I'm so sorry. >> You made it. >> I'll take those notes. >> I have my Ready? You guys ready? >> Good evening, guys. Welcome to the January 6, 2026 reorganization meeting
of the Clifton Board of Education. Yeah, I know. Um, can we please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? 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. Right. First thing on the agenda is we will be administering the oath of office to our three new officials. Uh we will go in alphabetical order. Mr. Brunak,
you are first. closer. Come closer. >> All right, you ready? I state your name. I, Mark Brunia, >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution
>> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> and that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same >> and allegiance to the same >> and to the government established in >> and to the government established in
>> the United States and this state >> the United States and this Under the authority of the people. >> Under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> I state your name. >> I, Mark Brunia, >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> do solemnly swear or affirm
>> that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law >> that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law >> for the office of member of a board of education >> for office of board of education. >> Uh, and that I am not disqualified as a
voter. And I am not disqualified as a voter >> pursuant to RS >> Pursuant to RS >> 19 colon 4 >> 19 col4 >> one-1 >> nor disqualified due to a conviction of a crime >> nor to due to a conviction of a crime >> or offense
>> or offense >> listed in NJS >> listed in NJS >> 18A >> 18A colon 12-12-1 >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially and justly perform
>> and justly perform >> all the duties of that office >> all the duties of that office >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations, sir. >> Thank you. my twin brother. >> He's the handsome.
Uh, next will be Mr. Elias Ragsdale being sworn in by Assemblywoman Shiovanda Sumpter. [Applause] One of our greatest joys as elected
officials is uh being able to swear new members into public service for their communities. So with that said, Elias, raise your right hand. Please repeat after me. I state your name. >> I, Elias Rydale,
>> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> in the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey. and that I will bear >> and that I will bear
>> true faith and allegiance >> true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments >> and to the governments >> established >> established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and this state >> and this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> so help me God
>> so help me God >> I state your name >> I Elias Ragdale >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I possess the qualifications >> that I possess the qualifications >> prescribed by law >> prescribed by law for the office of >> for the office of >> member of a board of education
>> member of a board of education >> and that I am >> and that I am >> not disqualified >> not disqualified >> as a voter >> as a voter >> pursuant to >> pursuant to >> RS >> RS >> 19 colon >> 19 colon >> 4-1 >> 4-1 >> nor disqualified
>> nor disqualified >> due to a conviction of a crime >> due to a conviction of a crime >> or offense >> or offense >> listed in New Jersey >> listed in New Jersey >> statute >> statute >> 18A >> 18A colon 12-1 >> colon 12-1
>> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of that office >> of that office >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability >> so help me God >> so help me God >> congratulations
>> thank you [Applause] 1 2 3 and one more. [Applause] Elias. Elias.
[Applause] Yep. >> Last but not least, we will have Mr. Anthony Santiago being sworn in by Assemblywoman Collazos Gil. [Applause]
>> It is really my true privilege to be able to do this with you. >> Thank you for being here. Thank you so much. >> I say your name. I, Anthony Santiago, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> or affirm >> or that I will support the Constitution of the United States
>> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> and I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the government established in the
United States >> and to the governments established in the United States >> in this state >> and this under the authority of the people. >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> I state your name. I, Anthony Santiago, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear
>> that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law >> that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law >> for the office of member of board of education >> for the office of member of board of education >> and that I'm not disqualified as a voted as a voter >> and I am not disqualified as a voter
>> pursuant to RS19 >> pursuant to RS19 >> colon >> 4-1 >> 4-1 >> nor disqualified >> nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense. >> due to conviction of a crime or offense >> listed in NJS
>> listed in NJS >> 18 >> 18 A >> colon >> 12-1 >> 12-1 >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform all the duties >> and justly perform all the duties
>> of the office accordingly to the best of my abilities >> of the office accordingly to the best of my abilities. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Let's take a picture. Thank you. One more. Awesome.
[Applause] >> Tony, >> please. >> She's not ready. One more. We here all night. doesn't work.
