Executive Session-5:30 p.m.; Regular Meeting-7:00 p.m. (or thereafter), Tuesday, January 23, 2024 of the Township of Union Board of Education, at the Union High School Library, 2350 North 3rd Street, Union, New Jersey 07083.
The Board will open the meeting at 5:30 p.m. and go into executive (closed) session. The Board will return to public thereafter.
TOWNSHIP OF UNION BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA –January 23 2024
1. Roll Call
2. Flag Salute
3. Mission Statement
4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement
5. Executive Session
6. Approval of Minutes:
1. December 12, 2023 – executive session
2. December 12, 2023 – worksession meeting
3. December 19, 2023 – regular meeting
7. Communications:
LETTER OF RETIREMENT – WILLIAMS
Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Lucille Williams, Student Assistance Counselor-Union High School, effective September 1, 2024.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – CURIEL
Letter of resignation from Lania Curiel, bus driver-Transportation Department, effective December 31, 2023.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE – LEMBRYK
Request for paid medical leave from Lester Lembryk, physical education teacher-Union High School, December 4, 2023-February 29, 2024.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE – PATRICCO
Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Elena Patricco, second grade teacher-Livingston Elementary School, February 20, 2024-September 24, 2024.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE – HRDINA
Request for medical leave from Jaclyn Hrdina, pre-k teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, January 3, 2024-January 31, 2024.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – SULCOV
Request for leave updated from Stephanie Sulcov, CST teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, new leave date - January 2, 2024.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE – GRAHAM
Request for paid FMLA/NJFLA followed by unpaid FMLA leave from Kari Graham, paraprofessional-Franklin Elementary School, December 18, 2023-January 30, 2024.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – KOON
Request for paid medical leave update from Yolanda Koon, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, new return date on or before February 1, 2024.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – FERRETTI
Request for paid medical leave update from Cynthia Ferretti, second grade teacher-Washington Elementary School, new return date February 7, 2024.
REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – KORZEN
Request for paid intermittent FMLA/NJFLA leave followed by unpaid FMLA from Olga Korzen, fourth grade teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, February 1, 2024-June 21, 2024.
REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – COLANDREA
Request for paid intermittent FMLA/NJFLA followed by unpaid FMLA leave for Tara Colandrea, SAC-Burnet Middle School, January 9, 2024-January 9, 2025.
REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION – USE JEFFERSON SCHOOL
Request from Township of Union to use Jefferson School Auditorium and parking lot for the Township of Union’s BHM ‘Crowns’ The Musical performance on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m. (with a rain date of February 16 and February 17, 2024).
REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION – USE OF JEFFERSON SCHOOL
Request from the Human Relations Committee Township of Union, chaired by Reverend Wright to use Jefferson School for the Black History Month event on February 17, 2024 between 11 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
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 January 9, 2024 worksession – Affirm Determination of HIB – December 13, 2023-December 19, 2023.
E-1A. Agenda item reported at January 9, 2024 worksession – Report of HIB – December 20, 2023-January 9, 2024.
E-1-1. AFFIRM SUPERINTENDENT’S DETERMINATION OF HIB
Affirm the Superintendent’s determination of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the periods December 20, 2023 to January 9, 2024, 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 10, 2024 to January 23, 2024, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).
E-2. APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS – NJDOE SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH GRANT AWARD
Approve acceptance of funds in the amount of $375,000 for the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) School Based Mental Health Grant Award for the 2023-2024 school year.
E-3. APPROVE APPLICATION AND RECEIPT OF FUNDS – NJDOE MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING GRANT PROGRAM
Approve application and receipt of funds for the New Jersey Department of Education Mental Health Screening in Schools Grant Program (Year 1 of 4) in the amount of $73,340.00 per year as part of receiving the School Based Mental Health Grant Award.
E-4. APPROVE JANUARY REPORT – NJDOE – HIB
Approve the Township of Union Public Schools January report presented by the Superintendent as required by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) of Harassment Intimidation and Bullying (HIB). The report provides the public with the information collection from September 2023 through December 2023, 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-5. APPROVE CURRICULA
Approve the following curricula: (a) Algebra I, (b) U.S. History I, and (c) US. History II, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
E-6. APPROVE UPDATED 2023-2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Approve updated 2023-2024 school calendar, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
E-7. APPROVE 2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Approve 2024-2025 school calendar, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
E-8. APPROVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE
Approve Settlement Agreement and General Release for D.C. and J.C. o/b/o M.C., in accordance with the non-public information in the hands of each Board member.
E-9. APPROVE REINSTATEMENT – STUDENTS
Approve the reinstatement of the following students: ID #250848, 256000, 268289, 260059, 250882, per the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools.
E-10. APPROVE SUSPENSION – STUDENT
Approve suspension of student #268119 from the general education program, in accordance with the discussions during executive session.
E-11A. APPROVE AFFIRMATION OF HIB – KMS #10
Approve to affirm HIB – KMS #10.
E-11B. APPROVE TO REJECT FINDINGS AND TO REINVESTIGATE OF HIB – LES #2
Approve rejection of findings and to reinvestigate HIB – LES #2.
E-11C. APPROVE AFFIRMATION OF HIB – FES #7
Approve to affirm HIB – FES #7.
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 December 31, 2023 be accepted.
F-2. SECRETARY’S REPORT
That the Secretary’s Report dated December 31, 2023 be accepted.
F-3. CERTIFY TREASURER’S AND SECRETARY’S REPORT
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 January 9, 2024 worksession – Student Field Trips.
F-7A. 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-9A. 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 |
2033/Marching Band |
Pine Forest Camp – band camp |
$1,000.00 |
|
Union High School |
2045/Music |
Old Fashion Candy – fundraising candy and snack boxes |
$3,078.95 |
F-9B. APPROVE FUNDRAISERS
Approve the following fundraisers, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member:
|
Event Name |
Date |
Purpose |
|
Popcorn Sale |
January 2024 |
Burnet/High Note Festival – to raise funds for trip to festival and Dorney Park |
|
Pink Out Breast Cancer Game |
February 2024 |
UHS/Girls Basketball – to raise funds for breast cancer awareness |
|
Kickball Tournament |
June 2024 |
UHS/Athletic Training Club – to raise funds for end of year celebrations |
|
Dodgeball Tournament |
March 2024 |
UHS/Athletic Training Club – to raise funds for end of year celebration |
|
Ms. UHS |
January 24, 2024-June 19, 2024 |
UHS/Junior Class – to raise funds for Junior Class |
|
Junior Movie Night |
January 24, 2024-June 19, 2024 |
UHS/Junior Class – to raise funds for Junior Class |
|
Krispy Kreme Donut Sale |
January 24, 2024-June 19, 2024 |
UHS/Junior Class – to raise funds for Junior Class |
|
Junior Class Dance |
January 24, 2024-June 19, 2024 |
UHS/Junior Class – to raise funds for Junior Class |
|
Donors Choose |
January 24-August 30, 2024 |
UHS/self-contained/WBL program – to raise funds for items needed for programs |
|
National Wear Red Day |
February 2, 2024 |
Districtwide-to raise funds for the American Heart Association |
F-9C. Agenda item approved at January 9, 2024 worksession – accept donations.
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 TECHABILITIES CONSULTING – EVALUATIONS
Approve TechAbilities Consulting LLC to provide the following evaluations for district students: (a) assistive technology evaluations - $875.00 per evaluation, (b) augmentative communication evaluations - $1,000 per evaluation, (c) assistive technological or AAC consultation - $150.00/hour for the 2023-2024 school year (not to exceed $10,000.00) [Account #11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
F-12. APPROVE GOOD TALKING PEOPLE – SPEECH/LANGUAGE THERAPY SERVICES
Approve Good Talking People, LLC to provide speech/language pathologist to render speech/language therapy services, including student evaluations, consultation at the rate of $100.00/hour for the 2023-2024 school year (not to exceed $60,000.00) [Account #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
F-13. APPROVE ALLCARE THERAPY SERVICES – SPEECH/LANGUAGE SERVICES
Approve Allcare Therapy Services to provide speech/language pathologist to render speech/language therapy services, including student evaluations, consultation at the rate of $100.00/hour for the 2023-2024 school year (not to exceed $60,000.00) [Account #11-000-216-320-01-19], 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 PURCHASING MANUAL
Approve the updated 2023-2024 Purchasing Manual, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
F-16. 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.
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.
DISCUSSION ITEM:
O-2. REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION – TO USE JEFFERSON SCHOOL
Request from Township of Union to use Jefferson School Auditorium and parking lot for the Township of Union’s BHM ‘Crowns’ The Musical performance on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m. (with a rain date of February 16 and February 17, 2024).
O-3. REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION – USE OF JEFFERSON SCHOOL
Request from the Human Relations Committee Township of Union, chaired by Reverend Wright, to use Jefferson School for the Black History Month event on February 17, 2024 between 11 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
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-2. APPROVE SUBSTITUTE LISTS
Approve Substitute Lists for the 2023-2024 school year.
|
Name |
Position |
Rate |
|
Victoria Paradela |
Sub-custodian |
$16.00/hr. |
|
Joshua Peterson |
Sub-custodian |
$16.00/hr. |
|
Adam M. Wachstein |
Sub-custodian |
$16.00/hr. |
P-3A. ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT
Accept letters of resignation/retirement from the following staff:
|
Name |
Position |
Location |
Eff. Date |
Reason |
Notes |
|
Lucille Williams |
SAC |
UHS |
9/1/2024 |
Retirement |
|
|
Lania Curiel |
Bus driver |
Transportation Dept. |
12/31/2023 |
Resignation |
|
P-3B. APPROVE LEAVES
Approve leaves for the following staff:
|
Name |
Position |
Location |
Leave Dates |
Leave Type |
Notes |
|
Lester Lembryk |
PE teacher |
UHS |
12/4/2023-2/29/2024 |
Paid medical leave |
|
|
Elena Patricco |
2nd grade teacher |
Livingston |
2/20/2024-9/24/2024 |
Paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/ NJFLA |
|
|
Jaclyn Hrdina |
Prek teacher |
Battle Hill |
1/3/2024-1/31/2024 |
Paid medical leave |
|
|
Stephanie Sulcov |
CST |
Hannah Caldwell |
New leave date 1/2/2024-6/1/2024 |
Paid child rearing followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA |
|
|
Kari Graham |
Paraprofessional |
Franklin |
12/18/2023-1/30/2024 |
Paid FMLA/ NJFLA followed by unpaid FMLA leave |
|
|
Yolanda Koon |
SBA/BS |
Business Office |
New return date on or before 2/1/2024 |
Paid medical leave |
|
|
Olga Korzen |
4th grade teacher |
Connecticut Farms |
Intermittent 2/1/2024-6/21/2024 |
Paid intermittent FMLA/NJFLA leave followed by unpaid FMLA leave |
|
|
Tara Colandrea |
SAC |
BMS |
Intermittent 1/9/2024-1/29/2025 |
Paid intermittent FMLA/NJFLA leave followed by unpaid FMLA |
|
|
Cynthia Ferretti |
2nd grade teacher |
Washington |
New return date 2/7/2024 |
Paid medical leave |
|
P-4. APPROVE PUBLIC AGENCY COMPLIANCE OFFICER – KOON
Approve Yolanda Koon as Public Agency Compliance Officer (PACO) for the year 2024, at no cost to the district.
P-5. APPROVE UPDATED 2023-2024 HOURLY RATES LIST
Approve updated 2023-2024 Hourly Rates List, 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 policy(ies) for the Board’s consideration:
POL-1. Agenda item approved at January 9, 2024 worksession - Policy 0142.
POL-2. Agenda item approved at January 9, 2024 worksession – Policy 8454.
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:
|
Student No. |
School |
|
#260572 |
Union High School – 10th grade |
|
#314010 |
Jefferson School – 5th grade |
17. Technology Committee:
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Technology Committee presents the following resolution for the Board’s consideration:
T-1. APPROVE RECYCLING OF EQUIPMENT
Approve list of equipment for recycling, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.
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. Adjournment:
