Executive Session/Regular Meeting-6:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2024 of the Township of Union Board of Education, at the 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 30, 2024
1. Roll Call
2. Flag Salute
3. Mission Statement
4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement
5. Executive Session
6. Approval of Minutes:
1. June 11, 2024 – executive session
2. June 11, 2024 – worksession
3. June 25, 2024 – executive session #1 and #2
4. June 25, 2024 – regular meeting
7. Communications:
REQUEST FROM DMK SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Request from the Douglas Michael Krueger (DMK) Scholarship Fund to use the Union High School stage on Sunday, November 17, 2024, to present Union’s Got Talent 2024.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – GHAZALI
Letter of resignation from Sabine Ghazali, math teacher-Union High School, effective July 1, 2024.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – GIANNONE
Letter of resignation from Daniel Giannone, instrumental music teacher-Jefferson School, effective July 1, 2024.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – JENNINGS
Letter of resignation from Jerren Jennings, utility person-Buildings and Grounds Department, effective July 1, 2024.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – KRUPA
Letter of resignation from Victoria Krupa, 5th grade teacher-Jefferson School, effective July 1, 2024.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – PERMISON
Letter of resignation from Daiana Permison, world language (Spanish) teacher-Union High School, effective July 1, 2024
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – ALFARO-GARCIA
Letter of resignation from Ilsia Alfaro-Garcia, second shift custodian-Kawameeh Middle School, effective June 30, 2024.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – RAMEY
Letter of resignation from Joelle Ramey, math teacher-Burnet Middle School, effective September 1, 2024.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DIAZ
Letter of resignation from Romario Diaz, school counselor-Union High School, effective July 22, 2024.
LETTER OF RETIREMENT – McGUIRE
Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Nicole McGuire, special education teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective August 27, 2024.
LETTER OF RETIREMENT – YOUNG SANG-PAUL
Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Sandra Young Sang-Paul, Director of Information Technology-districtwide, effective September 1, 2024.
LETTER OF RETIREMENT – BENNETT
Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Emma Bennett, part-time bus aide-Transportation Department, effective August 1, 2024.
REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE EXTENSION – YOUNG SANG-PAUL
Request for extension of intermittent FMLA from Sandra Young Sang-Paul, IT Director, June 30, 2024 to August 31, 2024.
REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – LANG
Request for paid intermittent FMLA leave from Ann Lang, PreK teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, September 3, 2024-June 20, 2025.
REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – GUNDERSEN
Request for paid FMLA intermittent leave from Jamie Gundersen, GT teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, September 1, 2024-June 30, 2025.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE – CHARLES
Request for paid FMLA leave from Claire Charles, first grade teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, September 3, 2024-November 25, 2024.
REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – VINCENT
Request for intermittent paid FMLA leave from Jaclyn Vincent, kindergarten teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, September 2, 2024-June 20, 2025.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE – REID ANGLIN
Request for unpaid FMLA leave from Tiffany Reid Anglin, kindergarten teacher-Franklin Elementary School, June 7, 2024-June 20, 2024.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – CONNOLLY
Request for leave update from Dana Connolly, new return date September 1, 2025.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE – CHUNG
Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Bethany Chung, science teacher-Union High School, November 8, 2024-March 27, 2025.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE – O’NEILL SHEAHEN
Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Allison O’Neill Sheahen, social studies teacher-Burnet Middle School, October 1, 2024-March 7, 2025.
