Good evening. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Please rise 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. >> May I have a moment of silence, please? This is a regular meeting of the Glenidge Board of Education. Adequate notice of this meeting location and time has been provided in that this board notified the Starledger New Jersey.com
and the Glenidge paper on November 21st, 2025. Said notice was published in the starledger.com on November 28th, 2025 and the Glenidge paper on December 4th, 2025. The date, time, and location of this meeting were also emailed to all recipients of the
annual schedule of the board's meetings. The results of the annual school board election are as follows. Board member total votes for three three-year terms. Tricia Akawande 2,140.
Luke Franklin 1,89. Elizabeth Ginsburg 1,916 and Heather Yarus Ramos 1,344. Elected are Tricia Akawande, Luke Franklin, and Elizabeth Ginsburg.
At this time, I would like to swear in the elected board members. If Miss Aawande would come up first. I Holy Spirit. United States. I I FA do solemnly swear >> do Solomon swear >> 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 the office of member of a board of education >> and that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to law and that I am not
disqualified as a voter pursuant to law nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense. offense listed in statute, >> nor disqualify due to conviction of a crime or offense listed in statute. >> And that I will faithfully and partially
and justly perform >> And that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform >> all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability. >> all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God.
>> Congratulations. Thank you very much. I >> I >> Luke Franklin >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> 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 bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and that I will bear truth faith and allegiance to the and to the governments established in the United States and this state. >> And and to the governments established in the United States and this state >> under the authority of the people
>> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. I >> I Luke Franklin >> 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 a board of education
>> for the office of member of board of education >> and that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to law >> and that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to law >> nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense listed in statute >> nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense listed in statute
>> and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform >> and that I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform >> all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability >> all the duties of that office supporting to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God.
>> Congratulations and welcome I I, Elizabeth Ginsburg, do solemnly swear >> Do solemnly swear 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 bear true faith and allegiance to the same and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the government established in the United States and this state and to the governments established in the United States and this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people.
>> So help me God. >> So help me God. I >> I Elizabeth Kingsburg >> do you solemnly swear >> Do you solemnly swear >> that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law >> that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law >> for the office of a member of the board of education
>> by the office of member of a board of education >> and that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to law >> and that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to law >> nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense listed in statute nor disqualified due to conviction of a
crime or offense listed in statute and that I will faithfully and partially and justly perform and that I will faithfully and partially and justly perform all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability. All the duties of that office according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God.
>> So help me God. >> Congratulations. Miss Akenwande >> here. >> Mr. Bonnet, >> Mr. Dinard >> here, >> Mr. Dorenzi >> here, >> Mr. Franklin >> here.
>> Miss Ginsburg, Miss Gotautle, Miss Graham, Miss O'Neal >> here. >> We have a quorum. We will now move on to nominations for board president. May I have a nomination for board president?
>> Um, yes. I I would like to nominate Jocelyn Gotautlever, president of the board with a brief statement as well. We must acknowledge Wait, sorry. We must acknowledge Bets's two decades of service to this
board and to our school district, her steady leadership and her stewardship through moments of real challenge and change. That said, this is the right moment to bring forward new leadership and a fresh perspective. This is about
how we organize ourselves as a board, how we communicate with the public, how we earn and sustain the trust of the families who entrust us with their children's future, and how we continue to honor the social contract at the
heart of public public education. As someone who stutters, I really only speak publicly when an issue matters so deeply to me that I feel I cannot stay silent. For that reason, I am nominating Jocelyn for president because I know she
is ready to lead and because this board will be better for it. Fellow board members, I ask you to join me in this nomination and together let's fulfill Glenn Ridg's commitment for every student to be
supported, engaged, and inspired. That had been the end of my statement, but the record needs to be clear. Last night, Paty informed this board that if she were not selected as president today, she would resign tomorrow. Let me
repeat that. If we did not select her as president today, she would resign and walk away tomorrow. That is not leadership. That is not a transition. That is an an ultimatum.
Uh and it places the stability of this board and this district at risk. We are a board of one. We are board of nine, not one. And no single member should hold the board hostage to secure a title. Throughout this, Jocelyn never made demands or threatened consequences.
She has shown an incredible steadiness, grace, and most importantly, a genuine commitment to putting the school district first. That is why I'm nominating her for president. My fellow board me board members join me in supporting Joselyn. Thank you.
