Regular Meeting, May 19, 2020 7 p.m. of the Township of Union Board of Education, Union, New Jersey via ZOOM (instructions on district website) | Township of Union Public Schools

Date

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 - 07:00 pm

Regular Meeting, May 19, 2020 of the Township of Union Board of Education, Union, New Jersey at 7:00 p.m. via ZOOM. Public participation instructions will be posted on the District's website.

TOWNSHIP OF UNION BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA – May 19, 2020

A. Roll Call

B. Flag Salute

C. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

D. Mission Statement

E. Comments from Public on Resolutions

F. Approval of Minutes:

1. January 7, 2020 – reorganization meeting

2. January 14, 2020 – workession

3. January 14, 2020 – executive session

4. January 21, 2020 – regular meeting

G. Communications

REQUEST FOR LEAVE - WISIAK

Request for unpaid child rearing under FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) from Tara Wisiak, school Psychologist-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, September 1, 2020-November 30, 2020.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – SCHIMMENTI

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Donna Schimmenti, librarian clerical/secretarial-Burnet Middle School, effective July 1, 2020.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – MITCHKO

Letter of resignation from Grace Mitchko, allied health instructor-Union High School, effective June 24, 2020.

REQUEST FOR EARLY RETURN – WHITFORD

Request to return early from unpaid child rearing leave under FMLA/NJFLA from Lauren Whitford, math teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, new return date June 1, 2020.

REQUEST FOR EARLY RETURN – LEUNG

Request to return early from unpaid child rearing leave under FMLA from Christina Leung, music teacher-Washington Elementary School, new return date June 1, 2020.

REQUEST FOR EARLY RETURN – DOWLING

Request to return early from unpaid child rearing leave under FMLA/NJFLA from Nikki Dowling, English teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, new return date June 1, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – HARRELL

Request for paid medical leave from Tommy Harrell, districtwide supervisor, April 20, 2020-September 30, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – HALL

Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) from Shaquana Hall, custodian-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, May 11, 2020-July 31, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE– PISCIOTTA

Request for update to paid medical leave from Lynn Pisciotta, confidential administrative assistant-Central Office, June 3, 2020-July 11, 2020 (tentative return).

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – NIGRO

Request for extension of paid medical leave followed by unpaid FMLA from Leslie Nigro, teacher-Jefferson School, new return date September 1, 2020.

H. Superintendent’s Report

I. Public Hearing on Refunding Bonds by Bond Counsel, Wilentz, Goldman & Spiitzer

J. Executive Session

K. 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. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB

Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period April 29, 2020 to May 19, 2020 - no HIB to report for this period (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-1A. AFFIRM SUPERINTENDENT’S DETERMINATION OF HIB

Affirm the Superintendent’s determination of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the periods March 18 to April 28, 2020, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-2. APPROVE COMMUNITY BASED INSTRUCTION SITES

Approve the following community based instruction (CBI) sites for the 2020-2021 school year: (a) Reggio Pizzeria, 1571 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey, (b) Stop & Shop Supermarket, 1201 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, New Jersey, (c) Kean University Food Services, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey, (d) Embassy Suites Hilton, 250 Connell Drive, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.

E-3. APPROVE EXTENSION OF CONTRACT – NJTIP AT RUTGERS

Approve the no-cost time extension of the contract previously Board approved on July 16, 2019 with NJTIP at Rutgers to provide travel instruction (bus/train) per students’ IEP’s for the 2019-2020 school year to allow the contract to carry-over through December 15, 2020 at no cost to the district, in accordance with information in the hands of each Board member.

E-4. APPROVE DON JOHNSTON ONLINE LEARNING PROGRAMS

Approve the use of Don Johnston online learning programs for use by district staff, students and families. These online programs include Co:Writer, Snap&Read, uPar, Quizbot and Wordbank, at no cost to the district for the remainder of the school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-5. APPROVE SUMMER BRIDGE LEARNING CAMP

Approve Summer Bridge Learning Camp for grades 1-5 from July 6, 2020 – July 23, 2020 (Monday-Thursday). Tentative camp options due to COVID-19 (social gathering) are as follows: (A) in-school Summer Bridge Learning Camp at Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, two sessions 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. or (B) remote Summer Bridge Learning Camp, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

E-6. APPROVE REVISED 2019-2020 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Approve revised 2019-2020 school calendar, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-7. APPROVE AMENDING SERVICES PREVIOUSLY APPROVED APRIL 28, 2020 (E-5)

Approve the following formats pending state, local and district response to COVID 19 events: Extended School Year program (ESY), ESY/summer services, CST testing/case management and/or home instruction will be provided at Battle Hill Elementary School or via distance learning (June 29-July 30, 2020) and at Hamilton building or via distance learning (June 25-August 31, 2020).

