Executive Session/Regular Meeting - 6:00 p.m. - Tuesday, September 16, 2025

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Executive Session

6. Approval of Minutes:

    1.    August 12, 2025 – special meeting
    2.    August 12, 2025 – executive session
    3.    August 26, 2025 – regular meeting
    4.    August 26, 2025 – executive session
 

7. Communications:

LETTER OF RESIGNATION UPDATE – BRAVETTE
    Letter of resignation update from Vittoria Bravette, math teacher-Burnet Middle School, effective August 31, 2025.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – CINO
    Letter of resignation from Jessica Cino, music teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, effective September 29, 2025.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – ELLIOTT
    Letter of resignation from Kenneth Elliott, long-term substitute security officer-Burnet Middle School, effective August 18, 2025.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – ESPOSITO
    Letter of resignation from Desiree Esposito, preschool teacher assistant-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective August 31, 2025.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – TILLMAN
    Letter of resignation from Kamuela Tillman, special education teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, effective October 8, 2025.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – VENEZIO
    Letter of resignation from Ketly Venezio, bus aide-Transportation Department, effective September 4, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – SELBY
    Request for leave update from Alysse Selby, English teacher-Union High School, new return date November 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – DINO
    Request for paid FMLA from James Dino, career education teacher-Union High School, September 2, 2025-October 10, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE GEORGE
    Request for paid sick leave from Sheren George, paraprofessional-Burnet Middle School, September 2, 2025-September 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – STANDAL
    Request for paid sick leave from Laura Standal, teacher-Franklin Elementary School, September 2, 2025-September 15, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – CHERIAN
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Jasmine Cherian, second grade teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, October 9, 2025-November 17, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – MAZUR
    Request for paid FMLA from Rebecca Mazur, social studies teacher-Union High School, September 2, 2025-December 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – CAMPBELL
    Request for unpaid FMLA from Paul Campbell, music teacher-various schools, October 27, 2025-December 22, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – ASHRAF
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Lisa Ashraf, counselor-Kawameeh Middle School, September 2, 2025-June 15, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – WEBER
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Patricia Weber, fourth grade teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, September 2, 2025-June 15, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – TENNEN
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Lindsey Tennen, teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, October 1, 2025-June 15, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – CORTES
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA leave from Tatiana Cortes, special education teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, September 4, 2025-June 15, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – SINOCCHI
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Jennifer Sinocchi, speech teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, September 4, 2025-June 15, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – LAMA
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Salomon Lama, teacher-Burnet Middle School, September 4, 2025-June 15, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – PATRICCO
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Mary Ellen Patricco, fourth grade teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, September 15, 2025-June 15, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – KORZEN
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Olga Korzen, fourth grade teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, September 2, 2025-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – PEREZ
    Request for paid FMLA followed by intermittent FMLA from Marixa Perez-IT specialist-Union High School, September 15, 2025-January 30, 2026

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – D’ANDREA
    Updated request for unpaid FMLA from Christopher D’Andrea, physical education teacher-Union High School, December 15, 2025-December 23, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – ALVAREZ
    Request for paid FMLA followed by intermittent FMLA from Theresa Alvarez, teacher assistant-Battle Hill Elementary School, September 24, 2025-June 15, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – SEKIYA
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Christopher Sekiya, physical education teacher-Franklin Elementary School, September 11, 2025-June 15, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – RECALDE
    Request for paid FMLA followed by intermittent FMLA from Martha Recalde, ESL teacher-Livingston Elementary School, September 11, 2025-June 15, 2026.

REQUEST FOR USE OF JEFFERSON SCHOOL – TOWNSHIP OF UNION RECREATION DEPARTMENT
    Request from the Township of Union Recreation Department to use a classroom and the gym at Jefferson School for the B-Wise Alliance for the 2025-2026 school year (starting October 1, 2025) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (M-F)

REQUEST FOR USE OF UNION HIGH SCHOOL GYM – UNION COUNTY COLLEGE
    Request from Union County College volleyball team to use the Union High School gym on Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for a volleyball game and October 2-3, 6-10, 14, 16, 17, 21-22, 24, 27-31 from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. for volleyball practice.

