Executive Session/Regular Meeting - February 24, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Executive Session

6. Approval of Minutes:

    1.    January 6, 2026 – organization meeting
    2.    January 13, 2026 – worksession meeting
    3.    January 13, 2026 – executive session
    4.    January 20, 2026 – regular meeting
    5.    January 20, 2026- executive session No. 1 and No. 2

7. Communications:

USE OF FACILITIES:
REQUEST FOR USE OF UHS FACILITY SITE
    Request from Township of Union Chamber of Commerce to use the Union High School facility site for the 15th Annual Mayor’s Day 5K Run on September 27, 2026 (rain date October 11, 2026 (severe weather only).

REQUEST FOR USE OF FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    Request from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, in a partnership with Links, Incorporated, to use Franklin Elementary School (gymnasium, adjacent hallway, main doors and auditorium) to host The Family Wellness & Empowerment Expo on Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

REQUEST FOR USE OF HANNAH CALDWELL PARKING LOTS AND ACCESS TO HENRICKS DRIVE
    Request from Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee seeking permission to access the parking lots of Hannah Caldwell Elementary School and rear access to Hendricks Drive on Saturday, March 14, 2026, for the annual Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

LETTERS OF RESIGNATION:
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – LAWSON
    Letter of resignation from Kianna Lawson, cafeteria/playground aide-Jefferson School, effective February 11, 2026.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – SPEKHARDT, JR.
    Letter of resignation from Michael Spekhardt, Jr., special education teacher-Union High School, effective April 9, 2026.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – HERNANDEZ CHACON
    Letter of resignation from Jessica Hernandez Chacon, paraprofessional-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective February 5, 2026.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – FOSTER
    Letter of resignation from Ashley Foster, paraprofessional-Jefferson School, effective March 19, 2026.

LETTERS OF RETIREMENT:
LETTER OF RETIREMENT – ABRAHAM
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Catherine Abraham, 10-month secretary-Union High School, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – GALLANTER
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Sherry Gallanter, speech therapist-Franklin Elementary School, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – DAUBERT
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Rene’ Daubert, third grade teacher-Washington Elementary School, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – KASTNER
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Kimberley Kastner, third grade teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – ZURKA
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Christine Zurka, paraprofessional-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective May 1, 2026.

EMPLOYMENT SEPARATION:
EMPLOYMENT SEPARATION – PARCHMENT
    Employment Separation, Ayzriel Parchment, paraprofessional-Franklin Elementary School, effective February 10, 2026.

REQUESTS FOR LEAVE:
REQUEST FOR LEAVE – OSBORNE
    Request for paid FMLA from Melissa Osborne, special education teacher-Burnet Middle School, January 19, 2026-March 13, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – TALBOT
    Request for unpaid paternity leave from Matthew Talbot, math teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, April 6, 2026-June 17, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – WATANABE
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Elizabeth Watanabe, special education teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, May 4, 2026-December 3, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – CARVALHO
    Request for paid FMLA, followed by intermittent FMLA from Julie Carvalho, secretary-Union High School, February 26, 2026-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – TRIPP
    Request for unpaid FMLA (paternity leave) from Eric Trip, world history teacher-UHS, May 11, 2026-June 12, 2026.

REQUESTS FOR LEAVE UPDATES:
CANCELLATION OF REQUEST FOR LEAVE – THOMPSON
    Cancellation of request for paid intermittent leave from Robert Thompson, SE teacher-Union High School.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – FOX
    Update to request for paid FMLA from Zara Fox, music teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, February 2, 2026-May 31, 2026 (return date subject to change).

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – JURKOVIC
    Request for leave update from Jessica Jurkovic, ESL teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, new return date May 5, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – MANCINELLI
    Request for extension of NJFLA from Lynne Mancinelli, media specialist-Washington Elementary School, new return date April 1, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – KERR
    Request for paid medical leave update from Allan Kerr, full-time driver-Transportation Department, February 2, 2026-February 13, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – GIGANTINO
    Request for paid FMLA update from Kathleen Gigantino, paraprofessional-Battle Hill Elementary School, February 23, 2026-April 23, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – MITSAELIDES MICCICHE
    Update to request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Maria Mitsaelides Micciche, ESL teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, March 20, 2026-October 21, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – ZURKA
    Update to request for paid medical leave from Christine Zurka, paraprofessional-Battle Hill Elementary School, March 6, 2026-April 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – MENDES
    Update to request for paid intermittent leave and paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Christie Mendes, OT-Franklin and Connecticut Farms Elementary School, November 24, 2025-March 12, 2026 and March 13, 2026-June 15, 2026, respectively, returning September 1, 2027.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – KORZEN
    Update to paid FMLA from Olga Korzen, fourth grade teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, February 2, 2026-February 18, 2026.

