Welcome everybody to the annual organization meeting of the Sparta Board of Education. This meeting is called to order at 7 PM and the meeting notice. The uh New Jersey open public meeting law was enacted to ensure the right of the
public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Sparta Board of Education has caused notice of the time and place of this meeting to be published in the New
Jersey Herald, the Star Ledger, and Tap into Sparta.net. And notice of this meeting has been posted at the Sparta Township School District. 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. >> Okay. The results of the November 4th annual uh board of elections are as follows. Uh there were three candidates
for the three open seats of the board of education and we had um a total of 17,320 registered voters. There were 9,665 ballots cast which is about just under
56% of the voters. Uh Mr. Andrew Lowry had 6,187 votes. Miss Kimberly Noel had 5,957. And Mr. Dominic Lacaruba had 5,683. There were also 544
writein votes. At this time, we will administer the oath of office to our newly elected board members. And our board attorney, Miss Jackie Morgazy, will be completing that process for us. >> Good evening, Miss Noel. Could you
please join me, please? Okay. If you'd like to have anybody stand next to you, you're more than happy to. Welcome, Tim. It's >> okay. >> Okay. All right. So, I'm going to give this to you. This is the oath of office. I'm going to have you read it along, but I'm going to go item by item. >> Okay. >> I state your name. Oh, please raise your
right hand. I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> I state your name. >> Kimberly Null. do solemnly swear or affirm >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> 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 and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey
>> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States and in this state >> and to the governments established in the United States and this state >> under the authority of the people. So help me God.
>> under the authority of the people. So help me God. >> I state your name. >> I, Kimberly Null, >> 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 the office of member of a board of education >> and that I am not disqualified as a voter >> and that I am not disqualified as a voter >> pursuant to RS194-1 >> pursuant to RS19.4 4-1.
>> Nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense. >> Nor disqualified due to a conviction of a crime or offense. >> Listed in NJSA18A12-1. >> listed in NJSA18A12-1. and that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly perform >> And that I will faithfully impart
impartially and justly perform >> all the duties of that office >> all the duties of that office >> according to the best of my abilities. So help me God. >> according to the best of my abilities. So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. If >> you could just sign
them both. >> Then one is your copy. >> This is mine. >> Yes. And then this is for you as well. Congratulations. You can take your seat on the board, >> Mr. Lowry. Same thing. I'm going to have you read along, but I'm going to go line by line.
Please raise your right hand. I state your name. I, Andrew Lowry, >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> 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 governments 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. So help me God. >> under the authority of the people. So
help me God. >> I please state your name. I, Andrew Lowry, >> 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 a 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 >> and that I am not disqualified as a voter >> pursuant to RS19 col4-1 >> pursuant to RS19 col4-1 >> nor disqualified due to conviction of a
crime or offense, >> nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense, >> listed in NJSA18A12-1. >> listed in NJSA18A12-1. >> And that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly perform >> And that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly perform
>> all the duties of that office >> all the duties of that office >> according to the best of my ability. So help me God. >> according to the best of my ability. So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> Thanks. >> Thank you very much. If you sign both and then one is yours and then I have a certificate for you.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Congratulations. You can take your seat on the board. >> We're going up there now. >> Okay. >> This is yours actually. Mr. Lakar Ruba, >> have you follow along here? >> Thank you.
>> Please raise your right hand. >> I Please state your name. I, Dominic Lakaruba, >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> do solemnly solemnly swear or affirm >> 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 governments established in the United States >> and 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. >> So help me God. >> I please state your name. I, Dominic Lacaruba, >> 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 member of a board of education >> and that I am not disqualified as a voter >> and I am not disqualified as a voter >> pursuant to RS19 col4-1 >> pursuant to RS19 col4-1 >> nor disqualified due to conviction of a
crime or offense >> nor disqualified due to conviction of of a crime or offense >> listed in NJSA18A col12-1 >> listed in NJSA18A col12-1 >> and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform
>> and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform >> all the duties of that office >> all the duties of that office >> according to the best of my ability so help me God >> according to the best of my ability so help me God >> congratulations >> thank you >> sign those two sheets and this is you
Keep the second one. I'll keep the first one. And then this is yours as well. >> Okay, that's the first. >> There you are. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Appreciate it. >> Welcome Okay, welcome everybody.
Congratulations. Uh we'll review right now the uh current terms of all of our board members. Expiring 12:31 of this current year is Miss Gagnen, Dr. Hinkle, and Mr. Wood. Expiring 12:31 of 27, we have Dr.
Martinez, uh Miss Saraphino, and Miss Williams. And then of course our newly elected board members tonight will go through 1231 of 2028 which is Mr. Lacaruba, Mr. Lowry and Miss Null. Uh at this time roll call will be taken. Dr. Hinkle
>> here. >> Mr. Lakar Ruba >> present. >> Mr. Lowry >> here. >> Dr. Martinez >> here. >> Miss Null >> here. >> Miss Saraphino >> here. >> Miss Williams >> present. >> Mr. Wood >> here. and M Miss Gagnen
>> present. >> Quorum confirmed. >> At this time, I will open uh I'll ask for us a motion in a second to open the floor for nominations for the president of the board of education for the calendar year 2026. Just to remind you
that uh the first person that is uh nominated will vote in order. And if that first person receives uh a quorum vote, then that person is elected as the president. If not, then we'll move to the second person that's nominated. We'll go back and forth until we have a
president. So, at this time, I'd like to ask for a motion for uh to open the floor for nominations for the president of the board of education. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Okay. At this time, the floor is open. Any nominations for president?
>> I nominate Caitlyn Gagnen. >> Any additional nominations? Okay, I'll ask for a motion to close. >> Motion >> and a second. >> Second. >> Okay. At this time, we will vote for
Miss Caitlyn Gagnen to be president of the board of education. Dr. Hinkle, >> yes. >> Mr. Lacarooa, >> yes. >> Mr. Lowry, >> yes. >> Dr. Martinez, >> yes. >> Miss Null, >> yes. >> Miss Saraphino,
>> yes. >> Miss Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Wood, >> yes. >> And Miss Gagnen, >> yes. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Yeah, >> first and foremost, thank you all and thanks for having me back. Um, with
that, we will be moving on to agenda item five, which is the election of our board vice president. Uh, so same process. May I have a motion to open the floor for nominations for board of education vice president? Motion. >> Thank you, Rebecca. Second. Thank you,
Michelle. And I nominate Emily Saraphino. Any other nominations? Okay, seeing none, motion to close. >> Motion. >> Thank you, Rocky. Second.
>> Thank you, Andrew. Discussion. Okay, seeing none, may we have a roll call, please? >> Dr. Hankle, >> yes. >> Mr. Laruba, >> yes. >> Mr. Lowry. >> Yes. >> Dr. Martinez, >> yes. >> Miss Null, >> yes. >> Miss Saraphino, >> yes.
>> Miss Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Wood, >> yes. >> And Miss Gagnon, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Congratulations. >> Thank you. And congratulations. >> Um, agenda items six and seven, board committee assignments and delegate liaison assignments, will be determined at a later date. Uh, likely this week.
We'll be all set for our first official meeting at the end of the month. Uh just to give the public a heads up, largely staying the same. We do believe in striking the balance. Um and with losing a board of education member on each committee, we're likely going to fill those open seats uh just as they are,
but still under uh still in in discussion. So, and moving on to public comment number one. Public comments are invited on matters pertaining only to action items at this time. Please state the action item number as well as your name, municipality, and group
affiliation if appropriate for the record. Each participant will receive three minutes to speak. Once you have had your allotted three minutes to speak, you will not be permitted to speak again until public comment number two. All statements should be directed to me as the presiding officer. The board or administration may or may not
respond to any questions or comments after the conclusion of the public participation. I'm Dana Galino. I live at 26 Valley Trail. I just want to take a minute and look at everyone up here. Um,
the last time I was this emotional at the board meeting was like maybe three or four years ago when they were pulling some very crucial policy. And um I can only speak for myself, but there were a group of us that just
couldn't let that uh stay. So I am honored to have worked on the campaign for all of you to get you all up here. It has been a labor of love. I speak for
Heather who um worked with me to lead this effort and it it took a lot less time than I thought because I know that we have a lot of support. Um and I just know that the children and the staff of
Sparta are on in such good hands. I am looking forward to this year. I want to thank you all for trusting me in what I did for you and for meeting me at Greensbeans when I said I had an idea and for walking out and agreeing to run.
Thank you all. I cannot wait to see what this board does this year. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Galina. Anyone else for public comment? Okay, seeing no one. Motion to close, please. >> Motion.
>> Thank you, Emily. Back in >> second. >> Thank you, Dominic. Uh discussion seeing none. All in favor? I. Any oppose? Abstensions. Okay. Uh we will move on to items 9.1 through 9.5.
And may I have a motion to move those items, please? >> Motion. >> Oh, who's I'm sorry. Oh, thank you, Kim. >> Okay. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Rocky. And for discussion, we'll actually have our board attorney present on ethics.
>> Thank you, Madam President. Good evening, everyone. Good evening, members of the public. I appreciate the opportunity to present to you all this evening on the code of ethics and some boardsmanship issues. Um, all of the board members in front of them have a packet that I've put together for you that contains all relevant information
related to what it's like to be a board member. The dos, don'ts, government uh, governance questions, legal questions, all of the FAQs that board members in my career have sort of asked me and that I think is relevant information that a board member, whether you're a new
sitting board member or a returning board member or have been at this for a long time, it's always good to have a nice little refresher. My intention is not to read you this document. I don't subscribe to death by PowerPoint. So that is not my intention of my presentation this evening. Um but I do
want to sort of how I have encapsulated the practice of being a board member is sort of in this little buzzword presentation that I want to give you all this evening. Um I break it down. I call it the five C's. Um there are five C's that you should be mindful of as being a
board member and as you approach this process. Um the first C is commitment. You have all taken this opportunity to come here to come sit. You are committing your time. It is a labor of love. You are not compensated for the
time that you spend. It will not only be the time that you spend at this board table, but there will be other opportunities for you to participate in committees, other meetings and things that you will be committing your time to. that is for the betterment of this school district, for the betterment of the students that attend this school
district and for your role as public servants. Um, so that is C number one. C number two is conflicts. You as board members are bound by the code of ethics and by the conflicts of interest that are established by the school ethics
act. Um, under those provisions, there are standards by which you are obligated to uphold. Um there are relationships that you may have in your personal lives either um relationships that you're aware of right now and things that might create a conflict under the law or
things that may come up as items um are voted upon or discussed at during your board business. What I will remind you of is that the law determines conflict based on appearance. So while you may yourself not believe that something is a
conflict, if it is enough that you're questioning it, my recommendation is to contact the administration, contact your board president, get in contact with me through them so that we can evaluate your conflict and if it's something that you need to recuse yourself, abstain from a vote or if there's um a case law
or an advisory opinion on point. That's my best recommendation to you all is be aware of the fact that you as now board members have an elevated uh position within the the public. You are now in the public eye and you are to be mindful of how your actions may impact the board
of education. That leads me to C number three. C number three is claims. The board of education as an entity as any other entity could potentially be exposed to claims whether that's insurance claims whether that's claims of of a uh latigious matter but claims
is the reality of what we deal with as a board of education. Um your role as a board member is to do your best to not create new claims for the board of education. That is should be at the forefront of your mind when you're making action. The board of education
does not operate by individual bases. They operate as a whole. Which leads me to C number four, which is chain of command. As members of the board of education, being frontward-f facing, being publicly elected as you are, there will often be times where members of
your comm community will approach you with issues. It is mindful. It is important for you to be mindful of the fact that like I said board members do not speak individually but rather your job is to ensure that the chain of command is followed. In a circumstance where an individual approaches you and
asks for uh an inquiry or raises a concern you can direct them to the administration to the appropriate administrator to Dr. back so that those questions can be handled by the appropriate individuals because if I can leave you with anything and when we will read the code of ethics, what I can remind you is your job is to not to
administer the schools but to see that they are wellrun and if I can leave you with anything and you remember anything from my presentation that is the most important piece. Um and then the the fifth C um arguably probably the most
important is confidentiality. There are certain things that you will become privy to as members of the board of education that are required by law to remain confidential and in good judgment should remain confidential. Um, anything that's spoken at at a public meeting is
public information, but anything that is spoken to you about in a uh executive session or a close session as we might call it is confidential and should remain as such. Confidential between your family members, other members who might have a relevant interest. strictly
confidential and that gives rise to to potential claims. So you can see how all five C's are tied together. Um I will say that there is a nice little sheet of the code of ethics here. Uh my typical practice is that we each go through uh
all board members take one letter and we go around the table just so that the code of ethics is read into the record. Um, if I can start on this side and have you start with A and we'll come back around and I think one or two of you may have to repeat, but >> I will over here.
>> Oh, you get this way. Okay. >> 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.
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.
I will confine 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. I will carry out my responsibility not to administer the schools but together with
my fellow board members to see that they are well-run. >> 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. I will refuse to surrender my
independent judgment to special interests or partisan political groups or to use the school the schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends. >> I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which if
disclosed would needlessly injure individuals or the schools. In all other matters, I will provide accurate information and in concert with my fellow board members, interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its school. I will vote to appoint the best
qualified personnel available after consideration of recommendation of the chief administrative officer. >> I will support and protect school personnel and proper performance of their duties. I will refer all complaints to the chief
administrative officer and will act on complaints at public meetings only after failure of an administrative solution. >> Thank you all for reading through that. If you have any questions for me, I'm available to answer them. But at this time, that concludes my presentation.
>> Thank you so much. Any discussion, questions for Jackie? Anything else before we move on to a roll call? Okay, with that, may we have a roll call, please? Dr. Hankle, >> yes. >> Mr. Lacarba, >> yes.
>> Mr. Lowry, >> yes. >> Dr. Martinez, >> yes. >> Miss Null, >> yes. >> Miss Saraphino, >> yes. >> Miss Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Wood, >> yes. >> And Miss Gagnon, >> yes. >> Motions carry. >> Thank you. And moving on to public comment number two. The board uses the
second public comment period to invite comments on all matters pertaining to the school district. Please state your name, municipality, and group affiliation. If appropriate for the record, each participant will receive three minutes to speak. Once you have had your allotted three minutes to speak, you will not be permitted to speak again. All statements should be
directed to me as the presiding officer. The board administration may or may not respond to any questions or comments after the conclusion of the public participation. Anyone for public comment? Okay, seeing nobody, motion or motion to close. Yes.
>> Motion. >> Thank you, Chad. Second. >> Thank you, Emily. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, moving on to the good of the order. Does anyone have anything they'd
like to say? >> Just want to say thank you to all the new members. Um it's it's going to be interesting to see so after being a year to see what a next person's uh view of this process is. So, thank you all for running and thank you
for being here. >> Um, and just to add to that, uh, first and foremost, I always say it's a challenge to run. So, thank you all for stepping up, uh, into these new roles. Get ready for a lot of phone calls, a lot of emails, a lot of work, but it's good work. It's fulfilling work, and I'm very excited for the progress that we're
going to continue to make and the momentum we'll be building upon. Um, I think you're all highly intelligent, capable, um, and very qualified. So, we're very much looking forward to the progress. Um and of course thank you to all uh volunteers who have supported us over the years too. Um one thing I did
want to highlight that I forgot to mention during 9.4. Um we did have one change and this is more just for board insight. Uh one change for the April meeting. Uh and just know that that was the result of the DOE budget schedule. Um so just something that's changed
since our last discussion on that but we have approved it. And with that, um, looking forward to a phenomenal year. May I please have, unless there's anyone else for anything. May I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Thank you, Michelle. Second.
>> Thank you, Andrew. All in favor? >> I. Any oppose? Any abstensions? Welcome. Have a great night, guys.