Regular Meeting, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7 p.m. at UHS/Library, 2350 North Third Street, Union, NJ. Via Zoom and in person (please wear mask) | Township of Union Public Schools

Date

Tuesday, January 18, 2022 - 07:00 pm

Regular meeting, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7 p.m. of the Township of Union Board of Education, Union High School/Library, 2350 North Third Avenue, Union, New Jersey 07083.

TOWNSHIP OF UNION BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA – January 18, 2022

7:00 p.m.

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. November 9, 2021 – executive session

2. November 9, 2021 – worksession

3. November 16, 2021 – regular meeting

4. November 16, 2021 – executive session

G. 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.

REMOVAL OF REQUEST FOR LEAVE – GRAUL

Removal of request for paid medical leave and unpaid FMLA leave from Kathleen Graul, secretary-Burnet Middle School (approved at December 2021 meeting).

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – O’NEILL SHEAHEN

Request for extension of unpaid child rearing leave under FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently from Allison O’Neill Sheahen, social studies teacher-Burnet Middle School, return date of March 1, 2022.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – SHPUNDER

Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) from Christina Shpunder, Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant-districtwide, February 7, 2022-May 30, 2022.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – WHITLEY

Request for paid medical leave from Suzanne Whitley, World History teacher-Union High School, November 15, 2021-January 24, 2022.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – GIANNETTA

Letter of resignation from Nancy Giannetta, CST-districtwide, effective February 11, 2022.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – RIVERA DeHERNANDEZ

Letter of resignation from Kenya Rivera DeHernandez, part-time bus driver-Transportation Department, effective January 25, 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. 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. Agenda item approved at January 11, 2022 worksession (Affirm Superintendent Determination of HIB)

E-1A Agenda item reported at January 11, 2022 worksession (Report of HIB)

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

Affirm the Superintendent’s determination of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the periods December 21, 2021 to January 11, 2022, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-1-1A. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB

Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period January 12, 2022 to January 18, 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.

E-3. APPROVE UPDATED SCHOOL CALENDAR – 2021-2022

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

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. Agenda item moved to February 222 Board meeting (CAFR Report) - due to State not releasing numbers.

F-14. Agenda item moved to February 2022 Board meeting (CAP) - due to State not releasing numbers.

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. Agenda item failed on vote at January 11, 2022 worksession (Rescind Resolution Adopting Code of Ethics) and O-3b not needed (Adopt Code of Ethics).

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	Effective date accepted
Ann Marie DiGiorgio	Paraprofessional-special services	Hannah Caldwell	1/1/2022	Resignation	Effective date accepted
Cecelia Hurd	P/T Bus Aide	Transportation	12/31/2021	Retirement	Previously approved 12/21/21; change from “resignation” to “retirement”
Justin Stewart Jr.	P/T greeter	Franklin	12/23/2021	Resignation
Nancy Giannetta	CST	Districtwide	2/11/2022	Resignation	Adequate contractual notice given
Kenya Rivera DeHernandez	P/T bus driver	Transportation	1/25/2022	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	Org leave began 11/8/2021
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)	FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks
Christopher Scarpati	Math teacher	BMS	1/31/2022-3/31/2022	Unpaid intermittent FMLA/NJFLA child rearing leave	FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks
Joy Shaw	English teacher	KMS	1/3/2022-1/3/2023	Intermittent FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently)	FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks
Karen Wojcik	12-month secretary	Special Services/ Hamilton	New return date 2/7/2022	Extension of paid medical leave	Org. leave began 6/15/2021
Kathryn DiGiovanni	Principal	Hannah Caldwell	New return date 2/28/2022	Extension of paid medical leave	Org. leave began 9/27/2021
Courtney Damiano	Health and Phys Ed teacher	Washington	Tentative return date 1/10/2022	Extension of paid medical leave	FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks
Kathleen Graul	Secretary	BMS	Removal of request for 1/18/2022 through 4/13/2022	Removal of request for paid medical leave and unpaid FMLA	Request not needed at this time. Future dates TBD
Allison O’Neill Sheahen	Social studies teacher	BMS	New return date 3/1/2022	Extension of unpaid child rearing leave under FMLA/NFLA (concurrently)	Org. leave began 10/4/2021 FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks
Christina Shpunder	Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant	Districtwide	2/7/2022-5/30/2022 Return: 6/1/2022	Paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently)	FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks
Suzanne Whitley	World History Teacher	UHS	11/15/2021-1/24/2022	Paid medical leave
Thomas Matthews	Principal	Washington	New return date: 1/10/2022	Extension of paid medical leave	Org. leave began 11/29/2021; returned 1/10/2022

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.

P. Unfinished Business:

Q. New Business:

R. Comments from the Public:

S. Executive Session:

APPROVE SETTLEMENT RESOLUTION

Approve resolution to approve settlement for employee #6910 v Board of Education of the Township of Union, et al., Docket No. UNN-L3741-18, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.