>> Uh, roll call, please. Mr. Tavigan. >> Mrs. Bassford >> here. >> Mr. Bronziac >> here. >> Mr. Kenova, >> here. >> Dr. Danny >> here. >> Mr. Paris, >> here. >> Mr. Ragdale, >> here. >> Mr. Santiago >> here. >> Mr. Ciano >> here. >> Miss Suarez >> here.
>> Give a roll. >> Uh, Mr. Kenov, will you read the mission statement, please? >> Sure. The mission of the Clifton School District and an open and reciprocal community partnership is to provide all students with a quality education to develop the skills necessary to become literate lifelong learners who are
responsible and productive citizens contributing to a democratic society in an everchanging world. >> All right. Uh Mr. Ciano, will you please read the u the open public meeting statement? >> You got it. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the
right to the public to have advanced notice and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Clifton Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be publicized by having
the date, time, and place thereof posted at the city clerk's office, Clifton Public Library, administration building, senior citizen nutrition center on cable TV, and the local press on the district's website, and mailed to presidents of parent teacher organizations. This meeting will be tape
recorded in accordance with policy 0168. [Music] Thank you, Mr. Ciano. All right, guys. I'm going to pass out a piece of paper. You will sign your name, print your name, and put who you are voting for. But first, I'd like a nomination for the office of president. >> I'd like to nominate Commissioner
Santiago for president, please. >> Uh, a second is not required. Any other nominations on the floor? >> I'd like to nominate Miss Bassford for president. >> Any other nominations? Going once, going twice. All right. Please pass the forms to everybody in the back my way.
Take one and pass it, please. >> The ballot box. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. >> In no specific order, Elias votes for Judy. Anthony votes for Anthony.
Joe Ciano votes for Judy. Tanya Suarez votes for Anthony. Alan Paris votes for Anthony. Mark Brunia votes for Anthony.
Judy Bassford. Votes for Judy Bassford. Joe Kenova for Judy Bassford. And last but not least, Lucy Danny for Judy Bassford. Congratulations, Miss Bassford. [Applause]
Um, I will now turn the meeting over to Miss Bassford if her and Mr. Paris may please swap seats. >> Yeah, I'll do that. That's That's not a now thing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I know he's >> crying. Why are you crying?
>> Nothing. I'm not crying. >> He's not crying in baseball. >> Congratulations. >> Phew. That took a while. On to the next order of business. I would like a nomination for the office of vice president of the board of
education. >> I'd like to nominate >> Commissioner Ciano for vice president. >> I'd like to nominate Commissioner Santiago for vice president. >> Any other nominations? Nominations are closed.
In no specific order, here Anthony Santiago votes for Anthony Santiago. Joaniano votes for Joano. Tanya Suarez for Anthony Santiago.
Elias Ragdale is uh recusing himself in this vote, so we will list that as an abstension. Uh Lucy Danny votes for Anthony Santiago. Uh Judith Bassford votes for Joe Ceciano.
Joe Kenova votes for Joe. Alan Paris votes for Anthony Santiago. Mark Brunia votes for Joe Ciano. All right. Um, since
>> it's a 434. >> Oh, yeah. 44. Uh, for according to our bylaws, we need a majority of the members present, not the members voting. So, we will do this again until we get to five. >> Round two. Can I have a nomination for
the office of vice president of the Clifton Board of Education? >> I'd like to nominate Commissioner Ciano for Vice President. I'd like to nominate Commissioner Santiago for vice president. >> Um, I'd like to nominate nominate Joe Canonova. >> Seeing none, nominations are closed.
All right, round two. >> Joe votes for Joe. Tanya Suarez for Anthony Santiago. Elias Ragdale for Joe Canova. Anthony Santiago for Anthony Santiago.
Judith Bassford for Josiano. Joe Canova for Joano. Lucy Danny for Anthony Santiago. Mark Brunia for Joe and Alan Paris for Anthony Santiago.
441. We will go again. >> Could I have nominations for the office of vice president of the Clifton Board of Education? >> We got time, people. I'd like to nominate Commissioner Ciano for Vice President, please. >> I'd like to nominate Commissioner Santiago for vice president.
>> Any other? >> Seeing none, nominations are closed. Ballots, please. All right, ladies and gentlemen, round three. Anthony Santiago votes for votes for Anthony Santiago. Elias Ragdale for Anthony Santiago.
Super Bowl. Mark Brunia for Joe Ciano. Judith Bassford for Joe. Tanya Suarez. Anthony Santiago. Alan Paris, Anthony Santiago, Joe Kenova, Joe,
Lucy Danny, Anthony Santiago, and like that Joe Ciano for Joano. Uh, congratulations, Mr. Santiago. >> We will continue with the Nor of business. We were going to read every
commissioner. Please take out 18A code of ethics school for schoolboard members. We're going to go around the room. I'll start with the first statement and then we'll go in alphabetical order starting on this side of the room. 18A 18A 1224.1
code of ethics for schoolboard members. A schoolboard member shall abide by the following code of ethics for schoolboard members. Tanya A. I will uphold and enforce all laws, rules, and regulations of the state board of education and court orders pertaining to schools.
Desired changes shall be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures. >> Mr. Seattle, >> I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools that meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their
ability, race, creed, sex, or social standing. M Vice President Santiago, >> I will confine my board action to policym, planning, and appraisal, and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them.
>> Commissioner Ragdell, >> I want to make sure I'm on the right >> number D. D. >> I will carry out my responsibility not to administer the schools, but together with my fellow board members to see that they are wellrun. >> I'm going to write read E. I will recognize that authority rests with the
board of education and will make no personal promises nor take any private action that may compromise the board. Commissioner um Danny F. >> I will refuse to I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to
special interests or partisan political groups or to use the sound schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends. Commissioner Kenova, >> I will hold confidential all matters matters pertaining to the schools which if disclosed would needlessly injure individuals or the school. In all
matters, I will provide accurate information and in concert with my fellow board members interpret to the staff aspirations of the community for its schools. >> Commissioner Broniac, >> I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of
the chief administration officer. Commissioner Paris, >> I will support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties. >> And I'll finish off with Jay. I will refer all complaints to the chief administrative officer and will act on complaints at public meetings only after
failure of administrative solution. Thank you for all for reading the code of ethics. Number 10, designation of meetings. Are >> we going to we're going to vote on it? Um, can I have a motion to approve the
um meeting dates? >> Motion to approve the dates of meetings. >> Second. >> Second. >> Uh, somebody. >> No, that's right. Um, uh, Alan uh, Commissioner Paris first. Um, second by uh, Josiano. Commissioner Josiano.
>> Any questions, discussions on the designated meeting dates? >> I have something. Um just uh transparency the 18th of June I won't be available virtually or for the actual meeting because I have a outstanding commitment for the uh cancer research uh program that I'm with.
>> Miss Suarez, Commissioner Suarez. Thank you uh President Basford. Uh also June 18th is my son's birthday so I will not be available. >> Okay. >> Commissioner Kenova. >> Yeah. So I have a question. Do we know was this run by uh administration to make sure that there was no conflicts on
uh back to school and I remember that was the conflict last Okay. >> Yes. >> All right. Multiple times. >> Any other concerns, questions, discussions? Roll call, please. >> Got a question. This is time. >> I will say um No, that's fine. 8:20 is
my birthday, but I can be here happily. >> We'll have cake. >> Yeah. >> Have cake. >> Oh, no other further concerns. Roll call, please. >> Uh, sorry. Uh, Miss Bassford, >> yes. >> Mr. Bruniac, >> yes. >> Mr. Kenova, >> yes. >> Dr. Danny, >> yes.
>> Mr. Paris, >> yes. >> Uh, Mr. Ragdell, >> yes. >> Vice President Santiago, >> yes. >> Uh, Mr. Ciano, >> Miss Suarez, and President Bassford, I'm sorry. >> No problem. >> Uh, motion carries. >> Um, number 11, selection of delegates
and committee appointments. Um the first one is delegate and alternate for New Jersey school boards. That would be the state um position. Is anybody interested in uh filling that position? That's uh at least twice a year um May and November for the delegates assembly.
You want to be the the regular. >> Can you So it's May and November that we go Saturday >> on the Saturday just twice a year, >> right? You and you can also unless they call a special meeting. Uh you can either go in person or virtually. I'll be interested. Yes. >> Great. Thank you. Put Miss Suarez.