8. Comments from Public (on resolutions):
9. Superintendent’s Report:
1. State of the Schools
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 26, 2024 to July 30, 2024 (no incidents to report), in accordance with the information available to 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 June 12, 2024 to June 26, 2024, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-2. APPROVE BI-ANNUAL REPORT – NJDOE – HIB
Approve the Township of Union Public Schools bi-annual 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 January 2024 through June 2024, 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-3. APPROVE FIRE SAFETY HOUSE PROGRAM ASSEMBLY – WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Approve The Fire Safety House Program/Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center assembly at Washington Elementary School on October 9, 2024, with a rain date of October 10, 2024, at no cost to the district, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-4. APPROVE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM AND PLAN – 2024-2025
Approve Virtual Instruction Program and TUPS Virtual or Remote Instruction Plan and Checklist for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-5a. APPROVE DISPOSAL OF TEXTBOOKS – BATTLE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Approve disposal of textbooks (all textbooks under 10 years old will be listed on the textbook sharing website), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-5b. APPROVE DISPOSAL OF TEXTBOOKS – LIVINGSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Approve disposal of textbooks (all textbooks under 10 years old will be listed on the textbook sharing website), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-5c. APPROVE DISPOSAL OF TEXTBOOKS – WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Approve disposal of textbooks (all textbooks under 10 years old will be listed on the textbook sharing website), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-6. APPROVE CURRICULUM
Approve the following curricula: (a) Grade K Social Studies, (b) Grade 1 Social Studies, (c) Grade 6 Social Studies, (d) Grade 7 Social Studies, (e) Trends in Politics, (f) Music Applications and Technology, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-7a. APPROVE BOOK DONATION - CONNECTICUT FARMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Approve donated book by author to the Connecticut Farms Elementary School Library, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-7b. APPROVE BOOK DONATION – BURNET MIDDLE SCHOOL
Approve donated books to the Burnet Middle School Library, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-7c. APPROVE BOOK DONATION – BATTLE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Approve donated books to the Battle Hill Elementary School Library, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-8. APPROVE TO ACCEPT FUNDS AND APPLICATION SUBMISSION – ESEA
Approve to accept ESEA funds 2024-2025 breakdown and approve ESEA application submission:
Title I (UHS, BMS, Jefferson, Franklin |
$1,050,689.00 |
Title I SIA (UHS, Jefferson) |
$125,000.00 |
Title II |
$182,473.00 |
Title III |
$74,404.00 |
Title III Immigrant |
$20,203.00 |
Title V |
$72,950.00 |
E-9. APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS – LOCAL RECREATION IMPROVEMENT
Approve to accept the grant funds in the amount of $67,000.00 for the Local Recreation Improvement to purchase flooring and fencing at Washington Elementary School playground, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-10. APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS – RACKSPACE FOUNDATION GRANT
Approve to accept the grant funds in the amount of $25,000 from the Rackspace Foundation Grant to purchase technology and STEM related items within the district and the work-based learning program at Union High School.
E-11. APPROVE AFFILIATION AGREEMENTS WITH KEAN UNIVERSITY – SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH GRANT
Approve School Based Mental Health Grant Affiliation Agreements with Kean University for the School Psychology Externs placed in the district for the Fall 2024 semester, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-12. APPROVE REFUSAL OF PERKINS FUNDS
Approve refusal of Perkins funds for the 2024-2025 school year based on the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) criteria.
E-13. APPROVE VARSITY TUTORS – DEMAND TUTORING
Approve Varsity Tutors for all district students (grades K-12) to receive 24/7 on demand tutoring, at no cost to the district, from September 1, 2024-June 30, 2030, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-14. APPROVE INLINGUA – TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES
Approve Inlingua to provide translation and interpretation services to the district from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025, to be paid for using Title III Immigrant Funds (not to exceed $15,000.00), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-15. APPROVE CENTRAL REACH (SILAS)
Approve Central Reach (SILAS), a districtwide platform that will provide curriculum, training, screeners and movie creator to aid in teaching social emotional learning in schools for the 2024-2025 school year at a cost of $18,000.00 (to be paid for using School Based Mental Health Grant #20301), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
E-16. APPROVE COORDINATION OF GRADUATE LEVEL SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY EXTERNS – KEAN UNIVERSITY
Approve coordination of graduate level School Psychology Externs from Kean University, as part of the requirement of the School Based Mental Health Grant Award for the 2024-2025 school year. All salaries will be paid for using School Based Mental Health Grant Award and approved by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) (extern schedule will run from September 16, 2024 through December 20, 2024 for the fall semester:
- Kean University Intern Advisor – SBMH Grant Account Ext. 8640 (not to exceed $10,500.00) – Dr. Aaron A. Gubi
- Kean University School Psychology Externships, SBMH Grant Account Ext. 8638 (not to exceed $7,875 each): (a) Nichole Data, (b) Amanda C. Nunes, (c) Kenny Cammilleri, (d) Kyle Cammilleri, (e) Fiorella Quezada Martinez, (f) Alyssa Thompson, (g) Theresa Williams
All pending district fingerprinting and background check prior to start date.
E-17. APPROVE PARTNERSHIP WITH GOMO EDUCATIONAL SERVICES – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Approve partnership with GOMO Educational Services to provide staff and administrator professional development throughout the 2024-2025 school year, in the amount of $8,500.00 (to be paid for using Title II funds #20-270-200-300-01-20), in accordance with the information available to 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. PRELIMINARY TREASURER’S REPORT
That the Preliminary Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2024 be accepted.
F-2. PRELIMINARY SECRETARY’S REPORT
That the Preliminary Secretary’s Report dated June 30, 2024 be accepted.
F-3. CERTIFY PRELIMINARY 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. 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 2024-2025 STATE CONTRACT APPROVED VENDORS
Approve the list of 2024-2025 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:
School |
Account/Department |
Vendor/Description |
Amount |
Burnet Middle School |
2018 |
Township of Union Board of Education – transfer Chromebook fines |
$2,600.00 |
Kawameeh Middle School |
5/Administration |
Township of Union Board of Education – Chromebook fines – September 2023-June 2024 |
$2,000.00 (not to exceed) |
Kawameeh Middle School |
35/Administration |
Villani Bus Company-6th grade field trip to Museum of Natural History on 6/6/2024 |
$5,940.00 |
Union High School |
2077/Theatre |
Concord Theatricals – performance rights and materials for fall production |
$5,000.00 (not to exceed) |
Union High School |
2045/Music |
Champion Tours & Events – deposit for 2025 trip to Orlando |
$30,000.00 (not to exceed) |
Union High School |
3290/Athletics |
Worlds Finest Chocolate – estimate for girls’ field hockey chocolate fundraiser |
$1,008.00 |
F-9B. APPROVE FUNDRAISERS
Approve the following fundraisers, in accordance with the information available to each Board member:
Event Name |
Date |
Purpose |
Snack Sales, Field Day, Community Events |
September 5, 2024-June 19, 2025 |
Burnet Middle School/Student Council – to raise funds for club initiatives and community service projects |
Snack Sales |
September 15-October 15, 2024 |
UHS/girls’ soccer-to raise funds for senior night gifts |
Clothing Sale/R&D Promotions |
September1-15, 2024 |
UHS/girls’ soccer – to raise funds for awards, team breakfast and end of year party |
Chocolate Sales |
September 2-October 2, 2024 |
UHS/field hockey – to raise funds for UHS field hockey team |
Blast Athletics |
August 1-October 1, 2024 |
UHS/Football – to raise funds for football program |
Snack Sale |
September 1, 2024-June 30, 2024 |
UHS/Key Club – to raise funds for annual convention |
Ice Cream Social |
September 1-October 31, 2024 |
UHS/Key Club – to raise funds for annual convention |
Bake Sale |
September 1, 2024-June 30, 2025 |
UHS/Key Club – to raise funds for annual convention |
Halloween Candy-Goody Bags |
October 1-31, 2024 |
UHS/Key Club – to raise funds for annual convention |
Car wash |
August 11, 2024 |
UHSPAC – to raise funds for 2024/2025 production |
Candy Sale |
September 1, 2024-June 1, 2025 |
UHS/chorus/band/UHSPAC/Advanced Musical Theatre – to raise funds for 2024/2025 productions, 2025 competition trip and student-directed production |
ShopRaise |
September 1, 2024-June 1, 2025 |
UHS/chorus/band/UHSPAC, Advanced Musical Theatre – to raise funds for 2024/2025 production, 2025 competition trip and student-directed production |
Blast Fundraiser |
August 1, 2024-April 1, 2025 |
UHS/chorus/band/UHSPAC – to raise funds for 2025 competition trip and 2024/2025 productions |
Popcorn Sale |
September 1-December 1, 2024 |
UHS/chorus/band/UHSPAC – to raise funds for 2024/2025 productions and 2025 competition trip |
Donors Choose |
September 1, 2024-August 30, 2025 |
UHS/self-contained/WBL program – to raise funds for items needed for program |
Snack and Water Sales |
September 5, 2024-June 30, 2025 |
UHS/Unified Club, SONJ Club, Club TESSLO – to raise funds for unified activities, special Olympics |
Thanks4giving Cool School Challenge Dash and Splash |
September 5, 2024-November 27, 2024 |
UHS/Unified Club, SONJ Club, Club TESSLO – to raise funds for Unified Club and SONJ |
Spirit Wear Sales |
September 5, 2024-June 30, 2025 |
UHS/Unified Club, SONJ Club, Club TESSLO – to raise funds for unified program and activities, Special Olympics |
Stop the Bleed (updated) |
Ongoing |
Union Township “Safe Schools” Sponsorship – seeking sponsors to equip district buses with life-saving STOP the BLEED belts. |
F-9C. ACCEPT DONATIONS
Accept the following donations:
From |
For Use By |
$/Item |
Union County for Kids Dig in Garden |
Hannah Caldwell Elementary School |
$250.00 |
Shutterfly, LLC |
Hannah Caldwell Elementary School |
$934.74 |
Wells Fargo – Fekete, M. Mem Edu Scholarship Fund |
Township of Union Board of Education for the Margaret Fekete Senior Scholarship Award |
$60,000.00 |
F-10A. 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 June), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
F-10B. APPROVE 2024-2025 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST
Approval be given to amend the 2023-2024 out-of-district student placement list (month of July), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
F-11. 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 available to each Board member.
F-12. APPROVE TRAVEL AND RELATED EXPENSES
Approve travel and related expenses pursuant to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:11-12, N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-5.8, 5.9 for the (a) NJSBA Workshop Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey (October 21-24, 2024) for Board members and Central Office Administration for Gerry Benaquista, Superintendent, Marissa McKenzie, Assistant Superintendent, Jose Rodriguez, Assistant Superintendent, Chastity Santana, Board President, Dicxiana Carbonell, Board Vice President, Elsie Conteh-Mackey, Kim Scott-Hayden, Nancy Minneci, Ronnie McDowell, Greg Nasta, Michael Cohan and Mary Lynn Williams (Board members), and Yolanda Koon, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, and (b) AASPA Annual Conference (American Association of School Personnel Administrators) in Seattle, Washington (October 15-18, 2024) for Marissa McKenzie and Vincent Rettino.
F-13. APPROVE TUITION AGREEMENT – UCVTS
Approve Tuition Agreement with the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools (UCVTS) for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
F-14. APPROVE PARENT/PUPIL TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT – 2024-2025
Approve parent/pupil transportation contract for special education student attending Somerset Academy at the rate of $58.96 per day (not to exceed $12,382.00) for the 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the non-public information available to each Board member.
F-15. 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 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the non-public information available to each Board member.
F-16. APPROVE PETTY CASH ACCOUNT – UHS FARMER’S CAFÉ
Approve 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 costs associated with students’ IEP driven Work Based Learning (WBL) for the 2024-2025 school year [Account Fund #11-212-100-6100-01-19-CAFÉ-050/20305].
F-17. APPROVE PETTY CASH ACCOUNT – CBI
Approve petty cash account for costs associated with students’ IEP driven Community Based Instruction (CBI) for the 2024-2025 school year at the following schools: (a) Burnet Middle School - $2,200.00; (b) Kawameeh Middle School - $1,200.00; (c) Union High School - $9,600.00.
F-18. APPROVE APPLICATION – CHILD ASSAULT PREVENTION PROGRAM
Approve application for the Child Assault Prevention Program for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
F-19. APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF SFY 2025 IDEA-B GRANT
Approve acceptance of the SFY 2025 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act-B (IDEA-B) grant for 2024-2025 school year as follows: (a) Basic - $2,198,377.00 and (b) Preschool - $65,158.00.
