Executive Session/Worksession - 6:00 p.m. - Tuesday, September 10, 2024

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Executive Session

6. Approval of Minutes:

            1.         August 27, 2024 – regular meeting

            2.         August 27, 2024 – executive session No. 1

            3.         August 27, 2024 – executive session No. 2

7. Communications:

LETTER OF RESINGATION – AGUAYSA
    Letter of resignation from Maria Aguaysa, cafeteria/playground aide-Washington Elementary School, effective August 20, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – PARDUCCI
    Letter of resignation from James Parducci, cafeteria/playground aide-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective August 28, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – RIESGO
    Letter of resignation from Javier Riesgo, cafeteria/playground aide-Franklin Elementary School, effective August 29, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – FASOLINO
    Letter of resignation from Christina Fasolino, paraprofessional-Livingston Elementary School, effective August 23, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – DECKER
    Request for paid FMLA from Sonia Decker, ESL teacher-Burnet Middle School, September 3, 2024-January 24, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – BARBIERI
    Request for leave update from Jessica Barbieri, teacher-Jefferson School, new return date September 3, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – LEMBRYK
    Request for paid leave and unpaid leave from Lester Lembryk, physical education teacher-Union High School, September 3, 2024-TBD.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – VIGIL
    Request for unpaid FMLA from Alexis Vigil, first grade teacher-Washington Elementary School, September 3, 2024-October 13, 2024.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – GREEN
    Request for unpaid FMLA from Ruth Green, PreK teacher assistant-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, September 3, 2024-October 1, 2024.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – CAMERON
    Request for paid FMLA intermittent leave from Siddiquah Cameron, PreK specialist-districtwide, September 3, 2024-June 20, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – BUCHANAN
    Request for paid FMLA intermittent leave from Deana Buchanan, ELA teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, September 3, 2024-June 20, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – FILIPPONE
    Request for paid FMLA intermittent leave from Marcia Filippone, secretary-Kawameeh Middle School, September 3, 2024-June 30, 2024.

8. Comments from Public (on resolutions)

9. Superintendent’s Report:

            1.         State of the Schools

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.    SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB
    Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period September 1 to September 10, 2024 (no incidents to report), in accordance with the information available to each Board member (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2.    ACCEPT INCREASED FUNDING – HIGH IMPACT TUTORING GRANT
    Accept the increased funding of an additional eight percent (8%) of the original award for the High Impact Tutoring Grant, with the entirety of the grant to be spent by June 30, 2025.

E-3.    APPROVE SUBMISSION OF SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH GRANT
    Approve submission of the School Based Mental Health Grant Year 3 for the 2024-2025 school year in the amount of $375,000.00.

E-4.    APPROVE TITLE I SCHOOL PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICIES
    Approve Title I School Parent and Family Engagement Policy for the following schools (no changes): (a) Union High School, (b) Burnet Middle School, (c) Jefferson School, (d) Franklin Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-5.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF WHOLE KIDS GARDEN GRANT – LIVINGSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    Approve acceptance of the Whole Kids Garden Grant for Livingston Elementary School in the amount of $3,000.00 for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-6.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT – UNION COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
    Approve acceptance of the Union County Board of County Commissioners 2024-2025 Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) grant for both Burnet Middle School and Kawameeh Middle School.  The grant will partner with Lighthouse Collaborative LLC to receiving ongoing support and consultation for the GSA, school mural creations, family nights, staff professional development and resources for the upcoming school year (additionally, $1,000.00 per school will be awarded to appoint a GSA advisor), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

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 August 31, 2024 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated August 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 (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 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 2024-2025 STATE CONTRACT APPROVED VENDORS
    Approve the amended list of the 2024-2025 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 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 – none at this time

