Township of Union Board of Education, Regular Meeting, January 19, 2016 at 7 p.m. at Union High School Library, North Third Street, Union, NJ 07083 | Township of Union Public Schools

Date

Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - 07:00 pm

The Township of Union Board of Education, Regular Meeting, Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at the Union High School Library, North Third Street, Union, New Jersey 07083

UNION TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA - JANUARY 19, 2016

A. Roll Call

B. Flag Salute

C. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

D. Comments from the Public on Proposed Resolutions

E. Approval of Minutes:

1. November 10, 2015 – work session

2. November 10, 2015 – executive session

3. November 17, 2015 – regular meeting

4. November 17, 2015 – executive session

F. Communication

Request for unpaid leave of absence from Dorothy Stewart, security officer at Burnet Middle School, from January 4, 2016 through January 4, 2017.
Correction to previously approved (11/17/15 agenda) leave request from Lisa Cassano, teacher at Battle Hill Elementary School, from extension of unpaid family leave to extension of unpaid maternity leave, from January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016.
Correction and extension to previously approved (8/18/15 agenda) leave request from Francesca Minnoia, teacher at Jefferson School, from maternity leave to paid medical leave for the period from December 16, 2015 to April 30, 2016.
Request for maternity and family leave from Fatima DeCorte, counselor at Union High School, from April 4, 2016 through June 30, 2016.
Request for unpaid family leave from Tori Kruse, bookkeeper in Central Office, from January 7, 2016 and with a tentative return date of March 15, 2016.
Request for maternity from Maria Nunez, teacher at Union High School, from January 8, 2016 to June 14, 2016.
Request for extension of maternity leave from Danielle House, teacher at Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, from February 11, 2016 to May 2, 2016.
Request for family leave use of paid sick days from Dolores Muia-Masucci, teacher’s assistant at Livingston, from January 11, 2016 through February 19, 2016.
Request for extension of maternity leave from Rosemary Parson, social worker at Battle Hill Elementary School, through June 30, 2016.
Request for maternity and family leave from Natalie Mauriello, social worker in Department of Social Services, from March 14, 2016 and with a return date of January 2, 2017.
Request for extension of medical leave from Krystal Galante, special education teacher at Battle Hill Elementary School, from February 1, 2016 to a tentative return date of September 1, 2016.
Request for maternity leave from Kristin Gechtman, part-time AAP at Hannah Caldwell, effective March 24, 2016 with a return date of November 2, 2016.
Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Cynthia Stoller, health and physical education teacher at Connecticut Farms Elementary School, effective March 31, 2016.
Letter of resignation from Frank Santora, Supervisor of Special Services, effective February 18, 2016.
Letter of resignation from Lois Jackson, Board member, effective January 6, 2016.
Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Linda Lozito, Secretary to the Elementary Supervisors, effective July 1, 2016.
Letter of resignation, for purpose of retirement, from Leslie Ragucci, teacher at Hannah Caldwell, effective July 1, 2016.
Letter of resignation from Tom Wilus, leave replacement teacher’s assistant at Union High School, effective January 12, 2016.
Request by Robert Ghiretti Jr., teacher’s assistant at Kawameeh Middle School, to hold teacher’s assistant position from January 19, 2016 to May 13, 2016 during which time he will act as a student teacher at Jefferson school.
Update to request by Kathryn Smith, special education teacher at Union High School, maternity and family leave effective January 27, 2016 through June 30, 2016, with a return date of September 1, 2016.
Request for medical leave from Nona Phillips, special education teacher at Burnet Middle School, from January 18, 2016 to February 12, 2016.

