Worksession-7:00 p.m.-May 13, 2025, Administration Building, 2369 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Approval of Minutes:

    1.    April 8, 2025 – worksession
    2.    April 8, 2025 – executive session
    3.    April 29, 2025 – regular meeting/budget hearing
    4.    April 29, 2025 – executive session

6. Communications:
LETTER OF RESIGNATION – ORSINI
    Letter of resignation from Erin Orsini, part-time clerk-Burnet Middle School, effective April 11, 2025.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – PADDEN
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Lisa Padden, 12-month secretary-Union High School, effective July 1, 2025.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – VANDEWAL
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Gerard Vandewal, health and physical education teacher-Burnet Middle School, effective July 1, 2025.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – YAWNICK
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Marilyn Yawnick, bus aide-Transportation Department, effective June 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – McPHERSON
    Request for leave update from Tiffany McPherson, second grade teacher-Franklin Elementary School, new return date September 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – WHITEMAN-LAND
    Request for leave update from Michaela Whiteman-Land, CST-Union High School, new return date May 7, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – MINNOIA
    Request for leave update from Francesca Minnoia, PreK SE teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, new return date May 12, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – PRATA
    Request for leave update from Ashley Prata, teacher-Jefferson School, new return date June 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – DAGENE-RITTER
    Request for leave update from Astride Dagene-Ritter, CST-Union High School, new return date April 28, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – BRAVETTE
    Request for leave update from Victoria Bravette, new return date June 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – NELSON
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA leave from Robert Nelson, teacher assistant-Jefferson School, March 3, 2025-May 30, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – HRDINA BROWN
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Felecia Hrdina Brown, PreK Instructional Coach-districtwide, April 28, 2025-June 25, 2025.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – WISIAK
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Tara Wisiak, CST-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, May 1, 2025-May 1, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – LAKE
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Kelly Lake, science teacher-Burnet Middle School, May 1, 2025-November 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – BOGAR
    Request for unpaid leave from Chevonne Bogar, part-time driver-Transportation Department, March 24, 2025-June 24, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – PERALTA
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Antonia Peralta, Spanish teacher-Union High School, June 3, 2025-December 22, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – LANGAN
    Request for paid FMLA from Susan Langan, teacher assistant-Union High School, May 16, 2025-May 27, 2025.

REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION EDUCATION FOUNDATION
    Request from the Township of Union Education Foundation to use the conference room at the Board of Education office, 2369 Morris Avenue, on June 5, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for a small reception to honor grant recipients.

LETTER FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION EDUCATION FOUNDATION
    Letter from Township of Union Education Foundation listing grants that were awarded to teachers for the 2025-2026 school year.

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

8. Superintendent’s Report:

    1.    State of the Schools
    2.    Presentations – Livingston Elementary School and Kawameeh Middle School
    3.    Presentation – Dutch Aine and the Student Therapeutic Assistance Resource Team (START)
    4.    Student Liaison - Mariella Garcia

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
    Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period April 30, 2025 to May 13, 2025, 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 April 8, 2025 to April 29, 2025, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-2.    APPROVE AFFILIATION AGREEMENT – SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
    Approve Affiliation Agreement between the district and Seton Hall University for clinical placement for university students within the district, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-3.    APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – UNION COLLEGE OF UNION COUNTY NJ
    Approve Internship Site Memorandum of Understanding between the district and Union College of Union County, NJ (UCNJ) for internship placements for college students within the district, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-4.    APPROVE TO COORDINATE GRADUATE LEVEL SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY EXTERNS – KEAN UNIVERSITY
    Approve to coordinate graduate level school psychology externs from Kean University, as part of the requirement of the School Based Mental Health Grant Award, for the Fall 2025 semester; all salaries will be paid for using School Based Mental Health Grant Award and approved by the NJDOE per the grant requirements:

• Kean University Extern Advisor – Dr. Aaron A. Gubi, SBMH not to exceed $9,100.00 – paid for using SBMH Grant Account #8640

