Regular Meeting - March 26, 2024 - 7 p.m. - UHS/Library

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Executive Session

6. Approval of Minutes:

            1.         February 13, 2024 – worksession

            2.         February 13, 2024 – executive session

            3.         February 20, 2024 – regular meeting

            4.         February 20, 2024 – executive session #1

            5.         February 20, 2024 – executive session #2

7. Communications:

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – BURGOS

            Letter of resignation from Mark Burgos, television production/digital media teacher–Union High School, effective April 15, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DAVIS

            Letter of resignation from Earl Davis, paraprofessional-Union High School, effective February 9, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – WHITE

            Letter of resignation from Kelvin White, Sr., Facility Manager of Buildings and Grounds Department, effective March 28, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – WHITE

            Letter of resignation from Kelvin White, Jr., paraprofessional-Kawameeh Middle School, effective February 26, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – DaSILVA

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Angela DaSilva, kindergarten teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – DiGANGI

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Debra DiGangi, paraprofessional-Livingston Elementary School, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – KAUFMAN

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Randi Kaufman, speech therapist-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – LIENTO

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Joann Liento, paraprofessional-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – REILLY

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Ann Reilly, bus aide-Transportation Department, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – REILLY

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from James Reilly, bus driver-Transportation Department, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – GREENER

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Michele Greener, pre-school teacher-Washington Elementary School, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – GENTILE

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Joann Gentile, science teacher-Burnet Middle School, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – NAPOLITANO

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Frank Napolitano, career ed/business teacher-Union High School, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – SLIVA        

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Marie Sliva, bus aide-Transportation Department, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – MOUTELA

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Isabel Moutela, special education teacher-Jefferson Elementary School, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – MUNOZ

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Diego Munoz, health and physical education teacher-Franklin Elementary School, effective July 1, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – THOMAS

            Request for unpaid medical leave from Jenelle Thomas, third grade teacher-Franklin Elementary School, February 8, 2024-June 24, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – MILLER

            Request for leave extension from Samantha Miller, special education teacher-Jefferson School, new return date June 24, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – CLARKE

            Request for leave extension from Teresa Clarke, special education teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, new return date April 30, 2024.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – McCUSKER

            Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Susan McCusker, special education teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, February 15, 2024-June 22, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – FERNANDEZ

            Request for paid FMLA from Gina Lisa Fernandez, Spanish teacher-Connecticut Farms/Battle Hill Elementary Schools, April 15, 2024-May 13, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – NODARSE

            Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Carolina Nodarse, ESL teacher-Washington Elementary School, April 19, 2024-January 6, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – KLEIN

            Request for unpaid FMLA from Peter Klein, CST/Special Education-Union High School, February 1, 2024-June 20, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – NIGRINIS

            Request for leave without pay from Lisetty Nigrinis, Spanish teacher-Union High School, April 26, 2024-May 10, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – PLACCA

            Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Nicole Marie Placca, foreign language teacher-Union High School, May 28, 2024-February 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – BLASI

            Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Regina Blasi, second grade teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, April 11, 2024-December 4, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – TRIPP

            Request for unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Eric Tripp, social studies teacher-Union High School, April 15, 2024-May 31, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – CORNACCHIA

            Request for paid medical leave from Lyn Cornacchia, paraprofessional-PreK-Livingston Elementary School, March 22, 2024-June 21, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – WALKER

            Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Lauren Walker, Director-PreK Department, April 29, 2024-June 25, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – CHERIAN

            Request for leave update from Jasmine Cherian, second grade teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, new return date April 8, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – TEZNA

            Request for unpaid FMLA from Paola Tezna, custodian-Union High School, March 8, 2024-July 5, 2024.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – HUFF

            Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Heidi Huff, kindergarten teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, February 20, 2024-February 20, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – COCOCCIA

            Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Laura Cococcia, science teacher-Burnet Middle School, March 1, 2024-March 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – GOLD

            Request for paid intermittent FMLA leave from Karen Gold, world language teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, March 18, 2024-June 19, 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 

            3.         FY25 – Budget

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 March 19, 2024 workession (Affirm Superintendent’s determination of HIB-February 13-20, 2024).

E-1A.  Agenda item reported at March 19, 2024 worksession (Superintendent’s Report of HIB-February 21-March 19, 2024).