Anybody would like to be the alternate. >> I'll be the alternate. >> Okay. >> Um, how about for the delegate for P County School Boards Association? Anyone?
You can put me down. I got to go anyway. >> For the member of the board of directors for the Northern Regional Education Services. What? >> No alternate. >> Uh, anybody want to be an alternate? I'll be the >> Okay, Mr. Santiago, we can go together. Thank you. So, the member of the board
of directors for the Northern Regional uh Educational Service Commission, we we appoint you automatically. Um do we have to do a roll call on these? No. Okay. Um the superintendent's report. My first one. >> Thank you. Uh Mrs. President Bassford,
first time saying that. I would very very short report tonight would like to congratulate our incumbents Mr. Bruniac and Mr. Santiago on returning to the board. We've done some outstanding work together and I look forward to continuing that work. Um surround
ourselves with good people, continue to do good things and I look forward to continue working with you. Uh Mr. Ragdell, welcome to the board. Commissioner Ragdell. >> Thank you. Um, it was not too long ago that you were a student here in in Clifton and we knew then that you would
be aspiring to do great things and this is just the just the tip of the iceberg for you and in my opinion. So, congratulations and welcome to the board of education. I look forward to working with you and congratulations to Judy Bassford being elected president um for
the first time in >> don't you dare >> 15 years. 15 years. >> May 15 years. >> Congratulations, Judy. Um, welld deserved. I look forward to working closely with you. Um, the public may or may not know that. In between board
meetings, the the superintendent communicates with the board president when things arise, uh, as opposed to the whole board. So, uh, who the board president is matters a lot. So, Mr. Basser, I look forward to working with you. Congratulations. >> I'm the one of your OGs, Danny. >> You are an OG.
>> We had the >> an OB. Obie. Um, public recognition. This portion of the meeting is open to the residents and non-residents of Clifton for the purpose of addressing any subject matter pertinent to and or directing directly
related to the operation of the Clifton Public School Districts. Residents and non-residents are requested to sign the register provided for this purpose and to state their names, address, and subject matter. Comments are limited to five minutes per person. Issues raised
by members of the public may or may not be responded by the board. All comments may be considered and a response may be will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. The board asks that members of the public be courteous and mindful of the rights of all other individuals
when speaking. Specifically, comments regarding students and employees of the board are discouraged and will not be responded to by the board. Students employees have specific legal rights afforded by the law laws of New Jersey. The board bears no responsibility nor
will it be liable for any comments made by members of the public. Members of the public should consider any comments in light of the legal rights of those affected or identified in their comments and be aware that they are legally responsible and liable for their
comments. Would anyone like to speak for five minutes? Please uh come up to our desk and we will uh sign you in. >> They don't have to spend five minutes. >> They don't have to spend five minutes but usually they do. >> Would anyone like to speak?
>> Okay. To close public portion >> by >> second >> first by Mr. Ciano, second by Mr. Bruniac. >> Um anybody on virtual? >> Motion to close virtual. >> Second >> motion by Mr. Uh, Bronzia. Commissioner Bronziac.
>> Second. >> Second by uh, Commissioner uh, Siano. >> I thought I saw iPhone 2347 on there. I was waiting to hear from you, but no, nobody's in virtual. >> We're going to continue with the agenda. Uh, B, B, uh, education and
administration. Can I have a a motion to accept one through six on item B? >> Motion to accept. >> Second. >> Uh, first by uh, Vice President Santiago. And I heard So who second it over here? Commissioner Paris. Any
discussion, questions, concerns about the agenda? >> I got one on this too. >> Okay, >> Mr. President. Um, so everybody knows I ran for visionary of the year. I did not reach out for these. No one in my family reached out for these. Please don't think this was some kind of financial
game here. I am abstaining on the people that were nice enough to donate to the campaign, which were our amazing lawyers and our insurance broker. >> Anyone else? >> I'm going to choose to abstain on all of them just because I have no prior
knowledge with these services. >> Anyone else on this side of the room? >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Uh, President Bassford. >> Yes, >> Mr. Mr. Bruniac. >> Yes to everything except uh number five.
No on number five. Yes to everything else. >> Mr. Kenova. >> Yes. >> Dr. Danny. >> Yes. >> Mr. Paris. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ragdale. >> Abstain all. >> Mr. Santiago. >> Yes. >> Vice President Santiago, excuse me. Uh Mr. Ciano.
>> Yes. With those two abstensions. >> Miss Wararez. >> Yes. Abstain on number three for board secretary. >> Motion carries. We're going to continue with C, personnel number one. Can I have a motion? >> Second.
>> Motion by Vice President Santiago, second by Commissioner Brontak. Questions, concerns? Um, Superintendent Robotazi, would you like to explain why there's a personnel matter on a reorg? >> Sure. Um, thank you, President Bassford. Normally, I don't um want to put
personnel recommendations at the reorg meeting. It's really for uh reorganization business. However, we've had a vacancy in a uh special education class for um uh severe students who are in need of a teacher and I didn't want to wait till our next meeting in in a
few weeks to have those uh children without a teacher. So, I appreciate the board allowing me to put that on the agenda and I appreciate your support in approving that recommendation. >> Roll call. >> President Bassford. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Bruniac,
>> yes. >> Mr. Kenova, >> yes. >> Dr. Danny, >> yes. >> Mr. Paris, >> yes. >> Mr. Ragdale, >> yes. >> Vice President Santiago, >> yes. >> Mr. Ciano, >> yes. >> Mr. Wararez, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> I'm going to ask for the pleasure of the
board to have board member comments because it's not on here. And I think we have three uh commissioners that were um sworn in tonight. So, we're going to go around the room starting with uh Commissioner Paris. >> Thank you, President Bassford. Um just like to welcome back and congratulate
both Commissioner Brunak and Vice President Santiago uh for rejoining the board. Uh also welcome to Commissioner Ragsdale. Um just one item I just want of public possible public interest. Uh the Clifton Mustang band is having their
annual beef stake and um tricky tray on Friday, January 23rd at the Boys and Girls Club. Uh tickets are available online. Um if you can, please come out and support them. It's a great organization. Thank you, >> Commissioner Brunak.
>> Thank you, Madam President. Want to give a shout out to everybody who came out tonight. Congrats to my fellow colleagues who who won this past election. Um congrats to President Bassin. Congrats to Vice President uh Tony Santiago.
I'm looking forward to a wonderful year working with my colleagues and administration as well and uh getting a lot of things done and um I'm forever grateful to serve. Thank you to all my supporters. I'm forever grateful and I look forward to serving you at least
another three years. Thank you everybody for your time and God bless America. Have a good night everybody. >> Commissioner Kenova. >> Yeah. Um just want to say congratulations to uh Mr. Brunziaak to uh our VP Mr. Santiago. It was great working with you. Thankfully be working
again. Mr. Ragsdale, the the youngest uh elected official. Uh congratulations for that. A round of applause there. Um M uh so Mrs. Bassford um I think this is the fourth or fifth year now. Uh I put you up for president. Finally, we made
it. So here you are. Congratulations. Uh, and just wishing everyone a happy new year. Um, and hoping that we we move forward in a a quick and swift way how we do here in Clifton. Thank you, >> Commissioner Danny. >> Uh, yes. And I'd just like to say, um,
congratulations to Mr. Brunziaak. Um, Vice President Santiago. Congratulations. And Mr. Ragsdale. Um, welcome. You'll learn a lot. It's great to see some young blood on here. Nice. Um, and congratulations, President
Bassford. Uh, Commissioner Ragself. >> So, you are going to get a little speech out of me just because I am the new one here. So, um, first of all, I just want to recognize we had a couple dignitaries and I'm so appreciative for your support. I know um, some have to leave, but Senator Wimberly was here, uh,
Assemblywoman Kayazu Gil from Woodland Park, my friends council people, Tissio and Chabbain from the Patterson Board of Education, Joel Ramirez, uh, Superintendent Pollock was here, and Pastor Kenneth Clayton. Um Judy uh or President Bassford, it's been
long enough and you absolutely deserve the seat you're sitting in. So congratulations. Congratulations, Tony. Um and good evening everyone. So before anything else, I also want to say thank you to the honorable Assemblywoman Siobhan Sumpter of the 35th Legislative District for administering my oath this evening. She was one of the first people
to entrust me with real responsibility in public service, allowing me to be a part of her legislative staff. And I'm grateful for her mentorship and for the example that she continues to set for of principled and genuine public service. Tonight, I am filled with gratitude. Gratitude for my family, gratitude for
my friends, my team who stood by me throughout this campaign, and gratitude to every single person who made a phone call, knocked on a door, put up a sign, told a neighbor about me, or simply said, "I believe in you." This moment is not just for me, but it truly is for all of us. I want to take a moment to thank
the many mentors who have guided me along the way in government, in education, and in public service. There are too many to name, and I would never want to leave anyone out, but just know this that I appreciate each and every one of you. Your guidance, advice, and belief helped shape the path that led me here tonight. And of course, thank you
to the residents of Clifton who placed their trust in me. Your trust means everything. I understand the responsibility that comes with it and I intend to earn it every day. I ran for this office for one reason above all else and that is of course our students. I believe deeply that the future of
Clifton is shaped in our classrooms. Our schools are where opportunity begins, where confidence is built, where potential is unlocked and where young people learn not only academics but also character and leadership. If we want a strong future, we must remain fully committed to a strong school district
that puts students first. And that's why I chose to serve here on the Clipton Board of Education. It's why I ran for the first time at 18 years old, why I ran again at 19, and why I'm here tonight, sworn in and ready to work. And I believe this election sends a clear message that the people of Clifton are
ready for leadership that brings new energy, fresh perspective, and deep respect for the work already done, and that it's not about rejecting their past, but building upon it and preparing for the future. Public service has always been my passion. As a proud member of the class of 2024, I had the honor of serving as Clifton High School
Student Council Association President and our Student Union President, where I fought then for students and their needs. And today, I'm honored to continue that advocacy now for students across the entire district, and for families and educators who support them every day. And what makes me most proud
is the movement that we built. We brought together people from every neighborhood, every background, every generation, every age group. And I think you can see that here today. We energized especially young people and thank you and showed them that leadership is not distant that it's
accessible accountable and listening. We proved our district's motto one Clifton. And of course we broke barriers. I'm honored to be the youngest person ever elected in the city of Clifton and not as a personal achievement but as a reflection of what this community believes in and that's possibility,
trust, and the future. I'm grateful. I'm focused and I'm ready to work collaboratively, transparently, and relentlessly to ensure every student in Clifton has an opportunity to succeed. And as I always say, please feel free to reach out to me at any time. Thank you
for this opportunity. Let's get to work. [Applause] >> Commissioner Siano, quick one tonight. Obviously, congratulations to everybody sworn in. Elias, youngest elected. Nobody's going to be able to take that one from you,
let me tell you. At 19, nobody's going to get in at 18. That's yours for good. I like that. Um, President Bassford, it's awesome saying that and seeing you there. It's welld deserved. It's long overdue. >> Thank you. >> And it's long overdue and I'm glad that
um, you know, you're able to be exactly where you should be. And that's all everybody. Have a good night. >> Commissioner Suarez. Thank you, President Basford. Happy new year, everyone. Um, a big congratulations to Commissioner Brunzak, uh, Vice President Santiago and newly um, new Commissioner
Ragdale. I'm happy to have you on board. I look forward to a great year together and of course congratulations President Basford. I'm very happy for you. Uh, have a good night everyone. >> President Bassford. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry if you just give me one moment for the floor. I neglected to
congratulate you and thank you for uh, the presidency. So I'm sorry about my omission. >> Thank you. Pres uh former president immediate past president Paris IP right. Thank you very much. I was going to thank you for your leadership for last year. I want to congratulate
Commissioner Brunak um Vice President Santiago and Elias Ragsdale. Commissioner Elias Ragdale. We have a collaborative team. We communicate. Um one regret, two regrets. Dad and my brother are not here to see this. Dad
was here when I got on I got elected. I know you're looking down. You've been dropping dropping them all day. So, thank you, Dad. All the sixes have been coming all over the place. That's just something personal. I had to say that because he'll visit me in my dreams