G. Superintendent’s Report

1. Presentation by Jefferson School – January 19^th

2. Presentation by Connecticut Farms Elementary School – January 19^th

3. Bullying Incident Report by School for period September 2015-December 2015 – January 19^th

4. NJ Department of Education HIB Self Assessment Grades – January 19^th

H. Education/Student Discipline Committee Resolutions

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Education/Student Discipline Committee presents the following resolutions for the Board’s consideration:

E-1.     Approval be given to amend the 2015-2016 out-of-district student placement list, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-2.     Approval be given to amend the list of students removed from the rolls [five (5) students exited from December 1st through December 23, 2015 or a total of twenty-six (26) 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.     Approve the Joint Transportation Agreement for Route 921 with the Morris-Union Jointure Commission for the 2015-2016 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-4. Approve the 2015-2016 Joint Transportation Agreement with the Educational Services Commission of Morris County for the 2015-2016 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-5. Approve the following workshop which will take place at Burnet Middle School auditorium: Topic: Diversity in Schools – April 8, 2016 – presented by the Educational Testing Services – not to exceed $500 (Account #11-000-223-320-01-54-0612/7188).

E-6. Approve the following Curriculum Guide(s), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member: (a) School Counseling, Curriculum Guide K-12; (b) 21^st Century Life and Careers: K-Grade 5, Curriculum Guide 2015-2016.

E-7. Approve the Union Township Substance Use Counseling Program, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-8. Approve High Focus Centers for bio-psychosocial assessments, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-9. Removed from Agenda - 01/19/16.

I. Fiscal and Planning Committee Resolutions

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Fiscal and Planning Committee presents the following resolutions for the Board’s consideration:

F-1.      That the Treasurer’s Report dated December 31, 2015 be accepted.

F-2.      That the Secretary’s Report dated December 31, 2015 be accepted.

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

                        /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 October 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.      Approve line item transfers in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-5.      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.      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 and in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-7.      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. 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. Approve the attached list of contracts and/or purchases pursuant to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5(21) (paid by funds raised by or collected by students), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member: (a) St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital - $12,000 (approx) – Union High School – Athletics/ Basketball – estimate for basketball fundraiser for St. Jude’s, (b) NJ District of Key Club - $7,000 (maximum) – Union High School-Key Club – district convention, (c) Cherrydale Farms - $3,271.36 – Burnet Middle School-Music Dept. – fundraiser – band account #2006, (d) The Costumer – Union High School PAC - $5,319.46 – main costume rental for “Union Goes to Hollywood”, (e) Home Depot Credit Services – Union High School PAC - $2,428.93 – scenery for “Union Goes to Hollywood”, (f) Encore Orchestra of New Jersey – Union High School PAC - $6,000 – orchestra for “Union Goes to Hollywood”, (g) Yankee Candle Fundraising – Union High School Senior Prom - $1,231.40 – payment of fundraising items, (h) IBS New York 2016 – Union High School Cosmetology - $1,500 – field trip – International Beauty Show, (i) Undisclosed Location – Union High School Project Graduation – maximum $55,000 – Class of 2016-Project Graduation venue payment.

F-10. Accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the Auditor’s Management Report (AMR), in accordance with the information on file in the office of the Secretary (auditors will present report to the public at the regular meeting on January 19, 2016).

F-11. Accept the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for Single Audit Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2015, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-12. Accept the following donations: (a) $1,667.82 from Lifetouch National School Studio for use by Washington Elementary School, (b) $100.00 from NJ Association of Paid Fire Officers and $500 from New Jersey Superior Officers Law Enforcement Association for use by Union High School JROTC Program-Booster Club account, (c) two (2) refrigerators from Sharon Davino for use by Burnet Middle School, (d) Roland XP-60 Music Workstation 64 voice 4x expansion from Township of Union Police Department.

F-13. Accept the grants from the Township of Union Education Foundation for the 2015-2016 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-14. For informational purposes only – vote not required. Amended list of students attending the following charter schools: (a) The Barack Obama Green Charter High School, (b) Beloved Community Charter School, (c) Phillips Academy Charter School, (d) Paterson Arts & Science Charter School, (e) Link Community Charter School, (f) East Orange Community Charter School and (g) TEAM Academy Charter School, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-15. For informational purposes only - vote not required. List of legal services paid for (a) the 2013-2014 school year, (b) the 2014-2015 school year and (c) the period of July 1, 2015 through January 19, 2016, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

J. Operations Committee Resolutions

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Operations Committee presents the following resolutions for the Board’s consideration:

O-1. Affirm the Superintendent’s resolution of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) conclusions for the period December 11, 2015 to January 8, 2016, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-2. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:41-1 and P.L. 2009, Chapter 178, 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. Approve the Notification of Asset Change of Status for two (2) refrigerators, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

K. Personnel Committee Resolutions

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Personnel Committee presents the following resolutions for the Board’s consideration:

P-1.      Personnel Actions be approved in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-2.      Amend Substitute Lists for the 2015-2016 school year in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board.

P-3.      Accept letters of resignation from the following staff: (a) Cynthia Stoller, for the purpose of retirement, health and physical education teacher at Connecticut Farms School, effective March 31, 2016, (b) Frank Santora, Supervisor of Special Services, effective February 18, 2016, (c) Lois Jackson, Board member, effective January 6, 2016, (d) Linda Lozito, for the purpose of retirement, Secretary to the Elementary Supervisors, effective July 1, 2016, (e) Leslie Ragucci, for the purpose of retirement, teacher at Hannah Caldwell, effective July 1, 2016, (f) Tom Wilus, leave replacement teacher’s assistant at Union High School, effective January 12, 2016.

P-4.      Approve leaves for the following staff: (a) Dorothy Stewart, security officer at Burnet Middle School, unpaid leave of absence from January 4, 2016 through January 4, 2017, (b) Lisa Cassano, teacher at Battle Hill Elementary School, correction to previously approved (8/18/15 agenda) leave request from extension of unpaid family leave to extension of unpaid maternity leave, from January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016, (c) Francesca Minnoia, teacher at Jefferson School, correction to previously approved (8/18/15 agenda) leave request from maternity leave to paid medical leave for the period from December 16, 2015 to April 30, 2016, (d) Fatima DeCorte, counselor at Union High School, maternity and family leave from April 4, 2016 through June 30, 2016, (e) Tori Kruse, bookkeeper in Central Office, unpaid family leave from January 7, 2016 and with a tentative return date of March 15, 2016, (f) Maria Nunez, teacher at Union High School, maternity leave from January 8, 2016 to June 14, 2016, (g) Danielle House, teacher at Hannah Caldwell, from February 11, 2016 to May 2, 2016, (h) Dolores Muia-Masucci, teacher’s assistant at Livingston, family leave use of paid sick days, from January 11, 2016 through February 19, 2016, (i) Rosemary Parson, social worker at Battle Hill Elementary School, extension of maternity leave, through June 30, 2016, (j) Natalie Mauriello, social worker in Department of Social Services, maternity and family leave, from March 14, 2016 and with a return date of January 2, 2017, (k) Krystal Galante, special education teacher at Battle Hill Elementary School, extension of medical leave, from February 1, 2016 to a tentative return date of September 1, 2016, (l) Kristin Gechtman, part-time AAP at Hannah Caldwell, maternity leave, effective March 24, 2016 with a return date of November 2, 2016, (m) Robert Ghiretti Jr., teacher’s assistant at Kawameeh Middle School, to hold teacher’s assistant position from January 19, 2016 to May 13, 2016 during which time he will act as a student teacher at Jefferson school, (n) Kathryn Smith, special education teacher at Union High School, update of mternity and family leave effective January 27, 2016 through June 30, 2016, with a return date of September 1, 2016, (o) Nona Phillips, special education teacher at Burnet Middle School, medial leave effective January 18, 2016 to February 12, 2016.

P-5. Approve New Jersey Manufacturers to meet with teachers, staff and employees and distribute information for automobile and homeowner insurances.

P-6. Approve termination of Employee #12046, effective December 23, 2015.

P-7. Appoint Manuel E. Vieira as Custodian of School Records for the 2015-2016 school year at no cost to the District.

L. POLICY COMMITTEE

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Policy Committee presents the following resolution for the Board's consideration.

POL-1. Approve Policy 9126A - Part-Time Board Attorney, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

L. Approval of Bills

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board concur with the bills listed in the permanent bound register appended to these minutes and be ordered for payment.