Althea Bossard-Harris

This document details a strategic approach to mathematics education for grades 6-9, outlining distinct course progressions for regular and honors students in alignment with New Jersey Student Learning Standards. It emphasizes foundational concepts, algebraic reasoning, and problem-solving. The plan also specifies clear placement criteria for accelerated honors courses, ensuring students are appropriately challenged and prepared for higher-level mathematics.

The meeting commenced with an Executive Session to discuss personnel and legal updates. Key agenda items addressed personnel matters, including accepting several letters of retirement and approving various leaves of absence, intermittent leave requests, and new hires. The Board also approved substitute lists and discussed personnel actions such as transfers and terminations. In fiscal matters, the Board accepted the Treasurer's and Secretary's Reports, certified financial status, approved appropriation transfers, approved contracts, purchase orders, districtwide travel, and student field trips, and authorized a significant withdrawal from the Capital Reserve for the Hannah Caldwell project completion. Educational resolutions included affirming Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) determinations, approving the submission of the Climate Literacy for Community Resilience Continuation Grant, approving affiliation and articulation agreements with Kean University related to School Psychology externs and the Kean Scholar Academy Program, approving a student assembly at Washington Elementary School, approving the 2026-2027 Three-Year Preschool Program Plan, approving curriculum updates for middle school, and accepting several grants related to mental health screening and services. The Operations/Technology Committee approved security drill and bus evacuation reports. The Policy Committee adopted several new and revised policies and regulations regarding resource materials, library material, and public complaints. Finally, the Board approved the payment of outstanding bills and discussed end-of-year acknowledgments and an update regarding a student 504 accommodation request.

The work session included a presentation by Mr. Sherlock Dow, President of Zeta Nu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., detailing four national programs focused on mentoring, civic advocacy, and financial literacy for young males (Project Alpha, Go to High School Go to College, A Voteless People is a Hopeless People, and Stock Market Challenge), with potential funding through ESSER funds. An Etiquette Development Workshop and a 'Get Home Safe' program were also mentioned. The Superintendent reported on upcoming Student Spotlight presentations and the delayed presentation of the Superintendent's Report. The Education/Student Discipline Committee presented resolutions, carrying a motion to Affirm the Superintendent's Determination of HIB. The Fiscal and Planning Committee reviewed budget allocations and discussed several resolutions, including the pre-approval of districtwide student field trips and concerns regarding the cost and effectiveness of the iReady contract. The Operations Committee noted a future request from Crossroads Christian Fellowship to use a school gym. The Policy Committee introduced first readings for several policies, including Policy 2425 regarding Emergency Virtual or Remote Instruction Program. The Technology Committee provided updates on Chromebook distribution and Wi-Fi expansion. Public comments included strong endorsement for Mr. Dow's programs, commendation for the Interact Club's sock drive, an announcement for the Union High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction, and a concerned parent raising issues regarding home instruction and nursing support for a sick student, which the Superintendent committed to addressing in executive session. The Board moved into executive session to discuss student matters and ongoing litigation.

The special meeting focused primarily on mandatory ethics training conducted by a representative from the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). The training covered the School Ethics Act, minimum expectations of behavior, required annual financial/personal disclosure statements, the jurisdiction and processes of the School Ethics Commission, required training modules, advisory opinions, ethics complaints, applicable penalties, the Code of Ethics pertaining to board member roles (policymaking, budget oversight, superintendent evaluation, and communication), and conflicts of interest, including rules regarding hiring relatives and volunteerism. Board members were instructed to sign the Code of Ethics Acknowledgement. A public comment was raised regarding a previous breach of confidentiality involving personnel information, which the Board addressed by suggesting the public submit concerns directly to the NJSBA representative via email.

The Board Meeting included the Superintendent's Report and a Student Liaison report from the Union High School Student. Key discussion areas involved updates on enrollment figures, staff excellence recognitions, and various community service initiatives undertaken by students, such as food drives (Connecticut Farms Elementary School, Hannah Caldwell Elementary School), donations to Holiday Express by Club Unified, participation in the Empowering Teaching Conference by Tomorrow's Teachers Program students, and a Turkey Donation Drive benefiting the Living Word Church. Updates were also provided on the Mr. UHS event and the Homecoming Dance. Reports detailed athletic achievements across various winter sports, accomplishments within the Department of Special Services including budget expenditures and student classification rates, and updates on supporting multilingual students through programming, professional development, and family engagement. Additionally, reports covered Harassment, Intimidation, & Bullying (HIB) incidents, communication updates via ParentSquare, and the recognition of TUPS at the Bronze Level for Positive Behavior Supports in Schools (PBSIS).