Regular Meeting, April 28, 2020, 7 p.m. - Township of Union Board of Education - Remote Access - instructions will be posted on District website | Township of Union Public Schools

Date

Tuesday, April 28, 2020 - 07:00 pm

The Worksession of the Board of Education has been cancelled. The regular meeting of Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. of the Township of Union Board of Education will be by remote access - instructions will be posted on the district website.

TOWNSHIP OF UNION BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA – APRIL 28, 2020

A. Roll Call

B. Flag Salute

C. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

D. Mission Statement

E. Comments from Public on Resolutions

F. Approval of Minutes:

1. December 10, 2019 – worksession

2. December 10, 2019 – executive session #1

3. December 10, 2019 – executive session #2

4. December 17, 2019 – regular meeting

5. December 17, 2019 – executive session

G. Communications

REQUEST TO USE UNION HIGH SCHOOL - UNION’S GOT TALENT

Letter from Union’s Got Talent/Douglas Michael Krueger Scholarship Fund Inc. requesting the use of space at Union High School for auditions (September 25, 2020), rehearsal and performance (November 14, 2020).

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – TIEMANN

Letter of resignation, for purpose of retirement, from Suzanne N. Tiemann, part-time bus aide-Transportation Department, effective June 24, 2020.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – MEYERHOFF

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Nora Meyerhoff, special education teacher-Washington Elementary School, effective June 30, 2020.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – COURTNEY

Letter of resignation, for purpose of retirement, from Donna Courtney, teacher-Washington Elementary School, effective June 30, 2020.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – WEBER

Letter of resignation, for purpose of retirement, from Ann Weber, special education teacher-Jefferson School, effective June 30, 2020.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – VIEIRA

Letter of resignation, for purpose of retirement, from Manuel E. Vieira, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, effective October 1, 2020.

REQUEST TO RETRACT LEAVE – COHEN

Request to retract previous request for paid medical and unpaid FMLA from Amanda Cohen, science teacher-Kawameeh Middle School.

REQUEST TO RETURN EARLY – CORTES

Request to return early from unpaid child rearing leave under FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) from Tatiana Cortes, special education teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, new return date May 1, 2020.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF LEAVE – GUNTHER

Request for extension of unpaid non-FMLA/non-NJFLA child rearing leave from Kayla Gunter, teacher-Franklin Elementary School, new return date September 1, 2020.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF LEAVE – KATZ

Request for extension of unpaid non-FMLA/non-NJFLA child rearing leave from Julie Katz, special education teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, new return date September 1, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – LEAMY

Request for paid child rearing leave from Kristin Leamy, science teacher-Burnet Middle School, May 22, 2020-June 24, 2020.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MYERS

Request for unpaid intermittent paternity leave under FMLA/NJFL (concurrently) from Stephen Myers, music teacher-Burnet Middle School, April 26, 2020-April 29, 2021.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – PLACCA

Request for update to previous leave type to paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA only from Nicole Placca, Spanish teacher-Union High School, May 11, 2020-November 27, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – WEST

Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA only from Heather West, science teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, May 29, 2020-December 3, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – WISIAK

Request for update to previous request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) from Tara Wisiak, school psychologist-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, April 22, 2020-May 21, 2020.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF INTERMITTENT LEAVE – ZURKA

Request for extension of intermittent FMLA leave from Christine Zurka, instructional paraprofessional-Battle Hill Elementary School, extension through November 14, 2020.

REQUEST TO RETRACT LEAVE – DOMINGUEZ

Request to retract previous request for unpaid paternity leave under FMLA from Jose Dominguez, Spanish teacher-Union High School.

REQUEST TO RETURN EARLY – ASHRAF

Request to return early from unpaid child rearing leave under NJFLA from Lisa Ashraf, school counselor-Kawameeh Middle School, new return date May 1, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – LOPEZ

Request to update leave type from NJFLA/FMLA to medical leave from Ovidio Lopez, custodian-Washington Elementary School, February 26, 2020-April 30, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – MACK-RAMOS

Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) from Ebony Mack-Ramos, teacher-Livingston Elementary School, April 24, 2020-January 3, 2021.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF LEAVE – HAVYAR
Request for extension of unpaid child rearing leave non-FMLA from Amanda Havyar, teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, new return date September 1, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – PLACCA

Request to update leave of paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA only from Nicole Placca, Spanish teacher-Union High School, May 29,2020-November 27, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE - STERLING

Request to update leave of paid child rearing leave from Tara Sterling, teacher of television production-Union High School, June 1, 2020-June 24, 2020.

H. Superintendent’s Report

1. Report on NJ School Performance Summary Report (2018-2019) – April 28^th

2. Report on NJSLA Science Results (Spring 2019) – April 28^th

I. 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 18, 2020 to April 28, 2020, in accordance with the information in the hands of 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 period March 11 to March 17, 2020, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-2. APPROVE NJSIAA MEMBERSHIP

Approve the membership and dues for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association for Union High School Athletic Department for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each board member.

E-3. APPROVE CURRICULUM GUIDE

Approve the following curriculum guide: (a) EN801 – 8^th Grade English, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-4. APPROVE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM AND BUDGET

Approve the 2020-2021 revised preschool program and budget, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-5. APPROVE USE OF BATTLE HILL AND HAMILTON BUILDING
Approve Battle Hill Elementary School (June 29, 2020-July 30, 2020) and the Hamilton Building (June 25, 2020-August 31, 2020) for Extended School Year (ESY) Program, ESY services, CST testing and/or home instruction.

E-6. APPROVE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDARS

Approve 2020-2021 school year calendars, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

I. 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, 2020 be accepted.

F-2. SECRETARY’S REPORT

That the Secretary’s Report dated March 31, 2020 be accepted.

F-3. CERTIFY TREASURER’S AND SECRETARY’S REPORT

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a), I certify that as of March 31, 2020 no budgetary line item account has obligations and payments (contractual orders) which in total exceed the amount appropriated by the district Board of education pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:22-8 and 18:22-8.1.

/s/ Manuel E. Vieira ____________

Manuel E. Vieira, Board Secretary Dated

Pursuant to N.J.A.C.6A:23-2.2(h), we certify that as of March 31, 2020 after review of the secretary’s monthly financial report (appropriations section) and upon consultation with the appropriate district officials that to the best of our knowledge no major account or fund has been over-expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.2(d)3 and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year. This certification is solely based on the information provided by the School Business Administrator and Board Secretary and is assumed by the Board to be correct.

F-4. APPROVE APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS

Approve appropriation transfers in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-5. APPROVE LIST OF CONTRACTS/PURCHASE ORDERS

Approve the attached list of contracts and/or purchase orders 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 in the hands of each Board member.

F-6. APPROVE LIST OF 2019-2020 STATE CONTRACT VENDORS

Approve the amended list of the 2019-2020 State Contract 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 in the hands of each Board member.

F-7. APPROVE 2019-2020 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST

Approval be given to amend the 2019-2020 out-of-district student placement list, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-8. APPROVE FUNDRAISERS

Approve the following fundraisers, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member:

Event Name	Date	Purpose
Clothing Drive - YWCA	May 1-31, 2020	UHS/National Honor Society – to gather clothing for children and women who were victims of domestic violence
UHS Juneteenth Celebration	May 18, 2020	UHS/Roots: Black Excellence Club – to raise funds for upcoming heritage event

F-9. APPROVE PETTY CASH FUND FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR

Approve the Board Secretary petty cash fund for the 2020-2021 school year: Fund-Board Secretary, Amount: $500; Responsible Party: Board Secretary.

F-10. APPROVE PHOENIX ADVISORS

Approve agreement with Phoenix Advisors to manage secondary market disclosure obligations for continued compliance with disclosure requirements for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-11. APPROVE RESOLUTION APPROVING REFUNDING BOND ORDINANCE

Approve, on first reading, a refunding school bond ordinance providing for the refunding of (a) all or a portion of its outstanding Refunding School Bonds, Series 2010 dated November 10, 2010 and (b) all or a portion of its outstanding School Bonds, Series 2011 dated September 8, 2011, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-12. APPROVE APPLICATION OF 2020 NJSIG SAFETY GRANT

Approve application of 2020 NJSIG Safety Grant in the amount of $32,945.98.

F-13. For informational purposes only – vote not required. List of legal services for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

J. 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 bus evacuation reports for the 2019-2020 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-2. AWARD OF LEASE PURCHASE BID – US BANCORP GOVERNMENT LEASING

Approve award of lease purchase bid to US Bancorp Government Leasing at the rate of 1.414% for the purchase of Chromebooks – Union High School.

O-3. APPROVE RESOLUTION OPPOSING DELAY IN TRANSMISSION OF QUARTERLY PROPERTY TAX REVENUE

Approve resolution opposing delay in transmission of quarterly property tax revenue to school districts, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-4. APPROVE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AGREEMENT – ESSEX REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES COMMISSION

Approve the Transportation Services Agreement with the Essex Regional Services Commission for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-5. APPROVE LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING – POMPTONIAN

Approve Letter of Understanding for emergency procurement and contract modifications due to COVID-19 with Pomptonian Food Services, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

DISCUSSION ITEM:

1. Letter from Union’s Got Talent/Douglas Michael Krueger Scholarship Fund Inc. requesting the use of space at Union High School for auditions (September 25, 2020), rehearsal and performance (November 14, 2020), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member (contingent upon COVID-19).

K. 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 in the hands of each Board member.

P-1B PERSONNEL ACTIONS – EXTRA PAY

Personnel Actions-Extra Pay be approved in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-1C PERSONNEL ACTIONS – TRANSFERS

Personnel Actions- Transfers be approved in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-2. APPROVE SUBSTITUTE LISTS

Approve Substitute Lists for the 2019-2020 school year in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board.

P-3. ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT

Accept letters of resignation/retirement from the following staff:

Name	Position	Location	Eff. Date	Reason	Notes
Tiemann, Suzanne N.	Part-time bus aide	Transportation Department	June 24, 2020	Retirement
Meyerhoff, Nora	Special education teacher	Washington	June 30, 2020	Retirement
Courtney, Donna	Teacher	Washington	June 30, 2020	Retirement
Weber, Ann	Special education teacher	Jefferson	June 30, 2020	Retirement
Vieira, Manuel E.	School Business Administrator/Board Secretary	Central Office	October 1, 2020	Retirement

P-4. APPROVE LEAVES

Approve leaves for the following staff:

Name	Position	Location	Leave Dates	Leave Type Regarding updated info only.	Notes/ Corrections: All tentative approvals are pending required documentation.
Ashraf, Lisa	School Counselor	KMS	Request to Return Early 5/1/2020	Request to return early from Unpaid Child Rearing leave under NJFLA	Original Return was 6/1/2020.
Cohen, Amanda	Teacher of Science	KMS	*Retracting previous leave request 4/2/2020-6/15/2020	Retracting previous leave request	Retracting Org. leave requested from 4/2/2020-6/15/2020
Cortes, Tatiana	Teacher of Special Education	Connecticut Farms	Request to Return Early 5/1/2020	Request to return early from Unpaid Child Rearing leave under FMLA/NJFLA (Concurrently)	Original Return was 5/11/2020.
Dominguez, Jose	Teacher of Spanish	UHS	*Retracting previous leave request 4/20/2020-5/29/2020	Retracting previous leave request	Retracting Org. leave requested from 4/20/2020-5/29/2020
Gunther, Kayla	Elementary Teacher	Franklin	Extension Return 9/1/2020	Extension of Unpaid Non FMLA/Non NJFLA Child Rearing Leave	FMLA/NJFLA entitlement exhausted 4/16/2020. Original leave began 11/18/2019.
Katz, Julie	Teacher of Special Education	Connecticut Farms	Extension Return 9/1/2020	Extension of Unpaid Non FMLA/Non NJFLA Child Rearing Leave	FMLA/NJFLA entitlement exhausted 4/8/2020. Original leave began 11/4/2019.
Leamy, Kristin	Teacher of Science	BMS	5/22/2020-6/24/2020 Return 9/1/2020	Paid Child Rearing Leave	Use of sick days only at this time.
Lopez, Ovidio	Custodian	Washington	2/26/2020-4/30/2020	Update to Leave Type from NJFLA/FMLA to Medical Leave	Org. Leave under FMLA/NJFLA began 1/2/2020. Updates to type of leave effective 2/26/2020.
Mack-Ramos, Ebony	Elementary Teacher	Livingston	4/24/20-1/3/2021 Return 1/4/2021	Paid Child Rearing Leave followed by Unpaid FMLA/ NJFLA (Concurrently)	FMLA/NJFLA Entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks.
Myers, Stephen	Teacher of Music	BMS	Intermittent 4/26/2020-4/29/2021	Unpaid Intermittent Paternity Leave under FMLA/NJFLA (Concurrently)	FMLA/NJFLA Entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks.
Placca, Nicole	Teacher of Spanish	UHS	5/11/2020- 11/27-2020 Return: 11/30/2020	Update to Previous Leave type: Paid Child Rearing Leave followed by Unpaid FMLA only	FMLA entitlement only. Entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks. *Does not meet NJFLA requirements.
West, Heather	Teacher of Science	KMS	5/29/20-12/3/2020 Return: 12/4/2020	Paid Child Rearing Leave followed by Unpaid FMLA only	FMLA entitlement only Entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks. *Does not meet NJFLA requirements.
Wisiak, Tara	School Psychologist	Connecticut Farms	4/22/20-5/21/20 Return 5/22/2020 followed by leave from 9/1/2020-11/30/2020 Return 12/1/2020	Paid Child Rearing Leave followed by Unpaid FMLA/NJFLA (Concurrently)	FMLA/NJFLA Entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks.
Zurka, Christine	Instructional Para-professional	Battle Hill	Intermittent Extension through 11/14/2020	Extension of Intermittent FMLA Leave	FMLA Entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks. Original intermittent FMLA taken 11/14/19
Havyar, Amanda	teacher	Hannah Caldwell	extension - return 9/1/2020	Extension of unpaid child rearing leave non-FMLA
Placca, Nicole	Spanish teacher	UHS	updated 5/29/2020-11/27/2020 - return date 11/30/2020	paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA only	FMLA not to exceed 12 weeks/60 working days
Sterling, Tara	teacher of TV production	UHS	updated 6/1/2020-6/24/2020	paid child rearing leave

P-5. APPROVE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION OFFICERS – 2020-2021

Approve Affirmative Action Officers for the 2020-2021 school year, at no cost to the district, as follows: Gerry Benaquista as Affirmative Action Officer; Akua Boakye as Assistant Affirmative Action Officer and Benjamin Kloc as Affirmative Action Officer for classroom practices.

P-6. APPROVE STUDENT TEACHERS AND INTERNSHIPS

Approve student teachers and internships for the 2019-2020 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

L. Policy Committee

M. Residency Committee Resolutions

N. Technology Committee

O. 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.