REQUESTS FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE:
REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – LEON
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Deanna Leon, kindergarten teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, January 30, 2026-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – HIGGINS
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Kelly Higgins, second grade teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, January 15, 2026-June 15, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – REILLY
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Raymond Reilly, security-Burnet Middle School, January 22, 2026-January 22, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – KATZ
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Barbara Katz, CST-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, February 3, 2026-February 3, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – PERDOMO O’HARA
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Jessica Perdomo O’Hara, preschool instructional coach, January 20, 2026-January 20, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MESSLER
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Scott Messler, PE teacher-Union High School, February 2, 2026-December 22, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – FERNANDEZ
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Gina Lisa Fernandez, world language teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, January 23, 2026-January 23, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MILLER
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Randi Miller, special education teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, January 12, 2026-January 12, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – FIORDILINO
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Maria Fiordilino, special education teacher-Burnet Middle School, January 30, 2026-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – SCHARAGO
    Request for paid intermittent leave from Michele Scharago, special education teacher-Livingston Elementary School, March 1, 2026-March 1, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – OSBORNE
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Kelly Osborne, paraprofessional-Battle Hill Elementary School, February 10, 2026-March 2, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – HRDINA BROWN
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Felecia Hrdina Brown, preschool instructional coach, February 10, 2026-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MARTINEZ
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Marisol Martinez, payroll department, January 30, 2026-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MEEKINS
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Marilyn Meekins, fourth grade teacher-Franklin Elementary School, February 17, 2026-June 17, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – SANGHAVI
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Tejal Sanghavi, BT-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, February 19, 2026-June 30, 2026.

8. Comments from Public (on resolutions):

9. Superintendent’s Report:

    1.    Superintendent’s Report
    2.    Christopher Eke – student liaison
    3.    Report on Student Safety Data System (SSDS) for period 1 (September 1-December 31, 2025)

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 approved at February 10, 2026 worksession (Affirm HIB-January 14-20, 2026).

E-1A.    Agenda item reported at February 10, 2026 worksession (Report HIB-January 21-February 10, 2026).

E-1-1.    AFFIRM SUPERINTENDENT’S DETERMINATION OF HIB
    Affirm the Superintendent’s determination of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the periods January 21, 2026 to February 10, 2026, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-1-1A.  SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB
    Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period February 11, 2026 to February 24, 2026, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2.    APPROVE GIRLS ON THE RUN PROGRAM – JEFFERSON SCHOOL
    Approve Girls on the Run Program at Jefferson School from April 6 to June 3, 2026 (Mondays and Wednesdays) from 2:45 p.m.-4:00 p.m., at a cost of $25.00 per student (coaches: Stephanie Manderichio, teacher and Samantha Salinas, parent).

E-3.    APPROVE PARTNERSHIP – NEW JERSEY DENTAL FOUNDATION AND NEW JERSEY DENTAL ASSOCIATION
    Approve partnership with New Jersey Dental Foundation (NJDF) and the New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) to provide oral health kits at no cost to the seven elementary schools for each student, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-4.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS – 2026 HEART GRANT
    Approve acceptance of funds from the Union County Board of County Commissioners 2026 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reading Thousands) Grant in the amount of $1,500.00 for Livingston Elementary School to paint a mural by the outdoor garden area, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-5.    APPROVE TUPS TO APPLY FOR HIGH IMPACT TUTORING COMPETITIVE GRANT AWARD
    Approve Township of Union Public Schools to apply for the New Jersey Acceleration Program: High Impact Tutoring Competitive Grant Award (Cohort 3) in the amount of $320,000, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-6.    Agenda item approved at February 10, 2026 worksession (recreation grant).

E-7.    APPROVE STUDENT SAFETY DATA SYSTEM REPORT
    Approve the Student Safety Data System Report (formerly Violence and Vandalism Report) (SSDS) for period one (September 1-December 31, 2025) of the 2025-2026 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-8.    APPROVE SUSPENSION
    Approve the continuation of long-term suspension and home instruction 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 January 31, 2026 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated January 31, 2026 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.    Agenda item approved at February 10, 2026 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 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-9C.    ACCEPT DONATIONS
    Accept the following donations:
 

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 February 2026), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-11.    APPROVE PARTICIPATION IN COOPERATIVE PRICING SYSTEM
    Approve resolution and agreement authorizing the district to enter into the Cooperative Pricing System Agreement with the Morris-Union Jointure Commission (MUJC) (Lead Agency), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-12.    APPROVE INCREASE – KID CLAN SERVICES
    Approve increase to the not to exceed amount for Kid Clan Services to provide speech therapy services for the 2025-2026 school year to $65,000.00 from $3,600.00 (an increase of $61,400.00).

F-13.    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 2025-2026 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-14.    APPROVE RESOLUTION/AGREEMENT COORDINATED TRANSPORTATION SERVICES – UCESC
    Approve the Resolution/Agreement for Participation in Coordinated Transportation Services with the Union County Educational Services Commission for the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-15.    APPROVE SHORT-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH FRIENDS OF UNION PUBLIC LIBRARY – HALL OF FAME 
    The Township of Union Public Schools seeks to recognize and celebrate the distinguished achievements of its alumni and staff through the Hall of Fame in partnership with the Friends of Union Public Library.

F-16.    APPROVE KAVITA SINHA – EVALUATIONS
    Approve Kavita Sinha MD, FAAP to provide neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental evaluations at the rate of $700.00 per evaluation for the 2025-2026 school year (not to exceed $7,000.00) [Account #7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-17.    APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH RED ROVER – ABSENCE AND HIRING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
    Approve Agreement with Red Rover, an absence and hiring management software system to improve the efficiency and accuracy of employee absence tracking and substitute management system (replacing Frontline with a cost savings of approximately $25,000.00), effective July 1, 2026.

F-ATTY.  For informational purposes only – vote not required.  List of legal services paid as of January 20, 2026 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 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 for the month of January 2026 and, if applicable, bus evacuation reports for the 2025-2026 school year, in accordance with the non-public information appended to the agenda.

O-2.    APPROVE REQUEST FOR USE OF UHS FACILITY SITE
    Approve request from Township of Union Chamber of Commerce to use the Union High School facility site for the 15th Annual Mayor’s Day 5K Run on September 27, 2026 (rain date October 11, 2026 (severe weather only).

O-3.    APPROVE REQUEST FROM NATIONAL COALITION OF 100 BLACK WOMEN – USE OF FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    Approve request from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, in a partnership with Links, Incorporated, to use Franklin Elementary School (gymnasium, adjacent hallway, main doors and auditorium) to host The Family Wellness & Empowerment Expo on Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

O-4.    APPROVE REQUEST FOR USE OF HANNAH CALDWELL PARKING LOTS AND ACCESS TO HENRICKS DRIVE
    Approve request from Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee seeking permission to access the parking lots of Hannah Caldwell Elementary School and rear access to Hendricks Drive on Saturday, March 14, 2026, for the annual Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

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 February 10, 2026 worksession (New Hires).

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

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

P-1C    PERSONNEL ACTIONS – TRANSFERS (none at this time)
    Personnel Actions- Transfers be approved in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-2.    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.    Agenda item approved at February 10, 2026 worksession (student teachers/internships).

P-5.    APPROVE VOLUNTEERS
    Approve volunteers to perform services within the district, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-6.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE – MORRIS UNION JOINTURE COMMISSION
    Approve Sheri Rouleau, Supervisor of Special Services, to attend meetings at the Morris Union Jointure Commission (MUJC), at no cost to the district for the 2025-2026 school year.

P-7a.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE – NJSBGA 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE/EXPO
    Approve Yolanda Koon, School Business Administrator, to attend The New Jersey School Buildings Grounds Association (NJSBGA) 2026 Annual Conference/Expo “Learning, Leading, Legacy” at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey on March 22, 2026 through March 25, 2026, at a cost not to exceed $1,750.00.

P-7b.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE – NJSBGA 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE/EXPO
    Approve Anthony Cirella, Manager of Buildings and Grounds, to attend The New Jersey School Buildings Grounds Association (NJSBGA) 2026 Annual Conference/Expo “Learning, Leading, Legacy” at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey on March 22, 2026 through March 25, 2026, at a cost not to exceed $1,750.00.

P-8.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    Approve Marissa McKenzie, Assistant Superintendent to attend “School Safety Specialist Academy” Professional Development (5-session training – February 3, 10, 17, 24 and March 3, 2026; 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) at the Professional Conference Center, ESCNJ, Piscataway, New Jersey, at no cost to the district.

15. Policy Committee:

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 TRANSFERRED TO DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE FOLLOWING RESIDENCY INVESTIGATIONS
    For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following residency investigations were completed, and the listed students were transferred to the appropriate district of residence:

    For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following totals are as of the January 20, 2026 Board meeting (2025-2026 school year):

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):

23. Adjournment: