Worksession - September 8, 2026 - 7 p.m.

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement  - Empower and Inspire Every Student, Every Day 

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Approval of Minutes:

1. August 18, 2026 – regular meeting

2. August 18, 2026 – executive session #1 and #2

6. Communications:

Use of Facilities:
None currently.

Letters of Resignation:
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DeJESUS
Letter of resignation from Jazmine DeJesus, paraprofessional-Jefferson Elementary School, effective August 24, 2026.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – POSTERNOCK
Letter of resignation from Robyn Posternock, 10-month secretary-Jefferson Elementary School, effective August 17, 2026.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – ASHIKWEI
Letter of resignation from Marijoe Ashikwei, 5th grade teacher-Washington Elementary School, effective October 28, 2026.

Letters of Retirement:
LETTER OF RETIREMENT – BIRSTLER
Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Christina Birstler, school counselor-Union High School, effective September 16, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – FILIPPONE
Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Marcia Filippone, 10-month secretary-Kawameeh Middle School, effective January 1, 2027.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – TENNEN
Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Lindsey Tennen, special education teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, effective November 7, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – HUBBARD
Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Donna Hubbard, Administrative Assistant-Central Office, effective January 1, 2027.

Requests for Leave:
REQUEST FOR LEAVE – PERDOMO O’HARA
Request for paid FMLA from Jessica Perdomo O’Hara, preschool teacher-Franklin Elementary School, September 1, 2026-September 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – SANTANGELO
Request for paid NJFLA from Carrie Santangelo, special education teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, September 1, 2026-September 21, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – DAMATO
Request for paid FMLA from Patricia Damato, elementary teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, September 1, 2026-October 14, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – INGRASSIA
Request for paid FMLA and unpaid FMLA from Mary Ingrassia, paraprofessional-Union High School, September 1, 2026-September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026-September 30, 2026, respectively.

Requests for Leave Update:
REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – MENJIVAR
Update to request for paid FMLA and unpaid NJFLA from Victoria Menjivar, Spanish teacher-Union High School, September 1, 2026-September 15, 2026 and September 16, 2026-December 17, 2026, respectively.

Requests for Intermittent Leave:
REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – DELLANNO
Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Paul Dellano, math teacher-Burnet Middle School, September 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – CORTES
Request for paid intermittent NJFLA from Tatiana Cortes, special education teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, September 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – CICALESE
Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Jennifer Cicalese, special education teacher-Livingston Elementary School, September 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – JACKSON
Request for paid intermittent FMA from Erin Jackson, school counselor-Battle Hill Elementary School, September 30, 2026-June 30, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – SINOCCHI
Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Jennifer Sinocchi, speech therapist-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, September 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – HIGGINS
Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Kelly Higgins, elementary teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, September 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – CAMERON
Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Siddiquah Cameron, preschool teacher-Franklin Elementary School, September 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MANOCHIO
Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Fernanda Manochio, accountant-Central Office, September 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.

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

8. Superintendent’s Report:

1. Superintendent’s Report

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
Report Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period August 19, 2026 to September 8, 2026 (no incidents to report), 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 July 22, 2026 to August 18, 2026, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-2.    APPROVE CBI SITES AND WBL
Approve Community Based Instruction Site (CBI) and Work Based Learning (WBL)/School Enterprises for the 2026-2027 school year as follows: (a) School Enterprise – Farmers’ Field to Market: Student-Run Agricultural School Enterprise (proposed), (b) WBL/CBI – UHS – IT Department, (c) WBL/CBI – UHS – Gardens/Greenhouse, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-3.    APPROVE NJSIAA MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATION
Approve the NJSIAA Membership Certification for Union High School – Althea Bossard, Principal Certification and Ronald Zieser, Athletic Director Certification, in accordance with he information appended to the agenda.

