Executive Session/Worksession - 6:00 p.m. - Tuesday, December 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.         November 12, 2024 – worksession

            2.         November 12, 2024 – executive sessions #1, #2 and #3

            3.         November 19, 2024 – regular meeting

            4.         November 19, 2024 – executive sessions #1 and #2

7. Communications:

REQUESTS FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION
    Requests from the Township of Union: (1) January 20, 2025 – 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Jefferson School cafeteria and parking lot – Annual MLK Day of Service, (2) February 1, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Jefferson School gym – Black History Month Expo, (3) February 14-15, 2025 – times TBD - Jefferson School auditorium – Black History Month play, and (4) February 22, 2025 – times TBD - Jefferson School Auditorium – HRC Black History Month.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – BRENNAN
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Theresa Brennan, special education teacher-Union High School, effective April 1, 2025.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – PHILLIPS
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Nonie Phillips, special education teacher-Burnet Middle School, effective February 1, 2025.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION - ANDELIZ
    Letter of resignation from Jomari Andeliz, behavior technician-Kawameeh Middle School, effective November 27, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – CHRISTOPHER
    Letter of resignation from Catherine Christopher, cafeteria/playground aide-Franklin Elementary School, effective November 28, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DAVIS
    Letter of resignation from Donovan Davis, substitute health and physical education teacher-Franklin Elementary School, effective November 19, 2024.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DECKER LEWIS
    Letter of resignation from Katherine Decker Lewis, social studies teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, effective January 23, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – STEEB
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA leave from Linda Steeb, teacher-Kawameeh Middle School, November 20, 2024-June 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – NAVARRETE
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA leave from Angel Navarrete, teacher-Union High School, November 21, 2024-June 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – KRALY
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA leave from John Kraly, teacher-Washington Elementary School, December 3, 2024-June 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MANCINELLI
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA leave from Lynne Mancinelli, media specialist-Washington Elementary School, December 1, 2024-December 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – McDONALD
    Request for paid FMLA from Tiffani McDonald, teacher-Livingston Elementary School, December 6, 2024-January 6, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – KOLAS
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Alyssa Kolas, nurse-Livingston Elementary School, February 7, 2025-June 24, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – TAYLOR
    Request for paid FMLA from Adrienne Taylor, part-time bus aide-Transportation Department, December 9, 2024-January 31, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – PIERRE
    Request for paid medical leave from Marc Pierre, bus driver-Transportation Department, November 19, 2024-February 28, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – MATTHEWS
    Request for paid FMLA from Thomas Matthews, principal-Burnet Middle School, November 20, 2024-June 30, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – SANTORO
    Request for paid FMLA from Bernadine Santoro, teacher-Franklin Elementary School, November 26, 2024-January 2, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – RIBERIO
    Request for unpaid sick leave from Maria Riberio, paraprofessional-Battle Hill Elementary School, December 5, 2024-January 17, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – MATOS
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Sara Matos, business teacher-Union High School, January 2, 2025-June 24, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – COSENTINO
    Request for paid FMLA from Sandra Cosentino, CST-Battle Hill Elementary School, January 8, 2025-March 7, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – BURD
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Diana Burd, teacher-Jefferson School, March 13, 2025-November 10, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE WHITEMAN-LAND
    Request for paid FMLA from Michaela Whiteman-Land, CST-Union High School, February 6, 2025-February 20, 2025 and April 1, 2025-April 29, 2025.

UPDATE TO REQUEST FOR LEAVE – CHARLES
    Update to request for leave from Claire Charles, teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School new return date December 2, 2024.

UPDATE TO REQUEST FOR LEAVE – PLACCA
    Update to request for leave from Nicole Placca, teacher-Union High School, new return date September 1, 2025.

8. Comments from Public (on resolutions in bold)

9. Superintendent’s Report:

1.    Special Services Presentation - Transitioning - December 10th 
2.    T&M Presentation - December 18th 
3.    Dr. Rodriguez Presentation - Curriculum and Instruction – December 18th

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 November 20, 2024 to December 10, 2024, in accordance with the information available to 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 periods November 12, 2024 to November 19, 2024, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-2.    APPROVE CO-OP SPORTS PROGRAM BETWEEN TOWNSHIP OF UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS – GYMNASTICS
    Approve a Cooperative Sports Program to combine the Dayton High School (Springfield Public Schools) gymnastics team with the Union High School (Union Public Schools) gymnastics team for the 2024-2025 school year.

