Executive Session/Regular Meeting - 6 p.m. - Tuesday, November 19, 2024 (Location: Township of Union, 1976 Morris Avenue (Main Meeting Room)

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Executive Session

6. Approval of Minutes:

    1.    October 8, 2024 – worksession minutes
    2.    October 8, 2024 – executive session minutes - #1 and #2
    3.    October 15, 2024 – regular meeting minutes
    4.    October 15, 2024 – executive session minutes

7. Communications:

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – HERNANDEZ
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Nelson Hernandez, head custodian-Kawameeh Middle School, effective January 1, 2025.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – CASTANEDA
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Julio Castaneda, custodian-Kawameeh Middle School, effective January 1, 2025.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – JOSEPH
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Yanick Joseph, paraprofessional-Jefferson School, effective January 1, 2025.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – TVERDOV
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Catherine Tverdov, social studies teacher-Burnet Middle School, effective December 31, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – MANCIA INTERIANO
    Letter of resignation from Cindy Mancia Interiano, World Language (Spanish) teacher-Union High School, effective December 15, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – PAREKH
    Letter of resignation from Rajeshwar Parekh, English teacher-Union High School, effective January 1, 2025.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – RIGO
    Letter of resignation from Mikaela Rigo, ESL teacher-Union High School, effective January 3, 2025.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – ROQUE
    Letter of resignation from Jennifer Roque, cafeteria/playground aid-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective October 16, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – MAYNARD
    Letter of resignation from Ashley Maynard, special education teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective January 6, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – HALL
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Shaquana Hall, custodian-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, October 31, 2024-March 24, 2025.

REQUESET FOR LEAVE – McPHERSON
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Tiffany McPherson, second grade teacher-Franklin Elementary School, January 21, 2025-June 2, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – TSAGARIS
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Lauren Tsagaris, fifth grade teacher-Jefferson School, February 4, 2025, June 24, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – BRAVETTE
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Vittoria Bravette, math teacher-Burnet Middle School, December 2, 2024-March 26, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – MATOS
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Sara Matos, business teacher-Union High School, January 16, 2025-October 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – COLEMAN
    Request for paid FMLA from Marqueta Coleman, part-time bus driver-Transportation Department, November 12, 2024-January 17, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – RAGO
    Request for paid medical leave from Ron Rago, art and music supervisor-Union High School, December 17, 2024-February 10, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – BUSALACCHI
    Request for paid FMLA from Patricia Busalacchi, café aide-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, October 23, 2024-June 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – DIONISIO
    Request for extension of FMLA leave from Nancy Dionisio, OT-Special Services-Washington and Livingston Elementary Schools, new return date September 1, 2025.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE – DERING
    Request for unpaid FMLA from Steven Dering, Physical Education teacher-Burnet Middle School, December 2, 2024-December 20, 2024 and April 22, 2025-June 20, 2025.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF LEAVE – BLASI
    Request for extension of leave update from Regina Blasi, second grade teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, new return date April 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF LEAVE – COCOCCIA
    Request for extension of paid FMLA from Laura Cococcia, science teacher-Burnet Middle School, new return date December 11, 2024.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – LILOIA
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Dana Liloia, second grade teacher-Livingston Elementary School, November 7, 2024-June 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – FIODILINO
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Maria Fiodilino, special education teacher-Burnet Middle School, September 4, 2024-June 24, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – PAPEO
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Gina Papeo, CST-Kawameeh Middle School, October 5, 2024-June 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – CORTES
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Tatiana Cortes, special education teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, October 1, 2024-June 24, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – BOYD
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Glenn Boyd, head custodian-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, October 14, 2024-October 14, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – CLASS
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Maria Class, security-Jefferson School, October 31, 2024-October 31, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – GARRAN
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Darlene Garran, CST-Washington Elementary School, November 1, 2024-May 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – D’AVANZO
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Richard D’Avanzo, teacher-Jefferson School, November 15, 2024-November 15, 2025.

8. Comments from Public (on resolutions):

9. Superintendent’s Report:

    1.    State of the Schools
    2.    Proclamation Honoring Nelson Hernandez

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 November 12, 2024 worksession (Report of HIB-October 16-November 12, 2024)

E-1A.    Agenda item adopted at November 12, 2024 (Affirm HIB-October 9-15, 2024)

E-1-1.    SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB
    Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period November 13, 2024 to November 19, 2024, in accordance with the information available to each Board member (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-1-1A.  AFFIRM SUPERINTENDENT’S DETERMINATION OF HIB
    Affirm the Superintendent’s determination of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the periods October 16, 2024 to November 12, 2024, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

SUPERINTENDENT’S DETERMINATION OF HIB – KMS #1 – 2024-2025
    The Board rejected the Superintendent’s determination of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for KMS #1, 2024-2025.

E-2.    APPROVE HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ATHLETIC PROGRAM
    Approve C.L. and N.A., middle school students, who are home schooled, to participate in middle school sports during the winter of 2024-2025 school year.

E-3.    APPROVE DONATED BOOKS FROM SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR AT CONNECTICUT FARMS – BURNET MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY
    Approve donated books from the Scholastic Book Fair at Connecticut Farms Elementary School to the Burnet Middle School Library, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-4a.    APPROVE EDS – HIBSTER ANTI-BULLYING SOFTWARE PLATFORM
    Approve Educational Development Software (EDS) – HIBster anti-bullying software platform for the 2024-2025 school year (districtwide), at a cost of $11,700.00 (paid for using the School Based Mental Health Grant #20468), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-4b.    APPROVE EDS – ASAP STUDENT ASSISTANCE SOFTWARE PLATFORM
    Approve Educational Development Software (EDS) – aSAP student assistance software platform for the 2024-2025 school year (districtwide), at a cost of $11,700.00 (paid for using the School Based Mental Health Grant #20468), in accordance with the information available to each Board member. 

E-5.    APPROVE REVISED LIST OF STAFF/BENEFITS PAID FOR USING ESEA AND/OR SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH GRANT FUNDS
    Approve revised list of district staff/benefits for the 2024-2025 school year (retract approval of salary (KH) under Title II (originally approved August 27, 2024)) to be paid for using ESEA and/or School Based Mental Health Grant Funds (removal needs to be noted per grant requirements), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-6.    APPROVE SUBMISSION – TITLE I COMPARABILITY REPORT
    Approve submission of the Title I Comparability Report in EWEG (Electronic Web Enabled Grant).

E-7.    APPROVE SUBMISSION – TITLE I PERFORMANCE REPORT
    Approve submission of the Title I Performance Report in EWEG (Electronic Web Enabled Grant).

E-8.    Agenda item adopted at November 12, 2024 worksession – Vendors-Parenting University Workshops)

E-9.    APPROVE FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    Approve The Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA) to provide professional development sessions entitled “The Evolving Role of Supervisors” for district administration throughout the 2024-2025 school year, at a cost of $7,200.00 (to be paid for using Title II funds account #8434), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-10.    APPROVE TITLE I DISTRICT PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICY
    Approve the Title I District Parent and Family Engagement Policy – 2415.04 (no changes) for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member. 

E-11.    APPROVE EDUCATION SERVICES AGREEMENT - EDUCERE
    Approve Education Services Agreement with Educere for access to virtual education programs and courses and other educational services offered by Participating Education Providers, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-12a.    APPROVE THE MAGIC IN YOU ASSEMBLY – WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    Approve The Magic in You assembly at Washington Elementary School on December 5, 2024, at a cost of $1,495.00, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-12b.    APPROVE BRAIN SHOW ASSEMBLY – WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    Approve the Brain Show assembly at Washington Elementary School on June 4, 2025, at cost of $2,250.00, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-13.    APPROVE SCHOOL PROGRAMS – KAWAMEEH MIDDLE SCHOOL
    Approve the following school programs at Kawameeh Middle School, stipends to be paid through ESEA Title IV Grant: (a) E-Sports, (b) Girls Who Code, (c) Drone program and (d) STEAM program.

E-14.    APPROVE DANIELSON FRAMEWORK
    Approve the Danielson Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-15.    APPROVE NJ PRINCIPAL EVALUATION FOR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OBSERVATION INSTRUMENT (NJPEPL)
    Approve New Jersey Principal Evaluation for Professional Learning Observation Instrument from AchieveNJ, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-16.    Agenda item adopted at November 12, 2024 worksession (QSAC District Performance Self Review/QSAC Team)
 

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 October 31, 2024 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated October 31, 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 November 12, 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 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 November), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-11.    APPROVE CONTRACT – 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-12.    APPROVE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL SECURITY INITIATIVE PROGRAM SPENDING PLAN – UCESC
    Approve the Union County Educational Services Commission (UCESC) Nonpublic School Security 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-13.    APPROVE NJDOE-JOINT TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT
    Approve the State of New Jersey – Department of Education (NJDOE) Student Transportation Unit – Joint Transportation Agreement with Delsea Regional High School District (host district) for transportation services, if needed, for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-14.    APPROVE PETTY CASH ACCOUNT INCREASE – BURNET MIDDLE SCHOOL
    Approve the increase of the petty cash account for costs associated with students’ IEP driven Community Based Instruction (CBI) for the 2024-2025 school year at Burnet Middle School from $2,200.00 to $3,400.00 due to an increase in student enrollment [Account Fund #11-212-100-610-01-19/7897].