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

            Affirm the Superintendent’s determination of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the periods February 21, 2024 to March 19, 2024, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

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

            Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period March 20, 2024 to March 26, 2024, in accordance with the information available to each Board member (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2.     APPROVE DONATION OF BOOKS – VARIOUS SCHOOLS

            Approve the following book donations, in accordance with the information available to each Board member:

E-3.     APPROVE PARTICIPATION IN SURVEY

            Approve participation in the New Jersey School Climate Improvement Platform and Survey for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-4.     APPROVE TITLE I SUMMER PROGRAM LOCATIONS

            Approve the following Title I Summer Program locations:

E-5.     APPROVE SUBMISSION – ESEA AND ANNUAL SCHOOL PLAN AMENDMENT

            Approve submission of an ESEA and Annual School Plan amendment for the 2024 application.

E-6.     APPROVE NJDOE IDENTIFICATION OF SCHOOLS – 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

            Approve the following NJDOE Identification of Schools in need of comprehensive or targeted support and improvement classification for the 2023-2024 school year: (a) Union High School - $12,500.00 – Title I SIA Status, Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-7.     APPROVE CHANGE IN STATUS – 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

            Approve the change in status for the 2024-2024 school year for Jefferson School and Franklin Elementary School, which met the criteria to be eligible to exit comprehensive support and improvement and/or additional targeted support and approvement, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-8.     APPROVE SUBMISSION OF TITLE I SIA SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

            Approve submission of the Franklin Elementary School Title I SIA Sustainability Plan, per NJDOE requirements, to exit out of the comprehensive support and improvement status.

E-9.     APPROVE SUBMISSION OF TEACHER CLIMATE AND CULTURE INNOVATION NGO GRANT

            Approve submission of the Teacher Climate and Culture Innovation NGO Grant from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE).

E-10.   APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS – MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING IN SCHOOL PROGRAM

            Approve acceptance of funds for the Mental Health Screening in Schools Program in the amount of $73,340.00 for the 2024-2025 school year.

E-11.   APPROVE FRASER’S MATHEMATICS SOLUTIONS – HYBRID ASSEMBLY

            Approve Fraser’s Mathematics Solutions to coordinate a hybrid assembly for district parents and guardians at a cost of $3,850.00 [Title IV Account #8500] and Dope Math Notes at a cost of $1,329.25 [CIA Account #18243].

E-12.   APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS – SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH GRANT YEAR TWO

            Approve acceptance of funds for the School Based Mental Health Grant Year Two in the amount of $375,000.00 for the 2024-2025 school year.

E-13.   APPROVE GIRLS ON THE RUN PROGRAM - FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

            Approve Girls on the Run Program at Franklin Elementary School for grades 3-4 (April 8-June 1, 2024, from 3:20-4:15 p.m.), at no cost to the district, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-14.   Agenda item approved at March 19, 2024 worksession (affirmation HIB – JEFF #4).

E-15.   Agenda item approved at March 19, 2024 worksession (rejection of findings and to reinvestigate HIB – UHS #33).

E-16.   Agenda item approved at March 19, 2024 worksession (reinstatement of student ID #268119).

E-17.   APPROVE EMPLOYEE #12412 TO ADMINISTER ACCESS TEST

            Approve Employee #12412 to administer the ACCESS Test during the school day at the residence of Student #256679 (parent/guardian is required to be present during testing). ACCESS Testing must be completed by March 29, 2024.

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 February 29, 2024 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated February 29, 2024 be accepted.

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

F-4.      APPROVE APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS

            Approve appropriation transfers in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-5.      APPROVE LIST OF CONTRACTS/PURCHASE ORDERS

            Approve the attached list of contracts and/or purchase orders (copyrighted materials and licenses) 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 available to 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 available to each Board member.

F-7.      Agenda item approved at March 19, 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 available to each Board member.

F-8.      APPROVE LIST OF 2023-2024 STATE CONTRACT APPROVED VENDORS

            Approve the amended list of the 2023-2024 State Contract Approved 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 available to 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 available to each Board member: 

F-9B.   APPROVE FUNDRAISERS

            Approve the following fundraisers, in accordance with the information available to each Board member:

F-9C.   ACCEPT DONATIONS

            Accept the following 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 (month of March), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-11.    APPROVE CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHIATRY – EVALUATIONS

            Approve The Center for Developmental Psychiatry to provide psychiatric evaluations at the rate of $1,000.00 per evaluation and psychiatric clearance at the rate of $500.00 per clearance (not to exceed $10,000.00) for the 2023-2024 school year [Account Fund #11-000219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

Resolutions F-12 through F-18

Concern the Proposed Tentative Budget for the 2024-2025 School Year

F-12.    Agenda item approved at March 19, 2024 workession (General Fund tax levy).

F-13.    Agenda item approved at March 19, 2024 workession (Travel Expenditure Maximum).

F-14.    Agenda item approved at March 19, 2024 workession (establishing a maximum dollar limit for professional services).

F-15.    Agenda item approved at March 19, 2024 workession (Use of Excess Surplus Funds/Fund Balance).

F-16.    Agenda item approved at March 19, 2024 workession (Banked Cap).

F-17     Agenda item approved at March 19, 2024 workession (Use of Enrollment Adjustment).

F-18.    Agenda item approved at March 19, 2024 workession (Adjustment for Health Care Costs).

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

F-20.    APPROVE EARLY CHILDHOOD PRESCHOOL BUDGET – 2024-2025

            Approve resolution approving early childhood preschool budget for the 2024-2025 school year in the amount of $8,867,462.00, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

12. Legal Committee:

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

L-1.     APPROVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT – EMPLOYEE #10738

            Approve Settlement Agreement between Employee #10738 and the Township of Union Board of Education, in accordance with the non-public information available to each Board member.

L-2.     APPROVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE – STUDENT #230813

            Approve Settlement Agreement and Release for student #230813, in accordance with the non-public information available to each Board member.

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 available to each Board member.

O-2.     APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS – EMERGENT AND CAPITAL MAINTENANCE NEEDS GRANT

            Approve acceptance of funds for the Emergent and Capital Maintenance Needs Grant (NJDOE and SDA) in the amount of $183,385.00 for the 2024-2025 school year, to be used for security purposes throughout the district.

O-3.     APPROVE REQUEST FROM BRANDIN THOMPSON – UHS 

            Approve request from Brandin Thompson (UHS 2023 graduate) requesting use of Union High School to record a music video (during off school hours), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

O-4.     APPROVE RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP – NJSIG

            Approve Indemnity and Trust Agreement Resolution with New Jersey Schools Insurance Group (NJSIG) to renew members for the period July 1, 2023 through July 1, 2026, in accordance with the information available to 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 available to each Board member.

P-1B    PERSONNEL ACTIONS – EXTRA PAY

            Personnel Actions-Extra Pay be approved in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-1C    PERSONNEL ACTIONS – TRANSFERS

            Personnel Actions- Transfers be approved in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-2.      APPROVE SUBSTITUTE LISTS 

            Approve Substitute Lists for the 2023-2024 school year.

P-3A.   ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT

            Accept letters of resignation/retirement from the following staff, with regrets:

P-3B.   APPROVE LEAVES

            Approve leaves for the following staff: 

P-4.      APPROVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – DISCOVERING THE POWER OF THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM CLOUD

            Approve the professional development session, “Discovering the Power of the Creative Curriculum Cloud” to be conducted by Teaching Strategies, for district special education preschool disabled staff during the 2023-2024 school year at a cost not to exceed $2,000.00 [Account Fund 11-190-100-610-01-54-PK12], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-5.      APPROVE TERMINATION OF EMPLOYEES

            Approve Termination of Employees #12917 and #12471.

P-6.      APPROVE INCREMENT WITHHOLDING

            Approve increment withholding for Employee #13199.

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.  First reading Motion failed at March 19, 2024 worksession (Policy 5111 – Eligibility of Resident/Nonresident Students).

POL-2.  First reading Motion failed at March 19, 2024 worksession (Regulation 5111 – Eligibility of Resident/Nonresident Students).

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:

   R-2.     APPROVE REMOVAL OF STUDENT FROM ROLLS

            Approval to remove Student #351088 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.

         For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following totals are as of the February 20, 2024 Board meeting (2023-2024 school year):

17. Technology Committee:

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

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: