Regular Meeting, rescheduled to March 14, 2023, 7:00 p.m., UHS/Library, 2350 North Third Street, Union, NJ | Township of Union Public Schools

Date

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 - 07:00 pm

Regular Meeting, Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. of the Township of Union Board of Education at the Union High School Library, 2350 North Third Avenue, Union, New Jersey 07083.

The Board will open the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. and, if necessary, go into executive (closed) session. The Board will return to public thereafter.

TOWNSHIP OF UNION BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA – MARCH 14, 2023 – 7:00 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

G. Approval of Minutes:

1. January 5, 2023 – organization meeting

2. January 10, 2023 – executive session

3. January 10, 2023 – worksession

4. January 17, 2023 – regular meeting

5. January 17, 2023 – executive session

H. Communications:

LETTER FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Letter from Township of Union Education Foundation listing grants that were awarded to teachers for the 2022-2023 school year.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – EDMONDS

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Cynthia Edmonds, paraprofessional-Kawameeh Middle School, effective July 1, 2023.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – FRANGOS

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Maria Frangos, bus aide-Transportation Department, effective April 17, 2023.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – HOFFMANN

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Patrice Hoffmann, school counselor-Burnet Middle School, effective July 1, 2023.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – LUCAS-MILLER

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Nancy Lucas-Miller, visual and performing arts teacher-Union High School, effective July 1, 2023.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – WOJCIK

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Karen Wojcik, 12-month secretary-Special Services Department, effective March 1, 2023.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – BERNARDES

Request for extension of paid medical leave from Joao Bernardes, English teacher-Burnet Middle School, February 17, 2023 to February 28, 2023.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – FASOLINO

Request for extension of unpaid child rearing leave4 from Christina Fasolino, paraprofessional-Kawameeh Middle School, March 6, 2023-June 30, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – GHAZALI

Update for request for unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Sabine Ghazali, math teacher-Union High School, February 21, 2023 to TBD.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – SABEL

Request for paid medical leave from Larry Sabel, part-time bus driver-Transportation Department, March 15, 2023 to May 15, 2023.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – ZURKA

Request for paid medical leave from Christine Zurka, paraprofessional-Battle Hill Elementary School, April 20, 2023-June 20, 2023.

I Superintendent’s Report:

1. Student Spotlight

2. State of the Schools

3. Presentation by Suplee Clooney & Company – Auditors

4. FY24 - Budget

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 February 22, 2023 to March 14, 2023, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member (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 February 17, 2023 to February 21, 2023, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-2. APPROVE 2023-2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Approve school calendar for the 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

K. 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 February 28, 2023 be accepted.

F-2. SECRETARY’S REPORT

That the Secretary’s Report dated February 28, 2023 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 February 28, 2023 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 February 28, 2023 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 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.

F-7. Agenda item approved at March 7, 2023 worksession (Student Field Trips)

F-8. APPROVE LIST OF 2022-2023 STATE CONTRACT VENDORS

Approve the amended list of the 2022-2023 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. 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	Carr Marketing – senior day events	$60,000.00 (not to exceed)
Union High School	3280/Athletics	NJSIAA-Girls Regions Wrestling Tournament at UHS	$1,600.00
Burnet Middle School	2020/8^th grade activities	Kastle Fundraising – purchase fundraising items	$1,440.00
Burnet Middle School	2006/Band-Chorus	Medieval Times – entrance fee for 3/31/23 field trip	$2,045.62
Burnet Middle School	2006/Band-Chorus	High Note Festivals – partial payment for Dorney Park Music in the Park trip	$3,068.00
Burnet Middle School	2006/Band-Chorus	High Note Festivals – final payment for Dorney Park Music in the Park trip	$3,018.00

F-10. APPROVE 2022-2023 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST

Approval be given to amend the 2022-2023 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
Salsa Class	March 21-April 4, 2023	KMS/Spanish Club – to raise money for the Spanish Club
Pot of Gold	March 1-31, 2023	UHS/Dance Club – to raise funds for future costumes and performance opportunities
Clothing Drive/Thrift Shop	March 1-April 29, 2023	UHS/UMatter – to raise funds for future community building projects
Crock Jibbitz	March 20-June 20, 2023	UHS/Senior Class – to raise funds for senior class events
Pie Day	March 20-June 20, 2023	UHS/Senior Class – to raise funds for senior class events
Senior Class Apparel	March 20-June 20, 2023	UHS/Senior Prom – to raise funds for the senior prom
April Showers Bring May Flowers	March 20-June 20, 2023	UHS/Senior Prom – to raise funds for the senior prom
Dress Down Day	March 1-June 20, 2023	UHS/Senior Prom-to raise funds for the senior prom
SONJ Lincoln Tunnel School Challenge 5K	March 15-May 15, 2023	UHS/SONJ/Play Unified/TESSLO – to give students an opportunity to participate in inclusive sports/activities
Snack Sale	March 15-June 21, 2023	UHS/Freshman Class – to raise funds for freshman class
Pretzel and Snack Sale	March 15-June 20, 2023	BMS/8^th Grade Dance/Picnic – to raise funds for end of year 8^th grade activities

