Township of Union Board of Education, worksession meeting, October 13, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at James Caulfield Administration Building, 2369 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey | Township of Union Public Schools

Date

Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - 07:00 pm

Township of Union Board of Education, Workession Meeting, October 13, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at James Caulfield Administration Building, 2369 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083. This is a meeting that action will be taken.

UNION TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

WORKSESSION AGENDA

OCTOBER 13, 2015

A. Roll Call

B. Flag Salute

C. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

D. Comments from the public on proposed resolutions in bold only

E. Approval of Minutes:

1. August 18, 2015 regular meeting

2. August 18, 2015 executive session meeting

3. August 20, 2015 planning session meeting

4. September 8, 2015 worksession meeting

5. September 8, 2015 executive session meeting

F. Communication

Letter of resignation from Christina Shahid, teacher at Franklin Elementary School, effective September 2, 2015.
Letter of resignation from Hans Beck, teacher assistant at Burnet Middle School, effective September 21, 2015.
Letter of resignation from Maryluz Saez, Café Duty only from Jefferson School, effective immediately for the 2015-2016 School Year.
Request for maternity and unpaid family leave from Antonia Peralta, Spanish teacher at Union High School, effective October 26, 2015 and with a return date of April 4, 2016.
Request for unpaid medical leave from Maria Matos, teacher assistant at Battle Hill Elementary School, effective October 2, 2015 to November 2, 2015.
Letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement from Robert J. Coates, custodian at Burnet Middle School effective February 1, 2016.
Letter of resignation from Stephanie Capers, greeter at Battle Hill Elementary School, effective October 8, 2015.
Request for sick leave from Connie Novoa, nurse at Union High School, effective immediately through November 2, 2015.
Request for maternity and sick leave from Jaclyn Hrdina, preschool teacher at Battle Hill Elementary School, effective November 23, 2015 and with a return date of May 31, 2016.
Revision to request for maternity and unpaid family leave from Rosemary Parsons, social worker at Battle Hill Elementary School with a revised return date of February 8, 2016 (originally 12/22/15).
Request for sick and unpaid family leave from Erin Marabuto, teacher at Connecticut Farms, effective September 1, 2015 with a tentative return date of November 25, 2015.
Request for sick and unpaid family leave from Kelly Hamilton, teacher at Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, from October 12, 2015 through December 18, 2015.
Request from Crossroads Christian Fellowship for use of Battle Hill School Gym during the months of January, February and March for their basketball program and request for waiver of rental fees.

F. Superintendent’s Report

District Assessment Report on October 20^th
School Administration presentations on October 20^th:
1. Union High School
2. Washington Elementary School
Jennifer Williams-Teacher Assistant-Jefferson-re: Bed Bath & Beyond-October 13th
Bed Bath & Beyond presentation on October 13^th

G. 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 amend the list of students removed from the rolls [five (5) students exited from September 1st through September 30, 2015 or a total of eleven (11) 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 the Union County Educational Services Commission 2015-2016 Nonpublic School Technology Initiative Program Agreement for Holy Spirit School located within this District, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-4. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the State of New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families Regional School Tuition Contract Agreement, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-5. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the Union County Vocational – Technical Schools Tuition Agreement Contract for the 2015-2016 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-6. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the Morris-Union Jointure Commission 2015 extended year and 2015-2016 regular school year transportation contracts, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-7. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the Tuition Contract Agreement with Hackensack Public Schools, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-8. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board accept the Vandalism and Violence Report for the 2014-2015 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member. (The Superintendent will present results of his report during the Superintendent’s Report at the regular meeting on October 20, 2015.)

E-9. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the 2015-2016 School Nursing Service Plan, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-10. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the following Curriculum Guides, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member: (a) Grades K-5 – Anti Bullying Curriculum Guide 2015, (b) Kindergarten -Social Studies Curriculum Guide – Curriculum Guide Approved: June 2015, (c) Grade 1 – Social Studies - Curriculum Guide 2015.

E-11. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the following District slogan: “For U With U, Excellence is the Only Option”.

E-12. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the New Jersey Department of Education, Division of Student Services, Office of Specialized Populations Comprehensive Equity Plan for the Academic Years 2014-17, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-13. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the books listed to be removed from the Union High School library and moved to the libraries at Burnett Middle School and Kawameeh Middle School (grades 6^th to 8^th), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-14. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the Nonpublic NCLB Title I Agreement with the Union County Educational Services Commission, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-15. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the submission of the New Jersey Department of Education Equivalency Application N.J.A.C. 6A:5, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-16. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the Union County Educational Services Commission 2015-2016 Nonpublic School Technology Initiative Program Agreement for St. Michael School located within this District, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-17. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve the attached Settlement Agreement for W.K., in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-18. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve the Honors/AP Criteria and Application Procedures for the 2015-2016 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

H. Fiscal and Planning Committee Resolutions

F-1.      The committee recommends and I so move that the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2015 be accepted.