F-15.    APPROVE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS UNIFIED GRANT
    Approve the school-based application to the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools 2024-2025 Grant, for the following school as listed below and acceptance of the award: (a) Battle Hill Elementary School - $600.00, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-16.    APPROVE SUMMIT SPEECH – CONSULTATION/EVALUATION
    Approve Summit Speech to provide audiological consultation at the rate of $250.00/hr., diagnostic report review and recommendation at the rate of $250.00, acoustic evaluation for K through 5th grade, at the rate of $550.00 and 6th through 12th grade, at the rate of $750.00 (not to exceed $1,500.00) 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-17.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF 2024 NJSIG SAFETY GRANT - $19,188.00
    Approve acceptance of the 2024 NJSIG Safety Grant in the amount of $19,188.00.

F-18.    APPROVE PRELIMINARY BUDGET CALENDAR
    Approve preliminary budget calendar, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-19.    APPROVE TO AMEND LIST OF UHS STUDENT ACTIVITY ACCOUNTS
    Approve to amend list of UHS Student Activity Accounts, to include the following: (a) Class of 2024, (b) Class of 2025, (c) Class of 2026, (d) Class of 2027, and (e) Class of 2028.

F-20.    APPROVE UPDATE TO CURRICULUM WRITER STIPEND RATE
    Approve update to curriculum stipend writer rate to $46.00/hr. for a maximum of 15 hours.

F-21.    Agenda item adopted at November 12, 2024 worksession (Graham Behavior Services-BT Services)

F-22.    APPROVE MADCREEK – PUBLIC RELATIONS 
    Approve MadCreek, LLC, a public relations company, to serve as a strategic partner for the district to enhance the reputation, to communicate effectively and to engage with parents, students, staff and community; by leveraging a combination of media relations, strategic communications, content creation and crisis management, at a cost not to exceed $15,000.00, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-23.    Agenda item adopted at November 12, 2024 worksession (use of funds-capital and maintenance reserves

F-24.    Agenda item adopted at November 12, 2024 worksession (submission to NJDOE-Emergency Project)

F-25.    Agenda item adopted at November 12, 2024 worksession (Agreements-Temporary Educational Facilities-1085 Morris Avenue)

F-Atty. For informational purposes only – vote not required.  List of legal services paid as of October 15, 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.    APPROVE CAMP INVENTION – JEFFERSON SCHOOL
    Approve Camp Invention to be held at Jefferson School the week of August 4-8, 2025 (8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m.), for all students.

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

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 ATTENDANCE AT VARIOUS MEETINGS – TRANSITION PROGRAMS

            Approve Marcy Musarra, Dana Meixner and Janine Pascucci, district teachers, to attend/visit various meetings/locations as part of our transition program, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-5.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE AT VARIOUS MEETINGS – TRANSITION PROGRAMS
    Approve Christina Shpunder, district Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant and/or Daniel Seugling, district School Psychologist, to attend/visit meetings/locations as part of our transition program, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-6.    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-7.    APPROVE UPDATED STUDENT ACTIVITES ACCOUNT SIGNATORIES
    Approve updated Student Activities Account Signatories for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-8.    APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – PRESCHOOL PART-TIME FISCAL SPECIALIST
    Approve Job Description – Preschool Part-Time Fiscal Specialist, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

15. Policy Committee:

16. Legal Committee Resolution:

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

L-1.    APPROVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
    Approve Settlement Agreement in the matter of J.W. and J.W. obo J.W. v Township of Union Board of Education, in accordance with the non-public information available to each Board member.

17. 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 FROM ROLLS

            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-2a.   REPORT OF STUDENTS VOLUNTARILY TRANSFERRED TO DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE (INVESTIGATION)

            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 the 2024-2025 school year:

R-2b.   REPORT OF STUDENTS VOLUNTARILY TRANSFERRED TO DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE (HEARING)

            For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following residency investigations and hearings were completed; and voluntarily transferred to the district of residence for the 2024-2025 school year:

            For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following totals are as of the October 15, 2024 Board meeting (2024-2025 school year):

18. 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 available to each Board member.

19. 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.

20. Unfinished Business:

21. New Business:

APPROVE TO COMMEND STAFF
Approve that the Board commend the efforts of our entire staff and administration, particularly Assistant Superintendent for Operations Marissa McKenzie, for her leadership and competence in the recent effort to establish an alternate location for the Hannah Caldwell Elementary School community at Kean University, and we express our deep confidence in her ongoing work to support and grow the success of the Township of Union Public Schools.
 

22.  Comments from Public:

23.  Executive Session:

24. Adjournment: