The Union Scoop

14/11/2021

Superintendent Dr. Scott Taylor said when he unilaterally had Union forfeit their playoff game against Paterson, “I took my cues from the health professionals. I’m not about to go against the health professionals.” This goes at odds with new developments behind the scenes. Sources now indicate that health and athletic officials advised Taylor that the November 12th football game may proceed before Taylor decided to forfeit.

Superintendent Dr. Scott Taylor unilaterally had Union forfeit the November 12th playoff game against Paterson due to four positive COVID-19 cases - two earlier cases plus another two cases on Friday morning. He said, “...

09/11/2021

Parents for Change (PFC) Co-Founder Ronnie McDowell admitted that PFC is a political organization in a response to a new ethics complaint. The complaint claimed that McDowell - as school board president - took “private action that may compromise the board” and surrendered his “independent judgment to special interest or partisan political groups.”

Parents for Change (PFC) Co-Founder Ronnie McDowell admitted that PFC is a political organization in a response to a new ethics complaint.  

09/09/2021

On August 30, 2021, the School Ethics Commission (SEC) ruled that Union Board of Education (UBOE) President Ronnie McDowell violated the School Ethics Act. McDowell is the first UBOE member in at least 25 years to be found in violation of the Act. The Commissioner of Education will next formalize and adopt the SEC's ruling to impose a penalty of a reprimand to McDowell.

On August 30, 2021, the School Ethics Commission (SEC) ruled that Union Board of Education (UBOE) President Ronnie McDowell violated the School Ethics Act.

19/05/2021

Dr. Scott Taylor was approved for a five-year contract as the new Superintendent of Township of Union Public Schools on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. His starting salary is $197,000, with a possible 2% raise in 2023 and another 2% raise in 2025. Taylor starts in his new role on July 1, 2021. Acting Superintendent Gerry Benaquista will return to his Assistant Superintendent position.

Dr. Scott Taylor was approved for a five-year contract as the new Superintendent of Township of Union Public Schools on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. His starting salary is $197,000, with a possible 2% raise in 2023 and another...

03/05/2021

Due to a legal technicality, Union High School (UHS) Principal Corey Lowery has his pay reinstated, even though he has been on administrative leave since September 2018, was hired by Lincoln University in May 2020, and moved to Pennsylvania during the summer of 2020 to be closer to his Lincoln University job.

Due to a legal technicality, Union High School (UHS) Principal Corey Lowery has his pay reinstated, even though he:

27/04/2021

Interim Superintendent Gerry Benaquista applied for and was not selected as the new Superintendent. Additionally, he was not selected for the final round in the screening process. Benaquista will continue serving as Interim Superintendent until June 30th. The new Superintendent is slated to start on July 1st.

Sources in the Township of Union Public Schools have confirmed that Interim Superintendent Gerry Benaquista applied for and was not selected as the new Superintendent. Additionally, he was not selected for the final roun...

23/04/2021

After NJ Globe's investigation found that State Senate candidate Jason Krychiw lied about his employment, he and his Progressive Democrats of Union County ticket have dropped out of the June 8th Democratic Primary.

22/04/2021

An article from NJ Globe exposed lies from perennial candidate and State Senate candidate Jason Krychiw's employment over the past five years. Krychiw says he currently teaches at Kean University every Monday and Wednesday. Kean officials said he stopped working there since 2017.

An article from NJ Globe exposed lies on perennial candidate Jason Krychiw's employment over the past few years. Krychiw along with Assemblyman Jamel Holley are mounting a challenge against Senator Joseph Cryan in the J...

01/03/2021

Parents defended educators in response to UBOE member Dr. Kalisha Morgan's remarks during a February 18 UBOE meeting that "there is something wrong with our teaching staff."

During the Union Board of Education (UBOE) February 18 Planning Meeting, a comment by UBOE member Dr. Kalisha Morgan was met with community backlash.

19/01/2021

Union Township Education Association (UTEA) voted no confidence in Township of Union Education Foundation (TUEF) President Susan Lipstein, after she admonished educators on the January 7 Union Board of Education (UBOE) reorganization. It was the boiling point after years of antagonism toward UTEA.

Union Township Education Association (UTEA) voted no confidence in Township of Union Education Foundation (TUEF) President Susan Lipstein, after she admonished educators on the January 7 Union Board of Education (UBOE) r...

08/01/2021

Assistant Superintendent Gerry Benaquista was appointed Interim Superintendent at the Union Board of Education (UBOE) reorganization held on January 7th. This was after two failed attempts to appoint him in September and December.

Assistant Superintendent Gerry Benaquista was appointed Interim Superintendent at the Union Board of Education (UBOE) reorganization held on January 7th.

06/01/2021

As of this morning, the Union Board of Education (UBOE) January 7th Reorganization agenda currently does not include a resolution to appoint controversial Dr. Patrick Martin as Interim Superintendent. However, a vote on Martin may still take place at Thursday’s Reorganization. Read more to know how.

As of this morning, the Union Board of Education (UBOE) January 7th Reorganization agenda currently does not include a resolution to appoint controversial Dr. Patrick Martin as Interim Superintendent.

04/01/2021

Former Teacher and Union Township Education Association (UTEA) President, Dolores "Dee" Corona, 84, of Plainsboro, NJ and Naples, FL, passed on December 16. Her career in education spans over three decades.

Former Teacher and Union Township Education Association (UTEA) President, Dolores "Dee" Corona, 84, of Plainsboro, NJ and Naples, FL, passed on December 16. Here's a highlight of her life and legacy.

02/01/2021

Union Board of Education (UBOE) failed to fill a vacancy created by Superintendent Gregory Tatum’s retirement, effective January 1, 2021. Board Attorney Lester Taylor said, “Pursuant to Statute 18A, every New Jersey school district is required to have a Superintendent.” Because the vacancy was not filled, the district is currently noncompliant.

Union Board of Education (UBOE) failed to fill a vacancy created by Superintendent Gregory Tatum’s retirement, effective January 1, 2021. Board Attorney Lester Taylor said, “Pursuant to Statute 18A, every New Jersey sch...

01/01/2021

Michele Delisfort will serve a third consecutive term as Mayor. The last Mayor to serve more than two consecutive terms was former Mayor Anthony Russo in 1993.

The Township Committee held its reorganization meeting on January 1st.

24/12/2020