F-2.      The committee recommends and I so move that the Secretary’s Report dated September 30, 2015 be accepted.

F-3.      Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a), I certify that as of September 30, 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.

                        /s/ Manuel E. Vieira                                                    ________

                        Manuel E. Vieira, Interim Board Secretary               Dated

Pursuant to N.J.A.C.6A:23-2.2(h), we certify that as of September 30, 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 Interim 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), 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 district-wide 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 approve the amended list of the 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 the 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) NJSIAA - $3,000 (estimate) – Union High School Athletics – Football (this check would be written only in event of qualification for playoff game at home); (b) NJSIAA – Union High School Athletics – Wrestling - $12,000 (approx) (estimation of reimbursement to State Wrestling Tournament at UHS); (c) UCIAC – Union High School Athletics – Wrestling - $4,000 (approx) (estimation of reimbursement to County Wrestling Tournament at UHS), (d) A.V. mother of B.G. - $3,115.00 – represents moneys collected District wide to assist student suffering from health issues, (e) A.V. mother of B.G. - $1,000 – represents moneys given by the Jeffrey Budnowski account to assist student suffering from health issues, (f) Forest Lodge - $1,600 – Kawameeh Middle School – 1^st deposit due November 15, 2015 for 8^th grade Forest Lodge trip (6/20/15), (f) Forest Lodge - $1,600 – Kawameeh Middle School – 2^nd deposit due January 12, 2016 for 8^th grade Forest Lodge trip (6/20/15), (g) Forest Lodge - $7,000 – Kawameeh Middle School – final payment for 8^th grade Forest Lodge trip (6/20/15); (h) Pine Forest Camp – $14,800 - Marching Band – payment for 2015 Band Camp, (i) Scholastic Book Fairs - $2,594.05 – Kawameeh Middle School – payment for book fair invoice, (j) Costume World - $4,801 – Union High School-UHSPAC – payment of Sophisticated Ladies settlement, (k) Burmax – $4,154.40 - Union High School–Cosmetology – payment of kits for 2015-2016 students.

F-10. The committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve the acceptance of the FY16 ESEA-NCLB grant funds from the New Jersey Department of Education as follows: Title I-A - $727,445, Title IIA - $179,621, Title III - $63,675, Title III-Immigrant - $5,031 for a total of $975,772, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-11. The committee concurs and I so move that the Board authorize participation in the municipal continuing disclosure cooperation initiative, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-12. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan Report (actual FY15, budgeted FY16 and Planned FY17), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-13. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the Annual Maintenance Budget Amount Worksheet (Form M-1) pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:26A, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-14. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve submission of an amendment to the FY15-16 NCLB Grant due to the FY14-15 NCLB Carry-Over funds as follows: Title I-A - $110,854, Title IIA - $69,043, Title III - $7,654 for a total of $187,551, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-15. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the submission of an amendment to the FY 2016 IDEA Grant due to the FY 2015 IDEA Grant Carry-Over of $5,484 in unexpended tuition and $26,225 in unexpended nonpublic funds, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-16. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the School Grant Applications for Project UNIFY (Special Olympics New Jersey) for Burnet Middle School and Union High School, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

Discussion Item:

1. Letter from Suplee Clooney & Company.

I. Operations Committee Resolutions

O-1. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board affirm the Superintendent’s resolution of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) conclusions for the period September 8 to September 30, 2015.

O-2. The committee recommends and I so move that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:41-1 and P.L. 2009, Chapter 178, the Board approve the following security drill and bus evacuation reports 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 the change of use of a room at Franklin Elementary School from conference room to instructional room, 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 rental of the Boys & Girls Club of Union County for the 2015-2016 winter swim season for $11,000, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-5. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board approve the disposal of textbooks, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member. All textbooks under 10 years old will be listed on the textbook sharing website. This item was pulled from agenda during meeting.

Discussion Items:
1. United Way – use of a portion of Hamilton School currently not being utilized, for public use.

2. Rental request from Crossroads Christian Fellowship for the use of Battle Hill School Gym during the months of January, February and March for their basketball program and request for waiver of rental fees, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

3. General Counsel bids received on September 25, 2015 and set aside.

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 member.

P-3.      The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board accept letters of resignation from the following staff: (a) Christina Shahid, teacher at Franklin Elementary School, effective September 2, 2015; (b) Hans Beck, teacher assistant at Burnet Middle School, effective September 21, 2015; (c) Maryluz Saez from Café Duty only from Jefferson School, effective immediately, (d) Employee #6240 for the purpose of retirement, effective December 1, 2015, (e) Robert J. Coates, custodian at Burnet Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, effective February 1, 2016, (f) letter of resignation from Stephanie Capers, greeter at Battle Hill Elementary School, effective October 8, 2015.

