Executive Session/Regular Meeting, 6 p.m.-Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at Town Hall, 1976 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Executive Session

6. Approval of Minutes:

    1. February 1, 2025 – special meeting/retreat
    2. February 1, 2025 – executive session
    3. February 11, 2025 – worksession
    4. February 11, 2025 – executive session
    5. February 13, 2025 – special meeting/meet and greet with PTA
    6. February 18, 2025 – regular meeting
    7. February 18, 2025 – executive session

7. Communications:

EMPLOYMENT SEPARATION – GILMARTIN
    Employment separation from Kathleen Gilmartin, 12-month secretary-Special Services Department, effective January 3, 2025.

EMPLOYMENT SEPARATION – ROSS
    Employment separation from Loetia Ross, long-term substitute security officer-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, effective December 20, 2024.

EMPLOYMENT SEPARATION – STROUP
    Employment separation from Daniel Stroup, electrician-Buildings and Grounds Department, effective January 21, 2 025.

EMPLOYMENT SEPARATION – WEST
    Employment separation from Candace West, bus aide-Transportation Department, effective January 6, 2025.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – FERRETTI
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Cynthia Ferretti, 2nd grade teacher-Washington Elementary School, effective July 1, 2025.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – HUFF
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Heidi Huff, kindergarten teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, effective July 1, 2025.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – GONZALEZ
    Letter of resignation from Celese Gonzalez, bus driver-Transportation Department, effective February 26, 2025.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – HAVYAR
    Letter of resignation from Amanda Havyar, RTI teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective April 22, 2025.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – PENA
    Letter of resignation from Jennifer Pena, kindergarten teacher-Washington Elementary School, effective April 14, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – LANGLEY
    Request for leave update from Brittany Langley, speech specialist-Kawameeh Middle School, new return date September 1, 2027.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – TRAMUTA
    Request for leave update from Janette Tramuta, school counselor-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, new return date May 29, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – BURD
    Request for leave update from Diana Burd, special education teacher-Jefferson School, new return date November 3, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – BRAVETTE
    Request for leave update from Victoria Bravette, math teacher-Burnet Middle School, new return date June 2, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – HALL
    Request for leave update from Shaquana Hall, custodian-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, new return date June 30, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – GARCIA
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Ashley Garcia, 5th grade teacher-Jefferson School, May 27, 2025-June 4, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – GUERRA DaSILVA
    Request for paid FMLA from Janine Guerra DaSilva, 2nd grade teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, April 2, 2025-May 2, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – MYERS
    Request for unpaid FMLA leave from Stephen Myers, music teacher-Burnet Middle School, March 10-31, 2025, April 1-4, 2025, April 21-30, 2025, May 1-2, 2025, and June 2-7, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – FIORDILINO
    Request for paid medical leave from Maria Fiordilino, resource teacher-Burnet Middle School, February 24, 2025-March 14, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – GABRIEL
    Request for paid FMLA from Ana Gabriel, teacher-Jefferson School, March 6, 2025-April 6, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – MENONI
    Request for paid medical leave from Russell Menoni, PE teacher-Washington Elementary School, March 7, 2025-April 11, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MATEO
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Susanna Mateo, secretary-Burnet Middle School, February 24, 2025-June 30, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – WHITEMAN-LAND
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Michaela Whiteman-Land, CST-Union High School, May 12, 2025-June 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – DUBE
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Heather Dube, PE teacher-Union High School, March 4, 2025-March 4, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – KROM
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Jennifer Krom, PreK teacher-Hannah Caldwell and Franklin Elementary Schools, April 21, 2025-April 21, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – DAGENE-RITTER
    Request for paid FMLA from Astride Dagene-Ritter, LDTC-Union High School, April 22, 2025-May 5, 2025.

8. Comments from Public (on resolutions):

9. Superintendent’s Report:

    1.    State of the Schools
    2.    Presentation – Washington and Jefferson Elementary Schools
    3.    Student Board Representative – Ayana Josaphat

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-1A.  Agenda item affirmed March 11, 2025 worksession (Determination of HIB – February 12-18, 2025).

E-1.    SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB
    Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period March 12, 2025 to March 18, 2025, 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 February 19, 2025 to March 11, 2025, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-2.    APPROVE UP THE BAR - FAMILY WORKSHOP EVENT
    Approve Up the Bar to provide a Family Workshop Event entitled “Learning Together: Simple, Fun Ways to Boost Your Child’s Success” for multilingual learners and their families at a cost of $1,500.00 (to be paid for using Title III funds-account #20095), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-3.    APPROVE TO AMEND UHS SUMMER DATES – CREDIT RECOVERY PROGRAM
    Approve to amend Union High School summer dates for the Credit Recovery Program to reflect July 1-August 4, 2025.

