The appointment of Dr. Jose Rodriguez as the new assistant superintendent of schools took a central focus during the Union School Board meeting. Warmly received by the board, Dr. Rodriguez’s introduction to the district was met with high expectations and hopes for his role as a change agent within the school system. Alongside Rodriguez, Miss Marissa McKenzie was also welcomed into the district’s leadership, with the board emphasizing the importance of supporting and nurturing talent from within the district.

Another issue addressed was the controversy surrounding the potential elimination of the full-time librarian media specialist position. The New Jersey Association of School Librarians sent a letter highlighting the critical role of school librarians, which was read during the meeting. Additionally, a community member, Susan Lipstein, stressed the significance of full-time librarians, referencing research that supports their positive impact on schools. This matter elicited concerns from the public, with an emphasis on the need for maintaining robust library services in the district.

Public commentary also touched upon the importance of language used to describe school professionals, with an advocate for using “school counselor” instead of “guidance counselor” to better reflect the role’s scope and responsibilities. Moreover, the handling of public comments at a previous meeting was questioned by a community member, Virginia Jeff, who raised issues about interruptions and the confiscation of personal documents.

The superintendent took the opportunity to acknowledge various student accomplishments, including the recent graduation ceremony, where the community’s contribution of over $86,000 in scholarships was praised. The collaboration between the town, the Chamber of Commerce, and the school district in providing internships and job opportunities for students was also commended. The meeting served as a venue to celebrate the recipients of the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy and to discuss the inclusion of Juneteenth in the school calendar. Furthermore, the superintendent reported on the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) cases, along with the district’s average score in the New Jersey Department of Education HIB grades.

The Education Student Discipline Committee presented resolutions that were discussed and voted on. The board approved a series of resolutions from different committees, including the Fiscal and Planning Committee, Operations Committee, and Personnel Committee.

In recognition of the district’s educators, the superintendent announced plans to honor retired educators at future meetings, a move that underscores the value placed on the contributions of long-serving staff members. Additionally, the monthly faculty recognition spotlights the achievements of current educators, fostering a culture of appreciation within the district.

The policy committee presented 22 policies for final reading and adoption, a step in ensuring that district regulations stay current and relevant. The realignment committee’s progress was also discussed.

The meeting concluded with a motion to move into executive session to discuss personal and legal issues.