• School Based Mental Health Extern Approval for Fall 2025 semester: (a) Kenneth Cammilleri, (b) Kyle Cammilleri, (c) Daniel McMahon, (d) Robert Bobko, (e) Samara Infantino, (f) Fiorella Quezeda, (g) Victoria Ferguson – SBMH Grant not to exceed $51,188.00 – paid for using SBMH Grant account #8638 [pending background checks and availability of SBMH funds

E-5.    APPROVE FAMILY CENTER OF MONTCLAIR – SCREENING/INTERVENTION
    Approve Family Center of Montclair to provide depression screening and same day interventions for grades 7-12th (opt in) for the Fall 2025 as per a requirement of the Mental Health Depression Screening in Schools Grant at a cost of $18,335.00 paid for using MH funds Account #20307 if servicing up to 875 students.

E-6.    APPROVE TO ACCEPT FUNDS – NJDOE ESPORTS INDUSTRY CAREER EXPLORATION COMPETITIVE GRANT AWARD
    Approve acceptance of funds for the NJDOE Esports Industry Career Exploration Competitive Grant Award for the 2025-2026 school year, in the amount of $50,000 to support both Burnet and Kawameeh Middle Schools.

E-7.    APPROVE TO ACCEPT FUNDS – NJDOE MENSTRUAL PRODUCT REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
    Approve to accept funds for the NJDOE menstrual product reimbursement program, in the amount of $295.35 for the 2024-2025 school year.

E-8.    APPROVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAIN THE TRAINER SESSION – FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    Approve professional development train the trainer session at Franklin Elementary School using Touch Math.  The intervention will be used during both the day school and after school programming.  Trainers will turn-key the program to the elementary staff for implementation at a cost of $5,000.00 paid from using Title II funds accounts #8434/8441.

E-9.     APPROVE REMOVAL OF LIBRARY BOOKS – KAWAMEEH MIDDLE SCHOOL

            Approve removal of library books from the Kawameeh Middle School collection, including damaged items, outdated and unused materials (over 25 years old and not circulated since 2005 or earlier); removal is in accordance with district guidelines for library collection maintenance and in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-10.    ACCEPT GRANTS FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION EDUCATION FOUNDATION
    Approve acceptance of grants from the Township of Union Education Foundation for the 2025-2026 school year, 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 April 30, 2025 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated April 30, 2025 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 (none at this time)
    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.

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 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 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 2024-2025 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST

            Approval be given to amend the 2024-2025 out-of-district student placement list (month of May 2025), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-11.    APPROVE TRAVEL AND RELATED EXPENSES
    Approve travel and related expenses pursuant to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:11-12, N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-5.8, 5.9 for the NJSBA Workshop Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey (October 20-23, 2025) for Board members and Central Office Administration: Gerry Benaquista, Superintendent, Marissa McKenzie, Assistant Superintendent, Jose Rodriguez, Assistant Superintendent, Dicxiana Carbonell, Board President, Kimberly Scott-Hayden, Board Vice President, Michael Cohan, Elsie Conteh-Mackey, Guida Faria, Ronnie McDowell, Nancy Minneci, Greg Nasta and Chastity Santana (Board members), and Yolanda Koon, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary,

F-12.    APPROVE TUITION RATES FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
    Approve the following tuition rates for the 2025-2026 school year:

F-13.    APPROVE BANKING SERVICES – CONNECT ONE BANK
    Approve Connect One Bank for banking services (general fund) for the 2025-2026 school year and open a new bank account to handle all transactions regarding healthcare.  

F-14.    APPROVE AUDITOR – SUPLEE CLOONEY & CO.
    Approve the auditing firm of Suplee Clooney & Co. to audit the district’s financials for the period ending June 30, 2025 (not to exceed $70,000.00).

F-15.    APPROVE GENERAL COUNSEL AND SPECIAL EDUCATION COUNSEL – TAYLOR LAW GROUP
    Approve the law firm of Taylor Law Group as General Counsel and Special Education Counsel at an hourly rate of $190.00 (paralegals $100/hr.) for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 (not to exceed $500,000.00).

F-16.    APPROVE SPECIAL COUNSEL – APRUZZESE, McDERMOTT, MASTRO & MURPHY
    Approve a contract with Robert Clark, Esq. of the law firm of Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy as labor counsel at an hourly rate of $190.00, on an as needed basis for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 (not to exceed $50,000.00).

F-17.    APPROVE SPECIAL LITIGATION COUNSEL– ARLEO & DONOHUE
    Approve a contract with Timothy Donohue, Esq. of the law firm of Arleo & Donohue LLC as special litigation counsel for the matter #10709 v. Union Township Board of Education, et al., Docket No. UNN-L-370-23, at an hourly rate of $175.00, on an as needed basis, effective January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 (not to exceed $25,000.00).

F-18.    APPROVE PROPERTY/CASUALTY/WORKERS COMPENSATION BROKERAGE SERVICE - FAIRVIEW INSURANCE AGENCY
    Approve Fairview Insurance Agency as the property/casualty/workers’ compensation brokerage service for the district for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

F-19.    APPROVE HEALTHCARE BROKER
    Approve Fairview Insurance Agency, as healthcare brokers, for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

F-20.     APPROVE HEALTHCARE PLANS
    Approve healthcare providers, (a) AETNA/Meritain Health - healthcare insurance for medical and prescription, (b) Delta Dental - dental insurance and (c) VSP - vision benefits for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

F-21.    APPROVE FOOD SERVICE COMPANY – POMPTONIAN
    Approve Pomptonian Food Service as company for district food services for the 2025-2026 school year.

F-22.    APPROVE ARCHITECTS
    Approve the following architectural firms for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026: (a) EI Associates, (b) Parette Somjen Architects LLC, (c) Spiezle Architectural Group Inc. and (d) Potter Architects.

F-23.    APPROVE ENGINEERS
    Approve the following engineering firms for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026: (a) Consulting & Municipal Engineers, (b) T&M Associates, and (c) Colliers Engineering.

F-24.    APPROVE BOND COUNSEL – WILENTZ GOLDMAN & SPITZER
    Approve the law firm of Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, as bond counsel for the district for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

F-25.    APPROVE ACES – EVALUATIONS
    Approve ACES (Assessments Counseling and Education Services) to provide deaf and hard of hearing evaluations for district students at the rate of $950.00 per evaluation (not to exceed $3,800.00) for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-26.    APPROVE COUNSELING CENTERS FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT – MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING
    Approve Counseling Centers for Human Development for mental health screening (#90791-initial diagnostic interview) at the rate of $250.00 per screening (not to exceed $1,750.00) for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-27.    APPROVE LEARNING TREE MULTICULTURAL/MULTILINGUAL EVALUATION AND CONSULTING – EVALUATIONS
    Approve the use of Learning Tree Multicultural/Multilingual Evaluation and Consulting to conduct educational, speech/language, social history and psychological evaluations for district students. The cost is as follows: Evaluations conducted in (a) Spanish - $830.00/per evaluation and (b) other languages - $880.00/per evaluation (not too exceed $4,400.00) for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-28.    APPROVE ASSISTIVE TEK – EVALUATIONS
    Approve Assistive Tek to provide assistive technology evaluations at the rate of $1,800.00 (not to exceed $5,400.00) for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the minutes.

F-29.    APPROVE MARILYN KUBICHEK – EVALUATIONS
    Approve Marilyn Kubichek, MD, FAAP, to provide neurological evaluations and neurodevelopmental evaluations at the rate of $725,00 per evaluation ($725-$1,200.00 per off-site evaluation) for the 2025-2026 school year (not to exceed $25,000.00 [Account Fund #7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-30.    APPROVE SUMMIT SPEECH – EVALUATIONS
    Approve Summit Speech to provide acoustic evaluation for K through 5th grades at $550.00 per evaluation, 6th grade through 12th grade at $750.00 per evaluation and audiological consultation at the rate of $250.00 per hour (not to exceed $1,500.00) for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #7074/11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-31a.    APPROVE SHORT HILLS ASSOCIATES IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY – EVALUATIONS
    Approve Short Hills Associates in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Cecilia Belardinelli, for psychiatric evaluation (including report) at a rate of $800.00 per evaluation (not to exceed $4,000.00) for the 2024-2025 school year [Account Fund #7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-31b.    APPROVE SHORT HILLS ASSOCIATES IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY – EVALUATIONS
    Approve Short Hills Associates in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Cecilia Belardinelli, for psychiatric evaluation (including report) at a rate of $800.00 per evaluation (not to exceed $10,400.00) for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-32.    APPROVE REACH HEALTH SERVICES - STUDENT RISK ASSESSMENT
    Approve Reach Health Services for the 2025-2026 school year to provide individual student risk assessment at a rate of $225.00 per assessment (not to exceed $2,250.00) [Account Fund # 7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-33.    APPROVE THE FAMILY CENTER AT MONTCLAIR – MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS AND EVALUATIONS
    Approve The Family Center at Montclair for (a) mental health screenings at the rate of $200.00 per screening and (b) psychiatric evaluation at the rate of $1,800.00 (not to exceed $25,000.00) for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #7074/11-00-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-34.    APPROVE INLINGUA – TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES
    Approve Inlingua to provide translation and interpretation services for the 2024-2025 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-35.    APPROVE TECHABILITIES CONSULTING – EVALUATIONS
    Approve TechAbilities Consulting to provide the following evaluations for district students (a) assistive technology evaluations -$900.00 per evaluation, (b) augmentative communication evaluations - $1,000.00 per evaluation, (c) assistive technological or AAC consultation - $150.00 per hour, (d) speech language consult/speech language therapy - $125.00 per hour and (e) assistive technology/AAC general training - $175.00 per hour (not to exceed $24,000.00) for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-36.    APPROVE KID CLAN – EVALUATIONS
    Approve Kid Clan for the following evaluations: (a) occupational therapy evaluation - $375.00, (b) physical therapy evaluation - $375.00, (c) monolingual speech - $375.00, (d) monolingual social - $360.00, (e) monolingual educational - $400.00, (f) monolingual psychological - $400.00, (g) bilingual speech - $475.00, (h) bilingual social - $410.00, (i) bilingual educational - $475.00, (j) bilingual psychological - $475.00 (not to exceed $15,000.00) for the 2025-22026 school year [Account Fund #7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-37.    APPROVE GREAT BEGINNINGS – EVALUATIONS
    Approve Great Beginnings, Dr. Debora Buzinkai, for the following evaluations (not to exceed $5,000.00) for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #: 7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda:

• Dyslexia Evaluation - $1,400.00

• Dysgraphia Evaluation - $1,400.00

• Dyscalculia Evaluation - $1,400.00

• Any two of the above - $2,200.00

• All three of the above - $2,600.00
• Neuropsychological Evaluation - $3,600.00

• Evaluation for Autism - $4,400.00

• Placement - $4,200.00

F-38.    APPROVE SPEECH AND HEARING ASSOCIATES – EVALUATIONS
    Approve Speech & Hearing Associates to provide (a) central auditory processing evaluation with report (including comprehensive peripheral audiological evaluation) at the rate of $700.00, (b) comprehensive peripheral audiological evaluation with report at the rate of $350.00, (c) augmentative and alternative communication evaluation with report at the rate of $900.00, (d) in-school consultation (2-hr. minimum)/per hour at the rate of $175.00, (e) virtual consultation (no minimum)/per hour at the rate of $160.00, to district students (not to exceed $1,400.00) for the 2025-2026 school year [Account #11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the minutes.

F-39a.    APPROVE NORTH JERSEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES – BEHAVIOR SERVICES
    Approve North Jersey Behavioral Health Services (dba the Capstone Center) to provide applied behavior services to a district student (#250775) at a not-to-exceed cost of $255,600.00 for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with non-public information appended to the agenda.

F-39b.    APPROVE NORTH JERSEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES – BEHAVIOR SERVICES
    Approve North Jersey Behavioral Health Services (dba the Capstone Center) to provide applied behavior services to a district student (#230813) at a not-to-exceed cost of $255,600.00 for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with non-public information appended to the agenda.

F-40.    APPROVE RATES AND OTHER SERVICES AGREEMENT – UCESC
    Approve the 2025-2026 Rates and Other Services Agreement between the Union County Educational Services Commission (UCESC) and the district, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-41.    APPROVE WORK BASED LEARNING SITE – ESY SESSION
    Approve Kean University Food Services, Kean University as a work-based learning site for district students during the Extended School Year (ESY) session (July 1, 2025-July 30, 2025).

F-42.    APPROVE COMMUNITY BASED INSTRUCTION PROGRAM CONTRACT – YMCA
    Approve Contract with YMCA for Community Based Instruction (CBI) Program for the 2025-2026 school year; student costs are not expected to exceed $2,000.00 [Account Fund #7043/11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-43.    APPROVE TEACHING STRATEGIES – PD
    Approve Teaching Strategies to provide custom professional development sessions on June 10, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (not to exceed $2,255.00) [Account Fund #7075/11-000-219-320-02-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-44.    APPROVE OUR HOUSE – COMMUNITY-BASED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
    Approve Our House, Inc. to provide community-based employment services to district students for the 2025-2026 school year, in an amount not to exceed $210,000 [Account Fund #7043/11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-45.    APPROVE MORRIS UNION JOINTURE COMMISSION 
    Approve Morris Union Jointure Commission to provide the following: (a) physical therapy - $230/hr., (b) occupational therapy - $210/hr., (c) speech therapy - $245/hr., (d) full-time personal aides for ESY - $12,761.00 each, (e) full-time personal aides for school year - $76,569.00 each, (f) half-time aides for ESY - $6,381.00 each and (g) half-time aides for school year - $38,283.00 each (these services are in accordance with the students’ IEPs), not to exceed $385,000.00 for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-46.    APPROVE REACH HEALTH SERVICES – CLINICAL COUNSELING SERVICE
    Approve Reach Health Services to provide clinical counseling services and the wraparound program for the 2025-2026 school year and ESY in-district program at the cost of $43,968.30 and $2,075.20, respectively [Account Fund #7043/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-47.    APPROVE LEARNWELL – BEDSIDE INSTRUCTION
    Approve teachers employed through LearnWell to provide bedside instruction for district students on an “as needed” basis for the school year 2025-2026, in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00 [Account Fund #7693/11-150-100-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-48.    APPROVE SILVERGATE – BEDSIDE INSTRUCTION
    Approve teachers employed through Silvergate to provide bedside instruction for district students on an “as needed” basis for the school year 2025-2026, in an amount not to exceed $10,000 [Account Fund #7693/11-150-100-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-49.    APPROVE POSITIVE PATHWAYS BEHAVIOR SERVICES – HOME INSTRUCTION
    Approve teachers employed through Positive Pathways Behavior Services to provide home instruction for district students on an “as needed” basis for the 2025-2026 school year, in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00 [Account Fund #7693/11-150-100-320-01-19}, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-50.    APPROVE ST. CLARE’S HOSPITAL – BEDSIDE INSTRUCTION
    Approve teachers employed through St. Clare’s Hospital, to provide bedside instruction for district students on an “as needed” basis for the 2025-2026 school year, in an amount not to exceed $2,000 [Account Fund #7693/11-150-100-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-51.    APPROVE WHITE GLOVE COMMUNITY CARE – NURSING SERVICES
    Approve White Glove Community Care to provide nursing services at the rate of $68.00/hr. for RN, $58.00/hr. for LPN and transportation services at a rate of $85.00/hr. (2 hour minimum) for RN and $80.00/hr. (2 hour minimum) for LPN for the 2025-2026 school year (not to exceed $60,000.00) [Account Fund #7043/11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-52.    APPROVE STARLIGHT HOMECARE AGENCY – NURSING SERVICES
    Approve Starlight Homecare Agency to provide nursing services at the rate of $64.00/hr. for RN and $55.00/hr. for LPN for the 2025-2026 school year (not to exceed $150,000.00) [Account Fund #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-53.    APPROVE PREFERRED HOME HEALTH CARE AND NURSING SERVICES – NURSING SERVICES
    Approve Preferred Home Health Care and Nursing Services d/b/a/ Care Options for Kids to provide nursing services at the rate of $49.00/hr. for RN and $54.00/hr. for LPN (not to exceed $100,000.00 for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-54.    APPROVE MOM AND DAD HOME HEALTH – NURSING SERVICES
    Approve Mom and Dad Home Health to provide nursing services at the rate of $107.00/hr. for RN/LPN weekdays and $117.00/hr. for RN/LPN weekends and holidays (not to exceed $225,000.00) for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-55.    APPROVE ATC HEALTHCARE SERVICES– NURSING SERVICES
    Approve ATC (Around the Clock) Healthcare Services to provide nursing services at the rate of $91.50/hr. for RN-CSN and $72.00/hr. for RN non-CSN and $60.00/hr. for LPN (not to exceed $200,000.00) for the 2025-2026 school year [Account Fund #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-56.    APPROVE BAYADA HOME HEALTH CARE – NURSING SERVICES
    Approve Bayada Home Health Care to provide nursing services at the rate of $0.00/hr. for RN and $68.00/hr. for LPN for the 2025-2026 school year (not to exceed $50,000.00) [Account Fund #7074/11-000-219-320-01-19], in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-57.    APPROVE ESTABLISHMENT OF PETTY CASH ACCOUNT – CBI – BATTLE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    Approve establishment of a petty cash account for costs associated with students’ IEP driven Community Based Instruction (CBI) at Battle Hill Elementary School – Extended School Year (ESY) Program, in the amount of $2,000.00 for the 2025-2026 school year.

F-58.    APPROVE PROPOSAL FOR DEMOGRAPHIC SERVICES – STATISTICAL FORECASTING 
    Approve proposal from Statistical Forecasting LLC to perform demographic services for the Township of Union Public Schools at a cost of $14,300.00, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-59.    APPROVE PROPOSAL FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES – SPIEZLE ARCHITECTURAL GROUP - Agenda item to be discussed in executive session.

F-60.    APPROVE CHANGE ORDER FOR HVAC CLEAN ENERGY GRANT PROJECT – HANNAH CALDWELL
    Approve Change Order for the HVAC Clean Energy Grant project at Hannah Caldwell Elementary School which is eligible for 75% state funding reimbursement and has come in under budget with verified available funds in the amount of $64,635.00.  This is necessary to comply with all grant requirements (i.e. addition of pump vibration isolation, hot water pipe air vents, and modifications to ductwork including an electric duct heater, 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 April 30, 2025 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

11. Grievance/Negotiations Committee:

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

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
    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 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the non-public information appended to the agenda.

O-2.    APPROVE PARTICIPATION IN NON-BINDING COOPERATIVE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
    Approve the district’s participation in non-binding cooperative purchasing agreements for the 2025-2026 school year with the following:

1. Educational Data Services, Inc., 236 Midland Avenue, Saddlebrook, NJ

2. Hunterdon County ESC Cooperative Purchasing, 51 Sawmill Road, Lebanon, NJ

3. Educational Services Commission of New Jersey, 1660 Stelton Road, Piscataway, NJ

4. Somerset County Educational Services Commission, 568 Central Ave, Bridgewater, NJ

5. Sussex County Educational Services, 10 Gail Court, Sparta, NJ

6. Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council, 502 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph, NJ

7. Region 4 ES Interlocal, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, TX

8. Sourcewell, 202 12th Street NE, P.O. Box 219, Staples, MN 56479

9. Omnia Partner Member ID: 947046 utilizing Omnia Partner, Region 4 ESC Contract #R200401, Minneapolis, Minnesota for ESIP project.

10. The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS), 4845 Highway 271 North, Pittsburg, TX 75686

11. New Jersey Educational Computing Cooperative (NJECC)

12. PEPPM Consortium membership, a national contract program for district purchasing agent

13. NJ Edge Consortium membership, a non-profit technology services provider.

14. New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Alliance Cooperative Pricing Agreement with the County of Bergen (Lead Agency).

O-3.    APPROVE REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION EDUCATION FOUNDATION
    Approve request from the Township of Union Education Foundation to use the conference room at the Board of Education office, 2369 Morris Avenue, on June 5, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for a small reception to honor grant recipients (Certificate of Insurance and Hold Harmless Agreement received).

O-4.    APPROVE SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT – TOWNSHIP OF UNION
    Approve Shared Services Agreement between the Township of Union and the district for collection, haulage and solid waste disposal through Regional Industry Services through February 2031, 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.

T-2.    APPROVE ADVERTISEMENT FOR SALE - IT EQUIPMENT
Approve advertisement for sale of the following IT equipment: various Dell Monitors which have been deemed no longer needed, 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 (no transfers at this time)
    Personnel Actions- Transfers be approved in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

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 ATTENDANCE AT MRA INTERNATIONAL’S ANNUAL INTERNET WORKING 2025
    Approve Marissa McKenzie to attend the MRA International’s Annual InterNETworking 2025 at Ocean Place Resort & Spa, Long Branch, New Jersey, July 23-25, 2025, at a cost not to exceed $200.00.

P-5.    APPROVE RESIDENCY INVESTIGATORS – 2025-2026
    Approve residency investigators to work during the 2025-2026 school year (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026), as follows: (a) Maria Schmidtberg – not to exceed 70 hours per month, unless authorized ($26.00/hr.) and (b) Dan Hodge – not to exceed 70 hours per month ($21.00/hr.).

P-6.    APPROVE STUDENT TEACHERS AND INTERNSHIPS
    Approve student teachers and internships for the 2024-2025 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-7.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE AT ASBO INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND NJASBO ANNUAL CONFERENCE – KOON
    Approve Yolanda Koon to attend the ASBO International Conference in Fort Worth, Texas (October 20-24, 2025) for a total cost not to exceed $3,200.00 and the Annual NJASBO Conference, Atlantic City, New Jersey (June 4-6, 2025) for a total cost not to exceed $1,300.00 per contract.

14. 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 2365 – ACCEPTABLE USE OF GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (NEW)
    Approve Policy 2365-Acceptable Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

POL-2. POLICY 5111 – ELIGIBILITY OF RESIDENT/NONRESIDENT STUDENTS (M) (agenda item tabled until next meeting).

POL-3. POLICY 5533 – STUDENT SMOKING (M)
    Approve Policy 5533 – Student Smoking, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

POL-4. POLICY 5701 – ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
    Approve Policy 5701-Academic Integrity, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

POL-5. POLICY 9163 – SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC EVENTS (M) (NEW)
    Approve Policy 9163-Spectator Code of Conduct for Interscholastic Events, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

REG-1. REGULATION 5516 – USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES (NEW)
    Approve Regulation 5516-Use of Electronic Communication Devices, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

REG-2. REGULATION 7441 – ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE IN SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND ON SCHOOL GROUNDS (M)
    Approve Regulation 7441-Electronic Surveillance in School Buildings and on School Grounds, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

REG-3.  REGULATION 9320 – COOPERATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES (M)
    Approve Regulation 9320-Cooperation With Law Enforcement Agencies, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

15. 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:

    For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following totals are as of the April 29, 2025 Board meeting (2024-2025 school year):

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

RETURN TO PUBLIC:

F-59.    APPROVE PROPOSAL FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES – SPIEZLE ARCHITECTURAL GROUP
   Approve proposal for professional services from Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. to support  the design and  the implementation of services for various projects , in accordance with the information appended to the agenda. 

E-11.  APPROVE LONG-TERM SUSPENSION AND HOME INSTRUCTION
    Approve to continue long-term suspension and home instruction for the following students: (a) #291068, ( b) #266593,  and (c) #266641.

E-12.  APPROVE REINSTATEMENT OF STUDENTS
    Approve reinstatement of the following students: (a) #311079, (b) #250542, (c) #286048, (d) #280579, (e) #278202, (f) #290275, effective May 21, 2025.

20.  Adjournment