tonight. Okay. As we move to forward, I want the board to know that I want to very be very clear about leadership is not about the number of votes or numbers. It's about working together with collaboration, respect, and shared responsibility. Whether you supported me
or not, I look forward to working together in good faith. Our collection of strength comes from listening to one another, valuing different perspectives, and keeping our focus where it belongs on the work we are entrusted to do and
the community we serve. I believe that we will can move forward together with professionalism, openness, and mutual respect. On that note, I'm going to ask you all um Elias, you're not familiar with the committee system. So, for the other commissioners on the board, I'm
going to ask everyone to email me your preferences. I am going to meet with um the superintendent and we were going to review them. Uh Vice President Santiago, I would like you to be at that meeting too so we can collaborate together. Um Commissioner Ragdale, there is there's a
list. will have uh the BA sent that to you and we pick um according to experience we but we ask you to to please what you favor of doing and we're going to ask you to do that. I'm going to stick to the three and I'm going to have a rotation of the fourth. I will
not be at every meeting. Um I'm going to go back to the old school way that Lucy and I used to do it and I'm going to ask anyone if they're not assigned to a committee and you want to sit in on a committee to please let me know and we we'll we'll get you in there. There may be times that Danny, you may need my me
to be there and or uh Vice President Santiago and we will step in and we will have to bump that forth, but we'll work it together. I want everybody to know what's going on. Um and that's one of my goals. Um I'm going to ask for another request. I want Mr. Commissioner, Vice President Santiago to sit next to me, so
we're going to have to shuffle the deck a little bit >> because we we want to show a united front to the community as well. That was a vision I had. Um, I'm also going to institute a half hour with President Judy virtually or in person. I'll pay for coffee or if you want to meet at the diner
>> once a month if you want to sit with me, have a conversation, you got questions, concerns, if the superintendent would like to join us, we'll make it collaborative. It could be on the weekend, could be at night, and but I figured that if we hear from each other and we have problems going on, that will help us uh be a be a more solid board.
We have a tough year coming together educationally wise. We have a lot of issues coming down the pike. Any board member that's sitting in this audience now, they're nodding their head. They know the things that we're going to be up against because I see some of my fellow colleagues from the county here and they're nodding non-stop. So, I want
it to be open. I want everybody to have a voice at the table and that's one thing that I um I look forward to. With that being said, anyone else have any concerns, questions, or comments? >> Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Santiago. I I I >> It's okay. >> I have to get used to it.
>> Okay. It's a big day. Vice President Santgo, you get to take us out. >> Thank you. Uh, thank you, President Bassford. I look forward to serving alongside of you. Congrats. Um, thank you everyone who came out. Uh, thank you to everyone who voted in the last election. Your vote is extremely
important now more than ever. Don't let anybody tell you to sit out because they're not sitting out. Um, your voice, your vote is your voice. Um, thank you. Congratulations to Commissioner Brunak and Commissioner Ragsdale. Um I was on
the stage when you graduated, Commissioner Ragsdale. So you're welcome everyone. Um welcome. And um look, we've done good things, plenty of great things for our district in the last three years and I look forward to continuing to do that.
Like I said, if if we always if our decisions and our actions are uh always have this the best interest of the students in mind, you're always going to be doing the right thing. Um thank you to my wife Malisa, my son Matthew, my family for coming out and for being here. I love you. Thank you to um uh
Assemblywoman Alex Coyas Skill, our current Assembly woman, for doing me the honor. They're incredibly busy. There are a lot of swearing in um and she came out and uh swore me in. I really appreciate that. but also thank you to her for everything she does for our city as our assembly woman. Um, with that,
thank you so much. Let's do good things. >> Okay. Uh, don't forget we're taking a portrait for the yearbook, so don't go anywhere. Uh, Vice President Santiago, will you do the honor of taking us out and doing number D, please? >> D. Oh, motion to adjurnn.
motion. >> It was vice um >> Suarez. Any all in favor? >> I opposed. >> Thank you. Good night.