F-10.    APPROVE 2024-2025 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST
    Approval be given to amend the 2024-2025 out-of-district student placement list (month of September), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-11.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANTS – SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW JERSEY
    Approve acceptance of the grants awarded as listed below from Special Olympics New Jersey – Unified Champion Schools 2024-2025: (a) Burnet Middle School - $2,500.00, (b) Kawameeh Middle School - $1,700.00, (c) Jefferson School - $600.00, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-12.    ACCEPT NONPUBLIC SCHOOL NURSING AID FROM NJDOE - UPDATED
    Accept updated Nonpublic School Nursing Aid from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for the 2024-2025 school year as follows: (a) St. Michael’s School - $42,640.00 and (b) United Academy of Union - $27,040.00 (the Patrick School Inc. was removed per NJDOE) [for a total of $69,680.00], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-13.    ACCEPT NONPUBLIC SECURITY AID FROM NJDOE - UPDATED
    Accept updated Nonpublic Security Aid from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for the 2024-2025 school year as follows: (a) St. Michael’s School - $67,240.00 and (b) United Academy of Union - $42,640.00 (the Patrick School Inc. was removed per NJDOE) [for a total of $109,880.00], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-14.    ACCEPT NONPUBLIC TECHNOLOGY AID FROM NJDOE - UPDATED
    Accept updated Nonpublic Technology Aid from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for the 2024-2025 school year as follows: (a) St. Michael’s School - $16,072.00 and (b) United Academy of Union - $10,192.00 (the Patrick School Inc. was removed per NJDOE) [for a total of $26,264.00], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-15.    ACCEPT NONPUBLIC TEXTBOOK AID FROM NJDOE - UPDATED

            Accept updated Nonpublic Textbook Aid from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for the 2024-2025 school year as follows: (a) St. Michael’s School - $16,774.00 and (b) United Academy of Union - $10,637.00 (the Patrick School Inc. was removed per NJDOE) [for a total of $27,411.00], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-16.    For informational purposes only – vote not required.  List of legal services paid as of August 31, 2024 for the 2024-2025 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 ANNUAL INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT NOTICE
    Approve Annual Integrated Pest Management Notice for the 2024-2025 school year, 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 - none at this time

P-2.    APPROVE SUBSTITUTE LISTS – none at this time

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 CHANGE OF SALARY CLASS NO. 3
    Approve Change of Salary Class No. 3, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-5.    APPROVE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION OFFICERS – 2024-2025
    Approve updated Affirmative Action Officers for the 2024-2025 school year, at no cost to the district, as follows: Isabella Scocozza, as Affirmative Action Officer; Lauren Walker, as Assistant Affirmative Action Officer and Ben Kloc, as Affirmative Action Officer for classroom practices.

P-6.    APPROVE RESOLUTION APPROVING ROTH 403(b) AND 457(b) ACCOUNTS
    Whereas, the governing Board of the Township of Union Board of Education (the “Organization”) has established 403(b) and 457(b) retirement programs that are funded through voluntary employee’s salary reduction contributions for the purpose of enhancing retirement income;

    Whereas, the IRS allows this retirement program to be funded with after-tax dollars and therefore be considered a ROTH 403(b) or ROTH 457(b) retirement plan;

    Whereas, the Secure Act 2.0 creates an income limit of $145,000 for the deductibility/pre-tax contributions for anyone over age 50; and

    Whereas, those earning in excess of the income limit must make the catch-up contribution to a ROTH account using after tax dollars;

    Be It RESOLVED that the Organization hereby agrees to approve that the tax-shelter companies offer ROTH accounts to the employees of Township of Union Board of Education (at no cost to the district). 

P-7.    APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – BUS AIDE
    Approve Job Description – Bus Aide, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-8.    APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – FACILITY MANAGER
    Approve Job Description – Facility Manager, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-9.    APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – RESIDENCY INVESTIGATOR
    Approve Job Description – Residency Investigator, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-10.    APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION – SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
    Approve Job Description – Substitute Teacher, 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: (FINAL READING/ADOPTION)

POL-1.      REGULATION 2464 – GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS
    Approve Regulation 2464 – Gifted and Talented Students, 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 student voluntarily transferred to the district of residence:

            For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following totals are as of the August 30, 2024 Board meeting (2024-2025 school year):

17. Technology Committee:

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Technology Committee presents the following resolution for the Board’s consideration:

T-1.    APPROVE RECYCLING OF EQUIPMENT
    Approve recycling of equipment, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.
 

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. Comments from Public:

22.  Adjournment