Executive Session-6:00 p.m.; Regular Meeting-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, 2023 of the Township of Union Board of Education, Administration Building, 2369 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey 07083.
The Board will open the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and go into executive (closed) session. The Board will return to public thereafter.
TOWNSHIP OF UNION BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA – July 18, 2023 – 6:00 p.m.
1. Roll Call
2. Flag Salute
3. Open Public Meetings Act Statement
4. Mission Statement
5. Executive Session
6. Comments from Public on Resolutions
7. Approval of Minutes:
1. May 9, 2023 – workession
2. May 9, 2023 – executive session
3. May 16, 2023 – regular meeting
4. May 16, 2023 – executive session #1
5. May 16, 2023 – executive session #2
8. Communications:
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DiNATALE
Letter of resignation from Charlene DiNatale, part-time physical therapist-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective September 6, 2023.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – RAMA
Letter of resignation from Sandra Rama, ESL teacher-Franklin Elementary School, effective July 27, 2023.
LETTER OF RETIREMENT – LOWERY
Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Corey Lowery, principal-Union High School, effective October 1, 2023.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – TAYLOR
Letter of resignation from Scott Taylor, Superintendent of Schools, effective November 10, 2023, or an earlier release date per the Board.
9. Superintendent’s Report:
1. Presentation by Dr. Edward Fergus
10. 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 June 28, 2023 to July 18, 2023 (no incidents 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 June 14, 2023 to June 27, 2023, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
E-2. APPROVE RE-ADOPTION OF NJDOE TITLE I SCHOOL-PARENT COMPACT
Approve re-adoption of New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Title I School-Parent Compact for the 2023-2024 school year for the following schools: (a) Union High School, (b) Jefferson School, (c) Franklin Elementary School, and (d) Burnet Middle School, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
11. 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. Agenda item tabled at July 18, 2023 meeting (preliminary Treasurer’s Report, June 30, 2023).
F-2. Agenda item tabled at July 18, 2023 meeting (preliminary Secretary’s Report, June 30, 2023).
F-3. Agenda item tabled at July 18, 2023 meeting (certify Treasurer’s and Secretary’s Report, June 30, 2023)
F-4. Agenda item tabled at July 18, 2023 meeting (appropriation transfers).
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. APPROVE DISTRICTWIDE STUDENT FIELD TRIPS
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 2023-2024 STATE CONTRACT VENDORS
Approve the amended list of the 2023-2024 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 |
|
Washington Elementary School |
2011/Chromebook Damage/Fines |
Township of Union Board of Education – return funds/fines collected for Chromebooks |
$1,397.50 |
|
Union High School |
2033/Music/Marching Band |
Showday Designs LLC – uniform tops for marching band color guard |
$2,700.00 (not to exceed) |
|
Union High School |
2033/Music/Marching Band |
Showday Designs LLC – uniform tops for marching band winds and percussion |
$2,500.00 (not to exceed) |
|
Union High School |
2221/Chromebooks |
Township of Union Board of Education – return funds/fines collected for Chromebooks |
$5,342.00 |
|
Union High School |
Peer Ambassadors |
Stitch America – Polo shirts for leadership program |
$3,500.00 (not to exceed) |
|
Burnet Middle School |
2018/Chromebooks |
Township of Union Board of Education – return funds/fines collected for Chromebooks |
$5,200.00 |
F-10. APPROVE 2023-2024 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST
Approval be given to amend the 2023-2024 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 |
|
Bottled Water and Snack Sale |
September 7, 2023-June 17, 2024 |
UHS-SONJ/Play Unified/TESSLO – to raise funds to participate in inclusive sports/activities |
|
Thanks4giving Cool School Challenge Dash and Splash |
September 17-November 22, 2023 |
UHS – SONJ/Play Unified/TESSLO – to raise funds to participate in inclusive sports/activities |
|
Online Team Store |
September-October 2023 |
UHS/Varsity Gymnastics – to raise funds to offset gym costs and apparel |
|
Blast Fundraising |
TBD |
UHS/Varsity Gymnastics – to raise funds to offset gym costs and apparel |
|
Monthly Kindness Grams |
September-December 2023 |
Connecticut Farms/1st Grade Field Trip – to raise funds to have bunnies and ladybugs in classroom |
F-12. ACCEPT DONATIONS
Accept the following donations:
|
From |
For Use By |
$/Item |
|
Made Stars Performing Arts School |
UHSPAC |
$2,500.00 |
|
Shutterfly, LLC |
Hannah Caldwell Elementary School |
$868.85 |
|
Business & Governmental Insurance Agency |
Livingston Elementary School |
$500.00 |
|
Reading for Education |
Washington Elementary School |
$37.53 |
|
Shutterfly LLC |
Franklin Elementary School |
$485.08 |
|
Shutterfly LLC |
Franklin Elementary School |
$1,323.71 |
|
Wells Fargo – Fekete, M. Mem Edu Scholarship Fund |
Township of Union Board of Education for the Margaret Fekete Senior Scholarship Award |
$70,000.00 |
|
Christopher/Faith Sands |
JROTC |
$50.00 |
|
Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade |
JROTC |
$500.00 |
F-13. APPROVE UHS SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARD – MARGARET FEKETE FUND
Approve the Senior Scholarship Award for Union High School graduates from the Margaret Fekete Fund, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
F-14. APPROVE CONTRACTS – COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Approve School 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 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the non-public information in the hands of each Board member.