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
Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent	JROTC	$250.00
Harbor Freight Transport Corp	Union High School	$100.00
Gem Transport & Logistics, LLC	Union High School	$500.00
Bruno Pinto & Idette Perez	Union High School	$250.00
Life Enhancement Family Chiropractic	Union High School	$250.00
Juan P. Hernandez-Garcia	Union High School	$500.00
UHSPTA	Union High School	$135.00
Jeffrey & Suehay Monge	Union High School	$500.00
Olivia & Joel Cruz	Union High School	$150.00
International Longshoremen’s Assoc.	Union High School	$1,000.00
Delka Trucking Inc.	Union High School	$300.00

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

Accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) 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 March 14, 2023).

F-14. APPROVE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN (CAP)

Approve the Corrective Action Plan for Single Audit Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2022, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-15. ACCEPT GRANTS FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Accept grants from the Township of Union Education Foundation for the 2022-2023 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-16. APPROVE AMENDMENT TO FY23 ESEA GRANT SUBMISSION

Approve amendment to FY23 ESEA Grant Submission to identify schools in need of comprehensive or targeted support and improvement by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) regarding district receipt of Title I SIA funds, as follows:

School	23-24 ESSA Status	SIA
Hannah Caldwell Elementary School	Targeted	$22,700.00
Jefferson School	Targeted	$15,300.00
Franklin Elementary School	Comprehensive	$29,300.00

F-17. APPROVE SUBMISSION OF SCHOOL CLIMATE CHANGE GRANT APPLICATION

Approve submission of the application for the School Climate Change Grant Application in EWEG.

F-18. APPROVE APPLICATION FOR TITLE I SIA GRANT FUNDING

Approve application for the Title I SIA Grant Funding for the 2022-2023 school year.

F-19. APPROVE THE CREATION OF THE ANNUAL SCHOOL PLAN – HANNAH CALDWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Approve the creation of the Annual School Plan for Hannah Caldwell Elementary School to support the Title I SIA Grant for the 2022-2023 school year.

F-20. APPROVE AMENDMENT OF ANNUAL SCHOOL PLAN – JEFFERSON AND FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Approve the amendment of the Annual School Plan for Jefferson and Franklin Elementary Schools to support the Title I SIA Grant for the 2022-2023 school year.

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Resolutions F-21 through F-27

Concern the Proposed Tentative Budget for the 2023-2024 School Year

F-21. APPROVE GENERAL FUND TAX LEVY –BUDGET

Approve the General Fund tax levy of $101,603,142.74 in the 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-22. APPROVE TRAVEL EXPENDITURE MAXIMUM

Approve Travel Expenditure Maximum (not to exceed $85,000.00) for the 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-23. APPROVE ESTABLISHING A MAXIMUM DOLLAR LIMIT – PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Approve establishing a maximum dollar limit for professional services $4,775,918.00 for the 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-24. APPROVE USE OF EXCESS SURPLUS FUNDS/FUND BALANCE

Approve the Board of Education to include in the General Fund Budget $4,000,000.00 of the Board of Education’s excess surplus funds $931,022.00 and additional fund balance $3,068,978.00 (@ 6/30/22 per audit) to help reduce the local tax levy.

F-25. APPROVE BANKED CAP

Approve in the proposed budget the adjustment for banked cap in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-10.1(b). The district has fully exhausted all eligible statutory spending authority and must increase the base budget in the amount of $646,951.00 for the purpose of instruction supplies and materials. The district intends to complete said purposes by June 2024.

F-26 APPROVE USE OF ENROLLMENT ADJUSTMENT

Approve in the final budget the adjustment for enrollment in the amount of $1,079,064.00 in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-15.3. The district has fully exhausted all eligible statutory spending authority. The adjustment will be used for instructional supplies and materials and will complete this by June 30, 2024 and acknowledges that it cannot be deferred or incrementally completed over a longer period of time.

F-27. APPROVE ADJUSTMENT FOR HEALTH CARE COSTS

Approve in the final budget the adjustment for increased costs of health benefits in the amount of $792,176.00. The additional funds will be used to pay for the additional increases in health benefit premiums.