F-20. APPROVE CHILDREN SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL – THERAPY/SERVICES
Approve Children Specialized Hospital School Services to provide speech therapy - $94.00/hr., OT services - $89.70/hr. and PT services - $89.70/hr. for the 2024-2025 school year (not to exceed $150,000.00 [Account Fund #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
F-21. APPROVE SPEECH AND HEARING ASSOCIATES – EVALUATION
Approve Speech and Hearing Associates to provide central auditory processing evaluation with report (includes comprehensive peripheral audiological evaluation) at the rate of $700.00 per evaluation (not to exceed $2,100.00) for the 2024-2025 school year [Account Fund #11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
F-22. APPROVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES COMMISSION OF NEW JERSEY – BEDSIDE INSTRUCTION
Approve teachers employed through The Educational Services Commission of New Jersey to provide bedside instruction for district students at Children’s Specialized Hospital on an “as needed” basis for the 2024-2025 school year, in an amount not to exceed $4,000.00 [Account Fund #7693-11-150-100-320-01-19], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
F-23. APPROVE BROOKFIELD SCHOOLS – BEDSIDE INSTRUCTION
Approve teachers employed through Brookfield Schools to provide bedside instruction for district students on an “as needed” basis for the 2024-2025 school year, in an amount not to exceed $3,000.00 {Account Fund #7693-11-150-100-320-01-19], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
F-24. APPROVE OUR HOUSE – COMMUNITY-BASED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Approve Our House, Inc. to provide community-based employment services to district students for the 2024-2025 school year, in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00 [Account Fund #7043/11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
F-25. APPROVE KID CLAN – EVALUATIONS
Approve Kid Clan for the following services: (a) OT evaluation - $375.00, (b) PT evaluation - $375.00, (c) monolingual speech - $375.00, (d) monolingual social - $360.00, (e) monolingual educational - $400.00, (f) monolingual psychological - $400.00, (g) bilingual speech - $475.00, (h) bilingual social - $410.00; (i) bilingual educational - $475.00, (j) bilingual psychological - $475.00, for the 2024-2025 school year (not to exceed $15,000.00) [Account Fund #11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
F-26. APPROVE SUMMIT SPEECH – SERVICES
Approve Summit Speech to provide Itinerant teacher of the Deaf and consultative services, at the rate of $225.00/hr. (not to exceed $2,000.00) for the 2024-2025 school year [Account Fund #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
F-27. APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR NONPUBLIC ESEA TITLE I – UCESC
Approve Resolution and Agreement for Nonpublic School ESEA Title I with the Union County Education Services Commission (UCESC) for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
F-28. ACCEPT RFP 25-02 PROPOSAL AND APPROVE CONTRACT – MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING IN SCHOOLS GRANT
Accept and approve RFP 25-02 proposal and contract with The Family Center at Montclair LLC for Mental Health Screening in Schools Grant from August 1, 2024-December 31, 2024 to provide depression screening and intervention services to students in grades 7-12 (in the amount based on one of four tiers not to exceed $73,340.00 per the RFP application).
F-29. To be voted on after executive session - accept Bid No. FY25-01 and approve contract with United Academy of Union-Hamilton Building Facility.
F-30. 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.
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 available to each Board member.
O-2. APPROVE SCHOOL SECURITY DRILL STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE
Approve School Security Drill Statement of Assurance for the 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
O-3. APPROVE RESOLUTION APPOINTING SPIEZLE ARCHITECTURAL GROUP INC.
WHEREAS, the Township of Union Board of Education has determined that it has a need for professional architectural services; and
WHEREAS, Spiezle Architectural Group Inc. has submitted a proposal to provide architectural services and the Board has determined that it is in its best interests to award a contract for such services to Spiezle Architectural Group Inc.;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Township of Union Board of Education hereby awards a contract for professional services to Spiezle Architectural Group Inc. for the period commencing July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025, in the amounts set forth in its proposal available to each Board member.