F-15. APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF TITLE I SIA ALLOCATIONS
Approve the acceptance of the following Title I SIA allocations for the 2023-2024 school year from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for identified schools in need of comprehensive or targeted support and improvement: (a) Hannah Caldwell Elementary School - $53,700.00, (b) Jefferson School - $36,300.00 and (c) Franklin Elementary School - $141,800.00.
F-16. APPROVE COMPLETION OF ARP ESSER SAFE RETURN PLAN
Approve ARP ESSER Safe Return Plan to be completed by the district every six months in EWEG to remain compliant in receiving ESSER funds for the 2023-2024 school year.
F-17. APPROVE RECEIPT OF FUNDS – SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH AWARD
Approve receipt of funds for the School Based Mental Health Award in the amount of $375,000.00 for the 2023-2024 school year (grant will be awarded for five years contingent on compliance for a total of $1,875,000.00).
F-18. APPROVE RESOLUTION NOT TO APPLY FOR PERKINS SECONDARY PROGRAMS
The Township of Union Public Schools resolves through a board resolution not to apply for the Perkins Secondary Programs for fiscal year 2024.
F-19. APPROVE COORDINATION OF RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING
Approve coordination of Responsive Classroom professional development training for all K-2 teachers on October 9, 2023, at a cost of $11,700.00 using account ARP ESSER Mental Health Grant #19953.
F-20. APPROVE OUR HOUSE – COMMUNITY BASED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Approve Our House to provide community-based employment services to students in district public schools for the 2023-2024 school year (not to exceed $100,000) [Account #11-000-216-320-0-19], in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
F-21. APPROVE PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL AND SMALL BUSINESS NONCOMPLIANCE PLUMBING FIXTURE AND APPLICANCE PROGRAM UPDATE
Approve participation in the School and Small Business Noncompliant Plumbing Fixture and Appliance Program with the following breakdown to reflect the grant amount and the district allocation requirement (all work will be required to be completed by February 2024):
|
School/Building |
Grant Amount |
District Amount |
Total Cost |
|
Field Office/BOE |
$25,211.82 |
$8,403.94 |
$33,615.76 |
|
Jefferson |
$79,253.85 |
$26,417.95 |
$105,671.80 |
|
Hamilton |
$55,301.21 |
$18,433.73 |
$73,734.94 |
|
Union High School |
$217,908.62 |
$72,636.20 |
$290,544.82 |
|
Kawameeh MS |
$115,676.88 |
$38,558.96 |
$154,235.84 |
|
Burnet MS |
$118,438.71 |
$39,479.57 |
$157,918.28 |
|
Washington |
$85,226.16 |
$28,408.72 |
$113,634.88 |
|
Hannah Caldwell |
$112,042.76 |
$37,347.58 |
$149,390.34 |
|
Livingston |
$127,551.84 |
$42,517.28 |
$170,069.12 |
|
Connecticut Farms |
$89,089.76 |
$29,696.58 |
$118,786.34 |
|
Battle Hill |
$95,205.63 |
$31,735.21 |
$126,940.84 |
|
Franklin |
$98,986.82 |
$32,995.60 |
$131,982.42 |
F-22. APPROVE WITHDRAWAL FROM CAPITAL RESERVE
Approve a withdrawal from Capital Reserve in the amount of $680,856.35. Any funds not expended will be returned to the Capital Reserve. The withdrawal of funds will be used for the following Capital Projects:
- NJ Clean Energy/Plumbing & Appliance (District-wide portion 25%) - $406,631.35
- NJ Clean Energy/HVAC (Hannah cafe 25%) - $274,225.00
F-23. 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.
