Worksession Meeting - April 14, 2026 - 7:00 p.m.

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Approval of Minutes:

    1.    March 17, 2026 – worksession
    2.    March 17, 2026 – executive session
    3.    March 21, 2026 – special meeting/Board Retreat
    4.    March 21, 2026 – executive session
    5.    March 24, 2026 – regular meeting
    6.    March 24, 2026 – executive session

6. Communications:

Use of Facilities:
REQUEST FROM UHSPTA SENIOR COMMITTEE
    Request from the UHSPTA Senior Committee for the Board to waive the in-house transportation fee for the UHSPTA sponsored UHS Senior Pool Party, May 26, 2026, from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (with a rain date of May 28, 2026) at the Cranford Pool.

Letters of Resignation:
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DENNING
    Letter of resignation from Noa Denning, speech language specialist-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective September 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – GARCIA
    Letter of resignation from Ashley Garcia, 5th grade teacher-Jefferson School, effective June 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – ROBERTS
    Letter of resignation from Lisa Roberts, cafeteria/playground aide-Jefferson School, effective March 24, 2026.

Letters of Retirement:
LETTER OF RETIREMENT – GREEN
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Alonzo Green, custodian-Union High School, effective May 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – SNYDER
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Kathleen Snyder, career education/business teacher-Union High School, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – STEEB
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Linda Steeb, math teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – SURGET
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Nathan Surget, social studies teacher-Union High School, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – VECCHIONE
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Jill Vecchione, math teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – CIAGLIA
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Sharon Ciaglia, school social workers-Kawameeh Middle School, effective July 1, 2026.

Requests for Leave:
REQUEST FOR LEAVE – McKEE
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from April McKee, English teacher-Union High School, September 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – DIAZ
    Request for unpaid NJFLA from Aimee Diaz, paraprofessional-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, April 6, 2026-June 25, 2026.

Requests for Intermittent Leave:
REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – BROWN
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Yvonne Brown, special education teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, March 26, 2026-June 23, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MANDERICHIO
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Stephanie Manderichio, fifth grade teacher-Jefferson School, March 25, 2026-June 23, 2026.

Miscellaneous Communications:
LETTER FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION EDUCATION FOUNDATION
    Letter from Township of Union Education Foundation listing grants that were awarded to teachers for the 2026-2027 school year.

7. Comments from Public (on resolutions in bold and all other matters)

8. Superintendent’s Report:

    1.    Superintendent Report
    2.    Student Liaison – Kauri Townes
    3.    Unsung Hero – Delilah Halley
    4.    Budget Hearing

9. 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.    SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB
    Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period March 25, 2026 to April 14, 2026, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda (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 March 18, 2026 to March 24, 2026, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-2.    APPROVE APPLICATION FOR THE FOCUS GRANT
    Approve the Township of Union Public Schools to apply for the FOCUS (Funding for Optimal Comprehensive Universal Screeners) Grant for the 2026-2027 school year in the amount of $16,824.00.

E-3.    APPROVE LOCATIONS FOR ESEA SUMMER SCHOLAR PROGRAMS
    Approve locations for the ESEA Summer Scholar Programs from July 6-30, 2026 (Monday through Thursday), 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Burnet Middle School, Hannah Caldwell and Connecticut Farm Elementary Schools, and Jefferson School.

E-4.    APPROVE LOCATIONS FOR 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER SUMMER STEM PROGRAM
    Approve locations for the 21st Century Community Learning Center Summer STEM Program from July 6-30, 2026 (Monday through Thursday), 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Kawameeh Middle School.

E-5.    APPROVE LONG-TERM SUSPENSION AND HOME INSTRUCTION
    Approve to continue long-term suspension and home instruction for student #266593 from the general education program.

E-6.    APPROVE PRESCHOOL PROVIDER YM-YWHA SCHOOL CALENDAR – 2026-2027
    Approve the preschool provider YM-YWHA School Calendar for the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-7.    ACCEPT GRANTS FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION EDUCATION FOUNDATION
    Approve acceptance of grants from the Township of Union Education Foundation for the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-8.    APPROVE ASSEMBLY – BURNET MIDDLE SCHOOL
    Approve assembly of a performance of the Letters from Anne and Martin from the Anne Frank Center in NY, through the Kean’s Holocaust Resource Center/Diversity Council, on April 17, 2026 for all 8th grade students in the district at Burnet Middle School auditorium at 10:00 a.m., at no cost to the district.

10. 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 March 31, 2026 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated March 31, 2026 be accepted.

