Worksession, March 17, 2026 - 7:00 p.m. - Administration Building

1. Roll Call

2. Flag Salute

3. Mission Statement

4. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

5. Approval of Minutes:

    1.    February 10, 2026 – worksession
    2.    February 10, 2026 – executive session
    3.    February 24, 2026 – regular meeting
    4.    February 24, 2026 – executive session

6. Communications:
LETTERS OF RESIGNATION:

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – LANGLEY
    Letter of resignation from Brittany Langley, speech therapist-Burnet and Kawameeh Middle Schools, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION – DUPLISSIS
    Letter of resignation from Kerri Duplissis, health and physical education teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, effective July 1, 2026

LETTERS OF RETIREMENT:

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – FIORDILINO
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Maria Fiordilino, special education teacher-Burnet Middle School, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – KERR
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Allan Kerr, full-time bus driver, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – WEINSTEIN
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Sharon Weinstein, math teacher-Burnet Middle School, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – DABNEY
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Dwaine Dabney, head custodian-Washington Elementary School, effective July 1, 2026.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – WILLIAMS-MINITELLI
    Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Jayne Williams-Minitelli, second grade teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, effective July 1, 2026.

REQUESTS FOR LEAVE:

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – SCOCOZZA
    Request for paid FMLA from Isabella Scocozza, Director of Instruction and Funded Programs, March 30, 2026-May 26, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – LaPOLLA ARPINO
    Request for maternity leave and unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Erin LaPolla Arpino, CST-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, June 15, 2026-June 22, 2026 and September 1, 2026-December 3, 2026, respectively.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – LILOIA
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA and FMLA/FLA from Dana Liloia, second grade teacher-Livingston Elementary School, February 23, 2026-March 30, 2026 and April 6, 2026-June 30, 2026, respectively.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – SARAVIA
    Request for paid FMLA/FLA from Jose Saravia, custodian-Burnet Middle School, February 17, 2026-April 14, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – AZEVEDO
    Request for paid child rearing leave followed by unpaid FMLA/NJFLA from Michelle Azevedo, third-grade teacher-Livingston Elementary School, April 27, 2026-November 6, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – MARTINEZ
    Request for unpaid maternity leave from Yaire Martinez, paraprofessional-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, March 11, 2026-June 22, 2026.

REQUESTS FOR LEAVE UPDATE:

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE UPDATE – MANOCHIO
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA/FLA update from Cristina Manochio, special services-CST-Burnet Middle School, December 9, 2026-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – MENDES
    Request for leave update from Christie Mendes, OT-Franklin and Connecticut Farms Elementary School, new return date March 2, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – KORZEN
    Request for leave update from Olga Korzen, 4th grade teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, new return date March 12, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – OSBORNE
    Request for paid FMLA update from Melissa Osborne, special education teacher-Burnet Middle School, new return date April 20, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – CALDAROLA
    Request for paid FMLA updated from Anne Marie Caldarola, art teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, new return date March 12, 2026.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE UPDATE – DeJESUS
    Request for unpaid FMLA/NJFLA update from Jazmine DeJesus, paraprofessional-Jefferson School, new return date June 23, 2026.

REQUESTS FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE:

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – KRUSE
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Kenneth Kruse, Head Custodian-Burnet Middle School, February 20, 2026-February 10, 2027.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – COTA-SOLER
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA from Rocio Cota-Soler, CST-PT-districtwide, February 25, 2026-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – NEDELKOV
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA/FLA from Nenad Nedelkov, custodian-Kawameeh Middle School, January 21, 2026-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – WALKER
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA/FLA from Deinava Walker, pre-kindergarten teacher-Livingston Elementary School, March 4, 2026-June 20, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – MELILLO
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA/FLA from Toni Ann Melillo, first grade teacher-Battle Hill Elementary School, March 9, 2026-June 30, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – WHITFORD
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA/FLA from Lauren Whitford, math coach-districtwide, March 9, 2026-June 22, 2026.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – WRIGHT
    Request for paid intermittent FMLA/FLA from Yolanda Wright, secretary-Battle Hill Elementary School, March 23, 2026-March 26, 2027.

REQUESTS - MISCELLANEOUS:

LETTER FROM UHS CLASS OF 1975 REUNION COMMITTEE – PLANT A TREE
    Letter from Jill Hall, on behalf of UHS Class of 1975 Reunion Committee, requesting to plant a tree on the grounds of Union High School, together with a simple plaque in memory of Keron Gabriel (Class of 2025).

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

8. Superintendent’s Report: March 24, 2026

    1.    Superintendent’s Report
    2.    Student Liaison  - Alessandra Silvestre
    3.    Recognition of Unsung Hero – Delilah Halley
    4.    FY27 – Budget Presentation – March 17, 2026

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 February 11-February 24, 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 February 25, 2026 to March 10, 2026, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2.    LONG-TERM SUSPENSION AND HOME INSTRUCTION
    Approve to continue long-term suspension and home instruction for student #266593 from general education program.

E-3.    APPROVE PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILY CENTER AT MONTCLAIR -ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS
    Approve partnership with Family Center at Montclair to provide the Annual Mental Health Screenings in compliance with the NJDOE Mental Health Depression Screener Grant Award at a rate of $18,335.00 to be paid for using MH grant funds, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

E-4.    APPROVE LOCATIONS FOR EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR
    Approve (a) Battle Hill Elementary School and the Administration Building, 2369 Morris Avenue for the 2026 Extended School Year (ESY) program, ESY services, CST testing and home instruction, and (b) approve Union High School for the 2026 ESY program, ESY services, CST testing, home instruction, IEP Team meetings, and School Enterprises/Work Based Learning/ Community Based Instruction (Farmer’s Café, Farmer’s Crafty Corner and Print Shop, Copy That/Copy Room) for the period of June 23, 2026 – the day after school ends or in accordance with the school calendar – through August 31, 2026.

E-5.    APPROVE LITERACY OUTREACH VISIT – MOUNT ST. DOMINIC ACADEMY
    Approve approximately five to six students from Lions for Literacy, a student reading advocacy group at Mount S. Dominic Academy, to visit Washington Elementary School on April 14, 2026 to conduct reading sessions with participating classes.

E-6.    APPROVE AGREEMENT – RAMAPO COLLEGE
    Approve Elementary Education Teacher Assistant to Teacher Agreement between Ramapo College of New Jersey and the Township of Union Board of Education for a three (3) year period (2026-2028), 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 February 28, 2026 be accepted.

F-2.      SECRETARY’S REPORT
            That the Secretary’s Report dated February 28, 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 March 2026), 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 February 28, 2026 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

******
Resolutions F-B1 through F-B6
Concern the Proposed Tentative Budget for the 2026-2027 School Year

    The Superintendent recommends approval to adopt the Tentative Budget for FY 2026-2027:

F-B1.    APPROVE GENERAL FUND TAX LEVY – TENTATIVE BUDGET
    Approve the General Fund tax levy of $115,185,323.69 in the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-B2.    APPROVE TRAVEL AND RELATED EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
    Approve Travel and Related Expense Reimbursement (not to exceed $126,086.00) for the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-B3.    APPROVE ESTABLISHING A MAXIMUM DOLLAR LIMIT – PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 
    Approve establishing a maximum dollar limit for professional services $4,527,768.00 for the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

F-B4.    APPROVE USE OF EXCESS SURPLUS FUNDS/FUND BALANCE
    Approve the Board of Education to include in the General Fund Budget $2,991,690.81 of the Board of Education’s excess surplus funds $2,400,000.00 and additional fund balance $591,690.81 (@ 6/30/25 per audit) to help close budget gap.

F-B5.    APPROVE ADJUSTMENT FOR HEALTH CARE COSTS
    Approve in the tentative budget the adjustment for increased costs of health benefits in the amount of $2,731,453.00.  The additional funds will be used to pay for the additional increases in health benefit premiums.

F-B6.    APPROVE EARLY CHILDHOOD PRESCHOOL BUDGET – 2026-2026
    Approve the resolution approving the early childhood preschool budget for the 2026-2027 school year in the amount of $10,252,208.00.

11. Grievance/Negotiations Committee:

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

G-1.    APPROVE SIDEBAR AGREEMENT – UTASA
    Approve Sidebar Agreement to the 2024-2027 Collective Negotiations Agreement, between the Township of Union Board of Education and the Township of Union Administrators’ Association, for the purpose of clarifying the use of partial sick and personal leave days, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

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 February 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 SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FOR USE OF RABKIN PARK
    Approve the submission of the Picnic Area Application and Hold Harmless Agreement for the use of Rabkin Park on May 14, 2026 (rain date May 19,2026) to the Union Township Parks and Recreation Department to hold picnic, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

O-3.    APPROVE REQUEST FROM UHS CLASS OF 1975 REUNION COMMITTEE – PLANT A TREE
    Approve request from Jill Hall, on behalf of UHS Class of 1975 Reunion Committee, to plant a tree on the grounds of Union High School, together with a simple plaque in memory of Keron Gabriel (Class of 2025), who passed away prior to graduation.

O-4.    APPROVE ATTENDANCE AT AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION
    Approve Marissa McKenzie, Assistant Superintendent and Vincent Rettino, Director of Personnel, to attend the American Association of School Personnel Administration (AASPA) 2026 Annual Conference in Austin, Texas (October 10-16, 2026) for a total cost not to exceed $7,370.00.

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
    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 FULL-TIME RELEASE TO EMPLOYEE – UCEA - FRAZIER
    Approve to continue full-time release of employee, James Frazier, Jr., for an additional three-year term, expiring August 2028, to serve as President of the Union County Education Association (UCEA), with 100% of salary and healthcare benefits to be paid by the UCEA.

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 0142.1 – Nepotism (M) – agenda item tabled to April meeting.

POL-2.  POLICY 1220 – EMPLOYMENT OF CHIEF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR
    Approve Policy 1220 – Employment of Chief School Administrator (M), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

POL-3.  POLICY 1552 – SEXUAL HARASSMENT – STAFF (NEW)
    Approve Policy 1552 – Sexual Harassment - Staff (M), in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

REG-1.  REGULATION 1552 – SEXUAL HARASSMENT – STAFF (NEW)
    Approve Regulation 1552 – Sexual Harassment - Staff, in accordance with the information appended to the agenda.

1. ABOLISH - POLICY 3362 – SEXUAL HARASSMENT
    Abolish Policy 3362 – Sexual Harassment (M).

2. ABOLISH – POLICY 4352 – SEXUAL HARASSMENT
    Abolish Policy 4352 – Sexual Harassment (M).

3. ABOLISH – REGULATION 3362 – SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF TEACHING STAFF MEMBERS COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
    Abolish Regulation 3362 – Sexual Harassment of Teaching Staff Members Complaint Procedure

4. ABOLISH – REGULATION 4352 – SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF SUPPORT STAFF MEMBERS COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
    Abolish Regulation 4352 – Sexual Harassment of Support Staff Members Complaint Procedure.

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 February 24, 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