Regular meeting, September 21, 2021 at 7 p.m. at Union High School Library, 2350 North Third Street, Union, NJ. Attendance via Zoom or in person. | Township of Union Public Schools

Date

Tuesday, September 21, 2021 - 07:00 pm

Regular Meeting, Tuesday, September 21, 2021 of the Township of Union Board of Education, at Union High School Library, 2350 North Third Street, Union, New Jersey 07083.

TOWNSHIP OF UNION BOARD OF EDUCATION

WORKSESSION AGENDA – September 21, 2021

A. Roll Call

B. Flag Salute

C. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

D. Mission Statement

E. Executive Session

F. Comments from Public on Resolutions

G. Approval of Minutes:

1. July 20, 2021 – regular meeting

2. July 20, 2021 – executive session

H. Communications:

LETTER FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION – RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Letter from Township of Union Recreation Department requesting the use of the Jefferson School parking lot on Saturday October 23, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (rain dated Sunday, October 24, 2021) for the Township’s Trunk or Treat event.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – BERARDINELLI

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Silvano Berardinelli, custodian-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective January 1, 2022.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DiPAOLO

Letter of resignation from Michael DiPaolo, science teacher-Union High School, effective June 30, 2022.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DuBOSE

Letter of resignation from Michael D. DuBose, school counselor-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective October 18, 2021.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DELLANNO

Letter of resignation from Stephanie Dellanno, special services paraprofessional-Kawameeh Middle School, effective September 24, 2021.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – KRATZ

Letter of resignation from Robyn Kratz, teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective September 1, 2021.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – SAFRANEK

Letter of resignation from Kimberlee J. Safranek, French teacher-Union High School, effective October 22, 2021.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT - ROTUNDA

Letter of resignation, for purposes of retirement, from Carol Rotunda, math teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, effective January 1, 2022.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – BAJWA

Request for FMLA/NJFLA leave (concurrently) from Misbah Bajwa, English teacher-Union High School, September 1, 2021-December 8, 2021.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – CORSENTINO

Request for paid medical leave from MaryAnne Corsentino, math teacher-Burnet Middle School, September 1, 2021-October 15, 2021.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – DiGIORGIO

Request for unpaid FMLA leave from Ann Marie DiGiorgio, special services paraprofessional-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, September 1, 2021-October 25, 2021.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF LEAVE – WOJCIK

Request for extension of paid medical leave from Karen Wojcik, 10-month secretary-Department of Special Services, through October 15, 2021.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – LAU-GARCIA

Request for intermittent FMLA/NJFLA leave from Jenny Lau-Garcia, art/music teacher-Livingston Elementary School, September 1, 2021-June 30, 2022.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – MAZUR

Request for paid medical leave from Rebecca Mazur, social studies teacher-Union High School, September 1, 2021-October 15, 2021.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – DAMIANO

Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) from Courtney Damiano, health and physical education teacher-Jefferson School, October 1, 2021-February 25, 2022.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – HUTCHINS

Request for paid medical leave from Mark Hutchins, custodian-Union High School, July 6, 2021-September 22, 2021.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – McCARTNEY

Request for paid medical leave and unpaid FMLA followed by non-FMLA leave from Jennifer McCartney, English teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, September 1, 2021-June 30, 2022.

REQUEST FOR LEAV E- REGAL

Request for intermittent FMLA from Linda Regal, special education teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, September 1, 2021-June 30, 2022.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – PEDICINI

Request for paid medical leave from Alexander Pedicini, technical education teacher-Union High School, September 1, 2021-November 3, 2021.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF LEAVE – VICIDOMINI

Request for an extension of paid medical leave from Julia Vicidomini, Confidential Administrative Assistant, tentative return date October 1, 2021.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – TIMIRAOS

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Cathy Timiraos, educational clerk-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective September 10, 2021.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – RICKEL

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from John Rickel, chemistry teacher-Union High School, effective June 30, 2022.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – HAYES

Letter of resignation from Susan Smith Hayes, part-time transportation assistant-Transportation Department, effective August 25, 2021.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – OSBORNE

Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) from Melissa Osborne, special education teacher-Burnet Middle School, October 25, 2021-December 24, 2021.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – WATSON

Request for paid medical leave and unpaid non-FMLA leave from Danielle Watson, pre-k paraprofessional-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, September 1, 2021-June 24, 2022.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – SANTOS

Letter of resignation from Shakira Santos, special services paraprofessional-Burnet Middle School, effective September 1, 2021.

I. Superintendent’s Report:

1. State of the Schools – September 21, 2021

2. NJ Graduation Results

J. 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 August 18, 2021 to September 14, 2021 (no incidences to report) (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 July 21, 2021 to August 17, 2021, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-1-1. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB

Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period September 15, 2021 to September 21, 2021 (no incidences to report) (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2 APPROVE HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ATHLETIC PROGRAM

Approve A.S. and H.S., students who are home schooled, to participate in the athletic program for high school girls’ soccer and middle school baseball, respectively.

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. TREASURER’S REPORT

That the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2021 be accepted.

F-2. SECRETARY’S REPORT

That the Secretary’s Report dated August 31, 2021 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 August 31, 2021 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/ Yolanda Koon ____________

Yolanda Koon, Board Secretary Dated

Pursuant to N.J.A.C.6A:23-2.2(h), we certify that as of August 31, 2021 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 EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT – MUJC

Approve extended school year transportation contract ($29,776.40) with the Morris-Union Jointure Commission Board of Education for the 2021-2022 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-7. PRE-APPROVE DISTRICTWIDE STUDENT FIELD TRIPS

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 LIST OF 2021-2022 STATE CONTRACT VENDORS

Approve the amended list of the 2021-2022 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-9. APPROVE JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES – VOCATIONAL EVALUATIONS

Approve Jewish Vocational Services to provide vocational evaluations (2-3 days) at the rate of $925.00 per evaluation and vocational assessments with TEACCH Transition Assessment Profile (TTA) at the rate of $1,000.00 per evaluation for the 2021-2022 school year (not to exceed $7,400.00) [Account #11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-10. APPROVE 2021-2022 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST

Approval be given to amend the 2021-2022 out-of-district student placement list, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-11. APPROVE FUNDRAISERS

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

Event Name	Date	Purpose
Fall Production Concessions	November 12-14, 2021	UHSPAC – to raise funds at the fall production to cover production costs
Program Advertisements/Patron Packages	October 1-November 1, 2021	UHSPAC – to raise funds for the UHSPAC fall production.
Winter Showcase	November 1, 2021-January 7, 2022	Advanced Musical Theatre – to raise funds for student-directed production
Fruit Snack Sale	October 1, 2021-June 1, 2022	UHS/PAC/Swing Choir – to raise funds for UHSPAC and Swing Choir productions and projects

F-12. ACCEPT DONATIONS

Accept the following donations, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member:

From	For Use By	$/Item
Perette & Emmanuel Duvelson	Burnet Middle School-Drama Club Account	$805.00
Bottling Group LLC-FSV	Union High School	$51.00

F-13. APPROVE NJDOE UNIFORM MINIMUM CHART OF ACCOUNTS

Approve the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Uniform Minimum Chart Accounts (revised August 1, 2021) for New Jersey public schools as per N.J.A.C. 6A:23A for the 2021-2022 school year.

F-14. APPROVE CONTRACT – COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Approve additional Service Contract with the State of New Jersey, Department of Human Services, Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, for educational services for students in the district for the 2021-2022 school year, in accordance with the non-public information in the hands of each Board member.

F-15. Agenda item approved at worksession of September 14, 2021 (Arc Kohler School-Meals at No Cost)

F-16. APPROVE PARENT/PUPIL TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT – 2021-2022

Approve parent/pupil transportation contract for special education student attending NJEDDA High School at the rate of $45.68 per day (not to exceed $9,593.00) for the 2021-2022 school year, in accordance with the non-public information in the hands of each Board member.

F-17. For informational purposes only – vote not required. List of legal services for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-18. APPROVE WELLNESS MANAGEMENT SERVICES OF TRINITAS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER - STUDENT SUPPORT

Approve contract with Wellness Management Services of Trinitas Regional Medical Center, to provide Student Support Services at a cost of $97,000.00 for the 2021-2022 school year, 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. 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 2021-2022 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-2. APPROVE ANNUAL INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT NOTICE

Approve Annual Integrated Pest Management Notice for the 2021-2022 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-3. Agenda item approved at worksession of September 14, 2021 (Policy Manual-Strauss Esmay).

O-4. APPROVE LETTER FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION – RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Approve letter from Township of Union Recreation Department requesting the use of the Jefferson School parking lot on Saturday October 23, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (rain dated Sunday, October 24, 2021) for the Township’s Trunk or Treat event, 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-1A. Agenda item approved at September 14, 2021 worksession (Personnel Actions-New Hires)

P-1B Agenda item approved at September 14, 2021 worksession (Personnel Actions-New Extra Pay)

P-1C Agenda item approved at September 14, 2021 worksession (Personnel Actions-Transfers)

P-1A-1. PERSONNEL ACTIONS – NEW HIRES

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

P-1B-1. PERSONNEL ACTIONS – EXTRA PAY

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

P-1C-1. PERSONNEL ACTIONS – TRANSFERS

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

P-2. APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – SCHOOL DISTRICT MEDIA PUBLIC RELATION MANAGER

Approve the Job Description for School District Media Public Relation Manager, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-3. ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT

Accept letters of resignation/retirement from the following staff:

Name	Position	Location	Eff. Date	Reason	Notes
Silvano Berardinelli	Custodian	Battle Hill	1/1/2022	Retirement
Michael DiPaolo	Science teacher	UHS	6/30/2022	Resignation
Michael D. DuBose	School Counselor	Battle Hill	10/18/2021	Resignation
Stephanie Dellanno	Special services paraprofessional	KMS	9/24/2021	Resignation
Robyn Kratz	Teacher	Hannah Caldwell	9/1/2021	Resignation
Kimberlee J. Safranek	French teacher	UHS	10/22/2021	Resignation
Carol Rotunda	Math teacher	KMS	1/1/2022	Retirement
Cathy Timiraos	Educational Clerk	Battle Hill	9/10/2021	Retirement
John Rickel	Chemistry teacher	UHS	9/30/2022	Retirement
Susan Smith Hayes	Part-time transportation aide	Transportation Department	8/25/2021	Resignation
Shakira Santos	Special services-paraprofessional	BMS	9/1/2021	Resignation

P-4. APPROVE LEAVES

Approve leaves for the following staff:

Name	Position	Location	Leave Dates	Leave Type	Notes
Misbah Bajwa	English teacher	UHS	9/1/2021-12/8/2021	FMLA/NJFLA leave (concurrently)	FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks
MaryAnne Corsentio	Math teacher	BMS	9/1/2021-10/15/2021	Paid medical leave
Ann Marie DiGiorgio	Special services paraprofessional	Hannah Caldwell	9/1/2021-10/25/2021	Unpaid FMLA leave	FMLA entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks
Karen Wojcik	10-month secretary	Department of Special Services	Through 10/15/2021	Extension of paid medical leave
Jenny Lau-Garcia	Art/Music teacher	Livingston	9/1/2021-6/30/2022	Intermittent FMLA/NJFLA	FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) entitlement not to exceed 12 months
Rebecca Mazur	Social Studies teacher	UHS	9/1/2021-10/15/2021	Paid medical leave
Courtney Damiano	Health and physical education teacher	Jefferson	10/1/2021-2/25/2022	Paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently)
Mark Hutchins	Custodian	UHS	7/6/2021-9/22/2021	Paid medical leave
Jennifer McCartney	English teacher	KMS	9/1/2021-6/30/2022	Paid medical leave and unpaid FMLA followed by non-FMLA leave
Linda Regal	Special education teacher	Hannah Caldwell	9/1/2021-6/30/2022	Intermittent FMLA
Alexander Pedicini	Technical education teacher	UHS	9/1/2021-11/3/2021	Paid medical leave
Julia Vicidomini	Confidential Administrative Assistant	IT Department	Tentative return date: 10/1/2021	Extension of paid medical leave
Melissa Osborne	Special education teacher	BMS	10/25/2021-12/24/2021	Paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently)
Danielle Watson	Pre-k paraprofessional	Hannah Caldwell	9/1/2021-6/24/2022	Paid medical leave and unpaid non-FMLA leave

P-5. APPROVE I&RS MEMBERS – 2021-2022

Approve I&RS members for the 2021-2022 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-6. APPROVE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING COMMITTEE – 2021-2022

Approve School Improvement Planning Committee for the 2021-2022 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-7. APPROVE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM – 2021-2022

Approve Crisis Response Teams for the 2021-2022 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-8. APPROVE CHANGE OF SALARY CLASS #2 – EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 2021

Approve Change of Salary Class #2 (effective September 2021), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-9. APPROVE 2021-2022 HOURLY RATES LIST

Approve 2021-2022 Hourly Rates List, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-10. APPROVE DISTRICT ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

Approve District Organizational Chart, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-11. APPROVE UPDATED DESIGNEE LIST – STUDENT ACTIVITIES ACCOUNT

Approve updated designee list for the Student Activities Accounts for Union High School, Kawameeh Middle School, Jefferson School, Battle Hill Elementary School, Connecticut Farms Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School, Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, Livingston Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-12. APPROVE STUDENT TEACHERS AND INTERNSHIPS

Approve student teachers and internships for the 2021-2022 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

L. Policy Committee:

M. Residency Committee Resolutions:

N. Technology Committee:

O. 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.