Township of Union Board of Education Worksession Meeting | Township of Union Public Schools

Date

Tuesday, April 14, 2015 - 07:00 pm

Township of Union Board of Education - April 14, 2015 - Worksession Meeting - 7:00 p.m. at James Caulfield Administration Building, 2369 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey

UNION TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

WORKSESSION AGENDA

APRIL 14, 2015

A. Roll Call

B. Flag Salute

C. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

D. Approval of Minutes:

1. Planning Session – February 7, 2015

2. Regular Meeting – February 17, 2015

3. Special Meeting – March 2, 2015

4. Work Session – March 10, 2015

5. Executive Session – March 10, 2015

6. Regular Meeting – March 17, 2015

E. Communication

Letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement from Pota Stavrou, employee for the transportation department, effective July 1, 2015.
Letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement from Linda Bykowski, librarian at Burnet Middle School, effective July 1, 2015.
Letter of resignation from Jamie Raczynski, teacher at Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective July 1, 2015.
Letter of resignation from Cynthia Scobee, 3^rd grade teacher at Franklin Elementary School, effective July 1, 2015.
Letter of resignation from Thomas Weber, full-time teaching assistant at Battle Hill Elementary School, effective immediately.
Request for maternity, sick and unpaid family leave from Heather Lawler, speech language pathologist for Washington Elementary School and Hannah Caldwell Elementary School for the period May 18, 2015through the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
Request for maternity, sick and unpaid family leave from Cynthia Carhart, 3^rd grade teacher at Connecticut Farms Elementary School for the period May 18, 2015 through June 23, 2015 and September 2 through October 12, 2015.
Request for maternity and sick leave from Kathleen Lombardo, teacher at Jefferson School for the period June 4, 2015 through June 23, 2015.
Request for maternity, sick and unpaid family leave from Jenna Niotis, teacher at Connecticut Farms Elementary School for the period from May 11 through June 23, 2015 and September 2, 2015 through October 13, 2015.
Request for extension of unpaid medical leave through April 27, 2015 from Maura Golding O’Brien, teacher at Franklin Elementary School.
Request for extension of sick leave through April 12, 2015 from Karen Polinger, 12-month secretary in central office.
Letter of resignation from Nicole Axentiou, 2^nd grade teacher at Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective July 1, 2015.
Request for maturity, sick and unpaid family leave from Colleen Cannon, art teacher at Battle Hill and Livingston Elementary Schools for the period from May 1 through June 30, 2015.
Request for extension of maternity and unpaid family leave from Shannon Durak, physical education and health teacher at Burnet Middle School for the period from June 1 through June 30, 2015.
Request for unpaid sick leave from Georgia Bethea, service worker at Franklin Elementary School for the period from February 19, 2015 with a tentative return date of May 19, 2015.
Request for paid sick leave from Joan Carroll, special services teacher at Battle Hill Elementary School for the period from May 6, 2015 with a tentative return date of June 17, 2015.
Letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement from Karen Polinger, Confidential Administrative Assistant in the Payroll Department, effective September 1, 2015.
Request for extension of leave from Cheryl Crutchfield, part-time transportation worker, to a tentative return date of May 4, 2015.

F. Superintendent’s Report

G. Education/Student Discipline Committee Resolutions

E-1. The committee recommends and I so move that approval be given to amend the 2014-2015 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 [zero (0) students exited from March 1st through March 31, 2015 or a total of thirty-four (34) students for the 2014-2015 school year] who are not domiciled in this school district and one (1) students who will be allowed to complete the 2014-2015 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 Curriculum Guides for the following: (a) Grade 3 - Ensemble: Orchestra Curriculum Guide (2014-2015), (b) Grade 3 - Band Group Lessons Curriculum Guide 2014-2015, (c) Group Lessons – Grade 4 – Band Group Lessons Curriculum Guide (2014-2015), (d) Hs General Art Curriculum Guide (2014/15) (Curriculum Guide Approved), (e) French IV Honors Curriculum Guide (Curriculum Guide Approved June 2015), (f) French V Honors Curriculum Guide (Curriculum Guide Approved June 2015), (g) Grades 5 Social Studies (2015), (h) French III Curriculum Guide (Curriculum Guide Approved June 2015); (i) French III Honors Curriculum Guide (Curriculum Guide Approved June 2015); (j) Grade 3 Language Arts Curriculum Guide 2015) ; (k) French 2 Curriculum Guide (Curriculum Guide Approved April 2015); (l) French 2 Honors Curriculum Guide (Curriculum Guide Approved April 2015); (m) Grade 3 Concert Band Curriculum Guide 2014-2015, (n) Grade 4 String Group Lessons Curriculum Guide 2014-2015; (o) Grade 3: Group Lessons, Strings Curriculum Guide 2014-2015 in accordance with the information in the hands of each board member.

E-4. The committee recommends and I so move that approval be given to the 2014-2015 Parental Contract for Student Transportation 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 joint transportation service agreement with Morris-Union Jointure Commission Board of Education for the 2014-2015 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 amended School Calendar for the 2015-2016 school year 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 revised gifted and talented entrance criteria for Grades K-5 and Grades 6-8 in accordance with the information in the hands of each board member.

E-8. The committee recommends and I so move that the board approve a resolution honoring our district’s students that have been designated as Enthusiastic Readers in accordance with the information in the hands of each board member.

E-9. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the board approve the following applications for installation and use on district IPADS by students and staff (at no cost to the district): (a) ABC House for Children! Learn First Words and Phrases in English, (b) iTooch Lite 5^th Grade, (c) Reading Comprehension Prep, (d) Story Creator – Easy Story Book Maker for Kids, and (e) Wood Vault.

Discussion Items:

Honors and A.P. Entrance Criteria

H. Fiscal and Planning Committee Resolutions

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

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

F-3.         Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a), I certify that as of March 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 March 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 18A: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 and in accordance with the information in the hands of each board member.

F-7. 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) Sports Paradise – not to exceed - $10,000 – sports apparel for the Union High School football team; (b) Metro Fundraising – not to exceed - $3,974.55 – Kawameeh Middle School student council fundraiser; (c) Gertrude Hawk – not to exceed $3,899.18 – Union High School chorus/band fundraiser; (d) Fairview Lake YMCA Camp – not to exceed - $4,032.00 – Union High School – Campers Fund (May camping trip); (e) Township of Union Board of Education – not to exceed $1,035.00 – Union High School – K. Brooks Field Trips (transportation for 6/2/15 field trip to Point Pleasant); World Stage – not to exceed $7,100.00 – Union High School PAC (main lighting rental for “Sophisticated Ladies”; (f) Festivals of Music – not to exceed $4,401.00 – Burnet Middle School Dorney Park Festival; (g) Villani Bus Company – not to exceed $2,610.00 – Burnet Middle School – field trip to Allentown, Pennsylvania.

F-8. 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-9. The committee recommends and I so move that the Board accept the following donations: (a) $52.42 from Target for use by Brunet Middle School; (b) $111.56 from Barnes & Noble Booksellers for use by Jefferson School; (c) $702.50 from Lifetouch National School Studies for use by Livingston Elementary School; (d) $42.70 from Ahold Financial Services for use by Hannah Caldwell Elementary School; (e) $31.01 from Target for use by Hannah Caldwell Elementary School; (f) $78.01 from Target for use by Livingston Elementary School; (g) $113.60 from Target for use by Connecticut Farms Elementary School.

F-10. The committee recommends and I so move that the board renew the following petty cash fund for 2015-2016 school year:

Fund Amount Expend Res. Ind. Period Form End of Fiscal Year
Sec’y $500 $500 J. Damato Annual Board Unused sum returned to general fund

F-11. The committee recommends and I so move that the board approve submission of the amended Perkins Grant in accordance with the information in the hands of each board member.

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 March 9, 2015 to April 10, 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 2014-2015 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 Union High School Title I Summer School Program shall be moved to Burnet Middle School for summer 2015.

Discussion Items:

Award of Alternates for Electrical Upgrade (UHS)

J. 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 2014-2015 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) Pota Stavrou, employee of the transportation department, effective July 1, 2015 (retirement); (b) Linda Bykowski, librarian at Burnet Middle School, effective July 1, 2015 (retirement); (c) Jamie Raczynski, teacher at Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective July 1, 2015 (resignation); (d) Cynthia Scobee, 3^rd grade teacher at Franklin Elementary School, effective July 1, 2015 (resignation); (e) Thomas Weber, full-time teaching assistant at Battle Hill Elementary School, effective immediately (resignation); (f) Nicole Axentiou, 2^nd grade teacher at Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective July 1, 2015 (resignation); (g) Karen Polinger, Confidential Administrative Assistant in the Payroll Department, effective September 1, 2015 (retirement).

P-4.         The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the board approve leaves for the following staff: (a) Heather Lawler, speech language pathologist, maternity, sick and unpaid family leave for the period May 18, 2015 through the end of the 2014-2015 school year; (b) Cynthia Carhart, 3^rd grade teacher at Connecticut Farms Elementary School, maternity, sick and unpaid family leave for the period May 18, 2015 through June 23, 2015 and September 2 through October 12, 2015; (c) Kathleen Lombardo, teacher at Jefferson School, maternity and sick leave for the period June 4, 2015 through June 23, 2015; (d) Jenna Niotis, teacher at Connecticut Farms Elementary School, maternity, sick and unpaid family leave for the period from May 11, 2015 through June 23, 2015 and September 2, 2015 through October 13, 2015; (e) Maura Golding O’Brien, teacher at Franklin Elementary School, extension of unpaid medical leave through April 27, 2015; (f) Karen Polinger, 12-month secretary in central office, extension of sick leave through April 12, 2015; (g) Colleen Cannon, art teacher at Battle Hill and Livingston Elementary Schools, maternity, sick and unpaid family leave for the period May 1, 2015 through the end of the 2014-2015 school year; (h) Shannon Durak, physical education and health teacher at Burnet Middle School, extension of maternity, sick and unpaid leave for the period from June 1, 2015 through the end of the 2014-2015 school year; (i) Georgia Bethea, service worker at Franklin School for the period from February 19, 2015 with a tentative return date of May 19, 2015: (j) Joan Carroll, special services teacher at Battle Hill Elementary School for the period from May 6, 2015 with a tentative return date of June 17, 2015; (j) Joan Carroll, special services teacher at Battle Hill Elementary School, paid sick leave for the period from May 6, 2015 with a tentative return date of June 17, 2015; (k) Cheryl Crutchfield, part-time transportation worker, unpaid extension of leave to a tentative date of May 4, 2015 .

P-5. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the board approve the adjustment in salary to Class IV Step 10 ($63,959) to Class IV Step 14 ($66,272) for Gerald Schemel, ROTC teacher, effective 1/1/2015 (school employing ROTC) 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 payment for the preparation of the 2015 Union High School Graduation Booklet at a rate of $600.00 per person for the following staff: Gerry Muller, Dianne Loguidice and John Shaffer.

P-7. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the board approve compensation at a rate of $20.00 per hour (with a not-to-exceed maximum of 15 hours) for (a) the Language Arts Grade 4 Curriculum Writing team for the following staff: Susan Craig, Leslie Nigro and Jaclyn Vincent, and (b) the Social Studies Grade 4 Curriculum Writing team for the following staff: John Bogner, Alison Brehm and Karen Freitas 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 Settlement Agreement and Release for Employee #10991 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 Perkins Salary Disbursement 2014-2015 in accordance with the information in the hands of each board member.

P-10. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the board approve Constance Krupa to attend the Union County Education Services Commission for EWEG training on April 29, 2015 (at no cost to the district).

P-11. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the board approve Frank Santora, Supervisor of Special Services, to attend meetings, workshops and presentations at the Morris Union Jointure Commission from April 2015-June 2015 (at no cost to the district).

P-12. The Superintendent recommends, the committee concurs and I so move that the board approve the extension of Norma McGarry for temporary substitute replacement for Karen Polinger (BOE payroll office) from April 6, 2015 through April 12, 2015.

K. 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.