P-4.      The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve leaves for the following staff: (a) Antonia Peralta, Spanish teacher at Union High School, maternity and unpaid family leave, effective October 26, 2015 and with a return date of April 4, 2016, (b) Maria Matos, teacher assistant at Battle Hill Elementary School, unpaid sick leave, effective October 2, 2015 to November 2, 2015, (c) Connie Novoa, nurse at Union High School, request for sick leave, effective immediately through November 2, 2015, (d) Jaclyn Hrdina, preschool teacher at Battle Hill Elementary School, maternity and sick leave, effective November 23, 2015 and with a return date of May 31, 2015, (e) Rosemary Parsons, social worker at Battle Hill Elementary School, revision to return date of maternity and unpaid family leave from December 22, 2015 to February 8, 2016, (f) Erin Marabuto, teacher at Connecticut Farms, sick and family leave, effective September 1, 2015 with a tentative return date of November 25, 2015, (g) Kelly Hamilton, teacher at Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, sick and unpaid family leave from October 12, 2015 through December 18, 2015, (h) Maura Golding-O'Brien, teacher at Washington School, unpaid maternity leave through June 30, 2016.

P-5. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve the following teachers to write the indicated curriculum guides at the rate of $20/hr. for a total of 15 hours (not to exceed $300) each: (a) Jill Fischman – Health and PE Grade 5, (b) Charles Titus – Health and PE Grade 5; (c) Gabe Pagano – Health and PE Grade 5, (d) Jill Fischman – Health 6-8, (e) Charles Titus – Health 6-8, (f) Gabe Pagano – Health 6-8, (g) Jill Fischman – PE Grade 6-8, (h) Charles Titus – PE Grade 6-8, (i) Gabe Pagano – P.E. Grade 6-8, (j) Lauren Whitford – Math 8, (k) Robyn Furman – Math 8, (l) Michelle Walezak – Honors Algebra 8, (m) Linda Banks – Honors Algebra 8, (n) G. Sobreiro – Freshman Foundations, (o) J. Sterlacci – Grade 6 English, (p) N. Toccaceli – Grade 7 English, (q) J. Morelli and D. Sahr – Grade 9 English, (r) A. Kenny and T. Danza – Grade 10 English, (s) L. Romero and D. Bobertz – Grade 11 English, (t) M. Kaplan and R. Rios – Grade 12 English, (u) M. Dreher – College Study Skills, (v) M. Dreher – College Writing, (w) J. Hajkowski – Grade 12 AP, 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 the attached Settlement Agreement for employee #9827, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-7. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve Kim Conti, Director of Special Services as Department of Children Protection and Permanency (DCPP) Liaison for the 2015-2016 school year, at no additional cost to the District.

P-8. 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-9. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve the following certified teachers employed through Saint Clare’s Hospital Behavioral Health, 130 Powerville Road, Boonton Township, New Jersey 07005 to provide bedside instruction for District students on an “as needed” basis for the school year 2015-2016 in the amount not to exceed $5,000: Maria Milligan-Montgomery, Faith Kellman-Giambattista, Carolyn Ruban, Marlene Rudder-Rogovi and Nancy Blakely, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board members. (7693-11-150-100-320-01-19)

P-10. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve the following certified teachers employed through Education Inc., 2 Main Street, Unit 2, Plymouth, Massachusetts to provide bedside instruction for District students on an “as needed” basis for the school year 2015-2016 in the amount not to exceed $15,000: Victoria Litterio, Gabriella Larossa-Leedy, Isabella Lombardo, Holley Adams, Rachel Headman, Sarah Sutlic Cheng, Caitlin McCaffrey, Tracy Vail, Brandy Mawhenney, Chelsea Wallace Louro, and Amy Kepezynski Wenner, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member. (7693-11-150-100-320-01-19)

P-11. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the Board approve the following certified teachers employed through Professional Educational Services, Inc., 34 South Delsea Drive, Glassboro, New Jersey to provide bedside instruction for District students on an “as needed” basis for the school year 2015-2016 in the amount not to exceed $20,000: Doreen Benesy O’Hare, Michael Castellucci, Anthony Galioto, Alice Holler Dietz, Pamelia Myers, Ronald Schreck and Mary M. Yuknis, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member. (7693-11-150-100-320-01-19)

Discussion Item:

1. Hiring of a School Resource Officer for middle schools (salary paid at 50% by District and 50% by Township).

2. Hiring of an Athletic Trainer.

L. Approval of Bills

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