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F-28. For informational purposes only – vote not required. List of legal services for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-29. APPROVE MOA – ELLIOT Y. MERENBLOOM EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT

Approve Memorandum of Agreement with Elliot Y. Merenbloom Educational Consultant to support members of Burnet and Kawameeh Middle Schools to create master schedules for the 2023-2024 school year, at the rate of $450.00/hr. (not to exceed $6,750.00 [15 hours]), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-30. APPROVE EARLY CHILDHOOD PRESCHOOL BUDGET – 2023-2024

Approve resolution approving early childhood preschool budget for the 2023-2024 school year in the amount of $8,527,162.00, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-31. APPROVE EDMENTUM – FRENCH CLASSES

Approve Edmentum (EdOptions Academy) to provide Union High School French 2, 3, 4 and 5 and AP French classes – an asynchronous model with teacher support tentatively from April 1, 2023 to June 20, 2023 (not to exceed a cost of $45,201.00); additional in-district teacher coverage is also needed (not to exceed a cost of $13,104.00) for a total cost not to exceed $58,314.00.

L. Grievance/Negotiations Committee:

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

G-1. Agenda item tabled at March 14, 2023 regular meeting (Response to UTEA Grievance No. 2022-23-2 – Level 3).

G-2. APPROVE RESPONSE - UTEA GRIEVANCE NO. 2022-23-3 – LEVEL 3

Approve response regarding Union Township Education Association (UTEA) Grievance No. 2022-23-3 – Level 3, the Township of Union Board of Education overturns the decision at Level 2 and sustains the grievance, as modified and agreed to by the UTEA.

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, if applicable, bus evacuation reports for the 2022-2023 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-2. APPROVE PROPOSAL FOR DEMOGRAPHIC SERVICES – STATISTICAL FORECASTING

Approve proposal from Statistical Forecasting LLC to perform demographic services for the Township of Union Public Schools at a cost of $8,800.00, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-3. APPROVE REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION – PARKING LOTS

Approve request from the Township of Union to use the parking lots of Hannah Caldwell and Connecticut Farms Elementary Schools on Saturday, March 11, 2023 for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

O-4. APPROVE CAMP INVENTION – JEFFERSON SCHOOL
Approve Camp Invention to be held at Jefferson School the week of June 26-30, 2023 for all enrolled students.

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

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 STUDENT TEACHERS AND INTERNSHIPS

Approve student teachers and internships for the 2022-2023 school year, 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.
Cynthia Edmonds	Paraprofessional	KMS	7/1/2023	Retirement
Maria Frangos	Bus aide	Transportation Dept.	4/17/2023	Retirement
Patrice Hoffmann	School counselor	BMS	7/1/2023	Retirement
Nancy Lucas-Miller	Visual and performing arts teacher	UHS	7/1/2023	Retirement
Karen Wojcik	12-month secretary	Special Service Dept	3/1/2023	Retirement

P-4. APPROVE LEAVES

Approve leaves for the following staff:

Name	Position	Location	Leave Dates	Leave Type	Notes
Joao Bernardes	English teacher	BMS	2/17/2023-2/28/2023	Extension of paid medical leave
Christina Fasolino	Paraprofessional	KMS	3/6/2023-6/30/2024	Extension of unpaid child rearing leave
Sabine Ghazali	Math teacher	UHS	2/21/2023-TBD	Update – unpaid FMLA/NJFLA
Larry Sabel	Part-time bus driver	Transportation Dept	3/15/2023-5/15/2023	Paid medical leave
Christine Zurka	Paraprofessional	Battle Hill	4/20/2023-6/20/2023	Paid medical leave

P-5. APPROVE UPDATED JOB DESCRIPTION – MANAGER OF SECURITY

Approve updated Job Description for Manager of Security, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-6. APPROVE TERMINATION OF EMPLOYEE #13118

Approve the termination of Employee #13118, effective April 15, 2023.

P-7. APPROVE TERMINATION OF EMPLOYEE #12914

Approve the termination of Employee #12914, effective March 16, 2023.

O. Policy Committee:

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Policy Committee presents the following policy(ies) for the Board’s consideration (FINAL READING):

POL-1 POLICY 7510 – USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

Approve Policy 7510 – Use of School Facilities, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-2. POLICY 5200 – ATTENDANCE (M)

Approve Policy 5200 – Attendance, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

POL-3. REGULATION 5200 – ATTENDANCE (M)

Approve Regulation 5200 – Attendance, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

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 [four (4) students exited the month of February 2023 (4 from elementary) or a total of twenty-five (25) students for the 2022-2023 school year] who are not domiciled in this school district and one (1) student who will be allowed to complete the 2022-2023 school year, in accordance with the non-public information in the hands of each Board member.

R-2. APPROVE TO REMOVE STUDENT

Approval to remove student #311342 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 #320795 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 #340919 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 #358041 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 ALLOW STUDENT TO COMPLETE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR

Approve to allow student #271036 to complete the 2022-2023 school year.

Q. Technology Committee:

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.