E-4.    UHS LONG-TERM SUSPENSION – HOME INSTRUCTION
    Approve to continue home instruction for the following Union High School students on long-term suspension: (a) Student #266593 and (b) Student #266641.

E-5.    APPROVE MAKE-UP DAYS FOR HANNAH CALDWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    Approve the following make-up days for Hannah Caldwell Elementary School: March 31, 2025, June 10, 2025 and June 19, 2025.

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 28, 2025] be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated February 28, 2025 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 DISTRICTWIDE TRAVEL AND RELATED EXPENSES
    Approve districtwide 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 March 11, 2025 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 March 2025), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-11.    APPROVE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL SECURITY AND TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE PROGRAM SPENDING PLANS - UCESC
    Approve the Union County Educational Services Commission (UCESC) Nonpublic School Security and Technology Initiative Program spending plans for United Academy of Union located within the district for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board members.

F-12.    APPROVE PARTICIPATION IN COORDINATED TRANSPORTATION – WARREN COUNTY SPECIAL SERVICES SCHOOL DISTRICT
    Approve resolution for participation in coordinated transportation with the Warren County Special Services School District for the 2025-2026 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-13.    APPROVE NORTH JERSEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES – BEHAVIOR SERVICES
    Approve North Jersey Behavioral Health Services (dba Capstone Center) to provide applied behavior services to a district student at a cost not to exceed $156,600.00 for the 2024-2025 school year [Account Fund #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the non-public information available to each Board member.

F-14.    APPROVE NORTH JERSEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES – BEHAVIOR SERVICES
    Approve North Jersey Behavioral Health Services (dba Capstone Center) to provide applied behavior services to a district student at a cost not to exceed $87,600.00 for the 2024-2025 school year [Account Fund #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the non-public information available to each Board member.

F-15.    APPROVE SUCCESS ON THE SPECTRUM – IN SCHOOL BEHAVIOR ANALYST SERVICE
    Approve Success on the Spectrum (SOS) for in-school behavior analyst services to include: (a) consultative services as related to social/emotional behaviors, (b) conduct functional behavior assessments, (c) write behavior intervention plans, (d) IEP services, and (e) meetings/consultation with parents related to student progress, at the rate of $124.00 per hour (not to exceed $25,000) 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-16.    APPROVE PARENT/PUPIL TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT – 2024-2025
    Approve parent/pupil transportation contract for a special education student attending DLC Warren at the rate of $49.00 per day (not to exceed $5,390.00) for the period January 27, 2025-June 30, 2025, in accordance with the non-public information available to each Board member.

F-17    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF ADDITIONAL GRANT AGREEMENT – NJDOE/FINANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
    Approve acceptance of $2,000,000 Building Infrastructure Grant Agreement (717-20250032) with the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE)/Finance and Business Services.

F-ATTY. For informational purposes only – vote not required.  List of legal services paid as of February 18, 2025 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

Resolutions F-18 through F-24
Concern the Proposed Tentative Budget for the 2025-2026 School Year

    The Superintendent recommends approval to adopt the Tentative Budget for FY 2025-2026:

F-18.    APPROVE GENERAL FUND TAX LEVY – TENTATIVE BUDGET
    Approve the General Fund tax levy of $109,576,551.86 in the 2025-2026 school year.

F-19.    APPROVE TRAVEL AND RELATED EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
    Approve Travel and Related Expense Reimbursement (not to exceed $85,000.00) for the 2025-2026 school year.

F-20.    APPROVE ESTABLISHING A MAXIMUM DOLLAR LIMIT – PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 
    Approve establishing a maximum dollar limit for professional services $4,661,284.00 for the 2025-2026 school year.

F-21.    APPROVE USE OF EXCESS SURPLUS FUNDS/FUND BALANCE
    Approve the Board of Education to include in the General Fund Budget $2,497,298.00 of the Board of Education’s excess surplus funds $1,500,000.00 and additional fund balance $997,298.00 (@ 6/30/24 per audit) to help close budget gap.