8. Comments from Public (on resolutions):

9. Superintendent’s Report:

    1.    Presentation – TUPS Mental Health Program – Duetech Aine, TUPS Manager of Clinical Services and Team 
    2.    Presentation – SEPAG TUPS Update – Carla Vicari, Aracely DiGirolamo
    3.    Personnel Hire Update – Vincent Rettino 
 

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 September 9, 2025 worksession (Superintendent Report of HIB – August 27-September 9, 2025)

E-1A.    SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB
    Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period September 10, 2025 to September 16, 2025 (no incidents to report) (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2.    APPROVE STUDENT ASSEMBLIES – WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    Approve Prismatic Magic to provide two bullying prevention assemblies at Washington Elementary School for students on October 10, 2025, at the cost of $1,298.00.

E-3.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS – SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH GRANT
    Approve acceptance of additional funds in the amount of $261,000.00 for the grant award of School Based Mental Health Grant for September 1, 2025-December 31, 2026.

E-4.    APPROVE APPLICATION – MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING IN SCHOOLS
    Approve application for the Mental Health Screening in Schools (MHSS) continuation application for the 2025-2026 school year.

E-5.    APPROVE SUSPENSION – STUDENT
    Approve continuation of long-term suspension for student #266593 from the general education program.

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 August 31, 2025 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated August 31, 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 appended to the agenda.

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 appended to the agenda.

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 appended to the agenda.

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 appended to the agenda.

F-8.    APPROVE LIST OF 2025-2026 STATE CONTRACT APPROVED VENDORS
    Approve the amended list of the 2025-2026 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 appended to the agenda.

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 appended to the agenda:
 

F-9B.    APPROVE FUNDRAISERS
    Approve the following fundraisers, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda:
 

F-10.    APPROVE 2025-2026 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST
    Approval be given to amend the 2025-2026 out-of-district student placement list (month of September 2025), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-11.    APPROVE JOINT TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT – GATEWAY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
    Approve State of New Jersey – Department of Education Student Transportation Unit, Joint Transportation Agreement with Gateway Regional High School District (host district), for school year 2025-2026, in the amount not to exceed $20,682.00, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-12.    ACCEPT NONPUBLIC SCHOOL NURSING AID FROM NJDOE
    Accept the Nonpublic School Nursing Aid from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for the 2025-2026 school year as follows: (a) St. Michael’s School - $44,990.00 and (b) United Academy of Union - $19,074.00 [for a total of $64,064.00], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-13.    ACCEPT NONPUBLIC SECURITY AID FROM NJDOE
    Accept the Nonpublic Security Aid from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for the 2025-2026 school year as follows: (a) St. Michael’s School - $63,345.00 and (b) United Academy of Union - $26,855.00 [for a total of $90,200.00], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-14.    ACCEPT NONPUBLIC TECHNOLOGY AID FROM NJDOE
    Accept the Nonpublic Technology Aid from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for the 2025-2026 school year as follows: (a) St. Michael’s School - $12,264.00 and (b) United Academy of Union - $5,199.00 [for a total of $17,463.00], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-15.    ACCEPT NONPUBLIC TEXTBOOK AID FROM NJDOE
    Accept Nonpublic Textbook Aid from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for the 2025-2026 school year as follows: (a) St. Michael’s School - $17,187.00 and (b) United Academy of Union - $7,286.00 [for a total of $24,473.00], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-16.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANTS – SPECIAL OLYMPICS – UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS
    Approve acceptance of the grants awarded from Special Olympics New Jersey-Unified Champion Schools 2025-2026 as follows: (a) Union High School - $3,500.00, (b) Burnet Middle School - $1,500.00, (c) Kawameeh Middle School - $1,000.00 and (d) Washington Elementary School - $700.00, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-ATTY.  For informational purposes only – vote not required.  List of legal services paid as of August 26, 2025 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

12. Grievance/Negotiations Committee:

13. Operations/Technology Committee Resolutions:

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

O-1.    APPROVE REQUEST FOR USE OF JEFFERSON SCHOOL – TOWNSHIP OF UNION RECREATION DEPARTMENT
    Approve request from the Township of Union Recreation Department to use a classroom and the gym at Jefferson School for the B-Wise Alliance for the 2025-2026 school year (starting October 1, 2025) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (M-F), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

O-2.    APPROVE RESOLUTION TO PARTICIPATE IN SUSTAINABLE JERSEY FOR SCHOOLS
    Approve resolution for the Township of Union Board of Education to participate in sustainable Jersey for Schools, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

O-3.    APPROVE REQUEST FOR USE OF UNION HIGH SCHOOL GYM – UNION COUNTY COLLEGE
    Approve request from Union County College volleyball team to use the Union High School gym on Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for a volleyball game and October 2-3, 6-10, 14, 16, 17, 21-22, 24, 27-31 from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. for volleyball practice.

