Good evening everyone. Uh I'm my name is Michael Gross. I'm the board attorney and uh since this is the board reorganization meeting, I will be conducting this meeting and until the board has elected a president to preside over the meeting this evening. So uh
we're going to start with the sunshine law. Please be advised that this meeting is being held in accordance with the open public meetings act and that adequate notice of the date, time, and agenda has been sent to the Asbury Park Press and the Star Ledger. It's been posted and filed with the board Malbor Township Clerk. Copies have also been
sent to each district school and area newspapers in accordance with the law. We also have a statement of videotaping of public portion of the board meeting that uh public portion of the board meetings are videotaped and available for public viewing on our website. In addition, please note that our security
personnel are wearing body cameras that will record any and all interactions with security personnel. Therefore, members of the public should have no expectations of privacy in any statements that they make when addressing the board administration or the security personnel. We also have a
public comments statement that pursuant to board policies 164 and 167, Robert's rules of order shall govern the board of education in its deliberation and in the conduct of its meetings. As such, all comments from the public and from other members of the board shall be directed
to the board president who is responsible for presiding over the meeting. The president shall direct all inquiries of comments to the appropriate administrator or board member for response. After all members of the public have had an opportunity to speak, the board and the administration may not
have a response for all inquiries at the public meeting. In those circumstances, a response will be provided in a timely manner. Per board policy. If it appears that the public participation will exceed 60 minutes, the board president may impose a set time limit per speaker at the beginning of the public
participation portion of the meeting. Moreover, the president may interrupt, warn, or terminate a participant statement when the statement is too lengthy, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant. In addition, the president may request any individual to leave the meeting when that person does not observe reasonable decorum, whether that
person is at the microphone or at any other place in the meeting room or building. New Jersey law prohibits any person from disrupting a public meeting. Law enforcement will be contacted if a person disrupts the meeting and fails to desist after being directed to do so by the board president or superintendent.
Finally, out of respect, we ask that you refer to our administrators or staff members by their titles, such as doctor, Mr. or Mrs.. Thank you. We also have a no vaping or uh smoking on school grounds policy, which is also state law.
And I would ask everyone to 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, justice for all.
>> Thank you. At this point in the meeting, I'd like to announce the results of the election from the November 14, 2025 general election for school board officials. The top three winning candidates were Kerianne Djanowski with 7,438
votes, Melissa Goldberg with 7,059 votes, and Michael Alonssky with 6,84 votes. [Applause] At this time, I would administer the oath of office to those winning
candidates. Mike, you want to do first? Oh, one at a time. Ianowski >> I, Kerianne Janowski affirm >> do solemnly affirm >> I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of
the United States >> constitution >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> I will bear true >> and I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> government established for the United and to the governments established 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 >> I Kerianne Janowski >> do solemnly affirm >> the qualifications >> that I possess the qualifications >> law
>> prescribed by law >> office of a board of education >> for the office of member of a board of education >> that I am not disqualified >> and that I am not disqualified >> as a voter >> as a voter RS4 >> pursuant to RS194-1
>> disqualified >> nor disqualified >> due to a conviction of a crime or offense >> listed in NJS1812-1 >> and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform
all the duties of that office according to the the best of my ability. So help me God. Thank you so much. Ians solemnly swear. I will support the Constitution of the
United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. And I will be due to the same establish, United States, and this state
people. I Michael qualification for the office of the member of board of education disqualified. >> I'm not disqualified as a voted pursuant to RS 194-1qualified
>> or disqualified commission of a crime or offense. >> Listen. NJS-1812-1 and I will faithfully and partially and justly perform all the duties of that office according to best abilities.
[Applause] Okie dokie. [Applause] This point in time, I'm going to call uh the role. As soon as I get my
cheat sheet. Miss Balomo >> here. >> Mr. Cohen >> here. >> Miss Carrera >> here. >> Miss Gandhi >> here. >> Mr. Hayyatt >> here. >> Mr. Lansonsky
>> here. >> Miss uh Dr. Muscowitz >> here. >> And Miss Jenowski >> here. We have a quorum. I would also note at this point that uh I am ready to enter the oath of
office for the other successful candidate, Melissa Goldberg. Is she here this evening? Okay. So, we have eight members present and one member who has not taken the oath of office as of this evening.
Thank you. Now I'll move on to the election for the president of the board of education. And I just want to make sure that everybody understands the rules upon which we will be following which are consistent with our bylaws
which fall under bylaw number 152. Um I how we're going to do this is I'm going to open the floor for nominations. You can certainly nominate as many people as you would like. We will then close the nominations. If there are more than one nomination
under your bylaws, people have the ability to uh make a statement in support of their candidacy. And then we will take a vote in the order in which people were nominated and you will vote for the person that uh you want to vote for uh that have been nominated or nom
as many nominations as there are. If there's once there is a majority of uh five votes for a single candidate, the election will have been completed and the office of president will be filled and they will take the seat. Okay, we're all good.
Are we all good? >> Sure. >> Um when if we make a nomination for president, um can we just make a a statement of why we're nominating for president? >> That's not what it says in your bylaws. Um, again, I'm I've only intended one of
these in the past, so I'm not sure what your tradition or your uh uh past practice, for lack of a better word. >> I believe last year there were statements. >> Yeah. Again, so if you'd want to do that, again, I don't see I don't see a problem with it. I'm just saying it's not consistent with uh the bylaws. It doesn't talk about that. It only talks
about the candidate or the uh person put up for nomination. Certainly has an opportunity if there's more than one candidate put up for nomination. So, I'm going to open the floor for nominations. Yes, Dr. mascots. >> I nominate Brian Con for president, please.
>> Okay. Are there any other nominations? Yes. >> I have something to say. >> Okay. >> If that's okay. >> Sure. Okay. With that. >> Okay. >> I nominate Danielle Balomo for a president. I have seen many reorganization meetings and listen
carefully to the reasons given for nominating board leadership. Each year, the same familiar phrases are repeated. professional experience, integrity, an ability to reach across the aisle, works well with others, proven leader and unifier, to name just a few. While these
qualities are admirable, repeating them does not make them meaningful, nor does saying them aloud necessarily make it true. Serving as board president is no small task, especially in this district. It is unpaid and demanding. Danielle has successfully
led a PTO as president for many years. Because the president speaks for the board, I expect the highest standards of professionalism, neutrality, ethical conduct, humility, and respect. Most importantly, I expect the president to represent my voice and the voices of this community thoughtfully and
responsibly. I am particular about how I am represented. My board of education president does not represent my character. However, should represent the wisdom I would like in thoughtful decision-making. My nomination is not an indignant jab of any other board member's character or
capability. Rather, it is grounded in two clear observations. First, Danielle received over 10,000 votes from this community. Appointing her as president places the majority voice directly in the chair that speaks for the board. That fact alone deserves
serious consideration. Second, and equally important, I observed a troubling pattern in our meetings. Danielle has often been dismissed or treated with visible and visceral contempt, sometimes to the point where productive discussion is replaced by pettiness. One clear example
occurred when she was denied attendance at a professional development training. The irony of a board of education prohibiting education was perplexing to me to say the least. The most recent observation came during a discussion about our students breakfast options when a reasonable suggestion regarding
nutrition devolved into a prolonged trivial debate rather than a constructive response. Seriously, there was a debate whether they were serving a fruit cup or a cup of fruit or a fruit in a cup. The
absence of humility and the abandonment of the connection to our community for the sake of prioritizing personal pride over students best interests was deeply concerning. That is not the culture I support nor the leadership I expect. Courage after all is not the absence of fear but
action in spite of it. The same is true of a real unifier, a true professional and a believer in respectful discourse. They lead with integrity when it is difficult, stressful, and patience is thin. A true unifier doesn't retreat in intense moments when it would be easier
to turn your back on promises in the face of peer pressure. I am nominating Danielle because I believe this board needs a shift, one that challenges us to honor our promises of unity above all and to place students before egos. My hope is that voting Danielle as board
president and the 10,000 voices she represents in this role will help bring about that change. I make this request with an open and grateful heart to my community for being elected and a deep desire to work with a unified board for all of our students
and staff. [Applause] >> Any other nominations? I'm going to close the floor for nominations. And as I said, under your bylaws, since we have eight board members present, it will take five votes
for any single candidate for the uh office to be filled because that would be a majority of the members present and voting. What I'm going to do is um if there since there are two candidates and under your bylaws, Mr. Cohen, do you have anything that you would like to say?
>> Uh thank you. Um I accept the nomination. That's first off. Um, and I appreciate the um confidence in Dr. Niswitz to sort of do this for a second term. Um, I also appreciate some of the comments that um, our newest board
member, Miss Kanowski, has made and I um, and I look at those as sort of being a um, sort of a north star in a lot of ways. I think we all want to sort of achieve some of those um standards that you that
you articulated as a as an individual. Um I believe very highly in leadership. Um I spent an entire career working to develop leadership skills. I don't think anyone ever really fully develops their leadership skills in um in a lifetime.
It takes a long time to sort of get to that point. So I think we all continue to learn as leaders throughout. And I think last year was a um continue to add to my leadership as a um individual, as a board member, and as the board president. I also believe in integrity,
and I believe integrity is much more important, especially when it's not um sort of overtaken by personal agenda. I do not have a personal agenda. I sat in this seat a year ago and made it very clear that I come to this meeting. I come to these these positions. I come to
the role of president to sort of support the district to listen to everyone's voice and to sort of make decisions and sort of help guide decisions um based upon what's in the best interest of the district, the board, and overall for Marbor. Uh so I do not have a personal
agenda. I will continue if elected to lead that way um and guide us, continue to work with our district administration and Mr. Malone um and do whatever I can to sort of make Marboro and our Marboro school district a better district. Um
and if I'm not elected president um then I will certainly continue to serve this community and serve this board with the same level of integrity and the same level of commitment. So, thank you. Miss Balmo. >> Yeah. Um, first I want to say thank you
to Carrie. Um, it it's really uh rewarding to hear those words from someone that uh before tonight was a member of our community watching. So, thank you for that. Um, I've served this district for two years now, um, as a board member and almost a decade as a
volunteer uh, in the schools. Um, even when recently faced with challenges that I could have never imagined, um, I've continued to show up and to advocate because the children and families of Marorrow deserve that. Um, these schools hold a profound place in
my heart. Uh, aside from being a mother uh to children in the district, uh, I've been serving our schools long before I ever sat at this table. Uh, I love to get to know our students, our staff, and the families uh that have their children and entrust them with this school
district. Um, I bring real leadership experience to this role and I can also bring results. Um, I've worked on meaningful improvements in the curriculum, policy, and buildings and grounds and closely with Mr. Caravello on the buildings and grounds chair to
ensure that improvements were up to date and that the children get the schools that they deserve and our taxpayers see the reward of their taxes in this town. Um, what sets me apart from the other candidate tonight is my boots on the ground approach to this board of
education position. Um, I spend time in our schools, a lot of time in our schools. Um, and I spend time with the families out on the playground, um, and in the kids' schools and in the community. Um, not just during the meetings, but actually in in real life.
I believe that good leadership doesn't live behind a title. Um, it lives with presence and consistency and follow through. I believe that my approach rooted in uh parental rights um has and and local control um really has has
shown my heart to this community. I make decisions based on the people, not on procedure or policy um but really what serves each Marro citizen and student correctly. Um, parents matter and families matter and
our community deserves a board president who understands that decisions about our children should be made here by this community, not handed down from the state um or under some titles or procedural uh conditions that were given to us on a broad spectrum.
If I am chosen as president, I'll lead with transparency, inclusion, and accountability. I will work to restore the trust that some have said is lost in this board. Um, meetings under our last presidency were routinely out of control. Clear
procedures were not enforced. Board members were not protected and lines were crossed. There was no consistent effort to maintain any type of professionalism, safety, or respect. A president's role is not to react emotionally or selectively
or to it is to lead impartially and set boundaries and that did not happen. The impact went far beyond this table. Um I hope that this board chooses its president not based on friendships or alliances or secrets that need to be kept but based on who is willing to do
the work. the work when we're faced with hard truths and the work that genuinely serves this district and these children. I love this community. I love serving it and I am committed to continuing to
fight for our children and our families no matter what it takes. And I am con committed to the future of Marorrow Schools. Thank you. Thank you. So again, under your bylaws, the way we're going to proceed is I'm just going to call the role and you can
either say Mr. Cohen or Miss Either one. Uh we don't have to do a yes or no vote here. Just call out the name of the candidate who has been nominated that is of your preference and we'll go through the roll call that way. That's what your bylaws state. Okay. So we're going to
start. Mr. Cohen. >> I I vote for myself. Mr. Cohen, >> Miss Billy Ball, >> I vote for myself. Danielle Bulmo, >> Miss Carrera, >> I vote for Mr. Cohen.
>> Miss Gandhi, >> I vote for Mr. Cohen. >> Mr. Hyatt, >> Mr. Cohen, >> Miss Lans, Mr. Lansonski, >> Mrs. Balo, >> Miss Ms. Muskitz.
>> I vote for Mr. Cohen. >> Miss Jenowsky. >> Miss Palomo. >> Okay. One, two, three, four, five, five, five to four. Mr. Cohen, you were elected president of the board. Congratulations. Thank you for taking the gavl away from
me. Thank you. Um I said this last year, I'll say it again this year, which is um I really hope we we don't start or finish our year off as a divided board, but more as a unified
board. And again, the votes unfortunately seem to always split in a way in which it sort of represents sort of more division than it does unification. So I do hope that we wind up in a more unified state. Um and we can achieve that not only for ourselves
but for the district as well as for this community. So with that, um I will continue to move us along on our agenda, which is to begin to open up the the floor for uh nominations for vice president under our quoting bylaws of
0152. We follow the same process which we will take nominations for the position to board vice president. If there is more than one then obviously they will have an opportunity to speak um and then we will continue through the um the um the voting process for vice
president. So with that I'll open the floor for for vice president. >> Can I ask a question quickly? >> Yes. >> If someone is nominated um and there's a potential that we want to nominate the same person and we prepared remarks for that. Can we also give our remarks on that nomination?
It's the same process that we followed for the president then we would follow for the vice president if I'm understanding you correctly which is if you'd like to nominate someone and make comment about the nomination. >> So can we nominate the same person over and make our comments like can we enter the same nomination so
I can make my comments if someone else also nominates the same person. >> The nomination doesn't require a second. So whoever nominates the person would under the way we've been doing this let me finish. The way we've been doing this is whoever nominates the person has an opportunity to make a statement about
that >> right in the whoever okay sorry >> whoever whoever that candidate is when they are given an opportunity to speak on their behalf they'd be given an opportunity to speak on their behalf. So whoever nominates the person first would
get to speak about that person and then the candidate would get to speak on their own behalf when we go through the process of the election itself. And so in years past there was ability to have discussion like that we can give our comments. So we're not doing that this year. I'm just trying to understand if
we've changed from the last time I I did this and witnessed you know saw in the past. I >> I'm just following what the bylaws say. >> So does it say that we can't give the comments? I'm just trying to understand. >> Doesn't say that we can't give comments. It says it says that you're supposed to nominate somebody. It doesn't require a
second. >> Okay. >> It doesn't even say you're allowed to make a comment about it. So if you want to make a comment about it, we've said that that's would be permissible. And if the board wants to make everybody be able to make a comment is I'm not sure what what you're ask actually asking. >> Yeah, just make a comment about someone
who's possibly going to be nominated. That's you know to give you >> I leave that I leave that to again the the bylaws don't address either of those things but okay >> you can do it you can conduct it however you'd like. >> Gotcha. Thank you. So,
>> okay. So, I'll I'll again um moving on with the with the discussion. Um I'll open the floor for nominations for vice president. >> Dr. Mskowitz, >> I nominate Jenna Carrero for vice president. Anyone else? Are the other nominations?
Miss Jenowski >> and a comment again. Thank you. Um, I want to nominate and support Michael Alonsky um, for vice president. Michael has consistently demonstrated steady leadership and the ability to work collaboratively with his fellow board members even when there are
differing viewpoints. He listens, he engages thoughtfully, and he approaches discussions with respect and professionalism. Those qualities matter, especially in a role that requires a consensus in helping the board move forward together. I have not only seen this as a public member in the audience,
but having served alongside Michael during my 2023 appointment. Let's not forget that Michael has years of experience being board president and vice president, winning several nominations. Michael has shown that he can lead without division. Given how last year unfolded in the importance of
stability and cooperation, I believe Michael is the right choice for vice president. I appreciate Michael's self-discipline in communicating. He offers his opinion in a respectful manner and leaves it with the members to process and either accept it or reject it. He does not engage in negativity
back and forth during these meetings or online. For those reasons, I strongly support his nomination. >> Any other nominations for vice president? Seeing no other nominations for vice president, um we'll now give the two candidates an opportunity.
>> Going to close nominations. We'll close nominations and we'll give the two candidates an opportunity to sort of make a statement. Um, Mr. Lansonsky, would you like to go first or Miss Carrero? Either one. >> Sure. >> First like to thank Carrie for your kind
words recognizing my contributions over the 14 years of service so far on this board. It would be my pleasure to work together again with our board president to get us to a place where we can all agree to disagree at times, have meaningful discussions, and after the vote, reset
and move on to the next item. In order to spend our valuable time doing what we all were elected to do, great things for our students, staff, and residents. This is this is this is the way to accomplish that, folks. Having served as both president and vice president for
multiple terms gives me the ability to step in whenever needed in the event the president is unable to just as I did for Miss Mendes when she was unavailable due to travel. I've always had an excellent rel working relationship with fellow leadership and all three superintendents that I interacted with in my leadership
positions. Having both been president and vice president, three times president, two times vice president. If chosen, I look forward to working closely together for our president. I thank you all for your support and consideration and possible vote. Thank you.
[Music] >> Miss Carrera, if you'd like to make a statement. >> Yes. Um I don't have anything prepared, so I'm just going to read my muddled uh writing here. So, um I grew up in Marorrow. I am a product of this school system. Um I have two kids in the school
system at the moment. Um, I grew up to be uh in education in I was a public school teacher. I'm in educational technology. I'm a doctoral student. Um, and I like so I have I have roots in this town. Um, throughout my time um
this past year on the board for the first time. Um, I've always shown that I am thoughtful, reflective, and respectful. Um, and I think that that is a way to really kind of bring us together to collaborate to collaborate.
um and you know bring out our ideas creatively to actually work on the board business as we need to for our community, our teachers, admins, staff, students. Um, so in the spirit of unity, uh, I would like to bring all of
the things that I I work at an institution where we were, um, and other ones that we were very broken and I was I'm president of the staff association and so we do a lot of morale and team building and I would like to get to a point where we can bring some of those
um, components into the work that we do. >> Thank you. I will now um turn it over to our board attorney to run the the vote. >> Okay. We're going to call the role the same way that we did the last time. Um so you could either say Mr. Lolonsky or
Ms. Correro. >> Can can you just ask Miss uh Mrs. Msquitz to turn off her microphone because it's making a regurgitation. Thank you. >> All good. Better. Great. Okay. Miss
Michael Alonsski, >> Miss Carrera, >> if I may, myself, >> Miss Gandhi, >> Mrs. Carrerero, >> Mr. Hyatt, >> uh, Miss Carro,
>> Mr. Lolonski, >> myself, Michaelski, >> Dr. Mscowitz, >> Mrs. Carrerero, >> Miss Yankowski, >> Mr. Lolonski, >> and President Cole, >> Miss Carrera.
>> Okay. 5 to three. >> Okay. Um, >> congratulations. >> Congratulations, Miss Carrerero. All right. Um the next part of our meeting is to um adjourn for an executive session. Um I know that there
are family here who probably would like to sort of just get together with their um their new newly appointed board members and congratulate them. So we'll take a few minutes before we go into executive session to give everyone a chance to sort of you know say goodbye or to sort of you know congratulate or
take pictures. Uh but before we go into executive session we'll be going in for um four items. matter of attorney client privilege, a personnel matter, um a meet and greet, and um a discussion for the
MTSMA, which is um a um labor uh a labor organization. So, um with that, I need a motion to go into executive session. Dr. Msitz, can I have a second, please? Mr. Hyatt, all in favor?
Anyone opposed? Thank you. We're going to be moving into executive session. We will be coming back out to sort of conclude the rest of our meeting. We have um a lot more actions on our board agenda that have to be taken care of. >> Uh we will be in I think we anticipated what 30 minutes
>> 60 >> 60 minutes on the uh on the on the executive session. Thank you. here. >> Miss Carrera >> here. >> Miss Gandhi,
Mr. Hyatt >> here. >> Mr. Lens here. >> Mr. Lansonsky >> here. >> Dr. Mskowitz >> here. Miss Jenowski >> here.