F-22    APPROVE USE OF ENROLLMENT ADJUSTMENT
    Approve in the tentative budget the adjustment for enrollment in the amount of $39,645.00 in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-15.3.  The district has fully exhausted all eligible statutory spending authority.  The adjustment will be used for instructional supplies and will complete this by June 30, 2026, and acknowledges that it cannot be deferred or incrementally completed over a longer period of time.

F-23.    APPROVE ADJUSTMENT FOR HEALTH CARE COSTS
    Approve in the tentative budget the adjustment for increased costs of health benefits in the amount of $1,391.538.00.  The additional funds will be used to pay for the additional increases in health benefit premiums.

F-24.    APPROVE EARLY CHILDHOOD PRESCHOOL BUDGET – 2025-2026
    Approve the resolution approving the early childhood preschool budget for the 2025-2026 school year in the amount of $9,853,762.00, 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 REQUEST TO USE UHS AUDITORIUM
    Approve request from Living Word Church, Union, New Jersey to use UHS Auditorium on Sunday, April 20, 2025, from approximately 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., together with two custodian and one audio/visual person.  Certificate of Insurance provided; Hold Harmless Agreement to be provided.

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.    Agenda item approved March 11, 2025 worksession (substitute lists).

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 ATTENDANCE AT AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION
    Approve Marissa McKenzie, Assistant Superintendent, and Vincent Rettino, Director of Personnel, to attend the American Association of School Personnel Administration (AASPA) 2025 Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee (October 6-10, 2025) for a total cost not to exceed $8,000.00.

15A. Policy Committee:

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Policy Committee presents the following policy(ies) for the Board’s consideration: (FIRST READING/ADOPTION) 

POL-1.  Agenda item approved March 11, 2025 worksession (Policy 0155 – Board Committees).

POL-2.  Agenda item approved March 11, 2025 worksession (Policy 7510 – Use of School Facilities).

POL-3.  Agenda item approved March 11, 2025 worksession (Regulation 7510 – Use of School Facilities).

15B. 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-4.  POLICY 0141 – BOARD MEMBER NUMBER AND TERM
    Approve Policy 0141 – Board Member Number and Term, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-5. POLICY 2200 – CURRICULUM CONTENT (M)
    Approve Policy 2200 – Curriculum Content, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-6. POLICY 3160 – PHYSICAL EXAMINATION (M)
    Approve Policy 3160 – Physical Examination (teaching staff), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-7. POLICY 4160 – PHYSICAL EXAMINATION (M)
    Approve Policy 4160 – Physical Examination (support staff), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-8. POLICY 5337 – SERVICE ANIMALS
    Approve Policy 5337 – Service Animals, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
 

POL-9. POLICY 5350 – STUDENT SUICIDE PREVENTION (M)
    Approve Policy 5350 – Student Suicide Prevention, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-10. POLICY 8420 – EMERGENCY AND CRISIS SITUATIONS (M)
    Approve Policy 8420 – Emergency and Crisis Situations, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-11. POLICY 8467 – FIREARMS AND WEAPONS (M)
    Approve Policy 8467 – Firearms and Weapons, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-12. POLICY 9181 – VOLUNTEER ATHLETIC COACHES AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY ADVISORS/ASSISTANTS
    Approve Policy 9181 – Volunteer Athletic Coaches and Co-Curricular Activity Advisors/Assistants.

POL-13. REGULATION 3160 - PHYSICAL EXAMINATION (M)
    Approve Regulation 3160 – Physical Examination (teaching staff), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-14. REGULATION 4160 – PHYSICAL EXAMINATION (M)
    Approve Regulation 4160 – Physical Examination (support staff), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-15. REGULATION 5200 – ATTENDANCE (M)
    Approve Regulation 5200 – Attendance, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-16. REGULATION 8467 – FIREARMS AND WEAPONS (M)
    Approve Regulation 8467 – Firearms and Weapons, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-17.  ABOLISH – POLICY 0164.6 – REMOTE PUBLIC BOARD MEETINGS DURING A DELCARED EMERGENCY (M)
    Abolish Policy 0164.6 – Remote Public Board Meetings During a Declared Emergency.

POL-18. ABOLISH – POLICY 7231 – GIFTS FROM VENDORS (M)
    Abolish Policy 7231 – Gifts from Vendors.

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 investigation was completed and the listed student voluntarily transferred to the district of residence:

R-2.    APPROVE TO REMOVE STUDENTS FROM ROLLS
    Approve to remove the following student from the attendance rolls as the students 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 18, 2025 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 (if needed):

23. Adjournment: