May I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello. >> Miss Carbonel, >> present. >> Mr. Cohan, >> here. >> Mrs. Conte Maki, >> present. >> Mrs. Faria. >> Mr. McDow, >> present. >> Mrs. Mani, >> here. >> Mr. Nasta
>> here. >> Miss Santana, >> present. >> Mrs. Scott Heden >> here. Board member Miss Mani, would you please lead us in the flag salute? >> Where's the flag?
>> Okay. >> I pledge allegiance 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 Manise, Miss Mani, would you please read the mission statement? >> The mission statement of the Township of Union Public Schools is to empower inspire every student every day. >> Miss please 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, Union, New Jersey, filed with the township clerk, and mailed to all persons, if any, who have requested said notice. The board of education offer 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 a 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 by the board. >> Thank you. 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? >> Second. >> Thank you. It's been properly moved and second. Is there any discussion? >> Seeing none, it was motion has been properly moved by Vice President Cohen
and second by Dixa Carbonel. can have a roll call, please. Miss Capiello. >> Miss Carbonel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Mack. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mani? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nasta? >> Yes. >> Miss Santana? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Scott Hayden?
>> Yes. So moved. Oh, second. >> This motion has been properly moved by Chassity Santana and second by Nancy Mani. Um, is there any discussion? Can I have a roll call, please? Miss
Capiello. >> Miss Carbonel? >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Maki? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Faria? Oh, sorry. She's not here. Mr. McDow, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mani, >> yes. >> Mr. Nasta, >> yes. >> Miss Santana, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Scott Hayden, >> yes. >> Approval of minutes. May I have a motion to approve the following minutes. May 12th, 2026 work session. May 12, 2026, executive session. May 19th, 2026, regular meeting. May 19th, 2026,
executive sessions number one and two. >> So moved. >> Second. The motion was moved by Miss Mani and second by Chassis Santana. Can I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello. >> Miss Carbonel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Conte Macki, >> yes. >> Mr. McDow, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mani, >> yes. >> Mr. Nasta, >> yes. >> Miss Santana, >> yes. >> Mrs. Scott Heden, >> yes. Next, we have our communications that
are reflected on the operations and personnel agenda. Hopefully, you had an opportunity to review them. And with that being said, we're moving on to uh public comments. And before we do so, I would like to say good evening everyone. I would like to take a moment
to thank you for being here today. 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 a discussion during this portion of the meeting. However,
your comments will be carefully considered by the board and if necessary followed up upon. With that, I invite the first speaker, Susan Lipstein. >> Your time didn't start yet. >> Sorry. Just trying to bring little.
>> Can you hear me? >> I guess you can. >> Okay. I'm Susan Libstein, 2569 Jackson Avenue. I want to bring your attention and the public's attention to E5 of the agenda, which is approved to accept funds from the New Jersey Department of
Education, New Jersey high impact tutoring grant. Our I want the public to know our district is receiving $320,000 for tutoring because students in gain three through eight in our district showed only an average proficiency on
the 2024 2025 New Jersey student learning assessment tests of less than 50% in English language assessments andor math. So, with these scores averaging less than 50%, our superintendent and board of
education have approved firing, all of our school librarians except one. One for 7,000 students in 10 schools. I believe if we really cared about helping our children receive higher literacy scores, Dr. Bedquista, we would be
hiring more librarians, not firing the ones we have. At the same time, you removed all librarians for all students, those who need tutoring, and those who don't, our apex students who also will not have a benefit. I'm not sure how many those are. And I'm not sure how
many of these students need tutoring. I asked for backup. I didn't get it. I I come up with about 2,000. I hope that's not correct. I hope the state board of education takes a good look at expending taxpayer money for tutoring in a district that is not taking their own
initiative to support reading and literacy help that certified and trained librarians have proven to give for years. Instead of providing this for all of our students, we're denying the services to all of our students. I've said this was a mistake. I've said it
since I found out about it. I have no doubt that the mistake is going to end up costing this district in the long run. It's not educationally sound. It's counterproductive to the state stated goal of increasing literacy. It's a mistake. I hope the state does increase
funding to our district in a new formula. But the state of New Jersey needs to know that these funds have to be spent in the right way. They have to go back to increasing literacy. And I'm hoping additional funding will go where it's most needed, which is to rehire the
librarians who were fired, the teachers who were fired, and the aids who were fired. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Thank you, Miss Lipstein. Do we have any other cards? Virginia Jeff. Where is she?
Virginia Jeff, 236 Brighton Avenue, East Orange, New Jersey. Board President Scott Hayden. Good evening, board members, employees, and members of the public in attendance physically and virtually. presenting the following topics from the
agenda. F number 14, the personal committee resolutions. P12, >> I can't hear you, Miss Jeffree. Can you talk? >> P12 McKenzie contract performance issues. Hannah Caldwell,
this was her responsibility. All the issues regarding repairs were under her control. any of the issues of insurance claim denials are also her responsibility. Franklin Elementary, this was her responsibility for the realignment of
the schools that resulted in the closing of Franklin Elementary. She was in charge of the committee for this realignment. The committee meetings and recommendations are not publicly available. Lee 855 Lehi Avenue. This is
her responsibility. Furnishing this location was her responsibility. Access to this location seems to be her responsibility. P14 contract for SBA Performance
issues. As the SBA, she is in charge of all school monies. She is required to accurately account for all school monies paid out. She's also required to main all contracts contracts. She's also the person on site who is directly involved with the contractors for the all the
insurance claims including the repairs for Hannah Cwell. The June P15 June 9th work session. This was tabled P16 authorization for authorization for
superintendent to hire staff. This was not on the agenda of the June 9 work session. P17, approval, reclassification of position. This was not on the agenda of the June 9 work session. P8 resolution acknowledging
completion of the superintendent evaluation. Performance issues because this was not on the June 9th meeting. The superintendent is directly responsible for evaluating the assistant superintendent McKisney Rodriguez and
SBA He is the one person recommen recommending the re renewal of contracts for McKenzie Co Rodriguez and all the other administrators. The superintendent reviews the approval of bills with SBA before any board member is given access. The superintendent also reviews
the approval of all bills with SBA and the board president before the full board ever votes. The superintendent can never plead ignorance nor bewilderment to the budget shortfall nor mismanagement of taxpayer monies. Under approval of bills, the township of
>> Excuse me, your time has expired. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank Thank you, Miss Jefferson. >> Thank you. Yes, >> I didn't start it right away. >> When Yes. Thank you, Miss Jeff.
>> Seeing no other speakers, we'll move on to the superintendence report. >> All board members, I want to ask you to sit in the front row, please. Well, first I got to do >> good evening everyone. Thank you madam president.
So before we uh start my presentation, um yearly it's turned into uh it's such a wonderful activity that Miss Brunsmire, do you want to come up and for a second? Uh while you're here, I know you're here every meeting, but Miss
Brunsmeer um Myers, sorry. Um she um teaches our prek, one of our prek classes, and you're get gonna get to see one thing that she does. She does a lot of creative stuff. Um, I was amazed a couple times this year walking into her class and knowing uh seeing all the
things that were drilling them too and they were getting all the uh answers right to the ecosystem, the trees and all that stuff. So, uh they they saw a a what kind of bird was hatched. >> What What do we do? We We had the egg. >> Oh, the hatch.
>> Yeah, they they get eggs in prek and they go in the incubator and they hatch and then they learn all that. So they were >> they were taking care of an egg for about a week. >> Yeah, about two weeks. >> Two weeks. And they were care caring for >> help it uh and and it was such a great
activity as well. But um so is there any way we could bring down the screen just for the first one and then uh Kristen, is there a clicker for the first slide? So, I'm going to ask uh we did officially open the meeting and we did
officially uh salute the flag, but I'm going to ask everyone to stand and we're going to uh open the meeting again with the flag salute. Um please >> please stand and join us for the pledge
of allegiance. Right hand up. >> Salute. 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. Have a great day. >> You're a grand old flag. You're a high
five and forever peace made your love the land I love the home of the free and the brave every heart beats true for the red and
blue where there's never a brand should all acquaintance be forgot Keep your eye on the grand old flag. You're a grand flag. You're my
ever peace may. You're the emblem of the land. I love the home of the free and the brave. Every heart beats true for the red,
white, and blue. where there's never a post for should all acance be forgot. Keep your eye on the old flag.
Keep your eye on the old flag. >> Bring it home. >> Keep your eye on the flag. >> Nice round of applause. So, so Miss Oavdo also is key to
supporting uh Miss Brunmemire and her leadership of the class. So, thank you to Miss Oavdo as well and thank you for making this an annual tradition. It's something we look forward to every year. >> Thank you. It started during co and I have to say I think this is a great
leadin for the future performers of Union. >> So, you know, you'll all see. Thank you so much. Thank you again everybody. >> So next we have another uh special treat for you. Um I'm gonna introduce Miss
Hannon. >> Just maybe briefly introduce what they're going to see. And so we performed Frozen, right? And we wanted to give a little uh surprise a little part of the an act or two.
>> Yes. They're just going to do a piece from Frozen, which was our spring musical this year. Um, uh, I'm Mrs. Hannon. I'm the music director and producer. Our, uh, director, Mrs. Williams, she's out on maternity leave right now. Uh, and our choreographer, Miss Carr. Everyone works
very, very hard. Um, so you're going to see the finale of Frozen. The door's open. They can hear you. Is everyone all right? >> Your majesty, rest assured. There's so much
today. It's like a dream I never thought could be. Elsa, you're free. Let it go. Let it
show us what you can do. Let it go. Let it go. The magic one is you. Cuz here we stand in the light of day.
Let the sun shine on. I take this warmth within and send it up above. Divide to dark and fear. Let's fill this
world with light and love. And we're surrounded by our family at last. We're never going back to the past in
the past. Let it go. Let it go. for our God. Here we stand in the light of day. Thank you so much. And I know it's not
easy to just come to a new area or new stage and and perform, but you guys did an amazing job. I'm so proud of you and and I look forward to what you're going to do in the future. Um board members, anybody want to make any comments as >> Thank you so much for taking the time to
do this tonight. Sorry, >> but amazing. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> That was angelic. Angelic. You brought tear to tears to my eyes. Beautiful job. I'm so proud. I'm so proud. Thank you.
And I know the uh for years how much time you and your team put in Miss Hannon and the hours. I don't even want to know the total hours that you guys do plus school work plus uh everything else you have activities other things going on and the dedication and and what you
put into it really does show. Uh every year I'm so excited to see what the next play or performance is going to be and and uh again I think it's it's I see I see a bunch of students bonding together becoming one and performing and I uh as
a superintendent I'm so proud and and thank you for coming tonight to share with our community uh what what a little bit of what what you guys do. So thank you again. Thank you. You guys want stay here.
It'll be easier for take pictures. Tony coming. Tony coming. They could come right here. >> Yeah. >> So, as we do, uh, we'd like to make sure community is knowing all the great things going on in our school and we we get a little bit of time during the
board meetings. I want to make sure everyone is aware of Parent Square. We we post all our accomplishments. This is a small piece of some of our uh uh student athletes that do amazing things. So, I'm I'm actually going to ask uh Mr.
Zeser, who is our athletic director, and Mr. Stewart, um who's our head coach. >> So, first I'll introduce our athletic director and uh our head coach, Mr. Stewart. Um both are Union High School
graduates. Number one, um I I can't even go on to brag about Mr. Stewart's u accomplishments, not just here at Union, but what he did be beyond Union. And now um both, you
know, having graduates come back and give back to our students, especially people with tremendous ability and talent. I it it's awesome. It it makes me be in such a a better position because we have excellence coming back to help
future excellence. Uh we saw it during when we create we created the Hall of Fame and we saw what wonderful things our our students or our people that were involved in our community have done and and you guys are are have done phenomenal and what your future holds. I
I can't wait to to hear. But I'm going to ask Mr. Zezer first to introduce Mr. Stewart and Mr. Stewart, you could introduce your coaching staff and the awards that the girls earned. >> Good evening everybody. Um, welcome. It's a really great night here. You know, you just saw some of the best uh
students in the play in the state of New Jersey. They do an amazing job. Now you're seeing some of the best athletes in the state right in front of you, which is, you know, it's unbelievable. We had an amazing year athletically. finished last week or actually I can't say that we have a bunch of people up
here going to the track nationals next week. Um so that's >> they're winning the national >> they're going to go to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and compete at the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field. Um an iconic place to end their season. Um they now let me just
backtrack. This is the winter indoor girls track team. They had meets both board meetings I believe April and May. That's why we couldn't get here when the wrestlers were here. So, we promised they would get here and here they are right now.
I'm gonna introduce the coaching staff, co coach, head coach Tony Stewart, assistant coaches, we got Leonard Bunan. We got Alen Barnhart, not we have Justice Stewart.
And then we have coach Dan White also who cannot attend tonight. >> So with with that, we're also able to highlight some of the spring accomplishments as well. We have some girls up here that already have accomplished Yes. >> great things in the spring track as well. >> Yes. >> I don't know if you want to highlight
that. Um my glasses. >> Yes. And winter both. Tell us a little bit about that. >> Okay. Um, our girls 4x4, uh, one states in the winter. Um, a little bit off the school record. Uh,
they do well. Um, they're going to nationals, but we're going to run the 4x2. Lyanna, Shara, Elaine, Gabby, and Ammani. I mentioned five names because sometimes depending on who
we're running against depends on who you allow run. You have to understand as a coach when it is to dial it up to res preserve some people, right? And we have a great bunch of girls because I could probably pick any number of them and
we'll probably have the same result. Um, yes. >> 55 meter as well. Uh 55 meter is uh we had 55 meter hurdles was uh Naomi Richardson and yes
and the 55 meter dash was Lyanna Muskat. Uh, and I have the I have a I have a young man up here, Rondelle Kanes. Um, won the states. Won the states in the 400 meter dash,
qualified for the meter champ. Well, qualified for me champions in the winter. Um, did well, run the states in the 200 and the 400 in the spring. outstanding young man. He's going to end up running
at Alabama State. >> Okay. Lyanna in the spring. Lyanna won the states in the 100 200 uh and she point05 off to the school
record held by um uh no hyisha who went to full ride to Cincinnati. Very big accomplishment there. Uh let me well Naomi qualified for the meet of champions in
the hurdles. Uh made it to groups. Immani was first in the in the No, she scored in the high jump. Ryan won
counties in the long jump. Naomi won counties. Uh let me go down the line. That would be all. >> So, so when you have that many athletes, it's hard to remember all their accomplishments. So again,
congratulations. >> Thank you. And here what what you what you want to do is you want to make sure that you you when you have a great bunch of girls and understand our girls are really really good. We're going to run in nationals this week and
we can go anywhere, right? So you lose and you I could take these girls and I wouldn't trade these girls for anybody in Union Catholic. I wouldn't trade them for anybody down in Winslow. These young girls work hard from the throwers. You got Megan, you got Kirstston. We have
have a great bunch of coaching staff. I miss Coach Alm joined us this year. Um, phenomenal. We've been close for since I've been a head coach 10 years. Real quick, just to give you a quick, we've won nationals, not nationals where it's just a regional nationals. We've won
national a national meet from when we ran against people from Oregon, California, Texas, um, uh, Maryland, Connecticut, and New York. and Pennsylvania and we won. All right. So,
that's a true national championship. We've the 4x4 between the boys and the girls for 10 years. The 4x4 had to come through Union High School where we won the meet of champions. So, the meet of champion isn't a team event. They don't
score for team. Meet of champions mean you can win an event, but your team won't win, but you'll be the best in your event. It's almost like wrestling and we've won that consecutive years year in and year out this program and I thank you I thank co Mr. Ben Dr.
Benquista for allowing us for years there was two coaches and it's difficult and that's the foresight of coach I mean Dr. Aquista, he said, "Well, well, I went to him and said, well, if you're training two different ways, how can you
get the benefits?" And he saw the vision and he allowed one coach to coach both. And we've been just dominating New Jersey ever since. So, I want to say thank you for doing that. >> And and again, as a leader, I have to believe in in people and in their
leadership. And Mr. Stewart, not just it wasn't his words, it was his actions that followed. and and again benefiting our students and our students future. I have to say something before they they hand out their certificates. I was talking the other day with Mr. Stewart about the team going to nationals. Um
all I have to say is go there, believe in yourself because their coach believes what you can do. Just let it go just like they just sang about and and and just run. >> Just listen to your coach and run. You guys are good enough to be the best IN
THE COUNTRY. AND GOOD LUCK. >> All right, ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to announce their names, give them a certificate, and then I believe we're going to take a picture. >> Yep. >> All right, so first up, Lyanna Muscat, >> Rond Del Kanes, >> Isai Christian,
I need to show here. Briana Inacio, Gabby Richards, >> Shara Ael, Elaine Castillo, PZ, Dejanna Matthysse, Kirsten Bon, Sue,
Naomi Richardson, Precious Natty, Megan Tan, Ammani Bardett, and Ryan Kirby. We're a team, right? >> Act like you like each other. Get smile.
>> And before you guys leave, the some of the board members might have a a statement to make. Hello team, how are you? Chassity Santana, I want to tell you that I am a non-athlete, right? Female, but I I read this um uh I think it was a year ago.
I'm not I don't remember if it was in people or Forbes. So whenever I have a group of young ladies I I know that there's a gentleman Hela but to my young ladies they took a study in the United States of the t the top seuite executives that means CFOs CEOs COOs uh
assist uh uh vice presidents of of big Fortune 500 companies when they studied the females there was an underlying principle continuously across the board for the females and they were athletes. So, whatever happens this week, whenever
it is, you're winners. You are winners. Thank you for making Union your home. Come back and teach all the girls that look like us exactly what you're doing and be great. Thank you so much. I just want to tell you congratulations.
Amazing job. My son James Mackey Jr., Coach Stewart, let's just give this man a hand of applause. It is amazing what you do with our students. I was here when you transitioned over to taking on the whole team. And watching what you
did with my son um who went on to St. Joe's and also now became athlete of the year and is a record holder for eternity at St. Joe's. It is a testament to what each of you do. It is sky's the limit. Continue moving the needle with it and
congratulations to all of you. Keep up the great job, Coach Stewart and team. >> I am just so proud. I'm emotional tonight because we go through very rough meetings, but tonight is what it is all about. >> And looking at your beautiful faces,
your youth, your strength, your muscles. >> I couldn't be more proud. >> Coach, I love the way you speak about your group of athletes. It's almost like I feel the love from you. Um, congratulations to all of you and I
agree with my colleagues. In our eyes, you are winners. All right. >> Congratulations again. Thank you for coming and joining tonight with us. Good luck. Thank you guys. >> So, next up, we would like to bring in the uh boys volleyball who were state
champs this year. So again like Mr. Caesar said, um, we've had a phenomenal year, not just academically performing, but also in in in our athletics. Um, and it says a lot about the people that are, uh, working with our students. But, um, first of
all, congratulations, uh, Mr. Baker, Mr. Zeser. Um, I think probably volleyball and schools over the last 10 years really got really big, right? And I know it takes time for
schools to build winning programs and I have to say um I am so happy you to see you guys playing at the end and how well you played um really made me proud because especially I think I would still say our program is on the newer side. Um
and to see where you guys have gotten to already and from what I understand there's a lot of younger players. So, all I say is stay together. You're going to do some phenomenal things if you stay together. Obviously, believe in the system. But I'm going to hand it over to
Mr. Zer and again, Mr. Baker. Uh, so in our history of Union High School, Mr. Baker is only the second coach that we've had for boys volleyball. Um, m this is third year. third year I made it to >> Oh, this is fourth. I'm sorry. This is
his fourth year. >> Baker. >> So, that just shows you how new volleyball is in the high school level. Um, and how new it is here in Union High School. So, their achievements are great and what they've achieved this year really brought a group of people together, not only the athletes, but
that last uh uh match at Union High School for the championship where we weren't sure if we're going to fit people in the gym. We figured it out and it was a great experience. Um, and these guys did amazing beating Pay County uh Technical Institute in the finals. So, that was good.
>> Mr. Baker, you have >> uh I I said this I've probably made this speech a bunch of times, but this group is uh the group I came in with. These were the freshmen that are now seniors four years ago. Um, so I I always credit um a lot to them.
This was the foundation we came in with. This was the start of the program or where we're at now. Uh, and and I I keep saying it. This is still only just the beginning. Uh, our our talent is just is never ending at this point. We're My freshman coach is Jared Crowe, who is
what, Jar? What's your three-year record? >> 42 and three. >> 42 and three. Um, so that just all the way through freshman, JV, varsity, we all the way through we just we we bought in this year. Uh, anything I asked these guys to
do, they did it. If it was a 6 a.m. workout, weekend workouts, there was never any push back because we knew the talent we had here and we knew we just had to to push through and find it. And that's what we did this year and we're nowhere near done. Uh, we're going to be back next year. We look for all your support again next year in the
continuing years because we're going to be back and we're going to need it. Thank you. >> And I'm just building off what Mr. Benquista said before. All three of these gentlemen are Union High School graduates. >> We're going to call you. You're going to come get your certificate from me and you're going to come down here and stand
on the stage for a picture. >> Jared Alfonso. Aiden Ahern, >> Mason Sangaline, >> Evan Espino, >> Alexander Campbell, >> Joseph Barton, >> Jeremy Archless, Brian Jut
Joshua Campbell Busher Boucher Boucher. You're the first >> Gian Carlo Guzman. >> The next gentleman, ladies and gentlemen, I just want to point out his is Dubm Okafur. He was Union's choice for Union County Scholar Athlete of the
Year. He's a three sport athlete and he got that scholarship for Union. He will be attending Amherst College next year, a high academic institute. >> Nate de Guzman, >> Matt Bulin, >> Seavon Bell,
>> Delvon Adcoy, >> and Galvin Alfonso. And up here, Coach Baker, Coach Daring, and Coach Jared Crow. >> I have to get up for another picture. I like >> it, bro. You're all right.
