Worksession - Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Approval of Minutes:

    1.    November 11, 2025 – worksession
    2.    November 11, 2025 – executive session
    3.    November 18, 2025 – regular meeting
    4.    November 18, 2025 – executive session

6. Communications:

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – REGAL
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Linda Regal, special education teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective February 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – HOFFMAN
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Clifford Hoffman, mechanic-Buildings and Grounds Department, effective February 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – RECALDE
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement from Martha Recalde, ESL teacher-Livingston Elementary School, effective March 1, 2026

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – PRICE BARBOSA
    Request for leave update from Jacqueline Price Barbosa, teacher-Union High School, new return date January 29, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – BARBOSA
    Request for leave update from Christian Barbosa, teacher-Burnet Middle School, new return date December 19, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – PERALTA
    Request for leave update from Antonia Peralta, teacher-Union High School, new return date December 1, 2025.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – DIONISIO
    Request for leave update from Nancy Dionisio, speech teacher-Washington Elementary School, new return date March 16, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – BOGAR
    Request for leave update from Chevonne Bogar, bus aide-Transportation Department, new return date January 9, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – HICKEY    
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Diane Hickey, PreK teacher-Washington Elementary School, October 27, 2025-June 5, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – NEVLING
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from William Nevling, paraprofessional-Battle Hill Elementary School, November 17, 2025-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – LONGLEY
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Carol Longley, PreK teacher-Franklin Elementary School, December 1, 2025-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – NICKELS
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Nicole Nickels, PreK Supervisor-districtwide, November 20, 2025-November 20, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – CLARK
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Mary Clark, science teacher-Union High School, December 1, 2025-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – MENDES
    Request for intermittent FMLA and paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Christie Mendes, OT-Franklin and Connecticut Farms Elementary Schools, November 24, 2025-March 1, 2026 and March 2, 2026-June 15, 2026, respectively.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – CORNACCHIA
    Request for paid FMLA from Lynn Cornacchia, paraprofessional-Livingston Elementary School, November 21, 2025-January 5, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – THOMAS
    Request for paid sick leave and unpaid medical leave from Jenelle Thomas, teacher-Franklin Elementary School, September 9, 2025-October 29, 2025 and October 30, 2025-TBD, respectively.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – UDUH
    Request for paid medical leave from Ndidi Uduh, career ed teacher-Union High School, November 21, 2025-December 4, 2025.

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

8. Superintendent’s Report:

    1.    Update Specialized Population-ESL/Bilingual and Special Education
    2.    Superintendent’s Report
    3.    Student Liaison - Julia Laverty

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.    AFFIRM SUPERINTENDENT’S DETERMINATION OF HIB
    Affirm the Superintendent’s determination of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the periods November 12, 2025 to November 18, 2025, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-1A.    SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB
    Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period November 19, 2025 to December 9, 2025, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2.    APPROVE SUBMISSION OF CLIMATE LITERACY FOR COMMUNITY RESILIENCE CONTINUATION GRANT
    Approve the submission of the Climate Literacy for Community Resilience (CLCR) Continuation Grant in the amount of $30,500.00 for the 2026-2027 school year.

E-3.    APPROVE AFFILIATION AGREEMENT – KEAN UNIVERSITY
    Approve the School Psychology Professional Diploma Program Affiliation Agreement between Kean University and the Township of Union Public Schools to participate in the Spring 2026 semester to be in compliance with the School Based Mental Health Grant coordinating the student School Psychology externs, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-4.    APPROVE COORDINATION OF GRADUATE LEVEL 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, for the continuation of the Spring 2026 semester (all salaries to be paid using the SBMH Grant Award and approved by the NJDOE per the grant requirements), as follows: Kennith Cammileri, Kyle Cammilleri, Robert Bobko, Samara Infantino, Fiorella Quezeda [SBMH Grant #8638, not to exceed $16,000.00].

E-5.    APPROVE ARTICULATION AGREEMENT – KEAN UNIVERSITY
    Approve Articulation Agreement between Kean University and the Township of Union Public Schools to participate in the Kean Scholar Academy Program from 2025-2028.

E-6.    APPROVE STUDENT ASSEMBLY – WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    Approve School of Rock - Bring the Rock to your School Assembly! to introduce students to a new musical environment at Washington Elementary School for students in grades 2-4 on February 27, 2025, at no cost to the district.

E-7.    APPROVE 2026-2027 THREE-YEAR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM AND ANNUAL UPDATE
    Approve the 2026-2027 Three-Year Preschool Program Plan and Annual Update, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-8.    APPROVE 2026-2027 LEA ENROLLMENT AND PLANNING: PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM UPDATES AND ELIGIBILITY
    Approve the 2026-2027 LEA Enrollment and Planning for Preschool Classroom Updates and Eligibility, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-9.    APPROVE SUSPENSION – STUDENT
    Approve continuation of long-term suspension for student #266593 from the general education program.

E-10.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING IN SCHOOLS GRANT
    Approve acceptance of the Mental Health Screening in Schools Grant for the 2026-2027 school year in the amount of $81,011.00.

E-11.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES GRANT
    Approve acceptance of the School Based Mental Health Services Grant for the 2026-2027 school year in the amount of $50,000.00.

E-12.    APPROVE TO WRITE AND APPROVE SUBMISSION OF 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER GRANT APPLICATION
    Approve to write and approve submission of the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Application for the 2026-2027 school year.

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 November 30, 2025 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated November 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
    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 and in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

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 2025-2026 STATE CONTRACT APPROVED VENDORS
    Approve the amended list of the 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST
    Approval be given to amend the 2025-2026 out-of-district student placement list (month of December 2025), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-11.    APPROVE WITHDRAWAL FROM CAPITAL RESERVE
    Approve withdrawal from the Capital Reserve in the amount of $2,179,974.00 to pay Service Master/Timeless for the completion cost of the Hannah Caldwell project.  The withdrawal is in accordance with State regulations governing the use of Capital Reserve Accounts.

F-ATTY.  For informational purposes only – vote not required.  List of legal services paid as of November 18, 2025 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

11. Grievance/Negotiations Committee and Legal Committee:

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

L-1.    APPROVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
    Approve Settlement Agreement between S.B. obo Student #328248 v Township of Union Board of Education, in accordance with the non-public information appended to the agenda. [to be voted on after executive session]

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 for the month of November 2025 and bus evacuation reports, for the month of October 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year, in accordance with the non-public information appended to the agenda.

O-2.    APPROVE REQUEST FROM TOWNSHIP OF UNION
    Approve request from Township of Union to use Connecticut Farms Elementary School’s parking lot from 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025 through the entire day on Saturday, December 6, 2025 for the Town’s Christmas celebration.

O-3.    APPROVE TOWNSHIP OF UNION TO USE DISTRICT FACILITIES
    Approve the Township of Union to use district facilities for the 2025-2026 after approval by the Superintendent and/or his designee.

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
    Personnel Actions-Transfers be approved in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-2.    APPROVE SUBSTITUTE LISTS 
    Approve Substitute Lists for the 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-5.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE – NJASA TECHSPO ‘26
    Approve attendance at the NJASA TECHSPO ‘26 for John Sousa, Chief Information & Technology Officer and Donna Restivo, Associate Director of IT, Dr. Jose Rodriguez, Assistant Superintendent and Kristin Nunez, Communication Specialist and Webmaster, at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, January 28-30, 2026, 2026, at a cost not to exceed $3,800.00.

P-6.    APPROVE INCREMENT WITHHOLDING
    Approve increment withholding for Employee #8825 for the 2026-2027 school year.

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 2530 – RESOURCE MATERIALS 
    Approve Policy 2530 – Resource Materials, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

POL-2.      POLICY 2535 – LIBRARY MATERIAL (NEW)
    Approve Policy 2535 – Library Material (M), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

POL-3.  POLICY 9130 – PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
    Approve Policy 9130 – Public Complaints, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

POL-4.  POLICY 3214.1 – EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIPS (under review)
    Approve 3214.1 – Employment Relationships, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

REG-1.  REGULATION 2530 – RESOURCE MATERIALS (NEW)
    Approve Regulation 2530 – Resource Materials, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

REG-2.  REGULATION 2535 – LIBRARY MATERIAL (NEW)
    Approve Regulation 2535 – Library Material (M), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

REG-3.  REGULATION 9130 – PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
    Approve Regulation 9130 – Public Complaints, 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:

    For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following totals are as of the November 18, 2025 Board meeting (2025-2026 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

20.  Adjournment