O-4. APPROVE REQUEST FROM DMK SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Approve request from the Douglas Michael Krueger (DMK) Scholarship Fund and Township of Union to use the Union High School stage on Saturday, November 16, 2024 (8 a.m.-2 p.m.) for rehearsal and Sunday, November 17, 2024 (8 a.m.- 9 p.m.), to present Union’s Got Talent 2024 (requesting all fees be waived) (Certificate of Insurance to be provided by Township), 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 2024-2025 school year.
Name |
Position |
Rate |
Paul Hopaluk |
Sub-custodian |
$16.00/hr. |
Mosaed R. Repeat |
Sub-custodian |
$16.00/hr. |
Charleze Fernandez |
Sub teacher |
$140.00/day |
Jessica Calado |
Sub teacher |
$140.00/day |
P-3A. ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT
Accept letters of resignation/retirement from the following staff, with regrets:
Name |
Position |
Location |
Eff. Date |
Reason |
Sabine Ghazali |
Math teacher |
UHS |
7/1/2024 |
Resignation |
Daniel Giannone |
Instrumental music teacher |
Jefferson |
7/1/2024 |
Resignation |
Jerren Jennings |
Utility person |
Building and Grounds Dept |
7/1/2024 |
Resignation |
Victoria Krupa |
5th grade teacher |
Jefferson |
7/1/2024 |
Resignation |
Daiana Permison |
World languages (Spanish) teacher |
UHS |
7/1/2024 |
Resignation |
Nicole McGuire |
Special ed teacher |
Battle Hill |
8/27/2024 |
Retirement |
Sandra Young Sang-Paul |
Director of IT |
Districtwide |
9/1/2024 |
Retirement |
Ilsia Alfaro-Garcia |
2nd shift custodian |
KMS |
6/30/2024 |
Resignation |
Joelle Ramey |
Math teacher |
BMS |
9/1/2024 |
Resignation |
Emma Bennett |
PT bus aide |
Transportation Dept |
8/1/2024 |
Retirement |
Romario Diaz |
School Counselor |
UHS |
7/22/2024 |
Resignation |
P-3B. APPROVE LEAVES
Approve leaves for the following staff:
Name |
Position |
Location |
Leave Dates |
Leave Type |
Sandra Young Sang-Paul |
IT Director |
Districtwide |
Intermittent 6/30/2024-8/31/2024 |
Extension of intermittent FMLA |
Ann Lang |
PreK teacher |
Battle Hill |
9/3/2024-6/20/2025 |
Paid intermittent FMLA leave |
Jamie Gundersen |
GT teacher |
Connecticut Farms |
98/1/2024-65/30/2025 |
Paid FMLA intermittent leave |
Claire Charles |
1st grade teacher |
Hannah Caldwell |
9/3/2024-11/25/2024 |
Paid FMLA leave |
Jaclyn Vincent |
Kindergarten teacher |
Connecticut Farms |
Intermittent - 9/2/2024-6/20/2025 |
Intermittent paid FMLA leave |
Tiffany Reid Anglin |
Kindergarten teacher |
Franklin |
6/7/2024-6/20/2024 |
Unpaid FMLA leave |
Dana Connolly |
|
|
New return date 9/1/2025 |
Change of return date |
Bethany Chung |
Science teacher |
UHS |
11/8/2024-3/27/2025 |
Paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA |
Allison O’Neill Sheaahen |
Social studies teacher |
BMS |
10/1/2024-3/7/2025 |
Paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA |
P-4. APPROVE STUDENT TEACHERS AND INTERNSHIPS
Approve student teachers and internships for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
P-5. APPROVE CHANGE OF SALARY CLASS – EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 2024
Approve Change of Salary Class (effective September 2024), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
P-6. APPROVE DESIGNEES – STUDENT ACTIVITIES ACCOUNT
Approve designees for the Student Activities Accounts for the 2024-2025 school year for Union High School, Kawameeh Middle School, Burnet Middle School Jefferson School, Battle Hill Elementary School, Connecticut Farms Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School, Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, Livingston Elementary School and Washington Elementary School, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
P-7. APPROVE CARE STATION – EMPLOYEE PHYSICALS
Approve Care Station to perform employee physicals for the 2024-2025 school year [Account #11-000-213-330-01-54-0060].