E-3.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF MARK SCHONWETTER HOLOCAUST EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANT
    Approve the acceptance of the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation Grant in the amount of $1,000.00 for the Township of Union Public Schools to expand the Holocaust Learning Library at Union High School for the 2024-2025 school year.

E-4.    APPROVE HMH EDUCATION COMPANY – GO MATH IN PERSON COACHING
    Approve HMH Education Company to provide Go Math in-person coaching days for staff at the Hannah Caldwell Elementary School at a cost of $4,200.00 for the 2024-2025 school year [to be paid for using Title II funds].

E-5.    APPROVE GO GUARDIAN TUTOR ME/PEAR DECK – TUTORING SESSIONS
    Approve Go Guardian Tutor Me/Pear Deck, as a NJDOE approved vendor, for the High Impact Tutoring Grant Award.  The tutoring vendor will coordinate virtual on demand tutoring sessions for district students in grades 3 through 12 during the 2024-2025 school year (not to exceed $119,405.65 from account fund #20489) [previously approved vendor due to the High Impact Tutoring Grant allowing the district to extend services into the 2024-2025 school year].

E-6.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF  2160 COVID KITS – USDOE
    Approve acceptance of 2160 COVID test kits from the United States Department of Education Testing Supply Program for LEAs to be sent to all district schools for distribution.

E-7.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF HAND2MIND DONATION
    Approve the acceptance of the Hand2Mind donation of supplemental resources in Math, Literacy and STEM (approximate cost of $4,500.00) to Hannah Caldwell Elementary School.

E-8.    APPROVE CONTRACT – GO GUARDIAN BEACON
    Approve Contract to implement Go Guardian Beacon (student safety platform) to provide 24/7 coverage for students at a cost of $9,709.00 to be paid for using the School Based Mental Health Grant Award for the 2024-2025 school year.

E-9.    APPROVE COORDINATION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY EXTERNS – KEAN UNIVERSITY
    Approve coordination of graduate level School Psychology Externs from Kean University, as part of the requirement of the School Based Mental Health Grant Award, for spring 2025 semester (all salaries to be paid using School Based Mental Health Grant Award and approved by the NJDOE per grant requirements) - Kean University Extern Advisor – Dr. Aaron A. Gubi – SBMH Account not to exceed $10,800.00; School Based Mental Health Extern Approval for Spring 2024 semester: Theresa Williams, Alyssa Thompson, Kyle Cammilleri, Kenny Cammileri, Nichole Data *doctoral student no payment, Amanda Nunes *doctoral student no payment  (SBMH grant not to exceed $40,500.00).

E-10.    APPROVE STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE – PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
    Approve the Statement of Assurance - 2025-2026 three-year preschool program plan and annual updates, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

E-11.    APPROVE ARTICULATION AGREEMENT – KEAN UNIVERSITY
    Approve Articulation Agreement between Kean University and the district for the Kean Scholar Academy initiative (K-12 educational program) for Union High School students for the 2024-2025 school year; tuition to be paid through Title I and Title IV Dual Admission tuition grants, 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 November 30, 2024 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated November 30, 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
    Accept the following donations:
 

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 December), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-11.    APPROVE UPDATED AGREEMENT FOR NONPUBLIC ESEA/ESSA TITLE I – UCESC
    Approve updated Agreement for Nonpublic School ESEA/ESSA Title I with the Union County Education Services Commission (UCESC) to reflect the additional carryover funds for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-12.    APPROVE NJTIP AT RUTGERS – TRAVEL INSTRUCTION CURRICULUM
    Approve NJTIP at Rutgers to provide travel instruction curriculum (6 classroom instruction sessions and execute up to 6 field trips to CBI locations on bus or other transit provider vehicles) per students’ IEPs from January 4, 2025-to June 30, 2025, at the rate of $18,766.00.  Other direct costs, which include a NJ Transit bus demonstration at Union High School, student/UHS staff transit fares and staff mileage totaling $1,450.00 (total cost not to exceed $20,226.00) for the 2024-2025 school year [Account Fund #11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-13.    APPROVE AMENDMENT TO TECH ABILITIES CONSULTING – EVALUATIONS
    Approve amendment to F-24 approved on 4/24/2024) for Tech Abilities Consulting LLC to provide evaluations and consulting, to add Assistive Technology/AAC general training for district students, staff and families at the rate of $175.00/hr. for the 2024-2025 school year (not to exceed $20,000.00) [Account Fund #11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