>> Are there any other nominations? >> Yes, I am nominating Betsy Ginsburg. Um, and I hadn't planned on making a statement, but I'll just say briefly, given the changes that we've had to
endure over this last year and what we will be whoever comes in as superintendent um over the next year, they will um have
to learn the district and learn how to work with the board. I think that's a that's a big ask. Um,
further I believe that there are there is there is a there's experience in Miss Ginsburg that no other boards have. And and while
like Darius, I was a little surprised by her email, um I also understand the her rationale behind it. So um
whether one agrees or not, she has a a rationale. She has a reason. She's not she's not uh dictating who should run the board. She's just understanding the dynamics of
the board and the dynamics of all the transition going on in this district. So, um I think given all these changes, um this is not the time to change board leadership.
Um, and I'm putting my voice and my vote behind Miss Ginsburg. >> Are there any other nominations? Uh, seeing no additional nominations, we will now have two roll call votes in the
order of the nominations. So, I will now call the roll call for Joselyn Gotautle as board president. Miss Akamande. >> Mr. Bonnet. >> Nay.
>> Uh, I'm sorry. Mr. Dinard, >> yes. >> Mr. Dorenzi, >> nay. >> Mr. Franklin. >> Yes. >> Miss Ginsburg.
>> Miss Gotautle. >> Miss Graham. >> Miss O'Neal. >> Nay. Um, we will now have a roll call for Miss Betsy Ginsburg for board president.
>> Miss Akamande, >> yes. >> Mr. Bonnet, >> yes. >> Mr. Dinard, >> no. >> Mr. Dorenzi, >> yes. >> Mr. Franklin,
>> no. Miss Ginsburg, >> Miss Gotautle, >> Miss Graeme, >> yes. >> Miss O'Neal, >> yes. Motion carries with a majority vote.
Congratulations, Miss Ginsburg. The meeting is yours. microphone. >> Sorry. >> Okay. Um, I will now entertain nominations for the office of first vice president. Uh, are there any nominations?
>> I nominate Jocelyn Gotautly. >> Okay. Uh, are there other nominations? >> All right. Uh, Barbara, would you call the role? >> Miss Akenwandi? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bonnet? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Dinard? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dorenzi? >> Yes. >> Mr. Franklin? >> Yes. >> Miss Ginsburg? >> Yes. Miss Gotautle, >> yes. >> Miss Graham, >> yes. >> Miss O'Neal, >> yes.
>> Motion carries. >> Okay. Uh, now we will take nominations for second vice president. >> I'd like to nominate Kristen O'Neal for second vice president. >> Okay. Are there second? Uh, I'm sorry.
Are there other nominations? All right. Seeing none, Barbara, would you call the role? >> Miss Akinandi? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bonnet? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dinard? >> No. >> I'm I'm sorry. Was it Thank you. I just
didn't know if I heard uh Mr. Dorenzi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Franklin? >> Yes. >> Miss Ginsburg? >> Yes. >> Miss Scott? >> Yes. >> Miss Graham? >> Yes. >> Miss O'Neal?