>> President Cohen >> here. Thank you. Okay. Uh we again we apologize for the executive session taking um longer than planned and we appreciate your patience. Um we're going to continue with our agenda and the next
item that we have up is public comments. Um I have a signing sheet in front of me so I'll call the name. Um Valentina Mendes. Miss Mendes. Hi, I'm here. No shock. Uh, Val Mendes, Morganville, New Jersey. Congratulations
to the newly elected and sworn in board members. Uh, happy to see you there. Um, okay. So, just a quick thing. I wanted to speak as a member now of the public and someone who previously served on this board. I do believe that tonight was a missed opportunity. The decision
not to vote in Michael Alonsky or Danielle Balomo could have been a meaningful moment to turn the page to show our community that despite past division, this board is willing to move forward together and rebuild trust. It's difficult to say, but it is also honest to acknowledge that divisions and
friendships exist. Leadership, however, is measured by how we rise above these lines. This vote could have been a first step toward healing, collaboration, and setting a different tone for the year ahead. I do truly hope that this coming year brings less division and more
intentional unity. I do also hope that the board takes a thoughtful and serious look at the resolution I proposed over the past few months, not as a point of contention, but as a framework to help guide respectful governance and forge a stronger, more collaborative path forward for the benefit of the entire
community. But I do want to say congratulations to Mr. Cohen and Miss Carraro. Um, but I did give my piece and I do um wish that we had a different outcome for Mrs. Balo and Mr. but good luck to all and I hope you have
a successful year ahead. >> Thank you, Miss Mendes, for your comments and um I I will just say we um appreciate all the service and all the work that you did for the last several years. So, thank you so much for that. Is there anyone else who would
like to I don't have any other names on the um on the the signin sheet. Is there anyone else who would like to speak? Yes. Uh, Angela Kobe Badski, Marorrow. I just wanted to say um, congratulations to the new board of ed members um, for being
sworn in and I hope this is also another productive um, productive year. As I had mentioned in one of our previous um board of ed sessions, I had requested that the attachments to all of the items
be posted out front. And I think Mr. Cohen, you had mentioned that you were going to be working on having those addendums available for the public during these sessions. So, I'm hoping as the start of the new year, you will be able to um provide those for us in
advance. Thank you. Thank you for that and thank you for the reminder. We will definitely work on that. Is there anyone else who would like to come up and speak for first round of public comments? >> Seeing none, motion to close public
comments. >> Can we have um discussion? My name was mentioned so I just want to respond to public comment. Um Valentina, thank you for those kind words. Um I too was hoping for a different outcome tonight. Um, I want to be very clear. It's it's
not about uh it's not personal. Um, but this role was about leadership um responsibility and the consequences of the decisions that affected our board all of last year. Um, and there was some very negative things that not only
affected our board but also affected our community, um, our district and and most importantly our children. Um, the word inclusion is thrown around this board uh more than I've ever heard it before in my life. Um, it's thrown
around often by the people that um, you know, preach it the most, but inclusion is not selective. Um, inclusion is not something that you offer to people only who you agree with um, to make you comfortable. inclusion is for everyone
regardless of why you may or may not want to exclude them. Um, and over the past year under uh the leadership that was reelected um include inclusion has been absent from from the leadership. Um I hope that this year uh brings
something different although I'm actually not very hopeful um because meetings under this the the presidency of last year uh were routinely out of control. um clear procedures were not enforced, board members were not
protected um and lines were crossed and there was no effort really at all to maintain any type of professionalism. And um I watched this board support policies that in my opinion would hurt our families and children. Um ones that
hurt um many parent organizations uh that came to speak out about them. um and volunteers that stand at the very core of this district. And I truly truly pray that our leadership does not take that same path this this coming year. Um
we failed to produce meaningful work that had been opened up, your resolution included. Um and we allowed a lot of state uh NJ DOE guidance into our schools. Um, we accepted curriculum
decisions um and practices that have never should have been adopted. Uh we uh we passed an attendance policy that hurts our families in my opinion. Um by prioritizing policy over common sense um
and making it so that the attendance policy doesn't is no longer student centered um or family centered but instead policy centered um by by making it difficult to keep a sick child home. Um, we had an entire year to
explore polling locations, um, and the removal of them from our schools. Um, but when I tried to open that topic, it was quickly dismissed. Um, I was paused because I was not creative enough to have that conversation. Um, and that
work just died on the vine. And that was work that I know many boards in the past had, you know, really put a lot of effort into. So, that was a real shame. Um, I I believe that the lack of change in leadership has failed this board. Um,
and I hope that I'm wrong, but I can say that just with things that I've already witnessed in the short time we've been here, I'm not confident. Um, I just hope that as we approach this new year, leadership remembers that it's not about control. Um, and it's definitely not
about exclusion. Uh, it's not about comfort or ego. that it's more about accountability, inclusion, protection, and most importantly, progress. Something that clearly last year we lacked. Um, so I just wanted to thank you for opening this conversation up,
for addressing the lack of ability to see beyond the divide, um, and to go ahead in the same pattern of the the behavior um, that created such a hostile environment for the past year. Thank
you. Anyone else? >> We can close if you want. I just wanted to respond to Val about the civility resolution. >> Yeah, let's complete our motion to close. Motion to close public comments. Mr. Hyatt second,
Miss Gandhi. All in favor? Anyone opposed? Okay, we'll close public comments. And Miss Carrera, you said you had a comment. Val, I think you'd be very happy about this. Um, I was after we left that night, um, the board meeting, I took
your framework, um, I took the time to process, add the things that I imagine, even things beyond what I thought I would add, um, to it in regards to like kind of slowing down, allowing reflection time, um, and adding that to
the the umbrella of civility because of how like the differences of how each person works. Um, so I just wanted to say thank you because I actually went through the whole thing and I like I said before um I want to have collaboration like everyone work on a
common document together. Sorry Carrie I don't mean to talk um >> yeah no so I just want I just wanted to thank you for getting that started and I don't want to let you down because it is in work. >> Thanks. >> Yep. Thank you. And and I I will say it
as I said at the last meeting that you were at. I'll say it again. I am extremely committed to a civility policy or a civility statement. I think a statement is very important, but words need to be louder than just being civil.
Action. We need action. All right? We can't just say it. We need to we really need to follow it. So did >> um so I was wondering since I heard the resolution because I was in the audience can I get a copy of the OG resolution
since you made adjustments to it so I can like compare so I just need to be caught up. So if I can get once I get my email I guess if I can get the original resolution so I can compare it and like >> No, no, no. I know. I just I like I need to handhold something to read it. That's
how I process. And then um to Danielle's point um now that I am on the board, the uh schools being closed twice a year for voting um is a hot topic that's always been on my list. So I was wondering if
that's something that we can revisit or it can be broken down for me of just if it can be changed, if it can't be changed, what because I' I've never been really privy to those internal conversations. So, just that she brought it up. I'm a huge proponent of trying to
change the venue of voting so our schools remain open and safe. So, last year we met with the county office of um the county office of elections is that was >> board of elections, the county board of elections. We met with them last year.
Um we walked them through this and what we were hoping to accomplish. They were supposed to provide they were supposed to follow up and provide us with documentation after several attempts to sort of try to get that. We never got the documentation. Um we will continue to
try that. But I also believe that they had um they had set the stage, correct me Michael, you were part of that conversation, but they had set the stage where there is opportunity for us to keep the schools open for election day,
provided that there is a way to keep the polling location secure or isolated without having the appearance of police officers. is still in the building. >> So the the question that we can't get answered if we're going to get right to
the point of it is we always have police officers in our building. It's our precedent that they're always here. So no one's given us the ruling yet whether it'd be okay if they'd be here election day because they're not supposed to be certain feet from election sites. So
that's what we're trying to get the clearance on. Can we have a regular police office that are always here every day? It's not out of the ordinary for them to be here on election day as well. >> Correct. So, we're stuck in this sort of like limbo right this moment and we need to
get the answer to that. If we can if if we are grandfathered in because we've always had police officers in the building when they became polling sites then they accepted our locations as they were currently s set up. All right.
That's what we need to sort of and that's where >> approval >> that's where we need attorneys to be and it's the state attorney the deputy state the deputy attorney general >> as well as our counsel have to sort of get that communication >> but am I to understand then that the
answer so in order to get to that point have they given you a clearcut you don't have an option of if we use your school or not because obviously not every school in New Jersey is utilized so how come some towns can avoid having voting in their schools and some towns can't.
Equally as big towns, equally as large towns that have six elementary and even high schools. I I know personally well towns that go prek to 12 and not one of their school grounds is used for a voting venue. So, have we been told
officially, you absolutely don't have a choice and they're going to be here? And then why can't that be taken to a higher level? I just don't understand how it's not equitable across the board in New Jersey. Why do our kids have to lose school and not every town has to?
>> Uh I think it's I think the answer is yes. That's what they have continuously said that we have unless we have alternative locations for polling sites. Well, >> that they they they read the law to us pretty much that they have the right to
use the schools first and the schools do not have a right to refuse >> unless we find another >> unless we have alternative locations other than the schools that satisfy the district the the district voting requirements because it's again it's based upon the number of districts in
the town, the number of polling locations you have and then the requirements of each of the polling locations and the polling of what a polling location looks like. Unless we can satisfy check all these boxes, the schools become the de facto as I understand it. Location.
>> Can I add something since it was my initial comment? Uh my understanding of the conversation um and when I served as the NJSBA delegate is that there was a resolution set forth um and I know that we like to bank on those a lot. We've used those in
other instances. Um that points back to the the the fact that that our schools can make that decision. Um that was made in May of 2024, I believe. Um so I'm uncertain as to why. As I said, we've pointed back to those resolutions
several times before. We haven't looked at the recommendation and resolution um from that that meeting. Um so that's number one. Number two is uh when before I was paused by Mr. Hiatt, I provided a list um in the meeting uh with with the
mayor um of some alternate locations. Uh we only have to find seven of them. It's not an astronomical amount. Um but like I said, I was paused, so I don't know where that went. Um furthermore, I think that it's a disservice to our town and
our community. A lot of parents can't get out to vote because their children are home with them. Um and that makes for um a difficult uh freedom to choose uh you know freedom to participate in the election. Um, so I I really hope that this is reconsidered
so that like many other districts um that surround us, our children are in school uh and we we reopen those polling locations um you know outside of our schools or like we had talked about utilizing um security measures that I don't think I should talk about in open
session um to to protect our children while still running um elections. So I I think the the the only thing I I the only comment I want to make is that on this the NJSBA resolution
um it's not law. It's not state law. I I think at the end of the day we have to follow state law. And while the NJSBA NJSBA resolution is intended to influence or encourage changes to the state law, it doesn't it does not have a
legal basis for us to follow. We still have to follow state law as it is written. And that's what the county is forcing us to follow. So, um, with that, I I just think that, you know, I think it's I think it goes in the right direction,
but it doesn't necessarily mean we have a basis to follow it. Can I just ask you a follow-up to that? Um because I'm not understanding completely. So, are you suggesting that NJSBI is suggesting to break the law in the resolution? >> No, I don't I didn't suggest that they were suggesting to break the law. What I
said was the NJSBA passed a resolution and the resolution as I read encourages that the laws be changed that schools have better control over the decisions for polling locations. But it doesn't change the law in the context of it's
still that the state law says that the polling locations that the board the board of elections shall use the schools at their discretion not the school not the other way around. So when we um sought resolutions for like parent
organizations um and which dealt with law um what was your intention with those because I I don't I'm just trying to understand how it's different um seeking resolution to to um have a case to draw back on to support one situation
but not supporting resolution to have a case to draw back on for another um situation. >> I I'm I don't think I'm understanding what you're asking. Um, we've sought the opinion of NJSBI on other laws, um, and what their opinion was to guide our
board. And then, um, I just want to know if it's a case by case or, you know, how how that works because there's a resolution that's present and I'm sure for anybody who follows um, for a long time, I I've I've had fought this point for over a year now. Um, a resolution
was passed recommendation by the NJSBA. schools have the prerogative. Um we they have a case and that is to be referenced. Um I don't know if we can pull that up but but we could do that later. Um and then we've also s sought
the same guidance for other issues. So I don't know Mr. Gross if you can possibly like explain to me how that works. Um, if the NJSBA has a resolution out um that makes a suggestion for school
boards, do we blanket follow that? Do we pick and choose when we follow that? Where do we go with those resolutions from NJSBA? >> Depends on what the resolution says. The NJSBA is a lobbying organization. They
pass resolutions all the time to encourage the legislature and the governor to do certain things, but they have no power to change statute. They only have the lobbying efforts to encourage people to change the statutes.
>> Okay, understood. So, when we when we seek those out, we're just looking to see what they are trying to get changed in legislation. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, any other comments? Mr. Lance, >> and can I I just want to make a general public comments comment. If I may make a
suggestion, if we can go back to consider going back to the way we used to do it where people ask that comment and if there is an answer from the either the superintendent or yourself or they or they mention a board member, they have to respond. We we we answer at that time
and they're given that one minute, that one question to come back at. this and one followup because it seemed to be went much smoother when we did it that way. Instead of waiting, everybody waits to the end. Everybody's sitting there and they're shaking because they want their answer. If they come to the microphone, they ask a question. If we
have the answer for them, give it to them at that time. If they're our our bylaws say they have a they have a one they have one uh followup they're allowed to do. I believe we never changed that. Um,
I always found that to be flow much easier. People get much less anxiety because they get their question either either know they get an answer or they're not getting an answer and it's on the spot. It's not the answer's not going to change. If you're going to answer them, you can answer them now or later you're going to answer them. So that's my suggestion. It's up to the
rest of the board, but I I'd rather see public session go back to the way it was. >> Thank you. Um, I I I just want to think about it from my perspective. Any other comments? >> Okay. >> I I just I couldn't get that on fast
enough. I think that's uh I like that idea. I think that it was very seamless when it was was that way. So, thank you for bringing that up. And just also for the the mental health of the community who's like waited maybe sometimes hours
to give them closure even if the closure is I'll get in touch with you tomorrow. I don't have those numbers or that fact or you know whatever. It's just validating them. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments? Okay.
We're going to move on with the agenda. We're up to personnel matters. Miss Janowski, would you like to do that? >> The superintendent of schools submits the following resolution for approval. One, acting business administrator, board secretary. I so move.
>> Thank you. Is there a second for that? Mr. Lansonski. Any discussions on this item? Seeing none, Mr. Gross, would you uh >> Miss Balmo? >> Yes. >> Sorry.
>> Miss Carrera. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gandhi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hyatt. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lansonsky? >> Yes. >> Dr. Mskowitz? >> Yes. >> Miss Jenowski? >> Yes. President Cohen.
>> Yes. Motion passes. >> Congratulations, Chris. >> Miss Jolinsky, would you like to join us now at the Adas? [Applause] >> You're relieved. Thank goodness.
be before we move on to the next item on the agenda um for organizational matters u now that Miss Jolinsky has joined us and welcome we're excited to have you and we as we had discussed earlier um we appreciate your your your
long tenure >> thank you >> and the fact that you're bringing tremendous amount of continuity and stability to the district during this transition. So thank you so much. >> Thank you. I'm excited >> and thank you for putting your name into the hat.
>> Um, we are going to um we do have a vacancy and we did discuss this during um our executive session about the process that the board would like to follow for the vacancy and I believe I have board consensus to sort
of share this. So, what I will say is that um Miss Goldberg, who um was a valid candidate and a valid winner, has elected not to um be here today to be sworn in and she has indicated to us that she will not um be taking her seat.
So, we have to declare a vacancy and we do have a process where Mr. Jolinsky will have to send a a board an email to me as the president alerting us. While that process will take place, we're also as a board, we want to begin to move that process along
expeditiously. So, the board has agreed that we would like the um the business administration and this board secretary to immediately post the vacancy um if at all possible. We'd love to get it done this week. Um if we can, we'd
like to keep that vacancy open for at least two weeks. We've talked about a date of I think closing it around January 26th. >> Yes. Monday. >> Monday the 26th. >> Yes. >> And then we'd like to begin to um consider candidates,
ask questions, interview them in public at our first meeting in February, which will be a workshop meeting on February 3rd. >> Exactly. >> And at that point, you know, once we complete our um our questions, the board will have an opportunity to deliberate. Mhm.
>> Deliberations can be can take place in exec um but any voting or any interviewing will be done in public session. >> Yes, exactly. And >> we will post it
um definitely this week and I'll work with Michael and we'll post that poster. >> We'll post it. Um, we'll also make sure it's on district the district website, social media, um, the district social media page, um, in the buildings. So,
we'll we'll really get it out there. >> And we have to put it in the newspaper. >> Yes, the Aspbury Park Press. We will put it in. >> Okay. And do we have to notify the county superintendent? >> Um, I don't think so, but um, I don't think so. I will double check, but >> doesn't Yeah, I don't think so. >> Okay. I mean, I just I didn't know
whether or not there was aation >> problem. As long as we did it, I think within the 65 days, it's it's fine. >> And that and that is an important point. Um the board is taking action immediately. Um we do have 65 days to fill the vacancy. Um and if we did not fill the vacancy and 65 days and there
is a process where the county superintendent can potentially fill that vacancy potentially, >> they will the 65 days elapses. The board has no control. >> Well, we don't want to give up that control. So, um, we will be moving forward with that. Um, any other
>> I I forgot to just clarify 3rd, will they take the seat February 3rd? I've seen it done both ways where they get it February like on the date, but then it doesn't take effect until the next meeting, will it begin immediately? >> My experience in the two times that I've seen it done in this board, they sat
immediately. They got sworn in and the VA sworn. >> I personally had to wait. like I it was at the next month that I did it so that so yeah so I just wasn't I just >> I didn't experience yours >> well >> but but you're right I mean I I would prefer them Jake taking the seat immediately
>> okay I agree I just wanted to make sure that that was out there for so the candidate can expect to have a very long night >> one of many okay um moving on to organizational matters
Mr. Mr. Lansonsky, would you like to read that? >> Organizational matters. Superintendent school submits the following resolutions for approval. One, attendance officer. Two, affirmative action school and classroom practices. Three, affirmative action officer employment practices.
Four, district section 504 coordinator. Five, title 9 coordinator. Six, meeting schedule. Seven, committee of the hall and regular public meeting dates. Eight, form of agenda, workshop meeting. Nine form of agenda for regular meeting.
I so move. >> Thank you. Can I have a second? Miss Carrero. Any discussions on this item? Seeing no discussions,
Miss Jolinsky. >> Okay. Mrs. Balomo. >> Yes to all. No to five. Mrs. Carrero. >> Yes to all. >> Mrs. Gandhi. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Hyatt. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lillhansky. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jenowski. >> Yes. >> Dr. Msquitz. >> Yes. and Mr. Cohen.
>> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Moving on to financial and business operation matters. Um, Miss Carrera, would you read that item? >> Sorry. Financial and business operations matters. The superintendent of school
submits the following resolutions for approval. One, banking institution signator signitories. Two, approval of depositories. Three, petty cash accounts. Four, authorized signatures. I so move.
Thank you. Can I have a second for this item? Miss Jenowski. Any discussions on any of these on this item? Seeing no discussions, Mr. Linsky. >> Yes. Okay.
Mrs. Carrero. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gandhi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hyatt. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lillansski. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jenkowski.
>> Yes. >> Dr. Msquitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohen. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Bulmo? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Okay, moving on to policy and development and
community relations matters. Mr. Hayyatt, would you read that? >> Sure. Uh, the superintendent of schools submits the following resolution for approval. One, governance manual. I so move. >> Thank you. Can I have a second?
Miss Carrero. Any discussions on this item? Seeing no discussions, M. Delinski. >> Okay. Mrs. Gandhi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hyatt. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lillansky.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Jenowski. >> Yes. >> Dr. Msquitz. >> Yes. >> Gardens. >> Sorry. Mr. Cohen. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mrs. Balomo,
>> yes. >> And Mrs. Carrera, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, that completes our our board actions. We're up to um the next item on our agenda, which is the second round of public comments. Um do you have
a I don't have a list. So, is there anyone who would like to sort of offer comments for the second round? Miss Mendes, >> I might need you, Jenna. No, I got it. It's on. Hi, Val Mendes, Morganville, New Jersey. Just a couple of things on
policy 0167 because that's actually about uh public participation in board meetings. We did change it as a committee in February of 2023 um to make sure that the public felt seen and heard. So, I want to just echo the sentiment that Mr. Lolonsky said that
came about because the public did not feel like they had the opportunity when they gave their first three minutes of public comments. The public did not feel like they could ever come back and say anything. So, we did revise it to add another minute. What it does say is that
the board or administration, this is in number four, may respond to questions or comments after such individual community members are finished speaking after their three minutes. The community member will then be afforded that further one minute response like I know
we do, but we added that to Mr. Alonsy's point for them to get a response at that moment in time. Now again it does say may not required to respond which I have seen happen a lot that they don't get a response but the community really didn't feel heard. So it would be great if we
could to echo your point go back to that place of where people can speak some sort of acknowledgement of I appreciate your comment. We will email you or maybe you don't have the answer but that was why that was put in place and I would hate to see us move away from that so that the community doesn't feel heard.
Um, so I just wanted to say that it was revised in February of 2023 by the former policy committee for that reason. Um, so I just want to point that out and I look forward to you reviewing my application for the open seat and for giving it a fair chance since I did have
6,500 votes which are about 64,000 or 100 plus the other eight votes that the next person would receive. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Thank you, Miss Mendes, for your for for
sharing and for your interest. Anyone else would like to >> Can I address Miss Mendes as well or I'm not allowed? I'm sorry. Can I respond to her as well or No. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, about your open communication, um I know, Mr. Cohen, that we had gotten more emails since the last meeting that
have gone unanswered. And I was just wondering what the board's practices are going to be um under new well this year's leadership for um answering our constituents. I >> think we'll work with the comm the communications committee and we'll
definitely come back to you and come back to the board on that. Thank you. Any other comments? Okay. Any anyone else for public comments? Seeing none, motion to close public comments.
Miss Gandhi second, Mr. Lansonski. Thank you very much. Uh the there is no other uh items for executive session tonight. So we will not be going back into executive session. Um so that would allow us to bring the the meeting to
concl. I have a motion to adjurnn. Mr. Hayek, can I have a second? Miss Gandhi. All in favor? Anyone opposed? Seeing none, we are adjourned. Thank you very much everybody.