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-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 April), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-11.    APPROVE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS – UHS SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
    Approve distribution of funds from the following Union High School Senior Scholarship Awards: (a) $100 – Dora D. Feins Achievement Awards Fund, (b) $100 – Dora D. Feins Achievement Awards Fund (cost of two plaques), (c) $100 – Myrtle V. Hassey Awards Fund (two awards - $50 each), (d) $900 – Ellen S. Rever Memorial Scholarship Fund (3 awards - $300 each).

F-12.    APPROVE USE OF UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE
    Approve the Board of Education, in accordance with the N.J.S.A. 18A and N.J.A.C. 6A, to approve the use of Unassigned Fund Balance in an amount not to exceed $2,500,000 to cover possible unanticipated increases in healthcare claims and the No Surprise Claim Act at higher rates.

F-ATTY.  For informational purposes only – vote not required.  List of legal services paid as of March 31, 2026 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

******
Resolutions F-B1 through F-B6
Concern the Final Budget for the 2026-2027 School Year

    The Superintendent recommends approval to adopt the final Budget for FY 2026-2027:

F-B1.    APPROVE GENERAL FUND TAX LEVY – FINAL BUDGET
    Approve the General Fund tax levy of $115,185,323.69 in the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-B2.    APPROVE TRAVEL AND RELATED EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
    Approve Travel and Related Expense Reimbursement (not to exceed $126,086.00) for the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-B3.    APPROVE ESTABLISHING A MAXIMUM DOLLAR LIMIT – PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 
    Approve establishing a maximum dollar limit for professional services $4,527,768.00 for the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-B4.    APPROVE USE OF EXCESS SURPLUS FUNDS/FUND BALANCE
    Approve the Board of Education to include in the General Fund Budget $2,991,690.81 of the Board of Education’s excess surplus funds $2,400,000.00 and additional fund balance $591,690.81 (@ 6/30/25 per audit) to help close budget gap.

F-B5.    APPROVE ADJUSTMENT FOR HEALTH CARE COSTS
    Approve in the budget the adjustment for increased costs of health benefits in the amount of $2,731,453.00.  The additional funds will be used to pay for the additional increases in health benefit premiums.

F-B6.    APPROVE EARLY CHILDHOOD PRESCHOOL BUDGET – 2026-2026
    Approve the resolution approving the early childhood preschool budget for the 2026-2027 school year in the amount of $10,252,208.00.

F-B7.    APPROVE SEMI CAP CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
    WHEREAS, the Township of Union Board of Education did not meet or exceed the projected 2024-2025 Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) Participation of 90%, and
    WHEREAS, the Township of Union Board of Education did not meet or exceed the projected 2024-2025 Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) Reimbursement Revenue of $232,881.00,
    NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Township of Union Board of Education, in the County of Union, State of New Jersey approves the Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) corrective action plan (CAP).

11. Grievance/Negotiations Committee:

12. 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 March, 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.    REQUEST FROM UHSPTA SENIOR COMMITTEE
    Approve request from the UHSPTA Senior Committee for the Board to waive the in-house transportation fee for the UHSPTA sponsored UHS Senior Pool Party, May 26, 2026, from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (with a rain date of May 28, 2026) at the Cranford Pool.

O-3.    APPROVE CLUB PILATES UNION TOWNSHIP - TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
   Approve Club Pilates Union Township to provide a Pilate class to teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week on May 4, 2026 (3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.) at the Burnet Middle School gym.

13. 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 (none at this time)
    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
    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.    APPROVE CHAPERONES – UHSPAC BOSTON TRIP
    Approve the following chaperones for the UHSPAC Boston, MA trip, April 23-26, 2026 with Worldstrides:

1.    Carlos Esquivel, Director/Chaperone
2.    Melissa Hannon, Director/Chaperone
3.    Rich Grennor, Director/Chaperone
4.    Ashley Carr, Director/Chaperone
5.    Constance Novoa, Nurse/Chaperone
6.    Paul Campbell, Chaperone
7.    Ron Rago, Chaperone
8.    Aaron Hannon, Chaperone
9.    Karen Rago, Chaperone
10.   Diane Esquivel, Chaperone

14. Policy Committee:

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

POL-1.      POLICY 0142.1 - NEPOTISM
    Approve Policy 0142.1 – Nepotism (M), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

POL-2.  POLICY 3125 – EMPLOYMENT OF TEACHING STAFF MEMBERS 
    Approve Policy 3125 – Employment of Teaching Staff Members (M), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

POL-3.  POLICY 4125 – EMPLOYMENT OF SUPPORT STAFF MEMBERS
    Approve Policy 4125 – Employment of Support Staff Members (M), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

15. 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 March 24, 2026 Board meeting (2025-2026 school year):

16. 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.

17. Unfinished Business:

18. New Business:

19. Executive Session

20.  Adjournment