Don't cover your face with a certificate. >> Congratulations again. Thank you guys. >> If you if you guys want, you could if you want to stay, you could stay, but if you want to go that way because that way's crowded, you could go right out that side door.
It'll be online too if you want to say >> it'll be all my reports are posted online and Kristen could give you this slide specifically if you want. >> Oh, perfect. Perfect. Miss >> N. >> So, the next next group of students and
and again, I I I know our board meetings can be long, but I'll I'll never apologize for highlighting the success of our students. Uh I'll cut my own stuff out to highlight our students. And again, this is a great night at the end of the year with all the accomplishments. And I want to bring
this into perspective. So, our board, which uh we collaborate a lot, um I'm going to apologize because I don't remember which board member, Miss Miss uh Carbonel said to us one time at a board meeting, why why aren't we
recognizing our kids for seal of bi literacy? So, right then and there, we took that and started running with it. And I think the first year we did it, there was maybe three, four, five. Um, look at our numbers today of the accomplishment of where we've gone to in
a couple years of students recognized for the seal of bi literacy. And I'll let Dr. Rodriguez and Miss uh Lordis Garcia, our supervisor, kind of explain uh the seal of biiteracy, what it means, and how students get recognized. And then we'll we'll call them up and honor
them. But why don't you kind of talk a little bit about what the seal by literacy is and you know what you know anything you want to say. >> Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. Um it is a great honor and pleasure to be here tonight to
celebrate our accomplishments in the seal of biiteracy. So the seal of bi literacy is an assessment that is given in the language that a student chooses. So at um the high school we had various students who took it in different languages. Spanish and French were one
of them. We had students who participated in Arabic, Turkish, um Vietnamese. We so we this is affordable to students who are juniors and seniors and so students are able to attain the seal of biiteracy in their
senior year. They attain it because they have to meet the graduation requirements. Some of our students decided to take the challenge and do it in two languages. So tonight we have 41 seniors who are attaining the seal of biiteracy and four of them who have
decided to do it in two languages. So, so it is an honor and pleasure for me to to thank everyone from our world language teachers to our parents who supported our students and our families to um admin who also assisted with
getting the word out with recruiting students with um with the facilities. It is been supported on so many different levels. So I am so honored and pleasure with great pleasure that we're able to celebrate these students who worked really hard. This is an assessment that is extremely rigorous. It is speaking,
listening, reading and writing and some of them decided to stay and take it twice which was a challenge especi so um I'm going to switch to Spanish for one second if that's okay. So um
biliteracy. So, seniors Union much. Okay. Um my list and thank you to all who came to our impact event tonight. Thank you so much. >> When your name's called, we'll come up
on the stage. Get ready for the picture. >> Okay. So, I'm gonna announce it from here. >> Yeah. And then Yes, they should be alphabetical. Okay, so Angelica Abrain is Angelica here.
Okay. And if Estaki, no. So these um certificates if any student is absent we will have them at the high school and students will be able to obtain them. So we have Angeli Ailez. Oh yay
but they have a blue certificate. I color coded them. forward. So we have John Franco Cava. Let me do this. >> Jacqueline Cassandra. >> She has attained it in two languages.
>> So that's her. She >> Thank you for checking. It's Spanish and Portuguese, correct? Spanish and Portuguese. Thank you, Edward Castro. Frias Parasa.
Okay, Diara Coantes Colantes. Elanise DeLeon. Hannah Desa, >> who also attained it in two languages,
>> Irani Diaz, Rosario, Daniela Diaz Valerde, Johan David Duk Velasquez, Anukica Samantha Nadira Fans. Oh, YAY. Matias Ger Guerrera
Dexter Guom Marie Sheisley Shisley Jean Max Jose Waldens's Joseph Angela Angela May Juno Junio Jacqueline Martinez Jeremy Medina Vargas.
>> Congratulations. >> He's gonna We have a We got a little bit out of order. >> So, we have Sophia Monestelle Madrial. Franklin Moro, Juliana Mosvib.
>> Oh, she's getting into She's also attained it in two languages. Wadina Navarin. Congratulations >> Jennifer Aon. Congratulations. Congratulations Emily pass is Nick
Sophia Munoz. Congratulations Margarita Pipolos. >> Congratulations Saraphina Ptois. >> Congratulations. >> Oureli Reyes Reoso Juliet Setteros
Sabrina St. Jax Samuel Seria Hadasa Trinidad Alina Venoni Gabrielle Vargas Karansa, >> Sophia Vas, >> Laura Vincent,
>> Sephora Vincent, Julie Nikar Voltater. >> Congratulations. >> Yasm mean Zago. And last but not least, Alexandra Sapata Londono. I would ask right now for our teachers,
our world language and ESL teachers that are here in the crowd to please join us in celebration of this honor because all of you have done your part to prepare these students for this wonderful um attainment.
>> Yeah. student. >> I'm so sorry. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. I used to have your hair. >> Oh, see see And and I just want to say one more thing like Miss Miss Lordis, this isn't
a mandated Miss Lordis, this isn't mandated, right? >> So, just to bring it in perspective, uh, senior year, >> I'm sure looking forward to graduation, these students are choosing to take
these assessments and like Miss Lordis said, Miss Garcia said, rigorous. So I I I applaud you guys for choosing to do this again assessment that's challenging to be recognized in this way and it says a lot about your character. So
congratulations and make sure continue to work hard in your next steps after uh you leave us >> board members. Last name is Garcia, right? >> Yeah, Garcia. Yeah, Miss Garcia. Um, can I just ask Miss Garcia, first of all, to
the students. Um, you replicate educational excellence. I'm so proud of each and every one of you. Can't wait to see what your future holds. Congratulations to each and every one of you. I just want Miss Garcia to take two minutes maybe to talk about the impact program. I had the honor of stopping by
this evening. we couldn't stay, but I wanted her to talk about the impact program so the parents who are present tonight and those at home can understand what it is that she's bringing to the district and what it actually entails. >> Thank you. >> Okay, so good evening once again. Um
today I had the honor and pleasure of working with our ESL teachers and our world language teachers to have um a multilingual parent advisory committee meeting. So we had that at the Union High School library and we were able to
have many of our parents attended. We were able to celebrate all those parents who participated in the adult ESL. We had various members of the community there. We had the historical society, the library from Union there. We had TD
um bank there to talk to our parents about financial literacy. The historical society um was there to share resources with our parents about the surrounding community and the history that there that there is in Union to um educate our
students about their community. We also had FDU there, the Union County College. Um I'm sorry. Thank you, Dr. Rodriguez. We had imagine learning scholastic. We were able to provide our multilingual students in K to4 a packet for the
summer. We were able to talk to parents about how to increase literacy skills not just in English but in other languages that are spoken here in Union. Um so it was a wonderful event. We also had um there was a few other members.
I'm sorry it was been running around today. So, it was wonderfully attended by our staff, by our parents and teachers, and it was a wonderful celebration of all that union has. Um, we are multilingual strong, and it's an honor and pleasure to work with you all.
Thank you. >> Any board members? >> So, Miss Garcia, I just I wanted to offer my thanks for you to you and your staff. I recall from my active teaching career how difficult it is for English
language learners when they come into the schools that don't speak English and no matter how well-meaning their classmates and their teachers may be, they simply don't understand at first. And I've always marveled at the skills of the ESL teachers who were able to
bring those students who were just emerging in their their learning of English to be able to understand what was going on and help them navigate a very stressful, I'm sure, and a very strange situation to them because they didn't understand the the language. As
we were talking earlier, it's one of the regrets of my life that I really didn't gain too much benefit from my two years of high school French and speak only English. And when when my wife and I travel, I come to understand what those students may may struggle with because
they may not understand. So, thank you so much for all of your efforts and to your staff as well. I'm going to keep it very brief, but I just want to say congratulations to you, to the students, the staff, and the parents that were here tonight for
cultivating a a a h a home where we celebrate learning more than one language. And guys, um if I may, um this is not just a local celebration. The seal of biiteracy was something that was started by the New Jersey Department of
Education. So tonight we are not only celebrating at the local level, we are celebrating at the state level. Thank you to you, to your team, to your staff, Dr. Vinquista, and to all the kids and families. Thank you.
>> And last but not least, I know me and you had a conversation in short about um your vision for the program, and I just want to say to Dr. have been acquisted. Can you make sure that um for future references that she has a um tie to our mental health department because that was something that she wanted to have
present. Um she reached out to stakeholders within the community and beyond and wasn't able to get someone to be present. I'm like we have an awesome mental health uh staff right here in our school district. So to make that connection so that our students are serviced at every level for what they need is just we need to make sure we're
doing that. So, just to make sure she meets Dutesh Ames and his staff so that next year when we do the ELA impact that all of that's covered. >> I'm so sorry. I know you said last but not I would have been last. I'm sorry. So, there's never going to be a time. I'm just letting everybody know that
there's anything with more than one language that I'm not going to say something. Uh, contrary to everybody's popular belief, Spanish was my first language in a time where it was not popular. and everything that you do helps that little girl that walked in very scared, not understanding
a language. So, I want to say thank you first and I echo everything that was said, but also I remember uh when you first came here, right? Let us be that wind beneath your wing wings to give our kids everything that they need to always
know and learn more than one language to strengthen that voice in more in all languages. So, thank you so much and I I'll keep it brief at that, but please, anything that you need, we're here. All of us. >> Thank you again, Miss Garcia. >> Thank you all. Have a wonderful evening.
Um, Union is such a great place and um we have so much support here and so it's just um about I think increasing awareness and for everyone to know. So, thank you so much. You've made this um this time here every day. I'm really proud of the work that we're doing and I'm very supported by all admin here. I
just want you to know and thank you for the opportunity >> and you've been very creative since you came to us. Keep doing those creative things. I know you've even taught families and brought them in for night program, parent programs. So, Miss Garcia came to us a couple years ago. We were lucky that we had an opportunity to
offer her the job, but she's also put her own spin on it and brought some initiatives. If I asked her to go recruit people in other countries, she will because I know she's done it in the past. But um you know uh but just keep keep being creative and bringing new initiatives to our our students and
families. >> Thank you. >> So now it's going to be the speed round because we highlighted this the students. Um just an eye on our enrollment as we finish this uh 2526 school year. It's amazing to say that
finished the 2526 school year. Uh but we'll be back up, believe me. um as new registers registrants come in. Um so our we discussed at the work session residency uh there was a a comment um
you know about you you hear publicly that sometimes people say you know kids are attending our schools that that don't live here. One thing we always say, anyone that knows any child that doesn't live in Union that comes to our school, please report it to uh someone either at the school, at central office,
Miss McKenzie or her team uh at if you're comfortable with our our building principal, report to the building principal. We do investigations. This is just going to highlight some of the things. Uh but from year to year, uh how many transferred out because of residency investigations? Um I'm happy
that number decreased. Why? Because I think there's less kids trying to in a sense come to school here that don't live here. Um because we're doing we're putting systems in place and we're we're being proactive on uh making sure we're
following up on things. So for example, we're we're always reviewing concerns that are submitted and there's a documented system now that Miss McKenzie and her team now go through daily. Um there's the documentation became enhanced where we could track specific
things. So again more diligence in what we were doing and doing it better. We strengthen the verification um with the review of documents, making sure that um we're we're looking to move to a centralized location for um for uh
when people want to register with us, which will also take another added step uh because if they never get in, you know, we won't have to remove them. But sometimes people move and they don't report it. So, we always need to keep up on residency. Um, we I mean we we track
um uh home sales. Uh we look at our leases uh when they're expiring and we say, you know, you're going to need to provide a new one. We look at uh the expiration of uh 6C's. Uh another documentation, a legal document that is allowing people to come
to our schools because uh they're living with someone um that that a family member in in Union. So, but we verify those. we go to do residency checks and we make sure that what what we're being told is accurate. Um we we also make
sure at every uh at uh kindergarten we're register re-registering everyone from prek. We do re reregistration and prek then we pick grade levels. We did all out of district last year. So we're continuing to keep up on that stuff. But um you know we're we're going to keep
getting stronger in that area. But I want to I want first and foremost anyone that knows anything please let us know it helps us but um and you you could go through the rest but as we a matter of time I just want to move move through. So also uh at the work session uh we
felt it would be healthy a lot of communication went out this year more than ever. So sometimes when a lot of communication goes out, families might not um you know look at everything, but we want to make sure everyone's aware uh because of all the budget issues,
there's some impacts in different ways that you know a couple years ago we moved middle school time change of eight minutes to what it was today and now we have to go back. Why do we have to go back? It'll be explained in the next slide. Uh but it's going to be there's a
reason to help the budget in a sense. um so to make sure transportation could happen seamlessly at all the levels. Um so we're we're working out also uh concerns that came forward um with the change of times with the change of really the reconfiguration the new
boundary lines uh right now I'm anal I'm estimating 60 students in elementary school in two different schools like a pre-k center and an elementary school. So now once we identify who the 60 something are, we could talk to those families individually and say, you know,
you you could drop off one early for breakfast and so you if you want to drop off both kids, we're we're we're kind of working out things uh we'll continue to work out through the summer to make sure we could accommodate as many as we can, but remember a lot of the initiatives we
did to lessen how many staff were impacted is we did these larger scale macro decisions that yeah might impact the whole community in a sense or some of the community but it may have impacted the whole community
where where we weren't targeting specific areas. So we looked at which ways so this in a sense uh by adjusting our times made sure that transportation had helped that 2.1 savings. All right, with that, not just that,
updating our boundary lines. We leveled out our elementary classes and there were some questions on class size. Right now in this district, we have class sizes at some areas, some grade levels, in some schools, 26, 27. We do we have some sections. We have some also at
1920. So, what the reconfiguration did is really level it out. So, all the grades are 25 and and below. There's a lot of really like 22 23 I would say the averages right now. But we are going to have class sizes based on just happens
that someone moves into that school area in that grade level and one grade level just like this year just like the year before might go above 25. But depending on when it is where where we are in in the planning stages if it's if it's once the year started we're not
going to create a whole another section. we will then add to those grade levels and see what happens for the following year because we would have to interrupt the whole grade level to create another section, put kids in now, split them up into the new section and and I don't think there's benefit to that. But we we
have had class sizes above 25. So just so everyone's aware and then secondaries even even you know different but focusing on elementary because again there was a comment that said that wasn't really as as accurate. Um we are we did uh adjust our bus stops for more
efficiency to be able to do routes. Um which makes me very happy and we talked about it as a board too at the table is we're now taking back starting to take back out of district routes. My goal is to take back every out of district route. So our drivers drive our most
needed students but again it takes time but we're going to keep fighting to get there. take as many routes as we can back so we run them not out of district companies which we know in the past we've had been over 10 million in out of district transportation is high um
Franklin PreK center the main two areas are utilities and personnel where we were able to save 640,000 why because now everything is under that grant so the grant could pay when before local
share was paying that and it's clean for the state audits. It's it's easy for us to keep track of. So now anything that grows in Franklin will be under the grant. So I would just like to know uh thank you Dr. Rodriguez. Um I had fun speaking
one or two times. I hope I didn't take over your meeting, but Dr. Rodriguez did a great job taking on the leadership academy. He had a great group of teachers. They got to see a lot of amazing things this year uh because we were going through so much. So they
spent a lot of time working uh after school, not mandatory on on uh uh their hours in a sense to kind of learn more and show their uh what their passions are and learn a little bit about about being an administrator. um we're going to recognize them with certificates and
next year when we open up schools because I think it's important to show that we do have people that uh have a passion to grow hopefully within our district. But again, there's about uh 33 school level administrative jobs. There's not right there alone you have
of those jobs, you know, only when we can only reopen up a position when somebody leaves us or retires. So, uh, but I'm excited that people have initiated to take on leadership roles. Um, Apex Awards was excellent. Again, uh, this is the second time, uh, we've
done it. We're going to keep highlighting our excellence. We had 483 kids, uh, students, uh, that scored A5 on the, uh, a uh, New Jersey SLA, and we highlight them at the Apex Awards. So, we'll be doing that again in the new
year once we get, uh, the new scores. as we do, we have to uh send information, our highlights to our county and the county superintendent puts it out. So, I just wanted to highlight uh sh show people what we're uh sending to the county that's being
again highlighted uh countywide. Uh again, our our scholarships keep keep growing. Uh the ones that were highlighted at the senior awards was over $90,000 given to our students. That's amazing. That's our community, our former graduates, uh different
entities, the UTA, um banks in town, um uh realators in town, a lot of community plus organizations inside raise money, our our staff raise money to give scholarships and um you know that number I could tell you many a lot of schools
do not give out those kind of funds to to their students. So it says a lot about what our community is about. uh congratulations to Franklin for uh this month uh to 96.55
uh attendance and we've been focusing on attendance uh this year a lot because again the state again is asking us to improve attendance chronic absenteeism without the kids in school we know they're not going to be learning. So congratulations. We're going to highlight over the summer overall who
had the best uh attendance uh rates. So we have to report on uh incidents of hib. So from the period of June 10th to the 16th we had four uh met the criteria one unfounded and zero inconclusive. And we have to affirm some cases and there
it is three three and three uh met unfounded in inconclusive. Uh before I conclude, I just want to give a quick update because as we've been no matter what anyone thinks again, uh some of the non-renewals I'm happy to announce tonight are on the renewal list. There's
three more we were able to bring back on the renewal list. Um a uh uh a media specialist, a media specialist in another position. She's actually excited to be working with our our students in a different position and a music teacher.
So, uh, again, it's it's work behind the scenes, ongoing work. We're going to continue see how how many more we can bring back, but I think Miss McKenzie, Miss Ratino, we're down to 26 that were impacted at this point. But thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Board of
Education. Uh, graduation Thursday for the high school. It's going to be an exciting time. Uh, thank you for a great year and we look forward to again new do new things in the new year coming up. But thank you again. Be careful transitioning back. Ladies
up on the stage. Okay. So, board members, do you have any comments on the superintendent's report? >> I do, Madam Chair. >> Go ahead, Miss Santana. Sorry, I had to take notes over there. So, um, one of the things that I wanted to bring up was
with the leadership academy, uh, that we're that, uh, we saw up there, uh, Dr. Benista, our our goal is to grow from within so that when there are positions, they push up. So, consistently working
with the who we have. Uh, uh, look, I I get that sometimes there's outside candidates. That's fine. That's great. But I really like working with what we have and growing internally and that's something that uh is usually institutional within union and I'm not
veering away for it now. If there's an outside candidate that's the best I get it. But when I saw that leadership I really kind of uh loved all all of that. Um when we were looking at the um start times and the the change of times um
I'll talk louder I guess. Uh what's happening is with the change of of of the times uh I want to take the opportunity to please fill out your free and reduced lunches because if you have uh a free or reduced lunch, it
automatically brings breakfast. There was many of times anybody that ever saw me with my children, they always went to school for breakfast. It was easier for me. They they loved it. They'd be inside and they could get there earlier. And also what you pointed out with if you if you have children in different
buildings, you drop one off earlier and then you you have time uh for the other ones. Uh as far as the Apex awards, I love them. Uh what I wish if I had like that that that wish list is I wish that every one of those childrens that got Apex awards in the elementary and middle
schools moved on to our high schools to our high school. Uh and and and we could see all of that excellence. I I know that there's better opportunities sometimes. I I want to be the best. I want this district to be the best opportunity uh uh uh moving forward. And
then with volleyball, I I wanted to talk to the boys because I did mention the girls. I uh I don't know about you guys, but I'm all day Nixon five. But when I was um uh looking at the interviews uh after the Knicks one, one of the things that that kind of stood out to me and
and it gave me chills was that for so long, right, what is it 53 years, longer than I've been alive, there's always been this underlying kind of spark within New York City and and this and what that uh wind did was it ignited it. It made it run. what I saw in our
volleyball team. And yes, I'm comparing that that win to to the Knicks. Uh I saw that there is this this passion and and this uh um uh love within Union and and and and sparks like that, like winning a
state championship, that's a spark that we consistently can talk about. So So I want to see so much of that and kudos to to the volleyball and to all our sports that get out there and do and do their thing. Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Miss Santana. Anyone else want to have comments on the
superintendent's report? Okay, seeing none, we'll move along. Next, we have the Education Student Discipline Committee chair, Miss Mani and Miss Carbonel, to present the resolutions that will be voted upon tonight. >> No. Good evening, Madame President. We're
trying to coordinate over here very ineffectively. Um, before I read the items, um, I did I would be remiss if I didn't give Dr. Benquista a really heartfelt thank you for tonight.
>> Um, we needed this. So, thank you. >> Yes, I'm looking. I'm looking. All right. I'm doing better still than the diplomas. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the education student discipline discipline committee
presents the following resolutions for the board's consideration. Um, Madame President, I'm going to call them in block. >> No problem. E1 through E15 with
E1 being approved at last week's meeting along with E12 E14. Thank you, Miss Second. Thank you. This motion has any discussions? It's been properly moved
and second. Is there any discussions? >> Yes. Yes, madam president. May I? >> Yes. >> I just wanted to um talk a little bit about E3 and it's the uh 21st century uh CCLC program purchased two 3D printers
for each of the middle schools and will provide grant funding to train the teachers for the use of the the equipment. And I also wanted to mention um E13 uh approve acceptance of funds um the NJDOE grant and this is a
continuation or more money granted. The district will receive the grant and will help the to continue the u beautifification of the uh areas around the high school. Um so I just wanted to um um mention that you know clarify that because I think there were some
questions about it. >> Thank you um Mr. Beni. Um, superintendent Benquist and >> I I would also like to just highlight um E5 uh high impact uh tutoring grant. Um, and again I'll have Miss Isabella uh
present on on this grant specifically, but I believe um only about 20 districts have received this grant and we're one of the top three I believe it's the top three in the amount awarded. And now recently the state reached out to us and
offered us additional money because we have participated with this grant now in another year for summer enrichment specific. So we're putting that together uh as we speak >> um to target over the summer more give
us more funds to to really do programs to help kids over the summer. So I want everyone to realize that you know Isabella again goes above and beyond in bringing grants to us. She told me today we have another STEM grant coming uh which we got last year and we're getting again this year. Again, one of the only
district in the state getting that grant money. Um while she was out on leave, she was giving a presentation to the company that that gives that grant and that's coming uh at the next board meeting. But um so again, people might
think these funds it's specifically to thing to certain purpose, but at the same time, not everyone gets it. And you know, our leadership is doing a great job bringing in additional I know she was over 7 million last time I uh highlighted it, that grant money coming
in, not excluding the title funds, additional grants, and I think we're we're we're on our way way way higher than that. So, thank you. >> Um Dr. Dr. Venquist, I do want to add to that um because I've applied for grants such as this in the past myself and I
know it also has to do with the quality of the proposal because many districts will have the need. However, if the quality of the program that they are pitching is not to a certain standard, they the grant is not awarded. So, thank
you. >> Anyone else with discussion? Okay, seeing none, the motion has been properly moved by Miss Carbonel and second by Miss Mani. Can I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello. >> Miss Carbonel, >> yes. >> Mr. Cohan, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Conte Macki, >> yes. >> Mr. McDow, >> yes. >> Mrs. Beni, >> yes. >> Mr. Nasta, >> yes. >> Miss Santana, >> yes. >> Mrs. Scott Heden, >> yes. >> Next, we have the fiscal and planning committee chair, Mr. Cohen, Mr. McDow and Miss Santana to present the
resolutions that will be voted upon tonight. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> U I'd like to call the board and public's attention to the resolutions on the fiscal agenda tonight. Mo many of them are the standard resolutions that
we approve each month. Uh there are several that are seasonal in that we are uh approving the renewal of several of the professional services vendors that u provide services to the district on an annual basis.
U as a matter of fact probably the large majority of the resolutions on this portion of the agenda fit that category. But I would like to call everyone's attention to F19A, F19B, and F19 C, which approved the transfer of funds to
our reserve accounts. And uh in looking at the resolutions, one might think that we have $3.1 million available to put into those reserve accounts, but the the action of the resolutions merely sets a cap of $3 million into the capital
reserve, $1 million into the maintenance reserve, and $100,000 into the emergency reserve. We have no idea yet until we close the annual budget and get the preliminary audit uh before we will know exactly how much money is left in
reserve funds and how much we would be able to commit to those three funds. Uh but this is a action by the board to authorize the administration to move up to that limit uh once we close the budget year. And with that, I'll defer
to Miss Santana and Mr. McDow for the resolutions. Thank you, Mr. Cohan. >> Fiscal and planning committee upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the fiscal and planning committee. >> Oops. Sorry. >> Thank you.
Upon the recommendation of superintendent of schools, the fiscal and planning committee presents the following resolutions for the board's consideration. and I'll move them in block uh F1 through F44 with the exception of F7 which was approved at last week's working meeting and uh the
only other one is the uh attorney fees which are not uh which we are not voting on tonight but again once again uh we're moving F1 through F44 with F7 accepted because it was moved last week.
>> Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. Any discussion, >> Miss Santana? >> Yes, thank you. So, one of the things that I uh wanted to bring up was F F-16. Uh when I we looked at the supporting
documentation, everything prices were raised anywhere between like 5 cents to 25 cents. >> Um but what I did want to uh just highlight to Dr. Benquista and Mrs. is that um you know I was around I think
for when we moved over to Pmptonian and I think that we had come off whatever company we had I don't remember it was a very yeah and it was around for a very very long time and I think there was some staleness to it um as we year to
year let's make sure that we are keep making sure we're keeping everything fresh uh expectations are being set we should be asking our students if they like the food, even the the the the staff also because I don't want to get into a spot where all we're doing is
just consistently approving the prior uh um company. Uh because it it that's the way that it's always been. I want to make sure that we're looking at everything uh but to me I it it came out when I remember when I saw Pmptonian uh
with oh every year a new fresh set of eyes. You know, I think that I' I've I've said that are are we going in and we ask are we asking the high schoolers, the middle schoolers, the the elementary kids, like do you like what it is? What are your recommendations? Do we have
kind of the an a ch lunch advisory group and and children are part of it? Um um and and if we do speak to that like you know, we're already over here for hours at a time. Have Jerry make it part of a presentation. have the kids come out and tell us what they love and and and how
we're doing it so that it doesn't look like if all we're doing is is is a yes yes yes yes uh uh you know I' I'd like to speak to that and then the other thing just echoing uh what my colleague uh Mr. Cohan had said is that the the
myriad most of these uh uh um mo resolutions. Yes, I was going to say motions. Thank you. Resolutions are kind of that standard, but knowing that when we are in committee, there is a lot of discussion back and forth, listening to the public, making sure that we are
putting in uh prices, making sure that we're we're aligning everything with compliance and not just uh kind of go going yes yes yes going down that. And in fiscal we take a lot of time and and we we look at it and and we ask those questions. So I kind of wanted to
highlight uh those and it just so happened that this um th this month it there was also a lot of special education based things. Correct Mr. Glen? >> Yes. There was so that's another other things and also ESS I want to say that one of my my bigger goals was always to
bring those paras back home but it's not something that we can easily do overnight. It it's something that we're we're doing slowly and and and and and hopefully we'll we'll completely do it um you know on my reign behind this deis. >> Thank you ma'am. >> Anyone else? Thank you, Miss An. Anyone
else under discussion? >> Okay, seeing none, the motion has been properly moved by Mr. McDow and I believe it was second by Mr. Cohen. Nancy second by Missi. Sorry, Miss Mani. Can I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello.
Uh, Miss Carbonel, >> Mr. Cohan, >> yes. >> Mrs. Conte Mackey, >> yes. >> Mr. McDow, >> yes. >> Mrs. Beni, >> yes. >> Mr. Nasta, >> yes. >> Miss Santana, >> yes. >> Mrs. Scott Hayden, >> yes.
We have no grievance and negotiations updates to present tonight. >> So, next we have the operations technology committee chair, Mr. Mr. Nassa and Miss Faria to present the resolutions that will be voted upon tonight. I'm sorry, Mr. Nassa, you're going to be a oneman show.
>> Thank you. Uh upon the recommendation of the superintendent of the schools, the operations technology committee presents the following resolutions for the board's consideration 01
through 04 and then T1 through T2. Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> I don't. >> Yes. Thank you. So, I had brought up the
the light of uh O2 and uh moving forward how we can make sure that anything that we are um approving uh for for um reasons that it is highlighted in in our um why, right? Because not that we don't
want to say no. um uh uh I don't want to say Mr. McDow, but it has been shared with me that it's for basically parking. Um there's not going to actually be anything other than that on site just to help with whatever is that's going on at the um uh uh main facility. And as I I
know, you know, we're small. You know what it's like um at First Baptist Church. Sometimes it gets crowded as it should and we we're happy to support that. >> Thank you so much, Miss Santana. Anybody else under discussion? >> Yeah. And and T's also on this. >> T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T is on here, too. This
>> T. Great. Um I I think that I I'm sorry. I wish I was as articulate to know. Uh um so how how do we sell this equipment? Is it like on Facebook? I'm I'm being funny, but how are we selling this or or how how do we go about that?
>> The there's a website that the uh IT department um exchange to >> is it just educators? Like what happens if I wanted them? I I don't. But >> it's through the educators. >> Oh, it's for educators. Oh, gotcha. Gotcha. Okay, great. Thank you.
>> Mhm. >> Great. Anyone else under discussion? Thank you, Miss Santana. Anyone else? >> Okay, seeing none, this motion has been properly moved by Mr. Nasta and second by Miss Ki Mackey. Can I have a roll call, please? Miss Capiello.
>> Miss Carbanell. >> Mr. Cohan, >> yes. >> Mrs. Conte Mackey, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. McDow, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mani, >> yes. >> Mr. Nasta, >> yes. >> Miss Santana, >> yes. >> Mrs. Scott Hayden, >> yes. >> And 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, we have permission. I'd like to um announce these and block. >> Sure. >> Thank you. Upon recommendation of the
superintendent of schools, the personnel committee presents the following resolutions for the board's consideration P1A through P18. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Yes, Vice President. >> Yes, Madam Chair. I'd like to through
you to ask a question of councel on P8. Uh the board has not yet had the the executive session discussion with the superintendent on the evaluation. Should we table that motion till after the discussion? >> Yes. >> All right. So I so move to table P8.
>> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Do we call that? >> So >> we'll take a roll call for that. The tableing uh P8 until after the second executive session. >> Who was the motion in the uh
>> Mr. Cohen and second by Mr. McDow. >> Okay. Miss Carbonel. Mr. Cohan. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Macki. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Beni? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nasta? >> Yes. >> Miss Santana? >> Yes.
>> Mrs. Scott Heden? >> Yes. >> That's the table. >> Yeah. Okay. >> 17. >> Any other discussion under personnel? Okay. Seeing none, this motion has been properly moved by Miss Ki Mackey and I
forgot who seconded. Um Nancy discussion I think it was Miss Mani. >> Yes. >> Um can I have a roll call please? Miss Capiello. >> Yes P7. Miss Carbonel. >> Mr. Cohan. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Maki. >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow. >> Yes.
>> Mrs. Mani. >> Okay. Miss Capiello in P7. Um I have to abstain from uh employee 8933. Um and then yes to everything. >> Mr. Nasta. >> Yes. >> Miss Santana. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Scott Hayden.
>> Yes. >> Here. >> Can I do Miss Carbonel? >> Yes. >> And before we move on to the next item, I'm going to um yield a few a few seconds to Superintendent Dr. Benquister to speak to um something that was on the personnel agenda.
>> So, uh uh board of education members, uh just would like to congratulate uh Victor Carrera. He was uh highlighted tonight or approved tonight. uh you know, Victor will be joining us in uh July 1st and taking on the the
manager of security and as well as a lot of other things. Um in that job description, Victor, welcome. Look forward to uh you know, you bringing your like we highlighted a lot of uh you know, our staff doing some creative stuff, bringing some things, new stuff
to our community and our our our schools. I look forward to seeing uh what you bring to us and uh congratulations Is there anyone else who wants to make any comments in regards to that new appointment? Miss Santana,
>> why'd you say it like that? >> You've been talking on that. Go ahead, girl. >> I know. I know. Um, so one of the things that uh uh I I we didn't have a chance to speak, but um I'm not sure if this is directly under your umbrella, but I'm
I'm thinking that you will have some impact along with um uh Mrs. McKenzie uh and Dr. Benquista. Uh one of the things uh we always talk about uh professional de training, that's what in my world we call it training, professional development in this world. um looking in
uh specifically I remember a few years ago we uh had an incident uh on school buses right and then our our personnel I don't want to say that they didn't know what to do because that's not the narrative but kind of just I think that we need to consistently train everybody
we we think about uh sometimes just our certified staff but we have to make sure that everybody that is dealing with our children know what to do to to for safety even if there's parents involved even if it's a board of education member, whoever it is, because first and foremost, there should be uh protocols,
SOPs, and make sure that the bus drivers, buses aids always know how to secure the safety of our children everywhere, including when they are on a bus. So, that's kind of just something that I uh I hold uh dear to my heart. I'm not sure if we are as aligned as we
should be, and I'm hoping that we will get there one day. I'm completely loving that you also speak Spanish and Portuguese because that is something that is very necessary for our um for our current um uh for our our children uh for for the district, you know, add
some PWA, some French creole in there and and it's for everybody. So, welcome. Um yeah, thank you. And yeah, thank you. And I don't know if you've noticed uh but this is a very involved board to the not to you know not too involved like we're not supposed to be but we we
really care what's that face for uh we really care about the district. We we we care about our children and some of us do have children on in the the the school district some of us don't. Uh we we are just long-standing uh members
that that want to see everything in alignment with union and its greatness. What was it? The 43rd best place to live. I think I read. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Well, Chasse kind of stole my thunder, but I'm a strong proponent for
professional development and um I'm just looking forward to seeing what you're going to bring forward for our security staff. And welcome We have next we have policies to present and I believe it is Mr. Cohen who will present the
resolutions that will be voted upon tonight. >> Thank you madam chair. Uh on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools the policy committee presents the following policies for the board's consideration. This is on final reading and adoption. Resolution P1 policy 2624
grading system regulation one uh regulation 2624 grading system >> say >> second >> any discussion it's been probably moved second any discussion I'm going to yield first before we allow the board to speak
to the superintendent who I guess something happened with the PowerPoint during his report and he wanted to talk about um the new policy. So, I'm going to give him a few minutes to speak to that before we uh allow the board to have any discussion. >> So, again, out of last week's uh there
was some questions at the work session regarding uh the grading committee, who was involved, how many meetings um you know uh different members to show that there was representation throughout. Well, number one, this
committee has been meeting since uh 2022 to the present. It's been ongoing. Uh so there there was a lot of people that had influence along the way. Some people are still with us. Some people new people join the committee, but overall we had
um uh 42 people involved along the whole time frame. Um during that time frame 31 were uh UTA members. Why I highlight that is there was a lot of feedback
given. I even saw emails from from staff saying thank you and and that I'm glad you considered uh changing and and and because it was a true collaboration. Out of the 42 uh nine of them uh were either
building reps or executive committee members. Uh there was one non uh member uh at the the teaching level. Uh there was approximately 10 uh administrators along the way involved and I believe
there was uh at least 10 meetings that took place. But there was a lot of um yeah no I I'll stick to 10 right now until I get updated information. within the number that I was going to present, we did like three groups at our PD uh
session in one of the five-hour PDs to talk about grading to talk about um you know different aspects of grading. So we got a lot of feedback through those where the team considers those meetings as well. So there was a lot of time for
feedback from staff and that was staff that was interested could sign up for that PD. Um and they learned a little bit more about the the the different grading and impacts. So I I just wanted to highlight uh because again there may have been some statements last week that
made it sound like it was done again in isolation and it definitely wasn't. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for that explanation, Vice President Cohen. >> Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. So, um, as I mentioned to the board at our work session last week, uh, when this policy
was first presented to the education committee and I heard that presentation, uh, there were lots of questions about the, um, the instructional efficacy of how the grading policy was going to integrate with our instructional practices and our our belief system
regarding instruction in the district. I was quite satisfied that uh much of what is now in in the the new policy and regulation is aligned with contemporary research and best practice. Uh I also
ask at the policy committee whether or not um as Dr. Benquist just shared with us whether or not there was uh broad-based input from the instructional staff so that we could gain the benefit of their their insight and their their
daily practice. U and I also asked whether or not there was anything in the policy or regulation that was inconsistent with the agreement that we have with the association in the collective bargaining agreement and was assured that uh there was not. So, uh,
and then I would also like to highlight just one last thing. One of the things that I was most pleased to see is that at the primary grade level, we're going to be moving to standardsbased grading, which means that there won't be a traditional uh numerical grade or or
letter grade, but there will be an assessment by the teachers of whether or not students have actually attained the standards that we are required to teach under the the uh New Jersey student learning standards. So there will be a clear picture shared with with parents
and with families as to the the actual progress of each child in the attainment of the standards and whether they have exceeded expectations, they've met the expectations or they're approaching the expectations or or not at all. And it
also gives a clear picture to the teacher uh where he or she might have to work more directly with each individual student to help them to attain the standards. Uh it's my hope that as we move along and we learn more about the application of that approach that we can
move that up in grade levels and and continue to use it because it's of great benefit and it's um it's deemed to to have been uh the most effective approach in accordance with the research. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other discussion?
>> Yes. Um Dr. Ben, I want to thank you for getting that information. Um it was really important and instrumental to hear that. That was one of my areas that I was concerned about. I think any implementation process that affects the community, the stakeholders, our teachers and educators, everyone should
have a part and say in discussing it um as well as communication to the parents and so it's good to hear that there were um representation um you know numbers of things people change but um one of the questions that did come and maybe this is answer concerns about how it would be
implemented. So is it a you know a professional development? Is there a training situ scenario that's entailed around that? Um I think that that was the driving force um of our discussion points um last last week's session. Um
so doesn't need a real answer today. Um but just you know as we move forward and you know we come prepared just to get some more guidance from you the committee um to give us a clear picture of what implementation of this new policy looks like throughout um
throughout our um for our educators um and also communication to parents is very important parents and guardians. >> Thank you madam president. >> Yes ma. Um, Miss Mackey, um, there was some discussion. I don't have all the details, but there will be training. Um,
there are some some faculty members who have already implemented it and they're working with it and, um, they'll turn key it and there'll be some training. >> Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> Yes, Mr. Carbonel. >> In addition to the staff, it would be
nice if we held a few training sessions for the parents, please. um so that they understand the new grading system. >> Yes, I agree. >> Okay. I see Dr. um Rodriguez nodding his head. Yes.
>> Okay. Anyone else under discussion? >> Um yes, I know that um Miss Faria had just walked in. Uh when initially um this is the second reading uh Miss Faria of of the policy that we were um
Oh, you were listening. Great. Um I kind of just uh look I know what I know and I know what I don't know. Um yes 1,00% Miss Carbonel is right. We should always include parents in in levels be and this is the why, right? Uh and I'll take it
back to personal experience. There were times that I would walk into to my child, you know, I would see something with with my child and I would run in and I I just didn't understand it. I didn't know why or or how it was graded. Why are you telling me in June that or in May that my kid, you know, has 700 missing assignments? I know you're going
to tell me to go to Genesis. I didn't live on Genesis. Uh that that that collaboration between school and parent is huge because had I known earlier, we could have nip nipped it in the bud. So, I know a lot of the the the way that what we spoke about in committee with
the way that we were weighing things um 70% 30% I really can't couldn't speak to it eloquently, but I just want to make sure that what what we are passing is in conversation with what we were talking about that at the end of the day if
there is a question that a parent has in reference to the child uh and and and them learning no not getting straight A's to to get I don't know what but just to really get to the emphasis of what it where the gap is in their learning to get what they need. Uh that we are not
overriding that just to pass a policy. So that's kind of what I wanted to to get some clarity on. >> Good even good evening. So absolutely this is a this is a uh
I believe a monumental step forward in the township of union public schools. This is uh a committee that ran at the speed of government. You know, slow and steady. Uh we involved many people in this decision. We compromised in a lot of areas but not compromised in a
negative way. Compromise positive meaning uh we took the input of many teachers, many people all over the district. Uh tomorrow we get to work with notifying the entire district including teachers, parents, uh families about the new grading policy. Uh so the
first thing is letting them know that it exists, letting them be able to read the whole uh piece and then really just training everyone on how to do it, how to hold everyone not only just accountable but um how to how to work through this. uh letting families
understand that this grading policy helps us build in that equity that we never really had. Um we start to uh put guard rails um positive guard rails in terms of uh what we do across buildings and you know so most of it's going to be
professionally uh the training is going to happen mostly in September late August and then we're going to continue through the year. The standardsbased grading in terms of K to2 is another um another huge step. Uh but we are going to be working with parents in terms of
they're expecting A's, B's and C's and now they're going to be getting a standardsbased report card. So we'll have to uh speaking of seal of biiteracy, we'll have to be able to translate, okay, what does this really mean? Right? So if my student progressed here but did not progress there, what does that mean? Um and it's going to
take some work, but in the end it's worth the work. It's good work and in the end we're going to be better. But tonight, you know, and thank you uh for your support as a board of education, but I truly believe this is a monumental step forward in the right direction in terms of grading. I believe this might
be one of the biggest things that we can do to improve academics in the district that costs no money that there's no price tag attached to it directly. So, um I just want to say I know on behalf of the teaching and learning department, thank you for your support and for your input throughout the years.
Thank you for that explanation. Anyone else under discussion? And good evening, Miss Fia. Welcome. Mr. Cohen, you have something? No. Okay. The motion has been properly moved by Mr. Cohen and I believe second
by Miss Santana. Can I have a roll call, please? Miss Capriello. >> 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. Scott Heden, >> yes. Moving along, we have the residency committee chair, Miss Mani and Miss Mc Mr. McDow, to present the following non voting resolutions.
>> Thank you, Madam President. As you said, this is non- voting. It's forformational purposes only. Upon recommendation of superintendent of schools, the res residency committee presents the following resolution for the board's consideration. And it's uh as of May 19th, 2026,
um students transferred um from the district were 19. >> Thank you so much for that update. May I have a motion to approve the bills list? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second.
>> Any discussion? Okay, seeing none, this 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, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Faria, >> yes. >> Mr. McDow, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mani, >> yes. >> Mr. Nasta, >> yes. >> Miss Santana, >> yes. >> Mrs. Scott Hayden, >> yes. Now we move to unfinished business. Is there any unfinished business?
