Executive (closed) Session-7 p.m.; Worksession-8 p.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 7 p.m. at Administration Building, 2369 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083. In person only; no Zoom access. Please wear mask. | Township of Union Public Schools

Date

Tuesday, January 11, 2022 - 07:00 pm

Executive (closed) Session-7:00 p.m.; Worksession-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2022 of the Township of Union Board of Education, Administration Building, 2369 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083. Action will be taken.

TOWNSHIP OF UNION BOARD OF EDUCATION

WORKSESSION AGENDA – January 11, 2022

Executive (closed) Session: 7:00 p.m.

Worksession: 8:00 p.m.

A. Roll Call

B. Flag Salute

C. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

D. Mission Statement

E. Executive Session

F. Comments from Public on Resolutions in BOLD only

G. Approval of Minutes:

1. November 9, 2021 – executive session

2. November 9, 2021 – worksession

3. November 16, 2021 – regular meeting

4. November 16, 2021 – executive session

H. Communications:

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – BAJWA

Letter of resignation from Misbah Bajwa, English teacher-Union High School, effective December 7, 2021.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DiGIORGIO

Letter of resignation from Ann Marie DiGiorgio, paraprofessional-Special Services, effective January 1, 2022.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – HURD

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Cecelia Hurd, part-time bus aide-Transportation Department, effective December 31, 2021.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – STEWART

Letter of resignation from Justin Stewart, Jr., part-time greeter-Franklin Elementary School, effective December 23, 2021.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – AINE

Request for extension of paid medical leave from Duteche Aine, school social worker-Burnet Middle School, new return date February 7, 2022.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – HRDINA

Request for paid medical leave from Sharon Hrdina, Library-Media Clerk-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, December 15, 2021-February 8, 2022.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MUSARRA

Request for intermittent FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) from Marcy Musarra, special education teacher-Union High School, December 21, 2021-June 30, 2022.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – SCARPATI

Request for unpaid intermittent FMLA/NJFLA child rearing leave from Christopher Scarpati, math teacher-Burnet Middle School, January 31, 2022-March 31, 2022.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – SHAW

Request for intermittent FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) from Joy Shaw, English teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, January 3, 2022-January 3, 2023.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – WOJCIK

Request for extension of paid medical leave from Karen Wojcik, 12-month secretary-Special Services/Hamilton, new return date February 7, 2022.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – DiGIOVANNI

Request for extension of paid medical leave from Kathryn DiGiovanni, Principal-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, tentative return February 28, 2022.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – DAMIANO

Request for extension of unpaid FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) followed by unpaid non-FMLA/NJFLA child rearing leave from Courtney Damiano, new return date September 1, 2022.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – MATTHEWS

Request for extension of paid medical leave from Thomas Matthews, Principal-Washington Elementary School, tentative return January 10, 2022.

I. Superintendent’s Report:

1. State of the Schools – January 18th

2. Student Spotlight – Franklin Elementary School – January 18th

3. Student Liaisons – January 18th

4. Presentation by Suplee Clooney & Company – Auditors – January 18th

5. Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Report (HIB) – period one,

2021-2022 school year – January 18^th

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. AFFIRM SUPERINTENDENT’S DETERMINATION OF HIB

Affirm the Superintendent’s determination of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the periods December 15, 2021 to December 21, 2021, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-1A. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB

Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period December 21, 2021 to January 11, 2022 (no incidences to report), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2. APPROVE JANUARY REPORT – NJDOE – HIB

Approve the Township of Union Public Schools January report presented by Superintendent as required by the New Jersey Department of Education of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB). The report provides the public with the information collection from September 2021 through December 2021, as well as the number of incidents per school building, status of investigations, HIB investigators, nature of the HIB reports and the discipline resulting from the report findings. The HIB report also includes all training of school district personnel, building programs and assemblies during the time period.

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 December 31, 2021 be accepted.

F-2. SECRETARY’S REPORT

That the Secretary’s Report dated December 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 December 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 December 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 UCESC NONPUBLIC SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE PROGRAM SPENDING PLAN - UCESC

Approve the Union County Educational Services Commission (UCESC) Nonpublic School Technology Initiative Program spending plan for St. Michael School located within the district 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 PARTICIPATION IN COORDINATED TRANSPORTATION – WARREN COUNTY SPECIAL SERVICES SCHOOL DISTRICT

Approve resolution for participation in coordinated transportation with Warren County Special Services School District for the 2022-2023 school year, 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
Program Advertisements and Patron Packages	January 24-March 28, 2022	UHSPAC – to raise funds for the fall production
Water Bottle Sales	January 4-June 30, 2022	UHS/Union Farmers Football – to raise funds for miscellaneous expenses within the football program
T-shirt/sweatshirt sale	February 1-28, 2022	UHS/National Spanish Honor Society – to raise funds to support activities of the NSHS
Food Drive	March 202	UHS/National Spanish Honor Society – to collect canned food for food drive
Latin Dance Night	March 2022	UHS/National Spanish Honor Society – to raise funds to support activities of the NSHS

F-12. APPROVE PURCHASING MANUAL

Approve the updated 2021-2022 Purchasing Manual, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-13. ACCEPT COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT AND MANAGEMENT REPORT

Accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the Auditor’s Management Report, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member (auditors will present report to the public at the regular meeting on January 18, 2021).

F-14. ACCEPT CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN (CAP)

Accept the Corrective Action Plan for Single Audit Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021, 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 for the 2021-2022 fiscal 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 SUBMISSION OF ALTERNATE METHOD OF COMPLIANCE

Approve submission of the alternate method of compliance in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:26-6.3 and/or 6.4 for toilet room facilities for early intervention, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms (2021-2022 school year), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-3a. APPROVE TO RESCIND RESOLUTION ADOPTING CODE OF ETHICS

Approve to rescind the resolution adopting the Code of Ethics by the Board at its reorganization meeting of January 6, 2022.

O-3b. APPROVE CODE OF ETHICS

Approve the following Code of Ethics for Board Members as a guide to conflict-of-interest situations and unethical activity for Board Members for the 2022 year.

N.J.S.A 18A:12-24.1 Code of Ethics for School Board Members

a. I will uphold and enforce all laws, rules and regulations of the State Board of Education and court orders pertaining to schools. Desired changes shall be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures.

b. I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools that meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex, or social standing.

c. I will confine my board action to policy making, planning, and appraisal, and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them.

d. I will carry out my responsibility, not to administer the schools, but, together with my fellow board members, to see that they are well run.

e. I will recognize that authority rests with the board of education and will make no personal promises nor take any private action that may compromise the board.

f. I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to special interest or partisan political groups or to use the schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends.

g. I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which, if disclosed, would needlessly injure individuals or the schools. In all other matters, I will provide accurate information and, in concert with my fellow board members, interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its school.

h. I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the

recommendation of the Superintendent.

i. I will support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties.

j. I will refer all complaints to the Superintendent and will act on the complaints at public meetings only after failure of an administrative solution.

The Board shall see that all members receive training in understanding and adhering to this code of ethics and shall discuss it annually at a regularly scheduled public meeting. Each member shall sign documentation that he/she has received a copy of it and has read and understood it.

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. PERSONNEL ACTIONS – NEW HIRES

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

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

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

P-2. APPROVE PUBLIC AGENCY COMPLIANCE OFFICER – KOON

Approve Yolanda Koon as Public Agency Compliance Officer (PACO) for the year 2022, at no cost to the district.

P-3. ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT

Accept letters of resignation/retirement from the following staff:

Name	Position	Location	Eff. Date	Reason	Notes
Misbah Bajwa	English teacher	UHS	12/7/2021	Resignation
Ann Marie DiGiorgio	Paraprofessional-special services	Hannah Caldwell	1/1/2022	Resignation
Cecelia Hurd	P/T Bus Aide	Transportation	12/31/2021	Retirement
Justin Stewart Jr.	P/T greeter	Franklin	12/23/2021	Resignation

P-4. APPROVE LEAVES

Approve leaves for the following staff:

Name	Position	Location	Leave Dates	Leave Type	Notes
Duteche Aine	School social worker	BMS	New return date 2/7/2022	Extension of paid medical leave
Sharon Hrdina	Library/Media Clerk	Connecticut Farms	12/15/2021-2/8/2022 Return: 2/9/2022	Paid medical leave
Marcy Musarra	Special education teacher	UHS	12/21/2021-6/30/2022	Intermittent FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently)
Christopher Scarpati	Math teacher	BMS	1/31/2022-3/31/2022	Unpaid intermittent FMLA/NJFLA child rearing leave
Joy Shaw	English teacher	KMS	1/3/2022-1/3/2023	Intermittent FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently)
Karen Wojcik	12-month secretary	Special Services/ Hamilton	New return date 2/7/2022	Extension of paid medical leave
Kathryn DiGiovanni	Principal	Hannah Caldwell	New return date 2/28/2022	Extension of paid medical leave
Courtney Damiano	Health and Phys Ed teacher	Washington	Tentative return date 1/10/2022	Extension of paid medical leave

P-5. 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:

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 [three (3) students exited the month of December 2021 (2 from elementary, 1 from secondary) or a total of nineteen (19) students for the 2021-2022 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 #288268 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 #318204 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 #360503 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.

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.