VIA ZOOM - Worksession-7:00 p.m. - February 13, 2024

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Executive Session

6. Approval of Minutes:

            1.         January 4, 2024 – organization meeting

            2.         January 9, 2024 – worksession meeting

            3.         January 23, 2024 – regular meeting

            4.         January 23, 2024 – executive session #1

            5.         January 23, 2024 – executive session #2

7. Communications:

REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – UHS FACILITY

            Request from Township of Union Chamber of Commerce to use the Union High School facility site for the Chamber’s 13^th Annual Mayor’s Day 5K Run, Sunday, September 29, 2024 (rain date – only in event of severe weather-October 13, 2024.

REQUEST FROM BRANDIN THOMPSON – UHS 

            Request from Brandin Thompson (UHS 2023 graduate) requesting use of Union High School to record a music video (during off school hours).

UHS/NATIONAL SPANISH HONOR SOCIETY – INDUCTION OF STUDENTS

            Induction of students to the Union High School/National Spanish Honor Society – May 1-31, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – CASABLANCA

            Letter of resignation from Erika Casablanca, special education teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, effective March 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – HAN

            Letter of resignation from Paul Han, long-term substitute security officer-Livingston Elementary School, effective February 3, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – VIERA

            Letter of resignation from Christine Viera, cafeteria/playground aide-Washington Elementary School, effective January 8, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – ERDMAN

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Donald Erdman, social studies teacher-Union High School, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – FARAONE

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Christopher Faraone, social studies teacher-Union High, effective February 10, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – FIORITO

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Michael Fiorito, social studies teacher-Union High School, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – ZIESER, SR.

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Ronald Zieser, Sr., head custodian-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective July 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – HAJKOWSKI

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Jennifer Hajkowski, Dean of Restorative Practices-Union High School, effective September 1, 2024.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – OSBORNE-WARREN

            Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Michelle Osborne-Warren, principal-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, effective September 1, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – ORDONEZ

            Request for paid medical leave from Connie Ordonez, Tech-UHS-IT Department, February 6, 2024-February 27, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – LANGLEY

            Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA leave from Brittany Langley, special education teacher-Kawameeh and Burnet Middle Schools, March 1, 2024-September 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – McKEE

            Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA leave from April McKee, English teacher-Union High School, April 16, 2024-September 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – SAAVEDRA

            Request for paid FMLA leave from Hector Saavedra, bus driver-Transportation Department, January 29, 2024-March 4, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – HAHN

            Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Elisa Hahn, first grade teacher-Livingston Elementary School, January 4, 2024-June 30, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE AND INTERMITTENT – GEORGE

            Request for unpaid FMLA from Sheren George, paraprofessional-Burnet Middle School, January 25, 2024-April 30, 2024, followed by unpaid intermittent FMLA, May 1, 2024-June 22, 2024.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – HUTTER

            Request for unpaid intermittent FMLA leave from Lisa Hutter, art teacher-Franklin Elementary School, January 31, 2024-June 22, 2024.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – KAUFMAN

            Request for unpaid intermittent FMLA from Randi Kaufman, special education teacher-Union High School, November 15, 2023-June 30, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – ROSA

            Request for extension of leave from Lisa Rosa, special education teacher-Washington Elementary School, new return date February 1, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – HRDINA

            Request for extension of leave from Jaclyn Hrdina, pre-k teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, new return date February 15, 2024.

8. Comments from Public (on resolutions and all other matters)

9. Superintendent’s Report:

            1.         State of the Schools – February 20, 2024

            2.         Student Liaisons: Neissa Filias; Gia Patel – February 20, 2024

            3.         Special Education Audit Presentation – February 20, 2024

            4.         Presentation by Suplee Clooney & Company – Auditors – February 20, 2024

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.     AFFIRM SUPERINTENDENT’S DETERMINATION OF HIB 

            Affirm the Superintendent’s determination of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the periods January 10, 2024 to January 23, 2024, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-1A.  SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB

            Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period January 24, 2024 to February 13, 2024, in accordance with the information available to each Board member (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2.     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, 2023) of the 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-3.     APPROVE LOCATION FOR CST TESTING

            Approve Hamilton Building (June 24-August 31, 2024) for CST testing and/or home instruction for the 2024-2025 school year.