>> Miss Santana, >> I wanted to uh just bring uh two things to light. Um one of them I I I must say that ever since Miss Carbonel got on this board a h 100 times over and over. She sang these the praises of uh the
biacy. But uh in the words of Miss Carbanell, I will say I would be remiss. Uh there was a prior board member I believe it was before Mrs. Carbonel that the whole entire time she was up here all nine times out of 10 she and I did
not always see a line with everything but that seal of biiteracy was all she ever talked about in a lot of things and if you know that was Miss Nellis Regis Derby so if she's out there anywhere listening uh we finally did it we're trying to keep it going u the seal of
biiteracy uh when you left somebody picked up those res uh is singing those praise phrases uh over and over. So I I I have to give um credit to where credit is due because every time we were behind closed doors, Miss Nella's Reges Derby uh uh sang those that that seal of
biiteracy. So much so that I started looking it up and and and finding out and everybody's saying yes because they know that those of us that were here, that's what she talked about. >> Okay. And then the second thing that I kind of did want to um I'm sorry, I have a list on on on my phone of the the next
topic. So, one of the things, and if I've said it before, I'm going to say it again because I think it's such an excellent program that the high school runs and and and more children should take advantage of it, is the uh if I'm saying it right, educ the the the one
that the kids go all over the world with the teachers. Uh uh in initially when I looked into it, I was just like, I'm not going to let my kid go there, but or or it's too much money or this that and the other thing. Um, two of my daughters, uh, my she she'll be I'll have a 17 and
a 14 year old in March of next year. They're going to be going to Paris, uh, with Miss Bridges. I know that Miss Hall also runs a myriad of them. Uh, over and over again, I would invite all of our parents to to try as much as possible to give our children that independence. I
know that never again in my ch my daughter's lives will well hopefully again, but at least I'll be the first one to give it to them. will they get to go to Europe, not have a care about anything in the world, but just learning and having fun with educators. It's
insured. It's bonded. You you have sessions over and over again. It is just so so good. My 19-year-old did it when he was uh younger. He went to Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Uh uh my my girls are doing it. Uh uh once again, I I I
wish that we would have more of it and and everybody would know about it. So when you have a mic, why not? Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Miss Santana. Anyone else under unfinished business? >> Yes, Vice President Cole. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, we we've
heard a lot about uh accomplishments in the district tonight through uh Dr. Benquista's present report and we saw all of the student recognition. I was um honored to be able to attend many of those activities, but I just want to
highlight two. Uh a couple of weeks back, I attended the Livingston Elementary School multicultural night. And you know, it was it was a delight to see the families of my neighborhood because I happen to live in the Livingston school area uh come out and
share their cult cultural heritage. U there was more food than I could deal with. Uh but it was also delightful to be able to listen to the children share with me their understanding of
their cultural heritage and I learned a lot uh about the many different cultures that are in our community and I think it I've always believed this it's one of the strengths of this community. It's one of the reasons why we are the the amazing
town that we are. Uh because we have such diversity and we we enjoy living in this community together and sharing with one another. The other the other uh activity was just last night, the Bernett Middle School promotion
ceremony. I was completely blown away by the choir led by Mr. Terron Singleary and their rendition of the national anthem. It was just it was the most excellent version I've ever heard. >> I I look forward to Kwaami. I hope they
they top them. Uhwami is tomorrow night. And I also look forward to the culminating activity, the reason that we exist, and that's the high union high school graduation on Thursday morning. All that to say that despite all of the
challenges that we've been through and and those that we continue to struggle with, we had a successful year as evidenced by all of the information that's been shared at this board meeting each month. We we constantly are uh able to recognize students and staff for
their accomplishments. And I just want to make sure that for my part I compleiment the staff in this district from Dr. Brenaquista and his administrative leadership team down to
the uh building level, all of the building administrators and all of the teachers and support staff that give us a reason to exist, right? U it doesn't happen without all of these
people. We are here to and charged with setting policy and making sure that the schools are run in an effective way, but we don't do the work. And uh I just want to make sure that I acknowledge that we've had a great year, but we march
forward into next year with uh new systems, new programs, new supports, >> and we will continue to work to try to sustain the programs that we already have and that have been strained because of the financial challenges that we've
had to experience this year. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you so much for those words, Vice President Cohen. They were very um heartfelt and I echo all the sentiments that you share regarding our staff and students and stakeholders as well as our leadership team. So, thank you for that.
Anyone else under new business? Un unfinished business. Okay, seeing none, we move into new business. >> I do want to give a couple shout outs. Um, Miss >> Brunmemire,
>> your students performance every year just >> puts me on another level. Um, and it makes me really emotional and proud to be a board member of this district. So, thank you so much for taking the time. That is not part of your curriculum. I
know that you do that as an extra part of their learning and socialization. So, thank you for going above and beyond. And no, no, no. I didn't mean it like that.
>> I'm proud of you. I'm proud of them. So, thank you. >> Muchas much. Gracias. Um, and Dr. Benista, Miss McKenzie, um, and Dr. Rodriguez. I know that this
has been a very difficult year, >> but I do want to recognize the three of you. I I got Miss in a minute. All right. I I her and Diane are my little team over there. Um
but we would not This is brick and mortar and it is the work that you do behind the scenes. Sometimes it's difficult. Sometimes I know we cannot share everything out here, but they don't know how difficult the conversations that we have to have in
private are. Um, but thank you for pushing forward and staying the course and thank you for tonight. >> And to Miss and Miss Diane, >> I don't bother you as much >> anymore.
>> Um, but when I get some energy, I will start calling you again. Um, thank you both for your graciousness and just your support to us. Thank you, >> Miss Ki Mackey. >> So, it's another school year that's
coming to an end. And I just want to say to Dr. Bena, to Dr. Dr. Rodriguez, Miss McKenzie, to all of the amazing teachers, everything we saw tonight. When we become board members, there's a myriad of reasons why each of us
collectively decide to run for board. Oftentimes, we hear multiple assumptions, things that we know true that you can only hold your convictions to yourself and what you stand for. Tonight was a reminder watching those
students come on the stage. Miss Bunsmeer, I want to thank you with that the presentation with the kids. Um, very teary eyed because it gets so easy for us to get lost in all of the stuff that goes on. Um,
and question what's our why. You know, I work in health care. I watch patients dying every day. I watch people struggling for life. And the same comes here with education. Sometimes we have to center back to what's our why um and
why we do what we do what we do and why we chose to be on the board and why I chose to be on the board. So I want to thank all of our students and give them a huge shout out. It was amazing to see all of the accomplishments this district has made and continues to make in spite
of it all through it all each and every obstacle and there will be more battles to come. I also want to give a shout out to all of the parents with children with disabilities. This is a year that is one of that is very close to my heart and a reminder of
everything of why what was my why in terms of all of the things that I've done and worked for. My son Julian is now at the age of 21. And as any parent knows, we do not go into this world. We get we have babies. We get pregnant. You
have all the dreams in the world for your children. and you come out and you have showers and you have all types of aspirations of what this child could be and then you get a diagnosis that changes your world and everything that you know to yourself. You question God.
You question everything in life and you ask yourself why am I standing here and why was I challenged with this? And then as parents you navigate the school system and you fight every day because you just want the world to see your child. I want to give a commendation to
Union Township because when I came here, everyone knows my story and who doesn't know my story. I came here as a mother defeated from New York City. And in those times, the fighting and the continuing and the battle and then there's still work to be done. It took time to really work and through it all
in partnership and collaboration with the district. I just want to thank everyone who has loved Trullen. I want to thank the community. I want to thank the board. I want to thank each and every educator. I want to thank his CST team. I want to thank Dana Mik Snner. I
want to thank Ivonne Brown. I want to thank the whole CBI team. I want to thank special services. I want to thank each and every teacher. I want to thank Francesca Manila. I want to thank all of our speech therapists, all of our occupational therapists, each and every
team member. I want to thank you Dr. Ben Aquista because you have seen each and every side of me known to man when it comes to my child and I'd like to thank all of you who know very well behind the scenes. Please know that we have work to do as
parents and I have been on both sides but at the end of the day whether it's me behind here as a board member or whether it was me in the days of creating CPAC that members all who know me well know the steps that had to go with that whether it comes to creating
disabilities and children with disabilities Facebook page and developing a network so as parents could feel supported. Whether it comes to working on 504 as an addition and when it comes to being on a township chair committee for mental health and disabilities,
we are that village. And I will continue to stand by that union is a unique village. And when we are all in the fight of it, let's all remember that today is a testament that what we do, whatever position we all stand on is for
the greater good of our children. And it's not just one kid, it's all kids. So, there's more work to be done. I want to thank you all. Um, it doesn't mean that the other Mrs. Mackey will not stop. Um, I still have a child in middle
school. Um, and even if I didn't have kids, and there are members here who don't have children, we still have a vested interest in our community. It's why we do what we do. So, thank you everybody. And I just wanted to share that from the bottom of my heart. um from the Mackey family and more
importantly from Julian Mackey who also deserves an opportunity for the education in this community to look at him as a student. Thank you so much. >> Thank you so much Miss Ki Mackey. That was so beautifully and eloquently
stated. Um, I think you thank everyone so I don't have to repeat it, but I would be remiss as the president if I didn't say thank you to my board colleagues because this is not an easy job. You volunteer your time two months uh two nights out of every month and to
um stay the course in this work um and to be invested in it in your community and our students um and and as a whole education as a whole. I just want to say to each and every one of you, I appreciate you. I appreciate everything that you bring to the board, even behind the scenes when we don't agree and we
have to fight it out, right? To be able to see each other's um vision and our purpose and our goals and to understand what that looks like for um our community and how it translates into how our students grow. I just say thank you to each and every one of you. Um and to the leadership team, thank you. Thank
you. Thank you. Thank you all so much. Is there anyone else under new business with that? you want to say? >> I want Yeah, I do have something to say, but I wanted you to go last. Why don't you miss >> Maria? Do you have anything you want to say?
>> I think I just um I want to echo uh what's been said over here. I'm going to >> kind of It's on. She has >> I'm gonna One of the favorite moments from graduation yesterday was a special needs child who was having a difficult time, excuse me, making across the
stage, which graduation at my job is the reason why I was late today. But it was so beautiful to see because as she was struggling to make it across, the students picked up on it and started cheering for her >> and that entire gymnasium. What a we
have like a thousand people in there >> cheering on this beautiful child as she walked across and I think about that mom and her and like what a beautiful experience >> and that is why this community is so great. And I walked like I had to turn around because I had tears. I was
fighting for my dear life to not cry. >> And that moment was just so beautiful and that really just represents the best of what we have in this community. So to all of the graduates, to all of those that are moving on for our high school graduates, our eighth grade, our kindergarteners, our preschoolers, and
to all the ones in between, because every year that you make a step forward, no matter what the grades were a or the grades were something maybe you struggled this year, you need to improve, but you showed up when it mattered. you keep going at it and you keep going at it because we have people
who care about them, the teachers, the administrators and so for that, thank you to everyone. Congratulations to all of the students and a big thank you to the parents because this can't happen. We have to be a partnership, right? School doesn't happen in isolation from what happens at home. Sometimes the home
needs support from the village. Um I look at myself, my husband and I are working. We have a whole village that helps us. So, thank you to everyone who steps up and has a a kind heart and is always willing to help. And congratulations to all the students.
>> Thank you, Miss Faria, Miss Santana. >> Thank you so much. Okay, let me see. Uh I'm learning all all of the times to say what. So, this is the one right the last one before summer. So, I want to
say happy summer to everyone uh district, parents, stakeholders, community, everyone. Come back to us because we need you in September. We might see you in in July and August, August as well. But please be careful uh when we're out there because we want
everybody back. Uh a lot of times, uh I'm asked why Union, right? Why did I choose Union? Why why is Union so much better or not so much better? Right? And I sit here and I was thinking about it
and I look out into the audience and I can tell you that nowhere else that I've lived in my 50 years on earth, right? Did I come in to a kindergarten from my child and I met a mom and with that mom we divorced together. We had new careers
together. She became the love of my children's lives and she comes to every single board meeting. And then I looked around some more and I saw other teachers. I see new people. I see people that don't even live in our t town town and come
here to fight for what they think is right. I see another group that no matter what still come back and I want you to. We want to hear it. And then I look around and just like Miss Ki Mackey says, Dr. Benquista has seen many shades of Chaz.