F-14.    APPROVE STUDENT TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT – DCF - STATE OF NEW JERSEY
    Approve Student Transportation Contract with the State of New Jersey – Department of Children and Families for the 2024-2025 school year at a rate of $75.00 per day (start date December 2, 2024), in accordance with the non-public information available to each Board member.

F-15.    APPROVE AUTHORIZATION TO USE ADDITIONAL FUNDS – CAPITAL AND MAINTENANCE RESERVES
    Approve the authorization to use additional funds from the district’s Capital Reserves ($934,030.00) and Maintenance Reserves ($650,000) to address the emergency expenses related to the temporary closure of Hannah Caldwell Elementary School and the cost associated with occupying temporary space at a new location. Anticipate refunding the reserves upon receipt of insurance funds and other additional state funding.

F-16.    APPROVE EMERGENCY VENDORS – HANNAH CALDWELL CLOSURE \ TEMPORARILY SPACE (1085 MORRIS AVENUE) 
    Approve the authorization to temporarily suspend the normal procurement process to expedite and use the following qualified vendors due to emergency school closure at Hannah Caldwell.  This measure ensured timely response and restoration of essential operations, prioritizing the health and safety and wellbeing of our student and staff: (a) M & M Construction, (b) Liberty Transport & Storage Grp, and (c) Rapid Hillmann Environmental.

F-17.    APPROVE T&M ENGINEERING SVC – DISTRICTWIDE AND EVALUATION OF TRANSPORTATION/BUS ROUTING OPTIMIZATION 
    Approve to authorize the engagement of T & M Engineering to analyze, optimize, and implement improved bus routes, ensuring efficiency and safety within budgetary guidelines not to exceed $ 85,000.00.

F-ATTY.  For informational purposes only – vote not required.  List of legal services paid as of November 19, 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 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 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the non-public information available to each Board member.

O-2.    APPROVE REQUESTS FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION
    Approve the following requests from the Township of Union: (1) January 20, 2025 – 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Jefferson School cafeteria and parking lot – Annual MLK Day of Service, (2) February 1, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Jefferson School gym – Black History Month Expo, (3) February 14-15, 2025 – times TBD - Jefferson School auditorium – Black History Month play, and (4) February 22, 2025 – times TBD - Jefferson School Auditorium – HRC Black History Month.

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 2024-2025 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 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-5.    APPROVE VOLUNTEERS
    Approve volunteers to perform services within the district, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-6.    APPROVE UPDATED 2024-2025 HOURLY RATES LIST
    Approve updated 2024-2025 Hourly Rates List, in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

P-7.    APPROVE UPDATED JOB DESCRIPTION – BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN
    Approve the updated job description for Behavior Technician, 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.      POLICY 3216 - DRESS AND GROOMING
    Approve Policy 3216 – Dress and Grooming (Teaching Staff Members), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-2.  POLICY 4216 – DRESS AND GROOMING
    Approve Policy 4216 – Dress and Grooming (Support Staff), in accordance with the information available to each Board member.

POL-3.     POLICY 7230 – GIFTS, GRANTS AND DONATIONS
    Approve Policy 7230 – Gifts, Grants and Donations, 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.    APPROVE TO REMOVE STUDENTS FROM ROLLS
    Approve to remove the following students from the attendance rolls as the students have been determined to be ineligible to attend the Township of Union Public Schools as a resident student:

            For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following totals are as of the November 19, 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 list of equipment for recycling, 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. Executive Session

23.  Adjournment