E-4.     APPROVE LOCATIONS FOR EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR 

            Approve Battle Hill Elementary School and Hannah Caldwell Elementary School from July 1, 2024 to August 1, 2024 for the 2024 Extended School Year (ESY) program.

E-5.     APPROVE AFFILIATION AGREEMENTS – KEAN UNIVERSITY

            Approve Affiliation Agreements with Kean University for (1) School Psychology Professional Diploma Program for Practicum” and (2) School Psychology Professional Diploma Program in accordance with the School Based Mental Health Grant Award for the Spring 2024 semester, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-6.     APPROVE APPLICATION FOR DCA LOCAL RECREATION IMPROVEMENT GRANT

            Approve application for the DCA Local Recreation Improvement Grant Fiscal Year 2024, in the amount of $100,000.00, and complete a signed resolution to participate in grant funding, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-7.     APPROVE APPLICATION FOR EXPANDING ACCESS TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND NJ STUDENT LEARNING STANDARDS

            Approve application for the Expanding Access to Climate Change Education and the New Jersey Student Learning Standards through Interdisciplinary Learning and Community Resilience in the amount of $31,875.00.

E-8.     APPROVE TO CREATE AN AMENDMENT FOR THE ARP-HCY

            Approve to create an amendment for the American Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) Supplemental Funding. REMOVED FROM AGENDA  AT WORKSESSION

E-9.     APPROVE APPLICATION FOR EMERGENT AND CAPITAL MAINTENANCE NEEDS GRANT

            Approve application for the Emergent and Capital Maintenance Needs Grant in the allocated amount of $183,385.00 for the school district.

E-10.   APPROVE SUBMISSION OF THE SFY 2023 ESSER PERFORMANCE REPORT

            Approve submission of the SFY 2023 ESSER Performance Report in EWEG for the Township of Union Public Schools.

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, 2024 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated January 31, 2024 be accepted.

F-4.      APPROVE APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS

            Approve appropriation transfers in accordance with the information available to 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 available to each Board member.

F-6.      APPROVE DISTRICT WIDE TRAVEL AND RELATED EXPENSES

            Approve district wide 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 available to each Board member.

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 available to each Board member.

F-8.      APPROVE LIST OF 2023-2024 STATE CONTRACT VENDORS

            Approve the amended list of the 2023-2024 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 available to each Board member.

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 available to each Board member: 

F-9B.   APPROVE FUNDRAISERS

            Approve the following fundraisers, in accordance with the information available to each Board member:

F-9C.   ACCEPT DONATIONS

            Accept the following donations:

F-10.    APPROVE 2023-2024 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST

            Approval be given to amend the 2023-2024 out-of-district student placement list, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-11.    APPROVE PURCHASING MANUAL

            Approve the updated 2023-2024 Purchasing Manual, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-12A. APPROVE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL SECURITY INITIATIVE PROGRAM SPENDING PLAN – UCESC

            Approve the Union County Educational Services Commission (UCESC) Nonpublic School Security Initiative Program spending plan for The Patrick School located within the district for the 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-12B. APPROVE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE PROGRAM SPENDING PLAN – UCESC

            Approve the Union County Educational Services Commission (UCESC) Nonpublic School Technology Initiative Program spending plan for The Patrick School located within the district for the 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-13.    APPROVE INCREASE TO PURCHASE ORDER – OUR HOUSE

            Approve an increase to P.O. No. 24-01723 with Our House, Inc. to provide community-based employment services to district students for the 2023-2024 school year from $100,000.00 to $170,000.00.

F-14.    APPROVE CREATIVE SPEECH SOLUTIONS – SPEECH/LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

            Approve Creative Speech Solutions to provide speech/language pathologist to render speech/language therapy services, at the rate of $95.00/hour (not to exceed $60,000.00) for the 2023-2024 school year [Account #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-15.    ACCEPT ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT AND MANAGEMENT REPORT

            Accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the Auditor’s Management Report, in accordance with the information available to each Board member (auditors will present report to the public at the regular meeting on February 20, 2024).

F-16.    APPROVE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN (CAP)

            Approve the Corrective Action Plan for Single Audit Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2023, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-17.    For informational purposes only – vote not required.  List of legal services for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

12. Grievance/Negotiations Committee:

13. 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, if applicable, bus evacuation reports for the 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

O-2.  REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – UHS FACILITY

            Request from Township of Union Chamber of Commerce to use the Union High School facility site for the Chamber’s 13^th Annual Mayor’s Day 5K Run, Sunday, September 29, 2024 (rain date – only in event of severe weather-October 13, 2024), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

O-3.  REQUEST FROM BRANDIN THOMPSON – UHS 

            Request from Brandin Thompson (UHS 2023 graduate) requesting use of Union High School to record a music video (during off school hours), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

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.   PERSONNEL ACTIONS – NEW HIRES

            Personnel Actions-New Hires be approved in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-1B    PERSONNEL ACTIONS – EXTRA PAY

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

P-1C    PERSONNEL ACTIONS – TRANSFERS

            Personnel Actions- Transfers be approved in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-2.      APPROVE SUBSTITUTE LISTS 

            Approve Substitute Lists for the 2023-2024 school year.

P-3A.   ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT

            Accept letters of resignation/retirement from the following staff:

P-3B.   APPROVE LEAVES

            Approve leaves for the following staff: 

P-4.      APPROVE DESIGNEE – STUDENT ACTIVITIES ACCOUNT

            Approve William Eichert, as an additional designee, for the ConnectOne “Union High School Student Activities Account”.

P-5.      APPROVE ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

            Approve Kim Conti, Director of Special Services, to attend the Township of Union Disabilities and Mental Health Committee meetings, at no cost to the district, for the 2023-2024 school year through December 31, 2024.

P-6.      APPROVE STUDENT TEACHERS AND INTERNSHIPS

            Approve student teachers and internships for the 2023-2024 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

15. 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.  APPROVE POLICY 2270 – RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

            Approve Policy 2270 – Religion in Schools, in accordance with the information available to each Board member (under attorney review).

POL-2.  APPROVE POLICY 3161 – EXAMINATION FOR CAUSE

            Approve Policy 3161 – Examination for Cause, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-3.  APPROVE POLICY 3212 – ATTENDANCE

            Approve Policy 3212 – Attendance, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-4.  APPROVE REGULATION 3212 – ATTENDANCE

            Approve Regulation 3212 – Attendance, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-5.  APPROVE POLICY 3324 – RIGHT OF PRIVACY

            Approve Policy 3324 – Right of Privacy, in accordance with the information available to each Board member (under attorney review).

POL-6.  APPROVE POLICY 4161 – EXAMINATION FOR CAUSE

            Approve Policy 4161 – Examination for Cause, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-7.  APPROVE POLICY 4212 – ATTENDANCE

            Approve Policy 4212 – Attendance, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-8.  APPROVE REGULATION 4212 – ATTENDANCE

            Approve Regulation 4212 – Attendance, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-9.  APPROVE POLICY 4324 – RIGHT OF PRIVACY

            Approve Policy 4324 – Right of Privacy, in accordance with the information available to each Board member (under attorney review).

POL-10.  APPROVE POLICY 5116 – EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTHS

            Approve Policy 5116 – Education of Homeless Children and Youths, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-11.  APPROVE REGULATION 5116 – EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTHS

            Approve Regulation 5116 – Education of Homeless Children and Youths, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-12.  APPROVE POLICY 8500 – FOOD SERVICES (M)

            Approve Policy 8500 – Food Services, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

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 VOLUNTARILY TRANSFERRED TO DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE

            For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following residency investigations were completed and the listed students voluntarily transferred to the district of residence:

17. Technology Committee:

18. 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.

19. Unfinished Business:

20. New Business:

21.  Adjournment