Motion carries. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh we will now start the business of the meeting. Um we had a certain amount of public correspondence since December 16th which was our last meeting. Uh between January 5th and
January 6th, we had emails from Katie Stap, Robert Stber, Rachel Patterson, Corey Dow, Barbara Sutcliffe, Elizabeth Morat, uh Catilia Humphrey, John Miller, and Elizabeth Wall. All correspondence
related to uh personnel matters at Central School. All the correspondence was received uh acknowledged and responded to. Um, and that is all the public correspondence that we've had. Uh, the president's report, happy new year to all of you. Um, a couple of
things coming up. The cell phone bill, which we've talked about, it seems like endlessly, and cell phone policy, uh, will be signed by Governor Murphy on uh, Thursday, January 8th. So this Thursday um it is a comprehensive bill uh
requiring every board of ed to make a policy on cell phones and intercon connected devices. Uh and under the amended bill, the commissioner of education is to develop guidelines applicable to students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12 concerning student use of cell phones
and social media platforms and internet connected devices during regular school hours on a school bus or during school sanctioned events when the student is under the direct supervision of a teaching staff member or employee of the board of education. So the act goes into
effect immediately meaning uh January 8th and then will be in full effect uh the first school year. So beginning in September. Uh this has been a long time in coming. It the governor wanted to make it a centerpiece of his the last remaining
weeks in office. So it will be signed. Uh, the final state of the state speech, which is usually a recap of the administration's accomplishments, will happen on Tuesday, January 13th, next Tuesday. And then Governor Elect Cheryl will be sworn in on Tuesday, January
20th, uh, at the NJPAC in New York, which is somewhat historic as she is the second woman governor of the state of New Jersey. Um, and the only other person to be sworn in at NJPAC was Christy Whitman, the first woman governor of the state of New Jersey. So,
that is the president's report. Uh, superintendent's report. Happy New Year. We just got back from a historic almost 14-day, 2 week break. It was fabulous. Fabulous. Yesterday
morning was pretty tough, but uh a lot of smiling fa Oh, we got some children nodding. Yes, it was tough. Um saw some smiling faces in the hall today. I'd also like to extend a thank you to Bob Gomes and his crew who even
though we were off for 14 days, his crew came in on two separate occasions due to snow. Thank goodness that didn't interfere with school operations. But I'm still, you know, watching the weather constantly. But, um, that's the
superintendent's report. >> Okay. We've come very quickly to the first public comment period for questions or comments on agenda items only. Um, for those of you who have not joined us before, if you have a question or comment, please come to the lectern.
Uh, sign in, identify yourself, and, uh, confirm your Glen Ridge affiliation. Uh, you will have two minutes. Um hopefully my friend Kristen will uh time the two minutes. Um and uh if you have anything written uh
please give it to Miss Murphy so that it can be entered into the record. Are there any public questions or comments? Okay. Uh be aware we have a second public question and comment period at the end of the meeting for questions or comments on agenda or other items pertaining to the running of the
schools. Uh so we'll proceed with our regular agenda. This is January so we uh have many routine items pertaining to um reau various reauthorizations.
Um, you have in your packets minutes from the board of education meeting of December 16th, both uh for two exact sessions and the regular meeting. Uh, Joselyn, would you move the minutes? >> I move F1. >> Okay. May I have a second?
>> Second. >> Second from Anthony. Um, any changes to those any of those minutes? All right, Barbara, would you call the role? >> Miss Akenwandi, >> hi. >> Mr. Bonnet, >> I. >> Mr. Dinard,
>> yes. >> Mr. Dorenzi, >> yes. >> Mr. Franklin, >> abstain. >> Miss Gotley, >> yes. >> Miss Graham, >> yes. >> Miss O'Neal, >> yes. >> Miss Ginsburg, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Uh, we have administrative items.
before we move them. Uh board members, we have not had time to finalize the assignments for NJSBA delegate and uh alternate. We did have volunteers for those uh positions. Do you want to discuss that now so that we can move the
amendment or would you prefer that we um table A2 for now and come back to it um at the next meeting? >> Why don't we just discuss it now? >> Okay. Um it's any we have two positions
delegate and alternate. The delegates uh attend the delegate assemblies twice a year. Uh they are virtual. They're hybrid actually. You can be there in person or they're virtual. Uh they are usually on a Saturday morning. Um and it is a good way to find out the workings
of the NJSBA which is our trade and lobbying organization as well as the providers of our education. Uh, does anybody want to volunteer to be the delegate? >> I heard your voice, Luke. You just volunteered. >> I didn't realize it was that hot of a
commodity. All volunteers. >> It's your first act as a board member. Congratulations. Okay, so Luke will be the delegate. Now, who will volunteer to be the alternate? >> I'll be alternate. >> Um, >> okay. Are you two going to arm wrestle or which one of uh
>> We could flip a coin. >> Well, I can't. You can be the alternate to the alternate. How about that? >> That sounds fair. >> So So Javal, you're going to be the alternate. Um okay. All right. So the um item A2 is amended to be resolved that
Luke Franklin be appointed delegate to the New Jersey School Boards Association and the Essex County School Boards Association for one year and that Duval Graham be appointed as the alternate for the New Jersey School Boards Association and the Essex County Board. Um all right
and with that Kristen would you move the administrative items? >> Yes, but do we need to table A8 because the committees haven't been finalized yet? Um, the way it's written is is that >> that's just the way that we have committees, not necessarily >> that we have them until they're filled.
So, I think it's fine. >> All right. Then I move A1 through A12. >> Okay. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second from Jocelyn. Um, any discussion on any of the A administrative items.
Okay. Um, Barbara, would you call the role? >> Miss Akenwandi, >> I. >> Mr. Bonnet, >> I. >> Mr. Dad, >> yes. But a um yes for the items, but no
for number six, policies, regulations. >> Okay. >> Mr. Dorenzi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Franklin. Uh, >> yes. on all abstain from A6. >> Okay. >> Miss Gotautle,
>> yes. >> Miss Graham, >> yes. >> Miss O'Neal, >> yes. >> Miss Ginsburg, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay, we're at the personnel items. Anthony, would you move the personnel items? >> Yes. I'll move P1 through P3 including
the addition of to P1 from the addendum. >> All right. May I have a second? >> And the addition of P2. Uh, yes.
>> Yes. And P2 on the addendum. I missed that off. >> All right. May I have a second? Second, >> Kristen. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> Any uh personnel related matters are generally discussed in exact session.
So, Barbara, would you call the role? >> Miss Akinwandi, >> I. >> Mr. Bonnet, >> I. >> Mr. Dod, >> yes. >> Mr. Dorenzi, >> yes. >> Mr. Franklin, >> abstain. >> Miss Gotautle, >> yes. Miss Graham,
>> yes. >> Miss O'Neal, >> yes. >> Miss Ginsburg, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Uh the business items. Before we move the business items, I draw your attention to those listed under B2A,
uh which is a monetary donation to the Sharing the Arts program from the Lewis and Virginia Clemente Foundation, uh with a value of $5,000. Um so thank you to that foundation. Um, I think these are the Clementes who have been longtime Glenn Ridge residents. So,
um, thank you. Uh, with that, Duval, would you move the business items? >> Be happy to move business. I mean, B1 through >> the addendum and >> B4. Thank you. >> May I have a second?
>> Second. >> Second from Jocelyn. Any um discussion of any of the business items? No. All right. Barbara, would you call the role? >> Miss Akenwandi. >> I. >> Mr. Bonnet. >> I. >> Mr. Dad?
>> Yes. >> Mr. Dorenzi? >> Yes. >> Mr. Franklin? >> Abstain. >> Miss Gotautle. >> Yes. >> Miss Graham? >> Yes. >> Miss O'Neal? >> Yes. >> Miss Ginsburg? >> Yes. >> Motion carries.
>> Okay. We've come very quickly to the second public comment period for questions or comments on agenda items or other items relating to the running of the schools. The protocols are the same. The time limit is the same. Does anyone have a question or comment?
It's a little button here. >> New microphones. >> Thank you. Fran Hong, 16 High Street. And I am here because um I'm chair of the Glenidge Educational Foundation. And I have with me some of the other
trustees, both of whom, as I look at them, I realize are former board members. So they know what it's like to be sitting up there where you guys are. I thank them and all of you. But I just wanted to give a little quick report. Um the
the race was highly successful. Some say the best ever. I'll go along with that. Uh we see the shirts being worn everywhere around town and elsewhere. Uh we haven't uh tallied up the uh proceeds yet, but I think we did well despite the
challenges this year that we have not had in the past. And uh I hope that uh some of you have at if you didn't see it in person have seen the uh video online of the national anthem that was delivered by a Grammy award-winning
baritone who lives right around the corner from me and it was quite stirring and um we hope that he'll come back every year. It was a great way to start the race. So, we're we're very pleased. Our local um speed guy still came in
second in the race, but he was good with that. And maybe next year he'll uh he'll grab that first place trophy. So, thank you for uh supporting the race both individually and as a group and certainly through the administration. We couldn't do it without the uh custodians
and the the town really rises to this occasion and um both the citizens and the staff, the police, the DPW works so hard, everyone. And we're very thankful for that. And now we can start paying
the bills that you have accumulated for us. >> Thanks, Fran. Any other questions or comments? anyone else? All right. In keeping with the protocols for our regorganization meeting, we do
not have an exec session before the meeting so that our newly sworn member can participate in exact session discussions uh after the meeting. So therefore, we have concluded our business for this evening. The board will shortly adjourn into exact session, but there will be no further uh board
business or actions taken uh in public session. So, thank you all for coming. Uh board members, may I have a motion to go into exact session? Uh move motion by Duvall. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second from Luke. Thank you all.