Executive Session/Regular Meeting - 6 p.m. - Tuesday, October 15, 2024

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Executive Session

6. Approval of Minutes:

    1.    September 10, 2024 – worksession
    2.    September 10, 2024 – executive session
    3.    September 17, 2024 – regular meeting
    4.    September 17, 2024 – executive session

7. Communications:

LETTER FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION RECREATION DEPARTMENT – JEFFERSON SCHOOL PARKING LOT 
    Letter from Superintendent of Recreation for the Township of Union requesting the use of the Jefferson School parking lot on Saturday October 19, 2024 (rain date Sunday, October 20, 2024) from 9;00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. for the Township’s annual Trunk or Treat event.

LETTER FROM UHS PTA – UHS PRACTICE FIELD
    Letter from UHS PTA requesting the use of the Union High School practice field for the Junior bonfire on Thursday, October 17, 2024 (rain date Thursday, October 24, 2024) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

LETTER FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION EDUCATION FOUNDATION – WALKWAY OF HONOR
    Letter from Township of Union Education Foundation requesting to hold a dedication ceremony at the Walkway of Honor at Union High School (outside of the North 3rd Street entrance) on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (in case of inclement weather, request is to hold ceremony inside the lobby of Union High School).
 

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – GARDNER
    Letter of resignation from Lorraine Gardner, cafeteria/playground aide-Washington Elementary School, effective September 20, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – GIASI
    Letter of resignation from Teresa Giasi, behavior technician-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective October 12, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – SORBARA    
    Letter of resignation from Giuseppe Sorbara, plumber-Buildings and Grounds Department, effective September 11, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – TOWER
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Pam Tower, special education teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, effective February 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – CAVERLY
    Request for paid medical leave from Bonnie Caverly, first grade teacher-Livingston Elementary School, January 6, 2025-March 31, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – DOWSON
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Katie Dowson, English teacher-Burnet Middle School, December 16, 2024-May 22, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – PRIETO
    Request for paid medical leave from Diana Prieto, counselor-Union High School, October 1, 2024-November 11, 2024.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – WHITEHOUSE
    Request for intermittent paid FMLA from Janet Whitehouse, teacher-Jefferson School, September 30, 2024-June 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – BOYD
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from John Boyd, carpenter-Buildings and Grounds Department, October 1, 2024-October 1, 2025.

LETTER FROM VAUXHALL HISTORICAL SOCIETY – JEFFERSON SCHOOL
    Letter from Vauxhall Historical Society requesting use of Jefferson School, the presence of the UHS ROTC to post colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance, the use of 100 chairs, a podium, a microphone and 6 tables on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to honor veterans from the Vauxhall community who have served in the military from WWI to present.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – VIGIL
    Request for unpaid FMLA leave update from Alexis Vigil, first grade teacher-Washington Elementary School, new return date February 3, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – SENKIW
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Donna Senkiw, secretary-Burnet Middle School, November 1, 2024-June 15, 2025.

REQUEST FROM UNION RAMS POP WARNER FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION – FOOTBALL FACILITY
    Request from the Union Rams Pop Warner Football Association to use the UHS football field and facility for the league playoffs on Sunday, October 20, 2024 and Sunday, October 27, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – COCOCCIA
    Request for paid FMLA from Laura Cococcia, science teacher-Burnet Middle School, October 7, 2024-November 25, 2024.
 

8. Comments from Public (on resolutions):

9. Superintendent’s Report:

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 reported at October 8, 2024 worksession (Report of HIB-September 18, 2024 to October 8, 2024).

E-1A.    AFFIRM SUPERINTENDENT’S DETERMINATION OF HIB
    Affirm the Superintendent’s determination of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the periods September 18, 2024 to October 8, 2024, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-1-1.    SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB
    Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period October 9, 2024 to October 15, 2024, in accordance with the information available to each Board member (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2.     APPROVE CURRICULUM

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

• Grades K-1, 4-12 – ELA

• Grades K-5 – Art

• Grades K-5 – Music

• Grades 2-4 – Computer Science

• Grades 6-8 – Math

• Grades 7 – Math Pre-Algebra

• Algebra 1 Math

• Statistics

• Grades 6-8 – Science

• Grade 9 – Environmental Science

• Chemistry (CP/Action)

• Chemistry (Honors)

• Grades 3-4 – Social Studies

• Dance 2

• Grade 8 -Financial Foundations

Grade K ELA

Grade 1 ELA 

Grade 4 ELA 

Grade 5 ELA 

Grade 6 ELA 

Grade 7 ELA 

Grade 8 ELA 

Grade 9 ELA

Grade 10 ELA

Grade 11 ELA 

Grade 12 ELA 

Grade K Art 

Grade 1 Art 

Grade 2 Art 

Grade 3 Art 

Grade 4 Art 

Grade 5 Art 

Grade K Music

Grade 1 Music

Grade 2 Music

Grade 3 Music

Grade 4 Music

Grade 5 Music

Grade 2 Computer Science 

Grade 3 Computer Science  

Grade 4 Computer Science 

Grade 6 Math 

Grade 7 Math  

Grade 7 Math Pre-Algebra  

Grade 8 Math 

Algebra 1 Math  

Statistics  

Grade 6 Science 

Grade 7 Science  

Grade 8 Science 

Grade 9 Environmental Science  

Chemistry (CP/Action) 

Chemistry (Honors)  

Grade 3 Social Studies

Grade 4 Social Studies

Dance 3

Grade 8 Financial Foundations

E-3.     APPROVE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIANS (AASL) DONATED BOOKS – KAWAMEEH MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY

            Approve list of donated books from American Association of School Librarians (AASL) for the Kawameeh Middle School Library, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-4.    APPROVE THOMAS RICH ASSEMBLY – PARENT PRESENTATION
    Approve Thomas Rich LLC assembly for the Township of Union Public Schools parent presentation during the 2024-2025 school year (date TBD) at a cost of $2,500.00 to be paid for using Title IV funds.

E-5.    APPROVE ESEA 2024-2025 CARRYOVER AMOUNTS AND AMEND ESEA APPLICATION/ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORTS
    Approve the ESEA 2024-2025 carryover amounts according to the final report and permission to amend the ESEA Application and Annual School Reports in EWEG: (1) Title I - $58,758.00; (2) Title ISIA - $33,439.00; (3) Title II - $8,258.00; (4) Title III - $16,838.00; (5) Title III Immigrants - $21,733.00; (6) Title IV - $11,981.00.

E-6.    APPROVE TO RE-APPLY FOR NJDOE MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING IN SCHOOL GRANTS
    Approve to re-apply for the NJDOE Mental Health Screening in Schools Grant for the 2024-2025 school year.

E-7.    Agenda item adopted at October 8, 2024 worksession (PD-Lo Logramos Consulting).

E-8.    APPROVE SCHOOL NURSING SERVICES PLAN
    Approve the 2024-2025 Nursing Services Plan, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-9.    PROCLAIM OCTOBER AS INTERNATIONAL ALPHA DELTA KAPPA MONTH
    Proclaim the month of October 2024 as International Alpha Delta Kappa Month, 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.      TREASURER’S REPORT
            That the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2024 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated September 30, 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 adopted at October 8, 2024 worksession (districtwide student field trip)

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 2024-2025 STATE CONTRACT APPROVED VENDORS
    Approve the amended list of the 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: 

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 2024-2025 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST
    Approval be given to amend the 2024-2025 out-of-district student placement list (month of October), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-11.    APPROVE MASTER COLLABORATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT – EDUCATIONAL SERVICES COMMISSION OF NEW JERSEY
    Approve the Master Collaborative Educational Services Agreement between the district and the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-12A.    APPROVE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE BUDGET AMOUNT WORKSHEET (M-1)
    Approve Annual Maintenance Budget Amount Worksheet (M-1) pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:26A, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-12B.    APPROVE COMPREHENSIVE MAINTENANCE PLAN REPORT
    Approve Comprehensive Maintenance Plan Report (FY24, budgeted FY25 and Planned FY26), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-13.    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 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-14.    APPROVE SUBMISSION OF FY 2025 IDEA GRANT AMENDMENT 1
    Approve submission of FY2025 IDEA Grant Amendment 1 to allocate the $19,109.00 unexpended nonpublic funds from the FY 2024 IDEA Grant.

F-15.    APPROVE CHILDREN’S SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL – SPEECH EVALUATION
    Approve Children’s Specialized Hospital to provide a speech evaluation at the rate of $713.00 and an occupational therapy evaluation, at the rate of $660.00 (no to exceed $1,373.00) 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-16.    Agenda item adopted at October 8, 2024 worksession (Webster Bank-Lease Purchase Loan-Boilers)

F-17.    Agenda item adopted at October 8, 2024 worksession (Bond Counsel-Wilentz Goldman & Spitzer).

