Good evening. I would like to call this meeting to order. May I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello. >> Miss Carbonel, >> present. >> Mr. Cohan, >> here. >> Mrs. Conte Mackey, >> present. >> Mrs. Faria, >> present. >> Mr. Mr. McDow,
>> Mrs. Mani >> here, >> Mr. Nasta >> here. >> Miss Santana, >> yes. >> Mrs. Scott Hayden, >> here. >> Board member Carbonel, will you please uh lead us in the flag? >> Yes. Madam President,
>> it's actually around the corner. >> Oh, okay. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Board member Carbonel, would you please read the mission statement? Yes, Madame President. Empower and inspire every student every day. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Miss Will you read the Open Public
Meetings Act statement? >> Good evening. In accordance with the provision of the New Jersey Open Public's Meeting Act, the Township of Union Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date time and place thereof published in the Star Ledger and Union County local sources posted in the
administrative building of 2369 Mars Avenue in Union, New Jersey, filed with the township clerk and mailed to all persons, if any, who have requested said notice. The board of education offers members of the public an opportunity to address issues regarding items on the agenda or on any issue. Individuals need
to identify themselves by name and address. Public comments are limited to three minutes. Issues raised by members of the public may or may not be responded to by the board. All comments will be considered and our response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. The board ask all members of the public
to be courteous and mindful of the rights of other individuals when speaking. Comments regarding students and employees of the board will not be responded to the board. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. The board will go into executive session to discuss personnel and legal issues and action
will be taken. May I have a motion to move into executive session? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Is there any discussions? Seeing none, the motion has been properly moved by Chassis Santana and second by Greg Nasser. Can I have a roll
call, please? Miss Capiello. Miss Carbonau, >> yes. >> Mr. Cohan, >> yes. >> Mrs. Conte Maki, >> yes. >> Mrs. Faria, >> yes. >> Mrs. Beni, >> yes. >> Mr. Nasta, >> Miss Santana, >> yes. >> Mrs. Scott Heden, >> yes.
Just take take your packets. Good evening. >> May I have a motion to move back into public regular meeting? >> So moved. Second. >> This motion has probably been moved by Nancy Mani and second by Chasse Santana. Can I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello.
>> Miss Carbonel? >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Maki. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Faria. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Beni. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nasta. >> Yes. >> Miss Santana. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Scott Hayden. >> Yes.
>> Approval of the minutes. May I have a motion to approve the following minutes. April 14th, 2026 work session. April 14th, 2026 executive session. April 30th, 2026 public hearing regular meeting. April 30th, 2026, executive
sessions number one and two. >> So move. >> Second. >> May I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello. >> Miss Carbanell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Maki? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Faria? >> Yes. >> Mr. McDowell? >> Yes.
>> Mrs. Beni? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nasta? >> Yes. >> Miss Santana? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Scott Hayden? >> Yes. Next, we have our communications that are reflected on our operations and personnel agendas. I hope you had time to review them.
Um, and moving along, good evening everyone. I would like to take this moment to thank you for all being here this evening. As we begin the public comment portion of this meeting, I want to remind everyone that we value your input and appreciate your time and effort in sharing your thoughts and
concerns. We ask that all comments be respectful and constructive as we aim to foster a productive dialogue that benefits our community and the work that we are here to do. Each speaker will be given three minutes to address the board. Please remember that while we are
eager to hear your perspectives, we are unable to engage in the discussion during this portion of the meeting. However, your comments will be carefully considered by the board and if necessary follow up upon. With that said, I invite the invite the first speaker to approach
and this is on resolutions only for the first person I have is Kathy Jackis. >> Hi Kathy Jacis. It's Mrs. Jay as my students know me. Um unfortunately I keep coming with kind of with the same concepts over and over with the amount of administration um and with what
administration has done and letting go of the teachers. 56 positions were not refilled meaning 33 were lost 23 due to retirement etc were not filled that number is 5.5% of our staff of teachers etc and
administration only one was actually not even one at this point that is 0.1% 0.1% of administration and support staff let go but then not because they were changed and then 5.5% of the staff that deals directly with students I was on
the board V. You guys know that I can't even fathom being on your position and thinking that's an okay number. Um, with in regards to money and where it's being spent, I'm questioning it because I don't know the answer to this. Did you guys like because with the contract employees, that's a yearly contract. I
know when we were on the board and we had to reduce our budget by 10%. You guys are not even at 10%. We went back and asked all our contract employees to sharpen their pens. We put a lot back out to bid. We saved a ton of money. We saved almost a million dollars by just asking our contractors going back out to
bid and putting it out to bid. Saves so much money. Um, with the attorney, you don't have to have an attorney here at every meeting. So, attorneys here on roughly five hours per meeting, twice a month for however months because I think you only come once or twice in the summer. That alone, I can't even fathom
how much is being spent. When we asked our attorney, we had an ongoing litigation forever. When we had to take away 10% of ours, um, they were not willing to sharpen their pens. We hired a new attorney firm. Um, and my god that once the new attorneys came in our and
everything is very specific on each one of the lawsuits. It was done in three months that was going on for about four or five years. So readjusting and def taking new contracts is also just a fiscal thing to do anyway. And I'm certainly hoping that is the case that fiscally you are asking people to
sharpen their pencils and going back out to bid. um just alone it seems like up until April 30th you spend $100,000 on illegal fees in the um of April and in March it was $300,000 that's a ton of money and if we didn't come in and sharpenment our pencils I don't think we
are being fiscally correct hopefully you guys absolutely did that obviously you know I'm not a fan of large administration that's why I'm running for Union County Commissioner one of the most important things I find as that position would be to speak to the county superintendent and saying we I would
love to see capped amounts of numbers to be on the administration and um support staff. The more administrations we have, that means so much gets lost in what goes on to the teachers. We don't see any administrators in our buildings. None. Um other than the ones who are direct related, which is principal and
vice principal. So by the time you guys get your information, it could be second, third, fifth hand. You don't know really how it affects us. One of the issues we did have for years, we couldn't get math books. Good lord people, what are we doing? We're teachers. We couldn't get math books for years until I came here and explained it one year and said not only can we not
get it was previous administration that with when we were spending um I think back then it was $123 per student for books etc. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you Kathy. >> Next we have Ann Margaret Shannon. >> Ann Margaret Shannon 2591 Spruce Street
and UTA president. Everyone knows we've been going through a difficult time for at least two years now and more. It's it's beyond sad. I think of the elementary children, especially those who struggle with even going to school. You know, some of them don't really even
enjoy going to school. And I feel very deeply that is wrong for those students to lose Spanish and instrumental music teachers and librarians. Those are people outside of the regular classroom who can help them enjoy school. And you know, people are going to say, "Oh,
they're still going to get it, but they're not going to get it." And if they whatever they do get online or whatever, who's going to do it? All the classroom teachers who are all working 100% all day long, where are they going to find time to do these three extra things? Uh, I want to talk about the
money, especially the money in central office. Um, we look at the riffs, we look at the transfers, we look at everything going on, and not one riff of an administrator. We have non-tenured administrators. We have highly paid staff members in central office. These
positions can be cut. I just don't know why all the cuts are in the classroom. With all that said, I do want to thank the HR director, Mr. Ratino. He's the one who's been answering all my difficult questions over these past time uh months and uh he's really helped me understand some things even when the
conversations were difficult. He's helped me to help other members. So, I do want to thank him. >> Thank you, Miss Marvin Shannon. Is this for resolutions or this for the the second comments?
>> Both Virginia Jeff Well, that's better. That's my height. Um, Virginia Jeff, 236 Brighton Avenue, East Orange. >> Board President Scott Hagen. Good evening, board members, employees, and members of the public in attendance
physically and virtually. comments and questions that were presented about the agenda which were which were never responded to at the May 12th 2026 executive session work meeting the physical and planning committee F-32 the approval of general counsel and special
education council Taylor law group a cap is required for this professional service open-ended contracts are not allowed by law what is the cap for the confessional professional services to be through the special education council.
What is the cap for the professional service to be the general counsel on F33? The special labor council. A cap is required for this professional service. Open-ended contracts are not allowed by law. What is the cap for this
professional service to be special labor council F-34, the approval of the bond council? A cap is required for this professional work. Open-ending contracts are not allowed by law. What is the cap for the professional service to be bond
council F-35 approved architects are these firms to be contracted as needed and what is the contracted amount for each firm on F36 the approval of engineers are these firms to be contracted as needed and what is the
contracted amount for each firm now I can always or anyone in this anyone can ask and file an OPRA request to get this information that the board does not furnish. This seems to be that the board is not responding to what the public is
asking of them because these are supposed to be public records. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Jeffers. >> Thank you, Miss Jeffers. And yes, >> um there is a cap on those items. You
brought that to our attention last week. And if you check the latest agenda, you would see that there are caps. As far as the architects, um that's still in the planning stage. Um the district was looking at a referendum. Right now it's
on pause because of the situation what's going on with the budget. So when that becomes more information, we will deliver that to you as well. >> Thank you to the public. Next we move on to the superintendent's
report. >> Good evening everyone >> slightly because uh Miss Sorz who is our student liaison tonight. Um I forget you have an important activity to get to. >> I probably missed it already. >> So the screen's coming down. Do you want
to speak from up here? Down here? Just be careful. >> So, uh, I've had the >> I've been very lucky to be spending the last few days with Miss Sorz. We got to do the, uh, Union County, uh, they do a breakfast for all the valves and sores
was there last night. She had an exciting night at the senior awards and now you get to finish it off with this before dance. Yeah. >> Uh, share a little bit about and present to the board and the community. So, I'm gonna just skip over to get to your
part. Um, oh, and then there you go. The clicker and that. >> Thanks so much. Okay. Hi, everyone. I'm Ava. So, I'll just start with a little bit about me. Um, that's why I'm dressed like this. I would have dressed a little bit more professional, but I do have to go to dance after this, so had to save
time. Okay. Um, I'm a senior at Union High School, and like Mr. Dr. Sorry, Benquesta said, I'll be solid. So, I'm excited about that. >> Thanks. And then for college, I plan on going to the University of Delaware where I will
be a kinesiology major. I plan to go on a pre PT track and then I want to minor in dance. Um, some other little fun facts about me, I'm the captain of the Union High School dance team and I'm involved in National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, All In, Empower Her and Farmer Fam, and I'm also
a senior class officer. So, those are just some pictures of me, you know, get to know me a little better, get a feel of the vibe. I'm a little nervous, so be kind. Um, and then something else, if any of you are bored at home cuz I know we have a half day tomorrow and you have some extra time, I did do a podcast with
me and our valadictorian, Jackie Cassandra, and we talked to Senator Cryan. And, um, some people told me it's pretty funny. So, if you're bored, you can tune in and watch. Um, okay, enough about me. Let's get on to other people. Um so our spring track we have their state sectional champions.
Um for the 100 and 200 meter we have Lyanna Musket and then 200 and 400 meter Rondell Canes. Congrats to them. Yeah, give it up. For some other spring sports, our unified flag football team, this is their first ever season and they've done
a really great job with a record of five and one season finish. So congrats to them. And then our baseball team, they had their first round of Union County tournament and they did a great job. They went against the third seed Scotch Plains. So, good job to them as well. You know, good job all around.
And then for our state playoffs, our baseball, softball, girls flag football team, and our volleyball team made it to the state playoffs that start next week. So, good luck to all of them. And then our boy Oh, sorry. You guys can clap. And then our boys volleyball team is currently the number one seed for the
state playoffs. So good luck to them in this upcoming week. We hope that they perform great, which they will. And then for other spring sports, our softball team is working hard to end their season on a high note, led by their senior captain, Ally Sylvestri. And then our girls flag football team is currently 72. I put a picture, but I guess it
didn't upload, which is okay because it's on the TUS athletics Instagram if any of you want to go check that out. And then for our spring sport, our boys tennis team had nine wins and last week they beat Kernney and Danellen. And then our golf team recently won their Union County Conference Valley
Division Championship. And their captain, which is our senior KBY Palasio, was the individual champion. So, yay. And then just outside of sports and just what's going on in UHS as a whole, some senior events that we have. We had our senior day yesterday, which was a lot of
fun. And then we have prom coming up June 4th. Our Hershey Park trip is this Thursday. And then we have our pool party next week which is being thrown by the PTA. So thanks to all the PTA members. We appreciate you. And then for just our general school
events, we had Miss UHS which is like a kind of like a pageant like fun little competition that we have. We have our spring concert which was supposed to be tonight but got postponed to June 1st because of the heat. So if you're free June 1st, you're more than welcome to come and support. Our uhs pack just went to Boston a couple weeks ago for their
world strides competition. I was there on behalf of the dance team. And then our student faculty football game is this Friday. We have our club unified field day coming up which the allied health kids and the club unified kids are all helping with. And then we had our all-in affirmation Monday which was
led by our amazing club advisor, Miss Hall. Thank you. And then we have a couple pictures up here from our senior day. And then these are just some other photos. So this is from our heritage festival that we went to. This is how good we did, how amazing we did. And then a special award that
our junior Jackson Golden got and just cuz he's so amazing and we have so many great kids here at UHS. And then we have our Miss UHS flyer. It was a really fun event. I don't know if anyone was able to come, but it was cool. And then basically what all an affirmation Monday is is when we have a bunch of kids in
the club that stay after school or whenever they have the free time and they write post-it notes just with positive affirmations to, you know, kind of bring up school morale, especially after AP test. It was super exhausting for all of us. So, it's great to come into the school and be surprised with a note on your locker on your classroom
door. So, yeah, it was really great. It's super beautiful. It colors up the hallways crazy. So, yeah. Tonight we had our senior awards. Over a hundred seniors recognized for outstanding achievements in school and outside of school and over $90,000 was given out in
scholarships. And then ending off on the most exciting note possible, just kidding, AP test. Uh yeah, I I mean that's one way to word it. Um, our AP test is finally done after two weeks. A total of 20 different
AP tests were administered by our school counselors and 463 11th and 12th graders were registered to take exams, which is great cuz, you know, it just shows how hard we work at Union High School. And here's a photo of all of our amazing school counselors who worked so hard to
help and dedicated so much time in administering these exams. So, shout out to our Union High School counselors and school counselors all across the board. And that is all I have for you guys today. Thank you so much. I hope you enjoyed. Have a great night. Thank you.
>> And definitely I don't see the nervousness. I think you're a natural. But does the board have any questions? >> Yes. Go ahead, Mr. Cabernet. I I I I would like to know first of all you have been tremendous tonight and and
talk about uplifting the energy in this room. Absolutely. So thank you. >> Um tell me a little bit what you plan to do with that major in >> kinesiology or can I just >> I'll have the mic. Uh so basically I
want to go on a prept track. So after I graduate um college, I want to go to doctorate school, get my doctorate in physical therapy, and then with my minor in dance, I plan on or I hope to specialize with dancers and performers. >> Nice. >> Oh, amazing. >> Thank you.
>> Very proud of you and the fact that you are in our school system and with everyone that work with you to make you who you are today. So, I'm just so impressed. I can't even find the words, but kudos to you. Very impressed.
Miss Santana. >> Hello, Miss Flores. How are you? >> Good. How are you? >> I'm doing well, thank you for everything that you are. And one thing that I can say is something tells me that you probably had a lot of options, right? And you chose Union High School. I want
to say thank you for choosing us. >> Yes. >> So, Ava, I you you uh stole a little bit of our thunder for later. I wanted to talk about the senior awards night, but it was great to see you mention that. Uh, you're very humbled though. You didn't let everybody know that you took
home the lion's share of some of those awards. >> We were sitting in the front row and I watched your pile of envelopes get deeper and deeper and deeper. So, congratulations. You're going to have a great foundation to get started. >> And with that being said, Michael said what I was going to say. We were present
last night. Um, kudos to you. All your hard work is definitely paying off. I can't wait to see what you do um after you finish Delaware State. I'm sure you'll come back to Union and share some of your talents and gifts with our um youth who will be in school at that time. I want to let you go to dance class. I know you're ready and prepared.
So, I don't want to hold you up any longer, but thank you and congratulations to you again. >> And just a quick picture because we want to make sure we do it for all the senior le the leaison, board leazison. So, a quick quick picture and and thank you to mom and dad. The support for children is
it makes the difference and we really appreciate everything you do. >> And Miss, are you sure you don't want to come up for a picture? >> It's her show. Can't hear. check. Check.
>> So before we go on, I just want to highlight because I know not too long ago uh students came and spoke about uh AP testing and I wanted to highlight this year the the class the 11th and 12th graders uh we took tw it was a 21%
increase from the prior year on exams taken. So, I think that's that's excellent highlight. So, um, real quick, um, I have to say we went to a, uh, a program at the high school where that Miss Meer put together. It's another grant that we got
to the district. We talk about a lot of these grants. We get a lot of money through grant funding, and this is one that definitely Miss Meer's passionate about, and I wanted to just highlight it. There was a representative from the state. Uh we're we're doing things throughout the the high school u with this grant and I really am excited. Why
I want to say it is because I can't wait to um highlight once everything's in place through the grant uh the the impacts on our students. Like they already got kids from the start program involved. There's a lot of different organizations within that high school
that are uh supporting and excited about um this climate um literacy grant. So, I'm I'm really excited to see where Miss Meister takes it in leading that that and we're going to report back to make sure, but you can read a little bit about it online.
Thank you. Oh, that's right. I'm That's why because I have to go backwards. Thank you. >> So, I went out of order and I apologize. So, first with the teacher of the year, Miss Watson, if you want to come up. >> It's not my day.
>> No, I want to thank you. So, as you guys know, the the the the amount of volume and busyiness work that this it takes to highlight our teachers of the year. Um, you know, we we we want to make it sure
it's at a level that it deserves. And a lot of the time behind the scenes, the people that are supporting us don't get recognized. Miss Watson did a lot with the Hall of Fame. She does a lot throughout the year, but while she's here helping, she she uh again, thank
you. You're you're you make my life easier. You keep me on track, and you really love our community. And and with things like this, I always know it's a special passion you have, whether it's baking or or creating, you always, I think, put 100% or 110% of energy and
love into it. So, I just thank you for everything you do. So, um, I'm going to bring all the teachers of the year that are here tonight. Please come up and we're going to recognize you. And then tomorrow they get to go to a breakfast at Kane and be recognized with all the Union County uh, teachers of the year.
So, Miss Watson will help me. So, from uh, my uh, >> so from Battle Hill, we have Veronica Ambers. From Connecticut Farms, we have Jenna Nottice.
From Franklin Elementary School, we have Stacy Sanchez. From Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, we have Janine D. Silva. Livingston Elementary School, Heather Shanley. And from Washington Elementary School,
we have Michelle Santos. Jefferson Elementary School, Jillian Palone. Bernett Middle School, Brendan Roberts, Kowami Middle School, Maria Gillis, and from Union High School, Nick
Ferrron. So, again, thank you guys. I appreciate you coming tonight, uh, getting the a little bit of, uh, uh, to highlight your hard work, dedication. We're going to, uh, take a picture. Uh, I hope you really enjoy the breakfast tomorrow with
all the again, it's it's nice to see the your colleagues in other districts and and Kane really does put on a a good uh time for you guys to be celebrated and and really do take that honor and celebrate yourself. It it comes from your your selection, your colleagues
vote and at the end sometimes we have to but a lot of times in the end it's clearcut who the your school your your colleagues really wanted to represent that your school as teacher of the year. So I can't thank you enough for the work and dedication you put in and for again
um representing our district as the teachers of the year for this year. But why don't we come this way? Squeeze together. We'll take a picture. I'm gonna get out of the way. I think there's some San >> everyone at Peter.
>> Thank you. >> And Peter, Miss Newton, if you need a if for some reason you wanted an extra copy, she'll send you hers. >> You're welcome. So, I just want to highlight uh you know there there was a tragedy in our in our district still uh obviously the family
is still um dealing with it, the Belucio family and the district's going to us have a dress down next week to try to donate uh from the district uh to the family's needs. So, please look out for that. and as well as the the friends are
putting on a candle light uh uh on May 21st. So every every month the the county highlights the school districts in New Jersey, I mean in Union County. And uh this this month it's it's from the county superintendent. We highlighted
the uh the having the commissioner hasn't been to many districts. The commissioner choosing us to come and see. Um it was like I said a great day. She got to spend time uh at Franklin Elementary School. She was right in there talking to the the students. It was awesome to see that engagement as
well as see our mental health program. uh she was very excited about that and a lot of questions too because that's that is something that uh the commissioner and the governor uh are making part of their initiatives as well as our I know it was mentioned our flag football did
really well uh uh this year so an evening of jazz is coming up uh May 21st please make sure you look into this and attend free so uh and our students are going to be doing amazing uh so Make sure that you if you're a freak, it's right here DMK theater and
to see what wonderful um uh musicians uh that we have uh see our students coming and and playing Hannah Caldwell Multra Culture Night. Uh you can read about that highlighting some of the things that uh we were we
were doing at Hannah Caldwell. Um again, great event. Um you see in the pictures the the smiles and and these kind of events that the schools put on are just amazing and it brings together the community. Uh our self-report assessment determination goals again this was
posted last month but I just wanted to highlight it's out of 78 why you know the state that's what they choose as the highest number. uh we're uh 73 overall out of 78, but you can see our schools and it's a self assessment that the schools have to go through and uh fill
out a criteria to tell you where your score is. And um you know, we report on the full report is uh the links attached. Um Union High School senior awards. I know Miss Sorz mentioned it, but it's just amazing year after year
how many uh you know, former students. I got to see again former students that come back. The one comes from DC every year where she's finishing up finally. She told me she's almost done with our school, but she has been donating to our our kids, our students, uh because
somebody donated to her because she couldn't had didn't have enough money for like a computer or textbooks and now she's given back and it's such a wonderful thing. But our community, I think, goes above and beyond. Uh it's not a booster association. It's not an organization giving the scholarships.
It's different community groups that are giving back to our schools and I think it just sends such a different message and and people that really got some reward from us through the time they were here or connection along the way and they're they're willing to give again uh $90,000. I know the the UTA
does a lot. Uh the PTAs do a lot. Uh but then a lot of community as well. So thank you to everyone that again comes together for our kids to to give them that like Mr. Cohen said a a start. um to college and their or their next endeavor.
Franklin won the uh attendance award for this month, 96.873. So, congratulations to Franklin. Great job. And as the year going on, I think the ones that are winning at this time of the year really deserve a little extra because these are the times that it's getting a little harder. Um so,
we'll see how the end the May and and June uh last. uh we have to report nothing to report as far as this short time period May 13th to May 19th uh for him but we do have to affirm uh from May
1st to May 12th and uh there was five uh met the criteria uh two from uh Anakova one from two from Kwami one from Bernett two unfounded from Union High School as well as uh two inconclusive Livingston and Union High School
and thank you madam president that's uh it for my presentation. >> Does the board have any questions or comments? >> Miss Carbon, >> Dr. Benquista, um those organizations or entities that
contributed to the scholarships? Um do we post them on our website or on our social media to get make sure that people see who they are so that we can support them just like they support us? I I'll reach out to Miss Bosard and Miss Ahern who kind of oversee the senior
awards and ask that question or maybe it's something again that the board suggested that moving forward we make sure either uh uh through our um communications and we create something to make sure we're highlighting them. But that's a good good point to bring up.
>> Anyone else? >> Good point Dixie. All right, seeing none, next we have the education student discipline committee chair, Miss Mani and Miss Carbonel, to present the resolutions that will be voted upon tonight. Good evening.
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Education and Student Discipline Committee presents the following resolutions for the board's consideration. E11A affirm superintendence determination of HIB.
E3 approve long-term suspension in home instruction. Oh dear. E4 approve update of school calendar for preschool provider YM YWHA for the 202627 school year. E5 approve Kain University
research study. The other resolutions were voted on at the last work section work session. >> Second. >> Any discussions? The motion has been properly moved by Dixiana Carbonel and second by Nancy
Mani. Can I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello. >> Miss Carbonel? >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Mackey? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Faria? >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Beni? >> Yes. Yes. Mr. Nasta, >> yes.
>> Miss Santana, >> yes. Mrs. Scott, >> yes. >> Next, we have the fiscal and planning committee chair, Mr. Cohen and M. McDow and Miss Santana, to present the resolutions that will be voted upon tonight. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Before I defer
to Mr. McDow, Miss >> Santana, um to deal with most of the resolutions. As is typical u most of the resolutions are are standard proformer resolutions that are on the agenda each month. I
will note that as m Miss said earlier all of the resolutions where we are making uh appointments of council architects engineers and so on all indicate in the resolution an amount not
to exceed. So, uh, we are in conformance with whatever requirements may exist. I'd also like to call the public's attention to F-47. Uh, as we all know, when we adopted the
budget last month, we noted the impact of the signific significant increases in the cost of healthcare. Uh the New Jersey School Boards Association recommended to its members that we consider adopting this resolution to
send a message to our state leaders to address this on that macro level that I noted that we can't solve these issues here locally in the tangible union. We need help at the at a at a much higher level. And I'd just like to uh read there are a lot of whereases. It's one
of those standard very formal resolutions. I would invite uh the public to review that. Uh it's on the printed agenda and it's posted on the website, but I'd just like to read the um the resolution statements themselves.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Township of Union Board of Education in the County of Union calls upon the governor and state legislature to provide immediate short-term relief from the unsustainable increased health care cost experienced by school districts in recent years. And be it further resolved
that the township of union board of education urges the governor to engage in meaningful engagement with all affected stakeholders to develop and implement practical long-term reforms to the state system and assist the self-insured
delivery of health care to its public employees in order to generate meaningful long-term savings and be further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Cheryl, state treasurer Aaron Binder, state Pres State Senate President
Nicholasqari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, our own Senator Cryan, Assemblywoman Annette Keano, Assemblywoman Ed Rodriguez, and the New Jersey School Boards Association. And at that, Madam Chair, I'll defer to Miss Santana and Mr. Mr. McDall.
>> Thank you for reading that uh allow, Mr. Coleman. I appreciate that. Um, is there a second or who's reading resolutions, I should say? May I was going to move them in box. >> Okay, >> there you go. >> Oh, okay. Yes. Thank you. So, upon recommendation
of the superintendent of school, the fiscal and planning committee presents the following resolutions for the board's consideration. I'm starting at F1 to 47 >> F7
and F44 were already approved. >> And I hand it over to you, Madam Chair. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> The motion has been properly moved by Miss Santana and second by Mr. McDow. Can I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello.
>> Miss Carbonel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Mackey. >> Abstain F39. Abstain F40. Abstain F41. Yes to everything else. >> Mrs. Faria.
>> Yes. >> Mr. McDow. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Beni? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nasta? >> Yes. >> Miss Santana? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Scott Heden? >> Yes. >> There are no grievance in negotiations to present this evening. So, we move on
to the operations technology committee chair, Mr. and ask the missia to present the resolutions that will be voted upon tonight. >> Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the operations technology committee presents the following resolutions for the board's consideration. All one approved
security drill and bus evacuation reports. O2 approved no location for camp invention Livingston Elementary School. 03 approve request from Township of Union Police Department. and T1 approve recycling of equipment. >> Is there a second?
>> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Madam President, I'd just like to read uh a short um statement. >> Okay. Here, >> Madam Hello. >> Madam President, I'd just like to read a short statement uh to make sure our
community is aware uh as far as the the heat wave that um we're facing right now. So the forecast uh for today and tomorrow called for temperatures in the upper 90s with high humidity and our monitoring shows that many of our older
non-airconditioned classrooms cannot be kept within a safe and comfortable range throughout our full school day. In light of this, we decided to operate on a half day schedule, early dismissal, to protect the health and safety of our students and staff, and to ensure that
the instructional time we provide occurs under conditions where students can reasonably focus and learn. The New Jersey law requires boards of education to maintain temperature control and indoor air quality policies. policy on regulation 7421 indoor air quality
informed by the state's PIOSHA indoor air quality standard which identifies a general thermal comfort band of about 68 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit in mechanically conditioned spaces and directs districts to investigate and address conditions
when classrooms temperatures fall outside that range. Our actions and decisions are consistent with regulation 7421, the PIOSHA indoor air quality guidance, and the practice of the New Jersey districts that implemented earlier dismissals during similar heat
waves when their facilities could not maintain classroom temperatures within the comfort ban. We fully fully recognize that early dismissals uh are disruptive for families and we do not take these decisions lightly. They are a last resort after we have considered and
implemented mitigation measures such as fan shades uh class relocation short-term steps. Um going forward, we will continue to document conditions, review our indoor air quality program, and prioritize facility improvements
that enhance ventilation and cooling to reduce our heat related schedule changes in the future. Thank you, uh, Superintendent Benquista. So, the motion has been properly moved by Miss Santana and second by Mr. McDow.
Can I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello. >> Miss Ms. Carbonel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan, >> yes. >> Mrs. Conte Macki, >> yes. >> Mrs. Faria, >> yes. >> Mr. McDow, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mani,
>> yes. >> Mr. Nasta, >> yes. >> Miss Santana, >> yes. >> Mrs. Scott. >> Yes. Next, we have the personnel committee chair, Miss Ki Mackey, to present the following resolutions that will be voted upon tonight. >> Thank you, Madam President. Madam
President, with permission, can I um move these in block? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Upon recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the personnel committee presents the following repres resolutions for the board consideration
P1A through P5. Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Seeing none, the motion has been properly moved by Miss LC Ki Mackey and second by Mr. Greg Nasta. Can I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello. >> Miss Carbonel.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Macki. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Faria. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Beni. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nasta. >> Yes. >> Miss Santana. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ceden. Yes, we have no policies to
present this evening. So, we're moving along. We have the residency committee chair, Miss M. Miss Ni, and Mr. McDow to present the following non voting resolutions. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um upon recommendation of superintendent of schools, the residency committee presents the following resolutions. So,
they're forformational purposes only. No vote required. And this is the um our information as of April 30th, 2026. Um 19 student transferred, eight from elementary, three from middle, eight from the high school. And that's our information for tonight.
>> Thank you, Miss Mani. May I have a motion to approve the bills list? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussions? Seeing none, the mo the motion has been properly moved by I believe that was Miss Carbonel and second by Miss Maria.
What did you >> miss? I'm sorry. Let's clear that up. So was it was moved by Miss Santana and a second by >> Miss Carbonel. I had it backwards. I apologize. Can I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello. >> Miss Carbonel? >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Mackey?
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Fia? >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mani? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nasta? >> Yes. >> Miss Santana? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Scott Hayden? >> Yes. >> Now we're on to unfinished business. >> Yes.
>> Okay. I see Miss Denise. I just wanted to um piggyback on Dr. Benquista's report. Um I was, you know, had the privilege to go to um of course the the uh the TUS Hall of Fame dinner on May 7th. It was a beautiful event
that was here um honoring um former students and community leaders um for their contributions and what they're doing um post Union High School. It was a great event. Thank you Dr. Benquista, Mr. McDow um for
uh giving us the opportunity to bring that um event back. Um I also attended the Tomorrow's Teachers program at the high school and it's for um uh our students. It it's like a um sports signing for college, but it's for our
future teachers and they signed uh letters of intent to go to their their uh respective colleges. It was a great event. I think we had nine seniors, eight, eight or nine seniors, and then we had a group of juniors who are going to continue in the program. Mr. Daly does a great job. Um, everybody that's
involved, it's a a great program. The students are exceptional. Um, looking forward to see if someday they'll be able to come back and work in our district. And finally, um I did go on May 12th to the um climate literacy grant and it was amazing to see what
Miss Mikner and all the students, the staff, the the um custodians, everybody involved in it, the all the areas um Okay, thank you. um all the um areas that courtyards that are going to be um
fully uh they have uh fruit and vegetable plants, trees, and it's going to benches um all kinds of things. And it'll be a place for students and staff to go out during the day and to relax and enjoy the outdoors. It's going to be a beautiful area. It's behind the
library is one area. Um Miss Hall, could you tell me the other areas? I know we looked there right and it's they're doing an amazing job the students um it's the environmental club along with the um advisors so great job and also just want
to remind everybody the Memorial Day parade is coming up it's on Monday hopefully the rain will stay away um it's going to be a beautiful event I hope we have spectators and people participate I know some of our schools schools are um some of our teams
um uh ROC, the marching band, the cheerleaders, we have a a whole contingent that's going to participate. So, I encourage everyone to come out, participate or just come out and watch and and cheer everybody on. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Mani. I see Miss
Carbonel. >> It's not always easy to Good evening, everyone. By the way, it's not always easy to sit here and hear some harsh truths or perceptions that you may have about us, but we do listen, we reflect
on it, we do talk about it. Um, with that said, Miss Lipstine, Miss Gomes, and Miss Jeff last week reminded me that we did not acknowledge the students that came before us to speak. And I just want to say thank you ladies.
Um, I want to take a moment right now to say to those students, if you're listening tonight, even though it's rough listening to what you have to say, thank you for coming before us and thank you for your honesty and courage. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Um, I have Miss Santana. >> Sant. >> Thank you so much, Commissioner Carbell. I agree with you 100%. Um, sitting here, I I want to say this to the public. I There used to be five minutes when I was on that side and I
took all my five minutes and nobody up here agrees with me with the five minutes. Um, listen, if I can find some friends, I want them back. I'll say it again and again. Uh, we we sit here to listen to the comments and to give that feedback. So, I concur with my
colleague. uh sitting up here and as an adult and talking it it your voice shakes as a child to stand up there and advocate for whatever it was they were advocating for their beliefs. I loved it. Come back as much as you want. I
I'll fight for your five minutes, too. So, thank you to those children that uh came up here and and made their comments. I think that those were the one of the most important comments of the night. Uh, one of the things that I another thing that I wanted to talk about and I'm sorry I don't remember who
it was. Uh, we did have a parent and if I remember when the parent came up up to speak, he she said something like I I feel embarrassed even saying something to about this because we were talking about people's livelihoods and things getting cut. But I would even dare to say that this comment might have been
the most in my opinion uh comment of of the night and it had to do with the fourth grade graduations. Right. I I I come from a place of I like data. I like to see, you know, and and and weigh out evidence. And this is how I see it. If I
sat down in September of 2025 as a fourth grade child, I knew that at that moment I was a senior in that building in the township of Union. all seven elementary schools that we have, whether you're in Washington, Franklin, anywhere you are. And I knew that at the end of
the year, I'm going to walk across the stage and my parents are going to be there and I'm going to take a picture and that that's what I know. And if from September to what is it, May, June, something happened because a whole bunch of adults really got together to make
decisions. It's not fair to the children. So, I know that a lot of times everybody thinks that here at the board wants it this way. I wish that I could have a motion on here to vote for a fourth grade graduation and to give the fourth graders a pool party, lollipops,
ice cream, and whatever it is that they want because I absolutely would vote yes. And I I think I have eight other friends that also would vote yes. Um, so I mentioned it in work session. We we're bringing it out here. We were told that this was a decision and we get it
because Franklin is being repurposed. They kind of wanted to make it special to Franklin. I still to this moment don't understand we why we can't print some certificates. We don't even need balloons. I don't know if the kids can I don't even know. But I know that we can get it together to have these fourth
graders walk across the stage, get a picture, get a a a certificate, and go go on about their business. Now September 2026, it might be a little different because at that moment they will not be the seniors in the building. They will see that there is a little bit of a change and a shift and the
expectation won't be for a fourth grade graduation. But uh there's not a lot of moments that you get a mic in your hand and you got to give your opinion. But if it's up to me and if I had a vote 1,000 times over, it would be give the fourth graders a certificate, give the parents
a picture and a smile and uh for the children that should be done. So that's what I would like to say about the comments that we had uh for these past two lively events uh that were our our board meetings. I also wanted to call
attention. One thing that union does well, right? Love you. I hate you. However it is they see you, when there is a tragedy, when things happen, we get together. Um I invite everybody um out this Thursday. I'm running out of work. I'm going to I don't know where I'm
going to park, but I'm going to get there to say a prayer and a vigil for this family that um I I I don't even know what this poor woman is going through. Her her husband and her three children. Um, I I I remember uh the
daughter, she went to school with my children and all I can say is tell a friend, bring a friend, pray. If you have no money, prayers are free. Whatever God you believe in, let's get these people home so that they can love again in union.
>> Um, senior night, I more uh baseball. Uh, we won the county. I I I don't want to say anything bad about our baseball team, but we're kind of like struggling through it. We But I was very surprised and very happy when we won and went on to counties. Uh uh it was great to be at
the second level. We didn't make it, but a lot of baseball, a lot of fun. We had senior night, a lot of pictures, a lot of uh uh baseballs that says I love your mom. Uh uh senior activities are on their way. We're going to have babies that sign yearbooks, go to prom, and and
and we move on from senior year. I wish I could always stay in kind of this senior year and not go into adulthood with them, but they do, right? Uh, that's what I have to say. Thank you so much for listening and once again, give those fourth graders some graduations. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Santana. Thank Mr. Vice
President Cohen. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd just like to uh follow on to the comments that Miss Mani made about the Tomorrow's Teachers Program. I too attended that and it's it's gratifying to see that we are working to build for the future of of
this profession that that I've dedicated my life to. So, um I'm I too am looking forward to one day hiring back some of our former students as teachers in the district. Um, I also attended, I mentioned before, the awards assembly
last night and one thing really struck me other than the accomplishment of all of our students. One thing struck me when I turned to Miss Scott Hayden and said, I just realized something. Not one of
these seniors was yet born when I left the school district in 2006. So, made me feel a little old. Um, but finally, I want to make sure that I um make note of something that happened right here in this room about a
week and a half ago. We held our Township of Union Public Schools Hall of Fame induction. And simply put, that's the proof in the pudding. what it is that we do here is important to the community and important
to the children in our charge because they go out into the world and they achieve great things. We had two NASA scientists, we had uh a biochemist, excuse me, a a neuro neuroscientist.
We had a a Hollywood producer uh a Grammy nominated artist who who's not a a recent graduate of Union High School. Uh we also honored the first principal of Union High School.
Was it Grace Bden? >> Who was also the first football coach? She was an incredibly accomplished educator. opened Union High School back in the 1920s. Um it was it was just a really great night to take a look at the accomplishments of our former graduates.
We we hadn't done an Hall of Fame induction in about 30 years. So we had 16 honores that night um as we move ahead and do this in the future. I hope we have as many as uh as many inductees, but I suspect it'll be a smaller group
as we do it more frequently. Um, so despite our challenges, despite the uh the shortcomings that we have to address, we still do great things in the district and I'm very proud of that. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Cohen and Mr. McDow. >> And uh since Mr. Um, Cohen brought up the Hall of Fame. >> That young lady we saw her speak tonight, Ava Sorz, >> future Hall of Fame guaranteed.
>> Uh, one other thing I I'd like to do is just read a letter that I received from uh, a teacher in district. And I uh, I won't say who, but uh, I read it and it meant a lot to me because I agreed with everything this person said. and I'd
like to just read it tonight. There's no question that this has been an emotional time in our district. People are worried. Staff members are anxious about changes, transfers, reductions, and what the future looks like. Those feelings are real, and they
deserve acknowledgement and respect. But what also concerns this person is that the conversation has started to move away from facts and towards personal attacks. during the uh disagree disagreeing with
decisions is fine is fair. Questioning leadership is fair. Holding the administration accountable is part of the process. But there is a difference between advocacy and turning every conversation into an attack on one individual because some people simply do
not like him personally. I've watched the tone shift over the last two years from professional disagreement to constant character criticisms of Dr. Benista. And I think that this is dangerous for this district. Not every difficult decision is made out of malice
and it is certainly not retaliation. Not every restructuring plan is personal. Not every change means someone is trying to hurt staff members. We are all aware that the state has made it extremely difficult for school districts to build budgets that truly make sense.
Districts also districts across New Jersey are dealing with rising costs, funding challenges, mandates, and financial uncertainty. These are not issues unique to union. And while none of us like seeing cuts, changes, or
restructuring, I do believe Dr. Benquista and his administration team have had to make incredibly difficult decisions based on what they believe is the best is in the best interest of both students and staff long term. That does
not mean every decision will be popular. It does not mean everyone will agree but difficult but but difficult leadership decisions should not automatically become personal attacks. What concerns this person most and myself is the
amount of embellishment and chaos being created around every announcement. Fear spreads quickly and when emotions take over, facts often get lost. We can advocate for staff without destroying trust in the entire district and
community. We can disagree with leadership without being demon without demonizing leadership. We can support our colleagues without turning professional disagreements into personal vend personal vendettas. I know Dr. Benista. You may not agree with
every decision he makes, but I do not believe he wakes up every day to hurt this district. I believe he is trying to navigate an incredibly difficult situation with enormous pressure coming from every direction. knowing that people who came before him could never
have done what he is accomplishing with his team. That does not mean people cannot question decisions. They should. That does not mean staff concerns are invalid. They are not. But leadership requires balance. And unions should also
be aware not to fuel the div the vision simply because personalities clash. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing. strong schools, supported staff, and successful students. And I'll end it there because I don't
want to read it any further. I may go into identifying this person, but as I said, I agree 100% with what this person wrote and I thought it should be read because the last couple of meetings things have been getting unruly to say the least.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Um, is is there any other unfinished business seeing them? Okay, we'll move on to new business. Miss Carell,
and I believe Miss Antana um brought some of this up. Um, I know that we're dealing with a very difficult time, not only in our district, in our state, and throughout the world. Um, but bringing it home, um,
I would be remiss if I didn't say that our thoughts and prayers go out to every student, every staff member that collaborated with the young lady. I'm not going to say her information out of respect for her privacy
that was just in that horrible accident. >> Um my understanding is it was a graduation gift that her parents had saved for. >> Um and this happens this horrible horrible accident. So my prayers go out
to the family and everybody that loved her or loves her in one way or another. I second that sentiment and prayer. Um, anyone else under new under new business?
Seeing none, I'll move to uh comments from the public. First person I have is Virginia Jeff. Can someone fix it? There it is. Okay. Okay. I'd like to make a point of order before I start. >> Board member uh McDow read a letter into
the public record that is a public document now that at anyone can ask to be released. It's in in its entirety. So by not disclosing their name, you have disclosed who they are by reading
the letter into the public record. So Virginia Jeff, 236 Brighton Avenue, East Orange, Board President Scott Hayden. Good evening, board members, employees, and members of the public in attendance and physically and virtually.