And then I look at the board members that I just if you if everybody knew what it is behind closed doors some here sometimes every you'd understand what it is to just grow uh grow with everyone to see
the district go get to where they want to get to. So that's why I come back to Union consistently over and over. And yeah, I could live in Westfield, Springfield, Bernard's, anywhere I wanted to. But I choose Union for its diversity, for its people, for its
compassion, the way that we come back together, the way that we lose together, the way that we win together. And with that, I want to say that I stayed within three minutes. >> Oh, >> thank you. >> Thank you, Miss >> Happy summer. Happy summer. Thank you,
Miss Santana. And before we close before we close our new business, I would be remissed if I didn't take this opportunity. to ask for a moment of silence for one of our seniors that we lost due
to a tragic accident, Olivia Beloso. And before we take a moment of silence, I'll be remissed if I didn't mention that the district in support of her family raised over $4,500 to try to add a piece of soulless
comfort in their time of bereiement. So with that, I ask for a moment of silence on behalf of Olivia Baloso and her family. Thank you so much. And I'm going to ask that be a reminder that we hug and love on our children despite whatever it is that we're going through. Let them know
that they are loved. Let our family members know that they are loved because tomorrow is definitely not promised to any of us. And now I will move on to comments from the public. With that I have Miss Virginia Jeff. Forgive me if I'm a little bit horsearo
tonight. Um, Virginia Jeff, 236 Brighton Avenue, East Orange, New Jersey. Board President Scott Hayden. I'm presenting the following topics. 855 Lehi Avenue Union. In September of 2024,
the township committee of the township of union entered into a five-year rental agreement for the township of union board education to have administrative offices. This ordinance was not properly passed. Board member Chastity Santana was board president at the time. This
sub lease may not be legal as it double taxes owners at the municipal tax levy and the school property tax levy. This sub lease was not in the approved budget year of 2024 2025 passed and adopted by the board. This sub lease has an
additional two five-year renewable clauses effectively a 15-year sub lease. What is the amount of monthly rental and annual rental the board education is paying for the sub lease? Who are the administrators occupying this location?
What board members have used of this location? What was the cost to completely furnish this location? Franklin Elementary School. There's been a great outcrying about the realignment of schools due to the closing of Franklin Elementary School. This closing has left many questions unanswered by
this board. Franklin Elementary is predominantly African-American. Franklin Elementary is predominantly male. Franklin Elementary student population is over 50%, has free lunch and reduced price lunch eligibility.
is persistently rated as low performance. Closing the schools is designed to make things easier for the board when the following can be justified. Reducing industrial instructional staff districtwide. Reducing support staff districtwide. Reducing custodial staff districtwide.
Eliminating the necess necessity to have a corrective action plan to improve on the persistent low performance of Franklin Elementary. Minutes. The minutes of previous board meetings must be corrected to reflect what occurred at these meetings. For example, executive session meetings in
2024. The minutes have the name of employee Christristen Nunes substitute substituted with a different employee name. The superintendent Espa and the official the official recordkeeper and former broad president Chasse Santana knew her as she never filled out
a comment card nor did she have to state her name for the record when speaking. Tristan Nuno's disparaged peers and particular members of the public who she deemed should not attend board of education meetings, which is a clear violation of the open public meetings act. Former board president Santana
allowed this to continue for a number of executive session meetings. This board has earned the lack of trust it so richly deserves by refusing to be forthright to students, parents, guardians, community, property owners,
and employees when questioned about these particular particular topics as well as other topics. >> Thank you. Your time has expired. Thanks. >> Thank you, Miss Jeff. Next week. Thank you.
Thank you. Okay, Miss Miss Miss Livstein. >> Oh, okay. >> Lips on 2569 Jackson Avenue. Um, I'm going to bring you uh down a little bit right now after this all this wonderful
happy patting on the back that we have, which we do have good things in this district, but I'm going to make this very personal. 40 years ago, my son started school at Hamilton School. And Mrs. Mani knows we go back a long time. I know a lot of these board members a
very long time. you know, we had a school librarian at that school and our children had a professional school librarian that they got to see at least every two weeks and uh Mr. McDow's children and grandchildren had school librarians, professional school
librarians that they saw, Mrs. Carbonel, Miss Santana, and Mrs. and Elsie Conte Makis. All of you had your children had time with a professional school librarian. Mr. Cohan worked with school librarians at Kowami Middle School and
you're probably still friends with at least one or two of them. And you spent most of career at NJA, an organization which positively supports school librarians. We are going to have those cute little prek kids. They're going to go to
kindergarten. I don't know if they're ever going to see a professional certified librarian in their time. the high school kids, the seniors in high school, this would be the last time that they will be around a professional school librarian. I cannot understand how you're going to have a high school
and middle school without full-time professional librarians. Miss Dr. Berquista said we brought one back because by state law, we have to have one. That's law has to change. We never had that in 40 years that I've been in
with my involved in education. And let me tell you something. When I was in middle school, which was a very long time ago, we had a full-time school librarian and a full-time school librarian in my high school. Now you're allowing school librarians in your own
hometown to be gone and to have one for over 7,000 children. Other districts such as Newark have librarians s and even and richer and poorer districts have it. I think if you think about this, this is
going to affect the children in this community for years to come. You won't be around when those kindergarteners graduate high school or never really had time with it and uh a professional schooling maybe. But Dr. Ben Christie, I am asking you to work your hardest to
find that money and bring it back. I am trusting you to do what we have been able to have for 40 years in this district, professional school librarians. Um it's that's all I can tell you. We the only reason I mean and I want to qualify that the reason that
he said we brought one back is because by state law we have to have one. But if you really think that this is you are improving this district or doing anything good for this district by getting rid of dedicated school librarians who wanted to work here who
want this. So I am trusting you to bring back those school librarians. >> Your time has expired. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Listen. Next, we have Louisa Bayas. Louisa Bayas 591 Dukane Terrace. So,
today I don't have I wasn't going to speak um but I decided to speak at the very end because I um I spoke to you guys in last week. So you guys can um talk about to expose us with um
salaries. Now we have to open salaries for the assistant superintendent because we need to look at budget cuts, right? You guys still voted it in. And so I feel really defeated and I know you guys say, "Oh, we want you to come. We want you to come." But then you get upset when we talk about things that maybe
it's uncomfortable. I get it. It's uncomfortable. However, it's our job as the community. We are part of the village and we really want to make changes and I know some of you I think some of you might want some changes. Some of you are more with the
bureaucracy of what the changes that need to go on. So we have to really look at ourselves and think about why our why. We need to some of us have our wise and some of us don't. And sometimes my kids wonder, "Mom, why do you go to the
board of ed? Why do you speak up for us?" I'm like, it's our job. It's our community job. I was so happy to see the whole Frozen thing. Our our drama, like all our performances are amazing. Um, and so we have some great qualities and
like other people, we could move out of Union, but I choose to stay in Union because I believe in Union. I believe in my village. However, the school system was not the reason why I stayed. I just happen to have amazing kids and they have me to supplement it. But I stand
here before you guys for all the children that don't have a mother to speak up for them. I stand here for all the people that cannot and the whole biiteracy thing. I'm so glad you guys are moving forward to it. I am so like I I love it. However, we have so much work
to do. I can't stay and say we had a great year. We had a great year. No, we didn't have a great year. We're drowning. We We are We have no money. The levy's going to go. Our taxes are going to go up and what? We're we we're doing great. We have potential. Like Miss Carbonella said, we have the
potential to be great. And I thank you for recognizing that and going up against your colleague to say we do have the potential, but we're not there. So, we can't sit here and pat ourselves on the backs and say we're we had a great year. This was a great year. No, it was not a great year. There are positive
things. So, I don't want you to think I'm all negative because I'm not all negative. I'm a very positive person and I work in education. We have a long way to go and have a happy summer. I will see you over the summer and I will see you in September because I will keep keep going and keep being here and keep
representing. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We have Patricia Gome. >> Hi Trish Gomes 47 Brookdale Road. Um there's a lot of new programs going on with the changing of their grading
system. Where did we get the money to do all these studies and to put all this stuff into place? If we're doing budget cuts and if we're cutting teachers and we're cutting all these funds, where's that money coming from? Shouldn't that money have been put into hiring, you know, keeping these teachers or
supplementing some of the lost income? Um, I also think that it's great that all these students have come up today between the athletes and the theater program, but what happens three or four years down the road when you're cutting a lot of these programs and we don't
have kids to do that. So, next year the theater program might be okay, but what happens two or three years down the line when you have to make more budget cuts and these programs are no longer available for these kids? And you have, like this lady just said, you have a lot of parents who are
involved and who are going to be here. And if you cut library and if you cut music and if you cut art and you're making all these cuts uh to teachers and you have, you know, huge classrooms, um I understand that Mr. Benquista said that's going to be 22 or 23 kids per
class averaging, but what happens when you have more kids coming into class? And I'm speaking now for my daughter who has like a big math class, for example. Now there is a lot of distraction in the class and sometimes she isn't able to completely focus on class because
classes class sizes are big. But we are able financially to help her with whatever subject she needs help. We are able to like get her tutoring or find somebody who can help her be where she needs to be. But what happens to those parents who don't? What happens to the parents who can't bring their kids to
the library because they have to work two or three jobs or they have they can't bring their kids to the library? And what's going to happen to the the scores that are already low? What happens with all these budget cuts? What's going to happen to those kids? Are they just going to keep falling further behind?
Um and I also wanted to know what is the percentage that our taxes are going to up. I saw that there's going to be um a tax increase. What's the percentage that us as the homeowner are going to have to pay into the school system? And my other last question is uh will
there be any changes to the gift gifted and talented program? My daughter has taken full advantage of this program and I'm just afraid with these cuts that there's something that's going to that this is going to be one of the programs that are going to be cut and I do have to say my daughter was at the apex awards and I'm very proud of that and
all those children and I'm just concerned of where those children are going to be next year or two or three years down the line when they don't have these services in place. Thank you. >> Thank you. The board will now go back into executive session to discuss personal
and legal issues and action may be taken. May I have a motion to move back into executive session? >> So move. >> Second. >> Is there any discussions? >> Seeing none, the motion has been properly moved by Mr. Nassa and second
by Miss Santana. Can I have a roll call, please? Miss Cafe. >> Miss Carbonel? >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Macki? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Faria? >> Yes. >> Mr. McDow? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Veni? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nasta? >> Yes. >> Miss Santana? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Scott Eden?
>> Yes. >> Go on. Mr. Nasta, >> yes. >> Miss Santana, >> yes. >> Mrs. Scott Hayden, >> abstain. >> May I entertain a motion to adjourn? >> So moved. >> Oh.
Second. >> It's been probably moved by Miss Santana and second by Miss Mani. Can I have a roll call, please? >> You did. >> Miss Carbonel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohan. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Conte Mack. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Faria. >> Yes.
>> Mr. McDow. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mani. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nasta. >> Yes. >> Miss Santana. >> Yes. >> Miss Santana. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Scott Hayden. >> Yes.