/Affirmative Action, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-11. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 6142.4 – Physical Education and Health, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-12. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 6147.1 – Evaluation of Individual Student Performance, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-13. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve Policy 6173 – Home Instruction and Procedures for Home Instruction, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

M. Approval of Bills

The committee recommends and I so move and the Board concurs with the bills listed in the permanent bound register appended to these minutes and be ordered for payment.