E-4.    APPROVE MEDICAL SERVICES HANDBOOK AND SCHOOL HEALTH STANDING ORDERS
Approve the Medical Services Handbook and School Health Standing Orders, revised August 2026, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-5.    APPROVE CONTRACT WITH READY SET GROW ACADEMY – MENTORING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Approve contract with Ready Set Grow Academy to provide mentoring and professional development for Union High School students, families and staff at a cost of $51,500.00 for the 2026-2027 school year paid for using ESEA funds, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-6.    APPROVE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT – ELA EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM
Approve partnership agreement with Holt Street Holdings d/b/a Riptoes to provide access to a free ELA educational platform for students, staff and families for the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-7.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS – NJDOE 21ST CENTURY LEARNING GRANT
Approve acceptance of funds in the amount of $400,000.00 for the NJDOE 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant for the 2026-2027 school year.

E-8.    APPROVE EDUCATION SERVICES AGREEMENT 2026-2027 - 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 appended to the agenda.

E-9.    APPROVE GRANT APPLICATION
    Approve the Township of Union Education Foundation 2027 Grant Application, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

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 August 31, 2026 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated August 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 2026-2027 STATE CONTRACT APPROVED VENDORS
    Approve the amended list of the 2026-2027 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 2026-2027 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST
    Approval be given to amend the 2026-2027 out-of-district student placement list (month of September), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-11.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS – SPECIAL OLYMPICS UNIFIED GRANT
Approve acceptance of funds from the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools 2026-2027 Grant for Kawameeh Middle School - $750.00, in accordance with information appended to the agenda.

F-12.    APPROVE INLINGUA – TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES
Approve Inlingua to provide translation and interpretation services for the 2026-2027 school year (not to exceed $5,000.00) [Account Fund #7043/11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-13.    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 2026-2027, in the amount not to exceed $29,081.00, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-14.    APPROVE RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP – NJSIG
    Approve Indemnity and Trust Agreement Resolution with New Jersey Schools Insurance Group (NJSIG) to renew members for the periods July 1, 2026 through July 1, 2029, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-15.    APPROVE EARLY/AFTERCARE CONTRACTS – YMCA
  Approve contracts with the YMCA for (a) early care and (b) aftercare for the 2026-2027 school year, 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 18, 2026 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

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 (none currently)
    Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:41-1 and P.L. 2009, Chapter 178, approve the following security drill for the month of August, 2026 and, if applicable, bus evacuation reports for the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with the non-public information appended to the agenda.

O-2.    APPROVE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FOR USE OF RABKIN PARK
    Approve the submission of the Picnic Area Application and Hold Harmless Agreement for the use of Rabkin Park on October 1, 2026 (rain date October 7,2026) to the Union Township Parks and Recreation Department for the Special Services CBI Event, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

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

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 
    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 2026-2027 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 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-5.    APPROVE TITLE IX COORDINATOR - ZIESER
The Township of Union Board of Education affirms its commitment to compliance with Title IX and all applicable federal and State laws and regulations and directs the Superintendent or designee, Ron Zieser, Title IX Coordinator, to maintain appropriate policies, procedures, training and practices consistent with current legal requirements, at no additional cost to the district.

P-6.    APPROVE ALISON BREHM TO ATTEND MEETINGS
Approve Alison Brehm to attend the following meetings: (a) 2026-2027 Project Director Meetings (mileage will be reimbursed from the 21st CCLC grant account #20733/20-458-200-580-01-20-YR02), (i) 1st Quarter Project Director Meeting In-Person on October 30, 2026 - at RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, Hamilton (Mercer County) NJ, (ii) 2nd Quarter Project Director Meeting on January 27, 2027 -Virtual, (iii) 3rd Quarter Project Director Meeting on April 28, 2027 - at RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, Hamilton (Mercer County) NJ, (iv) 4th Quarter Project Director Meeting  on July 21, 2027 - at RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, Hamilton (Mercer County) NJ, (b) 2027 Soaring Beyond Expectations Meeting (mileage will be reimbursed from the 21st CCLC grant account #20733/20-458-200-580-01-20-YR02) - New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) meeting on June 9, 2027, 12 Centre Dr. Monroe Township, NJ.

P-7.    APPROVE CHANGE OF SALARY CLASS #2 – EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 2026
Approve Change of Salary Class #2 (effective September 2026), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

14. Policy Committee:

15. Residency Committee Resolutions:

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