E-8. APPROVE UPDATE: COVID 19 SCHOOL CLOSURE PLAN

Approve update: COVID 19 School Closure Plan - Spring School Year 2020, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

L. 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. TREASURER’S REPORT

That the Treasurer’s Report dated April 30, 2020 be accepted.

F-2. SECRETARY’S REPORT

That the Secretary’s Report dated April 30, 2020 be accepted.

F-3. CERTIFY TREASURER’S AND SECRETARY’S REPORT

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a), I certify that as of April 30, 2020 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, Board Secretary Dated

Pursuant to N.J.A.C.6A:23-2.2(h), we certify that as of April 30, 2020 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 APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS

Approve appropriation transfers in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-5. APPROVE LIST OF CONTRACTS/PURCHASE ORDERS

Approve the attached list of contracts and/or purchase orders pursuant to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5 (bid exceptions to requirement for advertising) and 18A:18A-10(a) (purchase through State agency; procedure), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-6. APPROVE LIST OF 2019-2020 STATE CONTRACT VENDORS

Approve the amended list of the 2019-2020 State Contract Vendors pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-10(a) (purchase through State agency; procedure) to facilitate schools’ purchasing, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-7. APPROVED LIST OF CONTRACTS/PURCHASES (STUDENT ACTIVITY)

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:

School	Account/Department	Vendor/Description	Amount
Union High School	2227/Senior Class	Outfront Media – Class of 2020 Billboard Display	$2,000.00
Union High School	2227/Senior Class	2K Printing and Promotions – 2020 Senior Class student and parent t-shirts	$2,580.00
Union High School	2018/Senior Awards	Class of 2020 Student Recipient-TBD – ADK Senior Award	$1,000.00
Union High School	2025/AP Testing	College Board – AP testing for students	$21,000.00
Union High School	3202/Athletics	BSN Sports – t-shirts for school spirit fundraiser	$3,000.00 (estimate)
Union High School	2227/Senior Class	C&R Graphics - Class of 2020 Banners to display around Town	$1,200.00
Union High School	2227/Senior Class	Prestige Laser Engraving - token gifts for Class of 2020 graduates	$11,784.00

F-8. APPROVE 2019-2020 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST

Approval be given to amend the 2019-2020 out-of-district student placement list, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-9. APPROVE FUNDRAISERS

Approve the following fundraisers, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member:

Event Name	Date	Purpose
T-Shirt Fundraiser	5/20-6/30/2020	UHS/Student Trainer – online t-shirt sale for school spirit and awareness during pandemic

F-10. APPROVE RESOLUTION APPROVING REFUNDING BOND ORDINANCE

Approve resolution finally adopting refunding school bond ordinance providing for the refunding of (a) all or a portion of its outstanding Refunding School Bonds, Series 2010 dated November 10, 2010, issued in the original amount of $20,175,000 and (b) all or a portion of its outstanding School Bonds, Series 2011 dated September 8, 2011, issued in the original principal amount of $6,712,000 and authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $13,175,000 aggregate principal amount of refunding school bonds, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-11. APPROVE ESTABLISHMENT OF PETTY CASH ACCOUNT– BATTLE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR CBI

Approve establishment of a petty cash account for costs associated with students’ IEP driven Community Based Instruction (CBI) at Battle Hill Elementary School – Extended School Year Program in the amount of $1,500.00 for the 2020-2021 school year.

F-12. APPROVE SUBMISSION DATE FOR COPS GRANT

Approve the date of April 29, 2020 as the submission date for the COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program Grant.

F-13. APPROVE SCHOOLBOARDNET SERVICES – PAPERLESS AGENDA

Approve the renewal of Schoolboardnet Services for the paperless agenda at the annual rate of $1,888 (no increase from last year), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-14. APPROVE TUITION RATES FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR

Approve the following tuition rates for the 2020-2021 school year:

Preschool (full day) $11,752.00

Kindergarten $11,752.00

Grades 1 through 5 $14,792.00

Grades 6 through 8 $14,793.00

Grades 9 through 12 $14,829.00

LLD $17,284.00

M.D. $17,131.00

B.D. $36,987.00

Autism $22,922.00

Part-time Preschool Handicapped $13,994.00

Full-time Preschool Handicapped $31,243.00

F-15. APPROVE EFFECTIVE SCHOOL SOLUTIONS

Approve Effective School Solutions, LLC (ESS) to provide therapeutic mental health services through licensed professionals to students in our district for the 2020-2021 school year (not to exceed $497,700), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member [Acct #11-000-216-320-01-19/7043].

F-16. APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF PERKINS GRANT ALLOCATION

Approve acceptance of the preliminary FY2021 Perkins Secondary Grant allocations in the amount of $46,025.

F-17. APPROVE STARLIGHT HOMECARE AGENCY – NURSING SERVICES

Approve Starlight Homecare Agency, Inc. to provide nursing services, at the rate of $56/hr. for RN and $45/hr. for LPN, not to exceed $40,000.00 for the 2020-2021 school year [Acct #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-18. APPROVE ACES – EVALUATIONS ON DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING STUDENTS

Approve ACES (Assessments Counseling and Education Services) to provide evaluations on deaf and hard of hearing students at the rate of $900.00 per evaluation, not to exceed $3,000.00 for the 2020-2021 school year [Acct #11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-19. APPROVE LAW FIRM – LEWIS BRISBOIS ET AL

Approve the law firm of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP to provide legal services, in accordance with the non-public information in the hands of each Board member.

F-20. For informational purposes only – vote not required. List of legal services for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-21. APPROVE DISTRICT WIDE TRAVEL AND RELATED EXPENSES

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.

M. Operations Committee Resolutions

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

O-1. APPROVE SECURITY DRILL/BUS EVACUATION REPORTS

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 2019-2020 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-2. APPROVE USE OF UNION HIGH SCHOOL – UNION’S GOT TALENT

Approve request for use of space at Union High School from Union’s Got Talent/Douglas Michael Krueger Scholarship Fund Inc. for auditions on September 25, 2020, rehearsal and performance on November 14, 2020 (subject to COVID-19 - social distancing).

O-3. APPROVE RENEWAL OF FOOD SERVICE COMPANY - POMPTONIAN

Approve proposal for renewal of Board’s contract with POMPTONIAN and lunch prices for the school year 2020-2021:

Be it resolved that the Township of Union Board of Education “SFA” approves the renewal of the Food Service Management contract with The Pomptonian, Inc. “FSMC” for the food service operation for 2020-2021. The Board of Education finds that Pomptonian’s services are being performed in an effective and efficient manner. This price increase does not exceed the index rate and the other terms and conditions of the contract remain substantially the same.

The FSMC shall receive, in addition to the costs of operation, an administrative/management fee of $0.1668 per reimbursable meal and meal equivalent to compensate the FSMC for administrative and management costs. This fee shall be billed monthly as a cost of operation. The SFA guarantees the payment of such costs and fee to the FSMC.

Total meals are calculated by adding reimbursable meal pattern meals served and meal equivalents. The number of reimbursable meals served to the children shall be determined by actual count. Cash receipts, other than from sales of reimbursable program meals served to the children, shall be divided by $3.66 to arrive at an equivalent meal count.

The per meal administrative/management fee of $0.1668 will be multiplied by total meals.

The FSMC guarantees the SFA a minimum return of $240,000.00 for school year 2020-2021.

O-4. APPROVE RESOLUTION APPROVING COMPETITIVE CONTRACTING AND EXECUTION OF AGREEMENTS

Approve resolution of the Board of approving (a) the use of competitive contracting for the solicitation of proposals for a third-party verification and (b) authorization and execution of grant/incentive agreements in connection with the district’s proposed ESIP and authorizing other matters in connection therewith, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

N. Personnel Committee Resolutions

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

P-1A. PERSONNEL ACTIONS – NEW HIRES (no new hires)

P-1B PERSONNEL ACTIONS – EXTRA PAY

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

P-1C PERSONNEL ACTIONS – TRANSFERS (no transfers)

P-2. APPROVE RESIDENCY INVESTIGATORS – SUMMER 2020

Approve residency investigators to work during summer 2020 as follows: (a) Maria Schmidtberg – 50 hours not to exceed 70 hours for July and August ($25/hr.); (b) Thomas Sheridan – 25 hours not to exceed 50 hours for July and August ($20/hr.); (c) John Matos – 25 hours not to exceed 50 hours for July and August ($22/hr.), (d) Dan Hodge – 25 hours not to exceed 50 hours for July and August ($20/hr.).

P-3. ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT

Accept letters of resignation/retirement from the following staff:

Name	Position	Location	Eff. Date	Reason	Notes
Schimmenti, Donna	Librarian clerical/secretarial	BMS	7/1/2020	Retirement
Mitchko, Grace	Allied health instructor	UHS	6/24/2020	Resignation	6/24/20 last physical day

P-4. APPROVE LEAVES

Approve leaves for the following staff:

Name	Position	Location	Leave Dates	Leave Type	Notes
Wisiak, Tara	Psychologist	Connecticut Farms	9/1/2020-11/30/2020 Return 12/1/20	Unpaid child rearing under FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently	first part of leave (paid child rearing) 4/22/20-5/21/20 was reflected on 4/28/20 agenda. Return 5/22/20; followed by 9/1/20-11/30/20 FMLA/NJFLA entlement not to exceed 12 weeks
Whitford, Lauren	Math teacher	KMS	Early return 6/1/2020	Early return from unpaid child rearing leave under FMLA/NJFLA	original return was 9/1/2020
Leung, Christina	Music teacher	Washington	Early return 6/1/2020	Early return from unpaid child rearing leave under FMLA	original return was 9/1/2020
Dowling, Nikki	English teacher	KMS	Early return 6/1/2020	Early return from unpaid child rearing leave under FMLA/NJFLA	original return was 6/13/2020
Harrell, Tommy	supervisor	Districtwide	4/20/2020-9/30/2020	Paid medical leave
Hall, Shaquana	Custodian	HC	5/11/2020-7/31/2020	paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently)
Pisciotta, Lynn	Confidential administrative assistant	central office	Update 6/3/2020-7/11/2020 (tentative return)	update to paid medical leave
Nigro, Leslie	teacher	Jeff	extension through 6/24/20; new return date 9/1/20	extension of paid medical followed by unpaid FMLA

P-5. APPROVE STUDENT TEACHERS AND INTERNSHIPS

Approve student teachers and internships for the 2019-2020 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-6. APPROVE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT – MOSES

Approve the Employment Contract of Annie Moses, Assistant Superintendent for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member (approved by County Superintendent).

P-7. APPROVE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT – BENAQUISTA

Approve the Employment Contract of Gerald Benaquista, Assistant Superintendent for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member (approved by County Superintendent).

P-8. APPROVE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT – VIEIRA

Approve the Employment Contract of Manuel Vieira, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member (approved by County Superintendent).

P-9. APPROVE TREASURER OF MONEYS – JENNIFER SEMLER

Approve the reappointment of Jennifer Semler as Treasurer of School Moneys for the 2020-2021 school year at an annual salary of $4,900.

P-10. APPROVE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION OFFICER – AWARDING CONTRACTS

Approve reappointment of Manuel E. Vieira as Affirmative Action Officer for awarding contracts for the 2020-2021 school year under P.L. 1975, c. 127, at no cost to the district.

P-11. APPROVE CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS – VIEIRA

Approve the reappointment of Manuel E. Vieira as Custodian of School Records for the 2020-2021 school year, at no cost to the district.

O. Policy Committee

P. Residency Committee Resolutions

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

R-1. APPROVE LIST OF STUDENTS REMOVED FROM ROLLS

Approval be given to amend the list of students removed from the rolls [six (6) students exited for the month of March 2020 (3 from elementary, 2 from secondary and 1 from high school) or a total of thirty-eight (38) students for the 2019-2020 school year] who are not domiciled in this school district, in accordance with the non-public information in the hands of each Board member.

R-2. APPROVE TO REMOVE STUDENT

Approval to remove student #245005 from the attendance rolls as the student has been determined to be ineligible to attend the Township of Union Public Schools as a resident student.

R-3. APPROVE TO REMOVE STUDENT

Approval to remove student #301052 from the attendance rolls as the student has been determined to be ineligible to attend the Township of Union Public Schools as a resident student.

R-4. APPROVE TO REMOVE STUDENT

Approval to remove student #280058 from the attendance rolls as the student has been determined to be ineligible to attend the Township of Union Public Schools as a resident student.

R-5. APPROVE TO REMOVE STUDENT

Approval to remove student #301053 from the attendance rolls as the student has been determined to be ineligible to attend the Township of Union Public Schools as a resident student.

R-6. APPROVE TO REMOVE STUDENT

Approval to remove student #236007 from the attendance rolls as the student has been determined to be ineligible to attend the Township of Union Public Schools as a resident student.

R-7. APPROVE TO REMOVE STUDENT

Approval to remove student #250074 from the attendance rolls as the student has been determined to be ineligible to attend the Township of Union Public Schools as a resident student.

Q. Technology Committee

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

T-1. APPROVE E-PICKUP INVENTORY FOR E-RECYCLING

Approve E-Pickup Inventory for E-Recycling, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

R. 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.