12. Grievance/Negotiations Committee:
13. 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 SCHOOL SECURITY DRILL STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE
Approve School Security Drill Statement of Assurance for the 2022-2023 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
14. 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. (Note P-1A Admin #10 - start date changed to July 24, 2023)
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 SUBSTITUTE LISTS
Approve Substitute Lists for the 2022-2023 school year.
|
Name |
Position |
Rate |
|
Sandra Lemos |
Sub-custodian |
$16.00 |
|
John E. Armwood |
Sub-custodian |
$16.00 |
|
Bertram Jordan |
Sub-custodian |
$16.00 |
|
Tamika Ferguson |
Sub-custodian |
$16.00 |
|
Roberta Plattner |
Sub-secretary (Washington) |
$13.00 |
|
Donna Carlyle |
Sub-secretary (Battle Hill) |
$13.00 |
|
Gina Ciaccio |
Sub-secretary (Connecticut Farms) |
$13.00 |
|
Rosalie Melegh |
Sub-secretary (Hannah Caldwell) |
$13.00 |
|
Ellyn Smith |
Sub-secretary (Franklin) |
$13.00 |
|
Maria Marques |
Sub-secretary (Hannah Caldwell) |
$13.00 |
P-3. ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT
Accept letters of resignation/retirement from the following staff:
|
Name |
Position |
Location |
Eff. Date |
Reason |
approvals are subject to contractual notice |
|
Charlene DiNatale |
P/T physical therapist |
Battle Hill |
9/6/2023 |
Resignation |
|
|
Sandra Rama |
ESL teacher |
Franklin |
7/27/2023 |
Resignation |
|
|
Corey Lowery |
Principal |
UHS |
10/1/2023 |
Retirement |
|
| Dr. Scott Taylor | Superintendent | Central Office | 11/10/2023 | Resignation |
P-4. Agenda item tabled at July 18, 2023 meeting (Job Description-Elementary Instructional Coach).
P-5. 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-6. APPROVE CARE STATION – EMPLOYEE PHYSICALS
Approve Care Station to perform employee physicals for the 2023-2024 school year [Account #11-000-213-330-01-54-0060].
P-7. APPROVE CITYMD URGENT CARE – EMPLOYEE PHYSICALS
Approve CityMD Urgent Care to perform employee physicals for the 2023-2024 school year [Account #11-000-213-330-01-54-0060].
P-8. APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – BCBA
Approve Job Description – Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
P-9. APROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN
Approve Job Description – Behavior Technician, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
15. Policy Committee:
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Policy Committee presents the following policies for the Board’s consideration: (FIRST READING)
POL-1. APPROVE POLICY 2415.50 – TITLE I – SCHOOL PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
Approve Policy 2415.50 – Title I – School Parent and Family Engagement for the following schools (a) Franklin Elementary School, (b) Jefferson School, (c) Burnet Middle School and (d) Union High School, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
POL-2. APPROVE POLICY 5600 – STUDENT DISCIPLINE/CODE OF CONDUCT (M)
Approve Policy 5600 – Student Discipline/Code of Conduct, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
POL-3. APPROVE REGULATION 5600 – STUDENT DISCIPLINE/CODE OF CONDUCT (M)
Approve Regulation 5600 – Student Discipline/Code of Conduct, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
POL-4. APPROVE POLICY 5512 – HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND BULLYING (M)
Approve Policy 5512 – Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
16. Residency Committee Resolutions:
17. Technology Committee:
18. 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.
19. Unfinished Business:
20. New Business:
21. Comments from the Public:
22. Executive Session:
23. Adjournment