P-8. APPROVE CITYMD URGENT CARE – EMPLOYEE PHYSICALS
Approve CityMD Urgent Care to perform employee physicals for the 2024-2025 school year [Account #11-000-213-330-01-54-0060].
P-9. APPROVE ATTENDANCE – TOWNSHIP ADA MEETINGS
Approve Kim Conti, Director of Special Services, to attend the Township of Union ADA meetings, at no cost to the district (July 1, 2024-December 30, 2024).
P-10. APPROVE ATTENDANCE – UCASE MEETINGS
Approve Kim Conti, Director of Special Services, to attend Union County Administrators of Special Education (UCASE) meetings (not to exceed $75.00 for membership dues) for the 2024-2025 school year [Account Fund #11-000-219-890-01-19].
P-11. APPROVE ATTENDANCE – MUJC MEETINGS
Approve Kim Conti, Director of Special Services, Joseph Seugling, Supervisor of Special Services and Christopher Carew, Supervisor of Special Services, to attend meetings at the Morris Union Jointure Commission (MUJC), at no cost to the district, for the school year 2024-2025.
P-12. APPROVE 2024-2025 HOURLY RATES LIST
Approve 2024-2025 Hourly Rates List, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
P-13. APPROVE TO AMEND AND CHANGE PAYMENT ACCOUNT
Approve to amend and change payment account as follows:
Name |
Location |
Account Name |
Account # |
Amount |
Jada Nyarko |
UHS/Lab |
ARP ESSER |
20-488-100-100-01-20 |
$20,198.19 |
P-14. APPROVE RECOGNITION OF THE 2023-2024 RETIREES:
Approve recognition of the 2023-2024 retirees of the Township of Union Board of Education, in accordance with the information available to each Board member:
|
|
P-15. ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF EVALUATION – DR. BENAQUISTA
Acknowledge receipt of Superintendent Evaluation from Board to Dr. Benaquista (no vote required; for informational purposes only).
P-16. APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – CHIEF INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Approve Job Description for Chief Information & Technology Officer, in accordance with the information available to 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: (FIRST READING)
POL-1. REGULATION 2624 – GRADING SYSTEM
Approve Regulation 2624 – Grading System, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
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
(a) 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 |
#276586 |
Union High School – 9th grade |
#266576 |
Union High School – 10th grade |
#256626 |
Union High School – 11th grade |
#278367 |
Union High School – 9th grade |
#304021 |
Kawameeh Middle School – 6th grade |
#340605 |
Franklin Elementary School – 2nd grade |
#286030 |
Burnet Middle School – 8th grade |
#280790 |
Burnet Middle School – 8th grade |
#310542 |
Jefferson School – 5th grade |
#280578 |
Burnet Middle School – 8th grade |
(b) For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following residency investigations and hearings were completed; and the listed students voluntarily transferred to the district of residence:
Student No. |
School |
#281044 |
Kawameeh Middle School – 8th grade |
#320571 |
Franklin Elementary School – 4th grade |
For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following totals are as of the June 25, 2024 Board meeting (2023-2024 school year):
Students Removed: |
12 |
Students Voluntarily Transferred: |
39 |
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 Public:
22. Executive Session
APPROVE AFFIRMATION OF HIB – KMS #19
Approve to affirm HIB – KMS #19 (for school year 2023-2024).
F-29. APPROVE RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT BID AND APPROVE CONTRACT WITH UNITED ACADEMY OF UNION – LEASE OF HAMILTON BUILDING FACILITY
Approve resolution to accept Bid No. FY-25-01 and approve contract with United Academy of Union for the lease of Hamilton Building Facility, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
APPROVE REIMBURSEMENT TO PARENT - ESY COSTS FOR WILSON READING INSTRUCTIONS
Approve ESY costs for private Wilson Reading Instruction reimbursement to parent(s) for out of pocket expenses for July/August 2024 not to exceed $2,500 subject to receipt and approval of necessary proofs of payment and any necessary paperwork required by the Board’s Business Office.