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Union Board appoints Guida Faria and approves parenting workshops, behavior services and facility use requests
Summary
The Board unanimously appointed Guida Faria, approved Parenting University workshops ($7,800 Title I funds), contracted behavior technician services (up to $25,600), and granted the DMK Scholarship Fund permission to use school performance spaces Nov. 16–17 with fees waived; members also thanked staff for response to HCES displacement while public commenters pressed for remediation details.
At its Nov. 12 worksession the Township of Union Board of Education unanimously appointed Guida Faria to fill an unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2025. The oath of office was administered by Board Secretary Yolanda Koon.
The Board approved several Education and Fiscal committee items. On the Education agenda, the Superintendent’s Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) report for Oct.16–Nov.12 was accepted for reporting purposes and the Board affirmed HIB determinations for Oct.9–Oct.15. The Board also approved vendors for Parenting University workshops for the 2024–25 school year at a total cost of $7,800 to be paid from Title I funds: Wisdom Spring Wellness Services ($750 for two parent wellness sessions) and Inspired Instruction (multiple family workshops focused on NJSLA preparation and study skills).
On fiscal items the Board approved Graham Behavior Services for behavior technician services not to exceed $25,600 (320 hours at $80/hour). The Board also granted an updated facility use request from the Douglas Michael Krueger (DMK) Scholarship Fund to use Union High School stage or Kawameeh Middle School auditorium for Union’s Got Talent on Nov.16–17, 2024, requesting fee waivers with a certificate of insurance to be provided by the Township.
Board members thanked administrators, staff, UTEA and volunteers for their work in accommodating displaced HCES students. Ms. Dicxiana Carbonell and others praised the district’s response; Mr. Cohan reported attending a New Jersey School Boards Association workshop where panelists discussed potential funding formula changes, including removing special services and transportation from the base funding formula.
Public commenters raised concerns about meeting procedures, communication and building safety. Susan Lipstein said she would email questions about moving students to Kean and noted that 5:00 p.m. meetings are difficult for parents. Natercia Lopes reported mushrooms growing on walls at Burnet Middle School and contrasted staffing decisions across districts. The Board did not resolve all public questions during the worksession and said additional reports and communications would follow.
All votes recorded in the minutes on appointments, vendor approvals and facility use were carried unanimously.