Comments and questions that were not allowed to be presented by the public at the April 30th, 2026 regular board meeting was in violation of the Open Public Meetings Act, board policy 0164, conduct of board meeting and board
members. The Open Public Meetings Act is a law that guarantees the right of the public to attend and participate in public meetings. There was a violation of the open public meetings act as well as the current board policies 0164 conduct of board meeting when the public was not
allowed to fully participate in the meeting when the board terminated from the agenda. The second opportunity for co public comment under item 20 comments from the public without any explanation
on the April 30th 2026 board meeting. This was a violation of the open public meetings act as well as the current open public meetings as as the board policy when the public was not allowed to fully participate in the meeting. When this
board terminated from the agenda the second opportunity for public comment under item 20 comments from the public without any explanation. This deprived the public the right to fully participate at a public meeting under the other under the open public
meetings act. The public was being disenfranchised by this board to openly expo express and question what actions the board was taking in regard to the 2026 27 budget and other matters of importance. So there is an order of business under
board policy 0164 under a regular board meeting which was ignored. So also the board needs to explain this dis disenfranchisement and denying the
public full participation at any board meeting of education under the open public meetings act. And lastly board members while you are volunteering by volunteers you are asked to be voted in this position. You are all politicians
because you raise money for this position and ask people for their vote. You are all government officials that ultimately must answer to those who voted you to enter this position. >> Please, your time has expired. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Miss Jeff. May I have Susan Livstein, please? Susan Lipstein, 2569 Jackson Avenue. I spoke at last week's work session that having only one certified school librarian for the entire district is the absolute least that the district can do
for our students. And what I and I said that over 7,000 children deserve more than the least. You heard testimony from public librarians, certified school librarians, the New Jersey Library Association, the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, members of the
public, including a retired librarian, me, public library, parents and children, especially the children about the negative ramifications of cutting the librarians. Sometimes those in charge need to rethink decisions they have made in the
middle of a crisis. and I'm asking you to reconsider the cut to our certified school librarians. Meanwhile, this issue has already gone our district to the state level. In testimony to the New Jersey State Board of Education, which is 13 members, on
May 6th, a representative from the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, mentioned two districts, two districts only, ORS and Woodbridge, as examples of districts that ignore the state's school funding model for school funding reform, which includes school librarians and the
staff. And the state board of education was asked, "How do districts such as ours offer effective school library media services as required by administrative code NJAC6.13?" How do we We're not It's hurtful to the children in our district. If the local
school board cannot do what's best at the district level, then we have to go further. Members of the public, if you want librarians, if you never want this to happen again, you have to contact our local legislators. Senator Cryan asked
for your vote, ask him to save the school librarians. Assemblywoman in Ekihano, same thing. Assemblyman Ed Rodriguez, the people in this community will have to stand up to the legislators, ask them to scave the school librarians and school libraries.
They know if there's a bill to strengthen the school libraries. It has to go above the local district, which in my opinion is not doing right by the children. Contact the New Jersey admin commissioner of education to strengthen equitable access to school library
programs for the 7,000 children in our district. They are not getting equitable library access. and Mikey Cheryl who's talking about how literacy scores in the state of New Jersey are lower than in Mississippi and our district and literacy. We know 50 years of school
librarians in a in a in the school raises literacy. She needs to know that we need to tie this into state aid. We want a new state aid formula. We want the librarians to be part of that and then I can so perhaps you'll lose state
aid if you don't have sufficient library services and I guarantee you one certified school librarian for 7,000 students would adopt >> the time has expired. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it.
>> Thank you Miss Lstein. Next we have Yalen Ramirez. Gayen Ramirez, 1332 Link Chris Terrace. Um, I'm actually here reading on behalf of Louisa Bayz, who could not be in today. I know she emailed her comments,
but I wasn't sure if they were going to be um read into the record or not. So, good evening everyone. I'm unable to um unable to physically be at the meeting tonight, so I would like this read to the public. I hope everyone is doing well and that you, the board of education, received my letter with my
hostility complaint and should be taken very seriously. Tonight, I ask that we keep the lines of communication open, transparent, and honest without hidden agendas. Our community deserves that, and most importantly, our students deserve that. As we discuss this
proposed budget on April 30th, I urge the board to think outside the box when making cuts. We should be cutting where it makes more sense financially, not where it directly harms children and their education. Our students are already struggling academically. We cannot continue balancing budgets on the
backs of children, teachers, and the essential student services. With that being said, we need to look honestly at spending priorities. The new administrative building at 850 Lehi is a luxury. We already had an administration building located next to Union High School's field. Why wasn't that space
sufficient? That is an example of where money could have been saved. We also have we also need to evaluate administrative costs. We currently have a superintendent and two assistant superintendent. One who is running for councilman in Elizabeth. How vested is
he really in union where he didn't even mention that he currently works. At some point we have to ask the difficult but necessary questions. Do we truly need this level of administration while programs, staffing, and student supports are being reduced? Let's do the math.
Let's make responsible decisions. Let's prioritize students over excessive administrative spending. I ask you to keep the children on of this district at the center of your decision- making and not let other people make those decisions. Thank you. Um
uh and on my own, um Miss Antenna, that was me, the parent that made that comment about the fourth graders. I appreciate you mentioning it because I agree with you. It was really silly and I really think that we should let our kids have that moment. Thank you. >> Thank you.
Next we have Lzette Sabatis. >> Hi, good evening. Just gonna put my own timer so I know I don't run out. Um I'm 360 Washington Avenue. I actually wanted to start on a positive note and give an update. I was here a few months ago over
um a situation with my son at Kowami Middle School where we uh he was being told that he shouldn't be in honors classes because of a 504 accommodation due to ADHD. And I'm happy to report that due to my advocacy myself, my
husband, uh and working with this board as well as with other um individuals within the district, my son has remained in the honors program. He had a um straight A's in the second marking period, A's and B's in the third marking period, and we're now in the fourth
marking period. So, I can report on that. But in addition, his diagnostic for English was in the ninth grade level, and his diagnostic for the math was um in the upper eighth grade level. So, just wanted to um you know, give that brief update. And then on the more
difficult conversation, I just these are my comments uh about what's going on right now within the district. Um I think that based on what I heard today at the meeting and what is actually happening, there is a disconnect and there is actually um a conflict about
what is being celebrated here. We're celebrating today our teachers. We're celebrating the work that they do with the students. We're celebrating a program to increase the number of teachers that are going into the teaching field. But then we're saying, let's cut the teachers, let's cut the programs, let's put our kids longer in
front of a Chromebook, for example, for the Spanish program. And so I'm trying to reconcile that disconnect and that contradiction. And in addition to that, you know, I think in Union, we as residents feel that we pay very high taxes. We are one of the count one of
the cities within the county where we have a great majority of those taxes going to our school system. And we are not seeing that reflected in the programs and in the quality that our students deserve. We are seeing cuts where our neighboring towns are having expansions. My husband is a teacher in
Springfield. They are hiring Spanish teachers. They are renovating the high school. They are replacing the HVAC system in the high school. There are air conditioners in all of the schools. So, I just don't understand why our neighbors seem to be getting it right where we cannot get our act together.
And the last point is I have 39 seconds is that um you know Miss Santana you mentioned the value and the importance of data and I wholeheartly agree on you with that because when I went to Kowami for my son and I said tell me what is the data behind the rigor of this
program. Nobody could show me the data of how that program is being evaluated. And we want the same thing here. We the parents that are in this room are demanding the data. We want transparency. We want to see the budget. We want to see where did the savings from this realignment where is it going?
We are saving on bus services where how much where is that savings going to? We also see here in F43 that there is an approval for travel and related expenses. There is no cap on that. We want to know where are those travel expenses and what is the cap the same
that in the other items there is a cap. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next we have Jennifer Reid. >> Good evening. My name is Jennifer Reid and I'm a union resident, taxpayer, and parent of two students in the township. I reviewed the district's proposed
budget and staffing reductions and I'm deeply concerned about the priorities being presented to this community. The district says these cuts are necessary because of financial hardship. But according to the district's own budget documents, transportation costs exceed
12 million. Employee benefits exceed 37 million. However, administrative costs remain more than $2,200 per student. At the same time, the district is eliminating libraries, excuse me, librarians, media staff, intervention
support, instructional positions, and other studentf facing services that directly affect children in our schools. The public has also seen ex executive administrative compensation remain extremely high during this process,
including reported six figure salaries and substantial benefit packages for upper administration while educational positions are being eliminated. One of the most troubling decisions is reported elimination of all library media specialist positions districtwide.
So tonight, I want to ask a few direct questions before cutting educational and student support positions. What specific reductions were made at the executive administration level? Will the board publicly release a detailed lineby-line
comparison showing cuts made to administration versus cuts made to classroom and studentf facing services? And how does eliminating librarians, intervention support, and instructional staffing improve educational outcomes
for union students? The public understands financial challenges, but the public also expects transparency, accountability, and evidence that students were prioritized before bureaucracy.
right now. Many residents do not see that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jennifer. Next, we have Michelle Zada. >> Hi, Michelle Zada, 1523 Brookside Drive. Uh, parent at Livingston Elementary
School and parent at Hannah Caldwell. Um, I emailed all of the board members here and I think you know exactly what I'm going to be talking about. Um, it's in dealing with Hannah Codwell. I know we have dumped a ton of money into Hannah Codwell, particularly with the
mold. I know before um even before the mold situation, we spent over $700,000 on the HVAC system at Hannah Caldwell. Yet, we can't get the AC and parts going there. And there's been parents in the particularly in the prek
wing that have been emailing board of ed members, their superintendent, calling the office repeatedly because of the temperatures that have been here. Uh particularly um that this isn't uh this is a reoccurring thing. It's been going on for a couple years, which is the
absurdity about of the amount of time and resources that we have put into this that we haven't got Anna Codwell fixed. Um, I had came into the September 16th meeting to complain yet again about the AAC that's happening at Hannah Caldwell
and my son's prek not working. And I don't think it ever worked. And there was the same meeting that we had talked about that how much Hannah Caldwell put us in the hole of 8.5 million, not including the insurance claims that have got denied. I mean, I spoke last time.
We got here essentially because of Hannah Codwell. Yet that was never ever mentioned in how we got here. So yet again, Hannah Codwell is still an issue with the amount of money we pumped. Parents want to know a timeline as to
when it's going to get back on. I mean, there's that issue and then also too with like talking about the future of uh our school district. Um there was mentioning of the Weber Park that as a parent I want to talk about the
future of like our 100year-old system buildings. I want to see a plan for that. I want to see a plan of how are we going to get our students up in scores. I had also mentioned in that September 16th of wanting to know the I Ready scores. All of you guys were I emailed
for an open request to see the I Ready scores over the years. I do know that last spring my my student at the Livingston school in the first grade that 30% of their students were only on grade level and
then Dr. Rodriguez sent me for the second graders that only 20% are at grade level. I spoken to Mr. paterno about this about getting help and I'm actually seeking help for my child and the terminology of when when I need it
isn't being designed to students aware of their deficit in and they're not getting the help they're not meeting them frequently enough. So when we come and take the NJSLA and you're seeing this these cohorts are no longer being impacted of the COVID
loss. This is exactly what is our resource that we're getting and they're not they're not those scores that are coming in and I present everyone with those scores that are coming in big deficit. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Thank you.
>> And to one of the points that >> where's my card >> to one of the points that were just uh mentioned. >> Were you first or second? I did uh check in with the principal of Hannah Caldwell and there there is only two rooms that we're working on that the HVAC uh and
the manager of buildings and grounds under Miss McKenzie's leadership they are still uh need to deal with but everything else was functioning. >> Thank you um Superintendent Benquista and Margaret Shannon please. and Margaret Shannon, 2591 Spruce
Street, UTA president. Today and yesterday, many UTA members on their own individually contacted their principles and assistant superintendent, Miss McKenzie, to ask for relief from the weather. I thank them all. I think these uh UTA members uh were appropriate in stepping up for their children that they
educate and I thank administration for listening and making schedule changes to help all those at the school buildings. Um F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F47. Uh the UTA appreciates the resolution and looks forward to working with
hopefully all of Union County Administration. We had a meeting at the Union County Education Association today, kind of brainstorming what we can do as a county and maybe even the whole state. Uh we hope that you guys are going to be part of uh brainstorming some solutions. I do have a specific
request of all of you. um can't read my own handwriting. Uh to join the UTA members in this fight, uh UTA members go to Trenton on lobby days to speak to legislators. We attend hearings at the Senate and uh we um part
again, my handwriting is horrible. And we participate in rallies. In the past, I've actually asked the board of ed to please join me in Trenton. So, I'm going to do it again because on June 18th, the CWA, another union, will be hosting a healthc care reform rally at the state
house. I intend to participate and I hope that many of you will come along with me. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Shannon. >> Can I just uh and and one more followup uh to Miss uh one of the things she mentioned is it it hasn't been
officially brought to the board yet. Um but the state um let us know that we were uh awarded the competitive grant. Uh again, it's a high New Jersey high impact tutoring grant uh $320,000 that will be formally uh presented to the
board for uh the resolution next month. Uh but Miss Skugosa uh even while she's uh dealing with other uh matters wanted me to make sure that um I knew that was coming to our district again. So, as far as tutoring, we we are con u continuing
to look at uh outside funding uh grants uh to bring again additional programs to our our students. So, there's some parameters to it. Miss Kus Goza will put it on for next month, but I do uh I'm happy to share that we have another 320,000 that u we'll be able to award to
programs, tutoring programs. >> Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Benquista. Um Vice President Cohen. >> Yes. I'd like to uh correct something that was uh commented upon earlier to make certain that the record reflects uh the reality and and the law. The Open
Public Meetings Act requires an opportunity for public comment. It does not specify the form or format of that comment content or opportunity to comment. U the the board has discretion to schedule that public comment in the
way it deems appropriate. And at the April 30th meeting, it was announced that the public present could make comments on any item that they deemed uh necessary at the time that we offered the public comment. Thank you. >> Thank you, Vice President Cohen. And
with that being said, the board will go back into executive session to discuss personnel and legal issues and action will or may be taken. May I have a motion to move back into executive session? >> So moved. >> Second. Any discussion? No.
>> Seeing none, the motion has been moved by Vice President Cohen and second by CH Chassis Santana. Can I get a roll call, please? Miss Capiello. >> Miss Carbonel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Maki. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Faria. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow.
>> Yes. >> Miss Miss Mani. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nasta. >> Yes. >> Miss Santana. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Scott Heeden. >> Yes. Aren't these chairs? back into public session. Second
>> roll call, please. Yellow. >> Oh my god. Thank goodness. >> Uhhuh. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Dante. >> Dante Mcki. >> I said yes. Mrs. Faria. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow. >> Yes.
>> Mrs. Beni. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nassa. >> Yes. >> Miss Santana. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Scott Hayden. >> Yes. Move to adjurnn. >> Second. Second. Oh, yeah. All in favor? I >> I think they're doing it on purpose.