F-18.    APPROVE BAYADA HOME HEALTH CARE – NURSING SERVICES
    Approve Bayada Home Health Care to provide nursing services, at the rate of $68.00/hr. for RN and $64.00/hr. for LPN (not to exceed $50,000.00) 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-Atty.    For informational purposes only – vote not required.  List of legal services paid as of September 17, 2024 for the 2024-2025 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 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the non-public information available to each Board member.

O-2.    Agenda item adopted at October 8, 2024 worksession (Trunk or Treat-Jefferson Parking Lot)

O-3.    APPROVE REQUEST FROM UHS PTA – UHS PRACTICE FIELD
    Approve request from UHSPTA to use the Union High School practice field for the Junior bonfire on Thursday, October 17, 2024 (rain date Thursday, October 24, 2024) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

Discussion Items:

O-4.    APPROVE REQUEST FROM VAUXHALL HISTORICAL SOCIETY – JEFFERSON SCHOOL
    Approve request from Vauxhall Historical Society to use of Jefferson School, the presence of the UHS ROTC to post colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance, the use of 100 chairs, a podium, a microphone and 6 tables on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to honor veterans from the Vauxhall community who have served in the military from WWI to present, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

O-5.  APPROVE REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION EDUCATION FOUNDATION – WALKWAY OF HONOR
    Approve request from Township of Union Education Foundation  to hold a dedication ceremony at the Walkway of Honor at Union High School (outside of the North 3rd Street entrance) on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (in case of inclement weather, request is to hold ceremony inside the lobby of Union High School), in accordance with the information available to each Board member..

O-6.    APPROVE REQUEST FROM UNION RAMS POP WARNER FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION – FOOTBALL FACILITY
    Approve request from the Union Rams Pop Warner Football Association to use the UHS football field and facility for the league playoffs on Sunday, October 20, 2024 and Sunday, October 27, 2024, 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.

*Pending paperwork approval.                          **teaching certificate

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 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 NO. 4
    Approve Change of Salary Class #4, effective September 1, 2024, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-6.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE AT VARIOUS MEETINGS – TRANSITION PROGRAMS
    Approve Sarah McCulloh, district School Social Worker, Natalie Mauriello, district Schol Social Worker, and/or Lauren Kohn, district teacher, to attend/visit various meetings/locations as part of our transition program, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-7.    APPROVE DISTRICT COMMUNICATION LIAISON – SPEKHARDT
    Approve William Spekhardt as the communication liaison to local law enforcement agencies for the 2024-2025 school year, at no cost to the district.

P-8.    APPROVE UPDATED STUDENT ACTIVITES ACCOUNT SIGNATORIES
    Approved updated Student Activities Account Signatories for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-9.    APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – PERSONNEL SPECIALIST
    Approve Job Description – Personnel Specialist, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-10.    APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – CAFETERIA AIDE
    Approve Job Description – Cafeteria Aide, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-11.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE – MUJC MEETINGS
    Approve Instructional Coaches Melissa Glenn, Joana Glaser, Jessica Barbieri, Bernadine Santoro, Lauren Whitford and Dana Bobertz to attend meetings at the Morris Union Jointure Commission (MUJC), at no cost to the district, for the 2024-2025 school year.

P-12.    APPROVE RESOLUTION REGARDING FITNESS FOR DUTY EXAMINATION
    Approve resolution regarding fitness for duty examination, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-13.    APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
    Approve Job Description – Associate Director of Information Technology, 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: (FINAL READING/ADOPTION)

POL-1.      POLICY 3433.1 – VACATION BLACKOUT DATES
    Approve Policy 3433.1 – Vacation Blackout Dates (Teaching Staff Members), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-2.      POLICY 4433.1 – VACATION BLACKOUT DATES
    Approve Policy 4433.1 – Vacation Blackout Dates (Support Staff Members), 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.     APPROVE TO REMOVE STUDENTS

            Approve to remove the following students from the attendance rolls as the students have been determined to be ineligible to attend the Township of Union Public Schools as a resident student:

R-2.     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:

            For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following totals are as of the September 17, 2024 Board meeting (2024-2025 school year):

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:

23. Adjournment: