Worksession - February 10, 2026 - 7:00 p.m.

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement - Empower and Inspire Every Student, Every Day 

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Approval of Minutes:

    1.    January 6, 2026 – organization meeting
    2.    January 13, 2026 – worksession meeting
    3.    January 13, 2026 – executive session
    4.    January 20, 2026 – regular meeting
    5.    January 20, 2026- executive session No. 1 and No. 2

6. Communications:

REQUEST FOR USE OF UHS FACILITY SITE
    Request from Township of Union Chamber of Commerce to use the Union High School facility site for the 15th Annual Mayor’s Day 5K Run on September 27, 2026 (rain date October 11, 2026 (severe weather only).

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – LAWSON
    Letter of resignation from Kianna Lawson, cafeteria/playground aide-Jefferson School, effective February 11, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – FOX
    Update to request for paid FMLA from Zara Fox, music teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, February 2, 2026-May 31, 2026 (return date subject to change).

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – JURKOVIC
    Request for leave update from Jessica Jurkovic, ESL teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, new return date May 5, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – MANCINELLI
    Request for extension of NJFLA from Lynne Mancinelli, media specialist-Washington Elementary School, new return date April 1, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – KERR
    Request for paid medical leave update from Allan Kerr, full-time driver-Transportation Department, February 2, 2026-February 13, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – GIGANTINO
    Request for paid FMLA update from Kathleen Gigantino, paraprofessional-Battle Hill Elementary School, February 23, 2026-April 23, 2026.

CANCELLATION OF REQUEST FOR LEAVE – THOMPSON
    Cancellation of request for paid intermittent leave from Robert Thompson, SE teacher-Union High School.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – HIGGINS
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Kelly Higgins, second grade teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, January 15, 2026-June 15, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – REILLY
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Raymond Reilly, security-Burnet Middle School, January 22, 2026-January 22, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – KATZ
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Barbara Katz, CST-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, February 3, 2026-February 3, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INERMITTENT LEAVE – PERDOMO O’HARA
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Jessica Perdomo O’Hara, preschool instructional coach, January 20, 2026-January 20, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MESSLER
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Scott Messler, PE teacher-Union High School, February 2, 2026-December 22, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – FERNANDEZ
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Gina Lisa Fernandez, world language teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, January 23, 2026-January 23, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MILLER
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Randi Miller, special education teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, January 12, 2026-January 12, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – FIORDILINO
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Maria Fiordilino, special education teacher-Burnet Middle School, January 30, 2026-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – SCHARAGO
    Request for paid intermittent leave from Michele Scharago, special education teacher-Livingston Elementary School, March 1, 2026-March 1, 2027.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – OSBORNE
    Request for paid FMLA from Melissa Osborne, special education teacher-Burnet Middle School, January 19, 2026-March 13, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – LEON
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Deanna Leon, kindergarten teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, January 30, 2026-June 30, 2026.

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

8. Superintendent’s Report: February 24, 2026

    1.    Superintendent’s Report
    2.    Christopher Eke – student liaison
    3.    Report on Student Safety Data System (SSDS) for period 1 (September 1-December 31, 2025)

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 January 14, 2026 to January 20, 2026, 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 January 21, 2026 to February 10, 2026, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2.    APPROVE GIRLS ON THE RUN PROGRAM – JEFFERSON SCHOOL
    Approve Girls on the Run Program at Jefferson School from April 6 to June 3, 2026 (Mondays and Wednesdays) from 2:45 p.m.-4:00 p.m., at a cost of $25.00 per student (coaches: Stephanie Manderichio, teacher and Samantha Salinas, parent).

E-3.    APPROVE PARTNERSHIP – NEW JERSEY DENTAL FOUNDATION AND NEW JERSEY DENTAL ASSOCIATION
    Approve partnership with New Jersey Dental Foundation (NJDF) and the New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) to provide oral health kits at no cost to the seven elementary schools for each student, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-4.    APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS – 2026 HEART GRANT
    Approve acceptance of funds from the Union County Board of County Commissioners 20206 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reading Thousands) Grant in the amount of $1,500.00 for Livingston Elementary School to paint a mural by the outdoor garden area, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-5.    APPROVE TUPS TO APPLY FOR HIGH IMPACT TUTORING COMPETITIVE GRANT AWARD
    Approve Township of Union Public Schools to apply for the New Jersey Acceleration Program: High Impact Tutoring Competitive Grant Award (Cohort 3) in the amount of $320,000, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-6.    APPROVE TUPS TO APPLY FOR LOCAL RECREATION IMPROVEMENT GRANT
    Approve Township of Union Public Schools to apply for the FY 2026 Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) through the Division of Local Government Services and the Department of Community Affairs for the 2026-2027 school year in the amount of $75,000.00.

E-7.    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, 2025) of the 2025-2026 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-8.    APPROVE SUSPENSION
    Approve the continuation of long-term suspension and home instruction for student #266593 from the general education program.

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 January 31, 2026 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated January 31, 2026 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 February 2026), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-11.    APPROVE PARTICIPATION IN COOPERATIVE PRICING SYSTEM
    Approve resolution and agreement authorizing the district to enter into the Cooperative Pricing System Agreement with the Morris-Union Jointure Commission (MUJC) (Lead Agency), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-12.    APPROVE INCREASE – KID CLAN SERVICES
    Approve increase to the not to exceed amount for Kid Clan Services to provide speech therapy services for the 2025-2026 school year to $65,000.00 from $3,600.00 (an increase of $61,400.00).

F-13.    APPROVE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL SECURITY AND TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE PROGRAM SPENDING PLANS - UCESC
    Approve the Union County Educational Services Commission (UCESC) Nonpublic School Security and Technology Initiative Program spending plans for United Academy of Union located within the district for the 2025-2026 school year, 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 January 20, 2026 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

11. Grievance/Negotiations Committee:

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 January 2026 and, if applicable, bus evacuation reports for the 2025-2026 school year, in accordance with the non-public information appended to the agenda.

O-2.    APPROVE REQUEST FOR USE OF UHS FACILITY SITE
    Approve request from Township of Union Chamber of Commerce to use the Union High School facility site for the 15th Annual Mayor’s Day 5K Run on September 27, 2026 (rain date October 11, 2026 (severe weather only).

T-1.    APPROVE RECYCLING OF EQUIPMENT
    Approve list of equipment for recycling, 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 (none 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 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 VOLUNTEERS
    Approve volunteers to perform services within the district, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

P-6.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE – MORRIS UNION JOINTURE COMMISSION
    Approve Sheri Rouleau, Supervisor of Special Services, to attend meetings at the Morris Union Jointure Commission (MUJC), at no cost to the district for the 2025-2026 school year.

P-7a.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE – NJSBGA 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE/EXPO
    Approve Yolanda Koon, School Business Administrator, to attend The New Jersey School Buildings Grounds Association (NJSBGA) 2026 Annual Conference/Expo “Learning, Leading, Legacy” at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey on March 22, 2026 through March 25, 2026, at a cost not to exceed $1,750.00.

P-7b.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE – NJSBGA 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE/EXPO
    Approve Anthony Cirella, Manager of Buildings and Grounds, to attend The New Jersey School Buildings Grounds Association (NJSBGA) 2026 Annual Conference/Expo “Learning, Leading, Legacy” at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey on March 22, 2026 through March 25, 2026, at a cost not to exceed $1,750.00.

P-8.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    Approve Marissa McKenzie, Assistant Superintendent to attend “School Safety Specialist Academy” Professional Development (5-session training – February 3, 10, 17, 24 and March 3, 2026; 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) at the Professional Conference Center, ESCNJ, Piscataway, New Jersey, at no cost to the district.

14. Policy Committee:

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 TRANSFERRED TO DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE FOLLOWING RESIDENCY INVESTIGATIONS
    For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following residency investigations were completed, and the listed students were transferred to the appropriate district of residence:
 

    For informational purposes only (no vote required): The following totals are as of the January 20, 2026 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