Regular Meeting - December 19, 2023 - 7 p.m.

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

4. Mission Statement

5. Executive Session

6. Approval of Minutes:

            1.         November 1, 2023 – special meeting

            2.         November 1, 2023 – executive session

            3.         November 14, 2023 – worksession

            4.         November 14, 2023 – executive session

            5.         November 21, 2023 – regular meeting

            6.         November 21, 2023 - executive session

7. Communications:

            REQUEST FROM CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP – BATTLE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GYM 

            Request from Crossroads Christian Fellowship for the use of the Battle Hill Elementary School gym for a bi-weekly volleyball gym night starting on January 18, 2024 (Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m.).  Requesting waiver of all fees.

            REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION – JEFFERSON SCHOOL CAFETERIA AND PARKING LOT

            Request from the Township of Union for the use of Jefferson School cafeteria and parking lot for the Township’s MLK Day of Service on January 15, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (volunteers to sort donated winter clothing, non-perishable food items and have lunch).

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – AMBROSE

            Request for intermittent FMLA sick leave, followed by unpaid FMLA leave from Veronica Ambrose, third-grade teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, November 21, 2023-June 22, 2024.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – OSBORNE

            Request for intermittent FMLA/NJFLA leave from Melissa Osborne, special education teacher-Burnet Middle School, November 20, 2023-June 30, 2024.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – FIGUEIREDO

            Request for intermittent FMLA/NJFLA leave from Rosa Figueiredo, PreK teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, November 27, 2023-June 30, 2024.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF LEAVE – MOUTELA

            Request for extension of paid medical leave from Isabel Moutela, special education teacher-Jefferson School, new return date January 5, 2024.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF LEAVE – SADLER

            Request for extension of paid medical leave from Jeff Sadler, special education teacher-Union High School, new return date January 5, 2024.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF LEAVE – KESSOCK

            Request for extension of paid FMLA leave from Tracy Kessock, Transportation Manager-Transportation Department, new return date January 22, 2024.

UPDATE TO REQUEST FOR LEAVE – CLARKE

            Update to request for unpaid FMLA/NJFLA leave from Teresa Clarke, special education teacher-Union High School, December 11, 2023-March 8, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – DUPLISSIS

            Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Kerri Duplissis, physical education teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, February 2, 2024-June 30, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – FERRETTI

            Request for paid medical leave from Cynthia Ferretti, second grade teacher-Washington Elementary School, December 22, 2023-January 22, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – KOON

            Request for paid medical leave from Yolanda Koon, School Business Administrator/ Board Secretary-Administration Building, December 13, 2023-January 5, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – MORRISON

            Request for paid medical leave from Kimberlie Morrison, kindergarten teacher-Washington Elementary School, December 18, 2023-December 22, 2023.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – BENAQUISTA

            Letter of resignation from Brienna Benaquista, Career Ed/Business Teacher (Allied Health)-Union High School, effective January 31, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – BUSH

            Letter of resignation from Tarinesha Bush, preschool intervention and referral specialist-Preschool Department, effective, January 31, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – PORTER

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Moira Porter, English Language Arts teacher-UHS, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – TAVARES

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Robert Tavares, skilled maintenance (carpenter)-Buildings and Grounds Department, effective March 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – GIGANTE

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from David Gigante, special education teacher-Union High School, effective February 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT UPDATE – NOONAN

            Update to letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Colleen Noonan, paraprofessional-Battle Hill Elementary School, new retirement date July 1, 2024.

8. Comments from Public (on resolutions and all other matters)

9. Superintendent’s Report:

            1.         State of the Schools 

            2.         Student Liaisons: Neissa Filias; Gia Patel

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.     Agenda item approved at December 12, 2023 worksession (affirm Superintendent’s determination of HIB – November 15, 2023-November 21, 2023.

E-1A.   Agenda item reported at December 12, 2023 worksession (report of HIB – November 22, 2023-December 12, 2023).

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

            Affirm the Superintendent’s determination of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period November 22, 2023 to December 12, 2023, 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 December 13, 2023 to December 19, 2023, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2.     APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT AWARD – MARK SCHONWETTER HOLOCAUST EDUCATION FOUNDATION

            Approve acceptance of the grant award in the amount of $1,000.00 from the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation (MSHEF) for the 2023-2024 school year (funding to be used to create a Holocaust Resource Lending Library at Union High School).

E-3.     APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF NJ LEARNING ACCELERATION PROGRAM: HIGH IMPACT TUTORING COMPETITIVE GRANT AWARD

            Approve acceptance of the NJ Learning Acceleration Program: High Impact Tutoring Competitive Grant Award in the amount of $614,000.00 for the 2023-2024 school year to provide ELA and mathematics tutoring for grades three and four along with on demand virtual tutoring for grades three through twelve, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-4.     APPROVE SUBMISSION OF SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH GRANT

            Approve to submit the School Based Mental Health Grant for the 2023-2024 school year in the amount of $375,000.00 to coordinate school psychologist externs from Kean University to work with district students.

E-5.     APPROVE COMPLETION OF ESEA PERFORMANCE REPORT

            Approve the completion of the ESEA Performance Report in EWEG due December 22, 2023.

E-6.     APPROVE STUDENT ASSEMBLIES – JEFFERSON SCHOOL

            Approve the following assemblies for Jefferson School: (a) Mobile Ed Productions, “Quest for Kindness” assembly on March 19, 2024 at a cost of $1,495.00 and “Freedom Within” assembly on April 12, 2024 at a cost of $1,495.00 (to be paid using Title I SIA funds account #20113); and (b) Prismatic Magic Educational Laser Assembly “Bullying Prevention” on January 24, 2024 at a cost of $1,428.00 (to be paid using Title I SIA funds account #20113).

E-7.     APPROVE COORDINATION OF GRADUATE LEVEL SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY EXTERNS – KEAN UNIVERSITY

            Approve to coordinate graduate level School Psychology Externs from Kean University, as part of the requirements of the School Based Mental Health Grant Award for the 2023-2024 school year (all salaries will be paid using School Based Mental Health Grant Award and approved by the NJDOE), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board members. 

E-8.     APPROVE NJDOE ANNUAL PRESCHOOL OPERATIONAL PLAN UPDATE

            Approve New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Division of Early Childhood Services Annual Preschool Operational Plan Update, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board Member. 

E-9.     APPROVE RFP - HIGH-IMPACT TUTORING GRANT VENDORS

            Approve the following, as the NJDOE approved vendors, for the High-Impact Tutoring Grant Award, to coordinate ELA and Mathematics tutoring for district students in grades 3 and 4 at the agency site during the 2023-2024 school year: (a) Huntington Learning Center - not to exceed $458,869.00 and (b) Tutor Me (virtual on-demand) - not to exceed $155,131.

E-10.   Agenda item approved at December 12, 2023 worksession (License/Conference Agreement-Kean University).

E-11.   APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CURRICULA 

            Approve the following curricula:

1. AP Computer Science Principles

2. Grade 2 Math

3. Grade 3 Math

4. Grade 4 Math

5. Grade 5 Math

6. Grade 11 English Language Arts

7. Algebra II/Honors Algebra II

8. Geometry/Honors Geometry

9. World Language Grade 9-12 Level I

10. World Language Grade 9-12 Level II

11. World Language Grade 9-12 Level III

12. World Language Grade 9-12 Level V

13. World Language Grade K-2

14. World Language Grade 3-5

15. World Language Grade 6

16. World Language Grade 7

E-12.   APPROVE SERVICE AGREEMENT - RUBICON WEST LLC (ATLAS)

            Approve Service Agreement with Rubicon West LLC (Atlas) for curriculum warehousing and management at a cost of $30,000.00 per school year for the 2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years [prorated cost for 2023-2024 school year will be $16,249.99], in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-13.   APPROVE EXTENSION OF SUSPENSION – STUDENTS

            Approve to extend the out of school suspension of the following students: ID #250848, 256000, 268289, 266075, 261334, 260059, 250882, per the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools.

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.      TREASURER’S REPORT
            That the Treasurer’s Report dated November 30, 2023 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated November 30, 2023 be accepted.

F-3.      CERTIFY TREASURER’S AND SECRETARY’S REPORT

F-4A.   APPROVE APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS

            Approve appropriation transfers in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-4B.   APPROVE RETROACTIVE JUNE 2023 APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS

            Approve retroactive June 2023 appropriation transfers in cycle 14 (audit entry), as follows:

                                                                                Debit                                      Credit

                11-000-291-270                                  $81,718.84

                11-140-100-100                                                                                  $29,494.70

                11-000-270-518                                                                                  $23,627.29

                11-000-261-610                                                                                  $10,293.93

                11-000-223-500                                                                                  $14,479.00

                11-000-222-100                                                                                  $  3,823.92

                11-000-291-220                                  $19,184.35

                11-190-100-500                                                                                  $  9,827.00

                11-190-100-610                                                                                  $  9,357.35

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.     Agenda item approved at December 12, 2023 worksession – districtwide student field trips).

F-6A.   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-7.      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-8A.   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: 

F-8B.   APPROVE FUNDRAISERS

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

F-9.      ACCEPT DONATIONS

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

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 ACCEPTANCE OF NJSIG SAFETY GRANT

            Approve acceptance of New Jersey Schools Insurance Group (NJSIG) Safety Grant (2021/2022) in the amount of $18,768.00.

F-12.    APPROVE TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT AGREEMENT

            Approve Transportation Contract Agreement with Ewing Board of Education for (a) the Extended School Year (ESY), July 5, 2023-August 15, 2023 at a cost of $213.00 per day (30 days) with a not to exceed amount of $6,390.00 and (b) the regular school year, September 6, 2023-June 21, 2024 at a cost of $164.50 per day (183 days), not to exceed $30,103.50, in accordance with the non-public information in the hands of each Board member.

F-13.    APPROVE TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT AGREEMENT

            Approve Transportation Contract Agreement with Ewing Board of Education for the period November 8, 2023-June 21, 2024 at a cost of $164.50 per day (140 days) with a not to exceed amount of $23,030.00, in accordance with the non-public information in the hands of each Board member.

F-14.    ACCEPT ADDITIONAL $2 MILLION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT STATE AID

            Accept the additional $2,000,000 Capital Improvement of State Aid, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-15.    APPROVE SERVICES BY FAMILY CENTER AT MONTCLAIR

            Approve the service of intensive therapy by the Family Center at Montclair for a district student, on an as needed basis, at the rate of $175.00 per hour (not to exceed $6,000.00), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-16.    APPROVE SITES FOR WORK BASED LEARNING AND COMMUNITY BASED INSTRUCTION

            Approve the sites for Work Based Learning (WBL) and Community Based Instruction (CBI) at (a) Union High School, (b) Burnet Middle School and (c) Kawameeh Middle School, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-17.    APPROVE CLOSE OUT OF LEGAL SERVICES FOR INDEPENDENT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/DISCRIMINATION INVESTIGATION – PETER B. FALLON, ESQ.

            Approve the close out for legal services for independent affirmative action/discrimination investigation attorney - Peter B. Fallon, Esq. for the 2022-2023 school year and investigations were finalized in 2023-2024 school year (not to exceed $10,000.00).

F-18.    APPROVE 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 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-19.    For informational purposes only – vote not required.  List of legal services for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-20.    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-21.    APPROVE PETTY CASH ACOUNT – FARMER’S CAFÉ

            Approve a petty cash account at Union High School for the Farmer’s Café in the amount of $1,500.00 to be replenished as needed (not to exceed $5,000.00) for the 2023-2024 school year.

F-22.    APPROVE ESTABLISHMENT OF FARMER’S CAFÉ CHECKING ACCOUNT – CONNECT ONE BANK

            Approve the establishment of the Farmer’s Café checking account at Connect One Bank for operational purposes of the work-based learning program.

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

O-2.     REPORT ON OFFICIAL REPORT OF ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTION

            Report on the Official Report of the annual school election held on November 7, 2023 as follows (report only, no vote required):

            Three-year term:         Michael Cohan                                   4,997

                                                Elsie Conteh-Mackey                         4,877

                                                Ronnie McDowell                               4,915

                                                Write-in                                                  258

O-3.     APPROVE UPDATED 2023-2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR

            Approve updated 2023-2024 School Calendar, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-4.     APPROVE REQUEST FROM CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP – BATTLE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GYM

            Approve request from Crossroads Christian Fellowship for the use of the Battle Hill Elementary School gym for a bi-weekly volleyball gym night starting on January 18, 2024 (Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m.).  Requesting waiver of all fees (Certificate of Insurance requested).

O-5.     APPROVE REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION – JEFFERSON SCHOOL CAFETERIA AND PARKING LOT

            Approve Request from the Township of Union for the use of Jefferson School cafeteria and parking lot for the Township’s MLK Day of Service on January 15, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (volunteers to sort donated winter clothing, non-perishable food items and have lunch), 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.

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 2023-2024 school year.

P-3.      ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT

            Accept letters of resignation/retirement from the following staff:

P-4.      APPROVE LEAVES

            Approve leaves for the following staff: 

P-5.      APPROVE STUDENT TEACHERS AND INTERNSHIPS

            Approve student teachers and internships for the 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-6.      APPROVE DESIGNEE – STUDENT ACTIVITIES ACCOUNT

            Approve Jennifer Hajkowski as the additional designee for the ConnectOne “Union High School Student Activities Account”.

P-7.      APPROVE TERMINATION OF EMPLOYEE #13233

            Approve termination of Employee #13233, effective December 20, 2023.

P-8.      APPROVE APPOINTMENT AND EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT – BENAQUISTA

            Approve the appointment and employment contract of Dr. Gerald Benaquista, as Superintendent, for the term of December 20, 2023 through June 30, 2027, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

15. Policy Committee:

16. Residency Committee Resolutions:

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Residency Committee presents the following resolutions for the Board’s information:

R-1.     REPORT OF STUDENTS VOLUNTARILY TRANSFERRED TO DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE

            For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following residency investigations were completed and the listed students voluntarily transferred to the district of residence:

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