T-1.    APPROVE RECYCLING OF EQUIPMENT
    Approve list of equipment for recycling, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

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.    Agenda item approved at September 9, 2025 worksession (new hires)

P-1B    Agenda item approved at September 9, 2025 worksession (extra pay)

P-1C    Agenda item approved at September 9, 2025 worksession (transfers)

P-1A-1.  PERSONNEL ACTIONS – NEW HIRES
    Personnel Actions-New Hires be approved in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-1B-1.  PERSONNEL ACTIONS – EXTRA PAY
    Personnel Actions-Extra Pay be approved in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-1C-1.  PERSONNEL ACTIONS – TRANSFERS
    Personnel Actions- Transfers be approved in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-2.    Agenda item approved at September 9, 2025 worksession (substitute lists)

P-2A.    APPROVE SUBSTITUTE LISTS 
    Approve Substitute Lists for the 2025-2026 school year.
 

P-3A.    ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT
    Accept letters of resignation/retirement from the following staff, with regrets:
 

P-3B.    APPROVE LEAVES
    Approve leaves for the following staff:

P-4.    APPROVE STUDENT TEACHERS AND INTERNSHIPS
    Approve student teachers and internships for the 2025-2026 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-5.    APPROVE DESIGNEES – STUDENT ACTIVITIES ACCOUNT
    Approve designees for the Student Activities Accounts for the 2025-2026 school year for Union High School, Kawameeh and Burnet Middle School, Jefferson School, Battle Hill, Connecticut Farms, Franklin Hannah Caldwell, Livingston and Washington Elementary Schools, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-6.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE AT VARIOUS MEETINGS – TRANSITION PROGRAMS
    Approve Sarah McCulloh and/or Natalie Mauriello, district School Social Workers, Lauren Kohn, John Trzeszkowski, Dana Meixner and/or Janine Pascucci, district teachers, Christina Shpunder, district Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant, and/or Daniel Seugling, district School Psychologist to attend/visit the various meetings/locations as part of our transition program, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-7.    APPROVE CHANGE OF SALARY CLASS #2 – EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 2025
    Approve Change of Salary Class #2 (effective September 2025), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-8.    APPROVE NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS GRANT AWARD TO SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHERS
    Approve the FY2026 Teach STEM Classes in Nonpublic Schools Grant Award to School District Teacher, Michael Spekhardt, to teach STEM classes at the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy for the 2025-2026 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-9.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE AT NJSBA WORKSHOP 
    Approve Jeremy Cohen, Director of Curriculum and Instruction and John Sousa, Chief Information and Technology Officer, to attend the NJSBA Workshop Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey (October 21-23, 2025).

P-10.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE – MUJC MEETINGS
    Approve Alina Loguidice and Latoya Nelson-Piccott to attend the Instructional Coach Subcommittee meetings at Morris Union Jointure Commission (MUJC), at no cost to the district for the 2025-2026 school year.

P-11.    Agenda item approved at September 9, 2025 worksession (attendance-PD).

P-12.    APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – STUDENT SUPPORT TEACHER
    Approve Job Description – Student Support Teacher, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-13.    APPROVE INCREASE IN SUBSTITUTE RATE
    Approve the following increases to the substitute rate, effective November 1, 2025: (a) substitute certificate -$160.00 per day and (b) teaching certificate - $170.00 per day.

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 7510 – USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
    Approve Policy 7510 – Use of School Facilities (M), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

REG-1.  REGULATION 7510 – USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
    Approve Regulation 7510 – Use of School Facilities (M), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

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

POL-2.  POLICY 8467.1 - WEAPON SCREENING
    Approve Policy 8467.1 - Weapon Screening, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

REG-2.  REGULATION 8467.1 – WEAPON DETECTION SYSTEM
    Approve Regulation 8467.1 – Weapon Detection System, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

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 STUDENT 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:

17. 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.

18. Unfinished Business:

19. New Business:

20.  Comments from Public:

21. Executive Session (if necessary):

22. Adjournment: