001Good evening. The Monroe Township Board of Education special meeting is now called to order. This is a unique board of education meeting where it begins without a board president as chair. As the vice president, it is my role to chair the meeting until such time as a board president is elected. Please stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance. I 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. >> And Miss Allen, can we have a roll call? >> Yes. Miss Alvarez, >> here. >> Miss Bora, >> here. >> Mr. Depay >> here. >> Dr. Pep here. >> Mr. Piro, >> here. >> Miss Ratner >> here. Miss Chararma >> here. >> Mr. Tufano
002>> here. >> Mr. Zikner >> here. >> We have a quorum. In accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey open public meetings law, the Monroe Township Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published an electronic notice provided by having the date, time, and place thereof posted August 4th, 2025 at all schools on the district website, Home News Tribune, Cranberry Press, and filed with the clerk of the municipality. Okay, so the first item on the agenda is the election of the board president. I just wanted to read a couple of sentences directly from our policy in case there's any questions before we begin the process. So it says any member may place a member's name in nom in nomination. Though not required, a second is encouraged and permissible. The candidate receiving
003a majority vote of the members of the board present and constituting a quorum will be elected to office. So I would like to open now the floor for any nominations. Miss Chararma. >> Hi. I would like to nominate Miss Gail Deep Payne for the president. >> Okay. Miss Chararma would like to >> I'll second it. >> And Mr. Piro will second for Gail Deep Pain. Mr. Tufano. >> I'd like to nominate Kazala Bora for president. >> Okay. Mr. Tufano nominated Miss Bora. >> I'll second. and Miss Pek is second. >> Madam President, point of order. Um, thank you Mr. Tavano and Miss and Dr. Pek >> for the nomination. While I have no doubt that I would be able to do the role with full justice to it, I would like to refuse the nomination.
004Um I think we're at a point in our board of ed where we need to heal and work together and um just all of us getting behind one person to lead would be a first step towards it. We have a lot of critical work to do in the next few months. Full day kindergarten needs to be our prime focus. Getting Dr. Chanley back needs to be a a prime focus. And I feel like if if the board continues to have the chemistry it has had in the last year, we're not going to get anywhere. So, thank you both. And thank you to anybody who reached out and suggested I should do this. I honestly think I would like the work to the board to work better together. And in that spirit, I refuse the nomination.
005Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. So, are there any other nominations before we open the vote? >> All right, seeing none. >> Okay. So, a yes vote of course would be for >> Yes. So, now we are voting to elect Mr. Depay as the board president. >> Okay. Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Miss Depay, >> yes. >> Dr. Peek, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Miss Miss Ratner, >> yes. Miss Sharma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tano, >> no. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Okay. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> You get the gabble. >> Let's go. >> Is it warmer over there? >> Come on in. The fire is warm. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Can I say something? >> Okay. And I want to say
006something too. >> Sure. You go ahead first. >> I just wanted to thank Aala for her words and know that that is my number one priority and has been for the last year under Mrs. Fabiano to have everyone on this board have a say and be able to speak from the heart because that's where I speak from and that's where I come from. And I wanted to let everyone know that we're we have to work together. We on a ship. If you don't work together, when that ship is going down, it's going down. So, we all have to compromise. Work together and we'll all become one. And that's my purpose to be here. Thank you for nominating me. I've been thinking about this for over a year with Mrs. Fabiano in this position, she let
007me say what I wanted to say, what questions I wanted to ask, and I will let everybody here on the board know that everybody will have equal say and equal time and um be able to express their own opinions here on this board of education. And um and I want to thank Mrs. Fabiano for a great job. She left me in a tough spot to follow. She did a good job for all of us this year. I want to thank Dr. layman for jumping in and taking care of this district the way that he did. And I want to thank Mr. Weiss for his one year being our board attorney. And it's been wonderful learning from you. Things that we maybe did not know in the past were right or wrong, but under you, we've
008learned a lot. >> Thank you. >> And from board members here. We're all going to learn a lot from each other this year and well, until the next board is picked. So I hope everybody is on board with that and I think with Gazala saying it and every and I think we all are together. So I want to thank you all and Gazala your turn. >> Thank you. I want to start by congratulating congratulating you Mrs. Dain and I echo every sentiment that you put out right now but I don't want to make your life difficult but I did raise my hand because I wanted to make a motion and and I feel like that probably will become something that I keep doing in the future meetings till we have a resolution. So, I ask
009for the floor to make a motion that the Monro Township Board of Education reinstate the superintendent, Dr. Chanley, to her position. Uh, the current practice of paying her her full-time salary while placing her on leave without public really knowing enough about the reasons or an active investigation ongoing um or even a defined timeline for a resolution, it is fiscally irresponsible to the taxpayers of the township. So, um, especially with all of you having received the recent tax increase, it it was a blow to me personally, um, it makes us even more conscious of the fact. So, I feel like given the legal fees that are also escalating with every day that she's sitting at home while being having a valid contract, I think it's in the bestest interest of this district that we keep trying
010um to reinstate her. And so I'm making a motion that this board reinstate Dr. Chanley. >> Second. >> Motion, >> questions, discussion. >> Um, we have a motion seconded by Mr. Tofano. Motion by Miss Bora. Uh, is there any um discussion regarding the motion? >> I would like to make a comment. Uh, we can't discuss personnel matters in public, but the board is ongoing with their discussions on this matter. and have been working to continue these discussions in close sessions. >> Thank you, Miss Alvarez. >> Anything else? >> Miss Allen, can you take the vote? >> Yes. >> Miss Alvarez? >> No. >> Miss Bora? >> Yes. >> Mr. Deayne? >> No. >> Dr. Peek? >> Yes. >> Mr. Piro? >> No. >> Miss Ratner? Um, abstain due to conflict. Miss Chararma, >> no. >>
011Mr. Tufano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> no. >> Motion does not pass. >> Thank you, Miss Allen. >> You're welcome. >> Next item on the agenda is public forum. Anybody who would like to speak, please come up to the podium. Um, since I'm president now, the next meeting we're going to have a a pad and I'm going to want ask you to please put your name, your phone number, and your email in case we can't get to your question that evening that at least we have the information of the person who made the question or asked the question, excuse me, at the podium so that we make sure that we can uh take care of everyone's questions and concerns in the community. So you have four minutes. Podium is open if anybody would like
012to go up and speak. Eric Marazy in Monro Township. So my question is um with that motion that just uh did not pass uh yet again, what is the plan? Is there a plan? Was there a plan? How are we going to move forward? Are we going to have are you trying to invoke tenure charges against the superintendent? Is that the ultimate goal or is is uh is she going to be the highest paid principal in the entire United States of America that we're going to be be paying for because she's not going anywhere unless you invoke tenure charges which is extremely difficult. So just what is what is the plan of this board moving forward? Um, I just want to say something quick and um, Mr. Weiss would like to say something also. That's
013a personnel issue that we discussed in personnel which is I think in a week and a half. So that's confidential. So, but Mr. Weiss. >> Yeah. Um, Mr. Marazine, I appreciate your questions and your looking out. Um, but as Mr. Payne said, uh, it's a personnel matter and um, Dr. Chainley has rights uh as as an employee here to have uh notice um of a discussion about her employment. Um she has not been given such a notice for tonight's meeting and therefore the board cannot discuss the terms, conditions or anything related to her employment um either in public or in close session and that's um in view of the Rice case. >> Okay. And then uh just in general then are we going to have a super well we have a su acting superintendent who's
014doing a great job. Thank you very much. I know you're in a difficult spot. Very difficult. But are we so are we going to have an assistant superintendent in the future or how's that going to work? >> U again as it relates to Dr. Chanley. Dr. Chanley is a superintendent. Dr. Layman is the acting superintendent. There are no plans for any of that to change um at this time. Uh and unfortunately we can't for the reasons I previously gave you, we can't discuss any personnel moves or anything like that at this time, but we'll be certainly um sharing as much information as we can with the public along the way. But given that this is a personnel matter, there is confidentiality that's involved. So we are rather limited uh as to what we can share.
015>> So you're not changing any positions or moving positions? >> There's no plans. This board's not taking any actions to change, move, or add any positions at this time. Okay. Because as a just as a taxpayer, you know, I'm concerned that my money is going to Dr. Chanley who is sitting at home doing nothing except for probably talking to her lawyer. So, that's that's really concerning for me. It's a waste of money in my opinion. And uh hopefully we can get this resolved. Uh you know, there's new leadership and and hopefully we don't just go back to the old ways. um with some other people that were on this board. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> Anyone else wishing to speak this evening? Seeing none, I'd like to close the public portion of the
016meeting and go to item seven, which is a discussion of the board vacancy. Um >> yes, Miss Ren, >> I apologize. I had wanted to um I guess piggyback on what you and Miss Bora had spoken before, but we went into public forum and I didn't want to interrupt the flow. >> See your hand. >> It was like it was fast. You probably >> Okay. >> Um but I just wanted to say that I do appreciate both of your sentiments about the board working together. You know, I think I said this last week. Um but was it was last week. It feels like it was so long ago. But when the two of us along with Miss Fabiano ran, we ran on a slate that was united for education because there was already a lot
017of division in our town and that has not changed. Um, and I I think that there's no one person, no one group that's at fault there. You know, there's been a lot um of conflict. And all I can ask, I can't force anyone to do this, um, is obviously for all of us to try to work together by all means. You know, there's been a lot of times, Miss Bor and I were on different sides of arguments that we got into very heated discussions about the issue. Um, but in a respectful way. I know that we've had that as well. um keeping it to discussions on that and being respectful with each other and then just to extend that to the community. You're allowed to have your opinion. I would love to hear the opinions
018of people as long as they're respectful and there's no personal attacks that are happening. So, um I did just want to to share that and hope that sooner than later we can all find a way to work together and and focus on the things that we we all want to focus on. I I think and hope. Well, we great comment and we all want to focus on the education of the students of Monroe Township and we shouldn't have any politicalness, anybody attacking anybody up here on the board. We volunteer our time and I've been volunteering for 21 years and I mean to me if I didn't love being here for the children then I could be home. My husband's not home or anything but I could be home sitting by myself watching a movie that
019he doesn't like. But we're here because we want to take care of all the children. I think everybody here can say that. I mean, there's no nos. It's it's the kids first and um or the children first. I mean, maybe I can call my grandchildren kids or my children kids even though they're 49 and 45. But um we're here for them. And the more that we talk to each other, you know, you can talk in here and yell at each other out here, but after you walk out of here, you can walk out that door and be friends as friends need to be for the sake of the district. Okay? We all don't have to go over somebody's house and have dinner or whatever. Just be civil to each other and remember what the purpose
020is of being a board member in Monroe Township. So, thank you. Thank you, Gazala. Thank you, Kate. Um, now we'll go on to number seven, board vacancy. Did you? Yes, Miss Alvarez. Um, so I sent that policy to everyone and everyone read it. Correct. Okay. So, I did get clarification. We have 65 days to fill the vacancy. Today, I would like for us to have a discussion on how that will look for for us as a board. Um, our policy states we have to interview every candidate in public. It also says that um, let me read, let me find the spot. All right. So, we're going to give public notice of the vacancy and invite any qualified person to submit a written request for consideration of his or her candidacy for the vacancy. It says
021the board may also require candidates to submit a resume with their written request. I do want to make a statement on this. I have gotten feedback from some members of the public that may or may not be interested that do not feel comfortable sharing where they work publicly due to some of the behaviors of some members of the public in terms of, you know, I can just speak for myself on my behalf. I've had my resume opra. I've had attempts to open my email logs from work and there are members of our public community here that do not feel comfortable have providing a resume. So, because the language says may, >> I think we should consider that when we're deliberating. >> Can I wait? Are you finished with what you state? Yes, as long as
022she's finished. I think Kazala had her hand up first. >> Sorry. So, I just want to um u kind of give my opinion on what you just said. I agree, you know, there's just too much >> personal attacks in the community and so I get the point of not disclosing where you work or who you work for, >> but I would still feel so when when we run for office. >> Uh we do share a lot of our p professional detail as as a way of waiting into us as a candidate, right? So maybe we I would as a board member like to see résumés, but maybe we give them the ability to redact any information about their employers and give us a generalized resume. Uh you know, showing what their professional history has been,
023professional or any other kind like work experience. It doesn't have to be working for somebody. It could be volunteer work, >> but a resume of what just applying is not going to give me an insight into the candidate. >> Mr. Ratner I I definitely understand what you're both saying, but I do want anyone who is applying to realize unless there's a change in in the law for people who are filling vacant positions that they would be required to fill out a form that would list they still have to do it. Okay, that's what I figured their employment any of their relatives places of employment >> um and you know I >> sources of income, >> right? So if that is a concern for any of of these people that that could potentially have now if
024they're not elect if they're not selected not elected selected um then that you know that point is moot. Um but I did just want to put that out there. >> Um can I just >> and then Mr. Z >> and then Mr. Weiss wants to see something. So to those financial disclosure statements are harder to access by the public than a resume that we would have here in a board meeting. Like you'd have to do an Oprah request to get a financial disclosure statement >> on the commission website. >> Oh, usually >> you don't. Okay. >> Well, my suggestion and I agree with Gazala. I was hoping that we could say a written request for consideration with any relevant work experience you wish to list on the document instead of a resume with redacted information.
025Either way, you're still providing >> you where your skill set is. >> Yes. >> Just as an example for people, you know, who are considering this. If you're a teacher, you can disclose how long you've been teaching, what what kind of grades you've been teaching. You don't have to disclose the school. If you work in the field of say marketing, you don't have to disclose the agency you work for. There are ways to do this and there are different you know places I know where something like this is presented. So it just to give us the rest of the board that's going to deliberate on your uh you know on on your suitability to this position. It helps us understand what you bring to the table. So >> Okay. And Mr. Zikner had his hand
026up and right M. And then I think Mr. Weiss, you're okay. Kate. >> Uh, yes. I I agree with uh Mrs. Bora. I think you're 100% correct. As a matter of fact, let me take it a step further. I think resumeéumés give a a a person opportunities to um tell us who they are. And you get an idea by the way they express themselves. So you get an insight into them because the way they write it, the way they present the resume, and I agree that you can always leave things off the resume. I mean, it's it's not a big deal. Uh, but it gives them time to sit down, think out the process. They think out what they want to put down, and as a reader, I can really get a pretty good insight
027into that person because you're going to have to eliminate some candidates. How how else are you going to do it? uh you you know you may get a lot of people who who >> that's what we're discussing now. Yeah. You can't you can't eliminate candidates. >> Okay. Then if you if you can't that's fine but the same by the same token you still want to get an idea of course >> of of who they are. >> Um and I I think it benefits um it gives us more opportunities. That's all I'm saying >> real quick and then Mr. Piro. >> So um I think that's fine. I I honestly was just wanting to explain if that is a true matter of concern for whoever these people are like where they don't want to disclose no
028matter what that would become public if they're selected no matter what. So that that was my point. I don't think we need every detail on a resume. Um I also um did just want to get clarification on this. I personally believe that we should interview all of the people who apply. Um, but I want to get legal clarification if we are required to do that. That is my preference, but I just want to see if we are legally required. >> So, the the answer to the legal question is no, but the answer the real answer is that your board policy requires that every candidate be interviewed. So you um the only way around that would be the board voting to suspend that policy which quite frankly I don't recommend. I recommend that you interview everybody
029um because it's fair and then the process is clean. >> Yes, I agree. Mr. interfer >> I would just like to know like once we put a timet on the resumes we get I think one thing we should do is I agree with everybody about the information and a resume and my personal opinion is if you want to say you're a teacher and don't want to see the district for 15 years or maybe you're you know you may be a stay-at-home mom who worked in the industry teaching or business you know just to put in there you know what you did and how you did it and then if they are selected, of course, they'll have to fill out the form properly. But I think uh one thing we need to do is that if
030once we put it out there and put a deadline on it, depending on how many resumes or applications or people put in for it, I would like to see us just have a special meeting just to interview people instead of mixing it with our board business because say 10 people apply >> and and then you know, we're going to do it at a board meeting. we're never going to get to our board business, right? >> So, I mean, if only two people apply and we wanted to do it first, I'm fine with that. But I think that >> maybe once if if say more than five people apply, I think we should have a special meeting to do the interviews and select the person because then we could take our time, do the interviews, more
031time to discuss any discussions we have, and then choose who we'd like. >> And I think it's also important that we all get on board with regards to the questions. >> Yes. for the candidates that they're asked the same question. So, you're getting the same information, different opinions, different views from all the candidates. So, I would prefer we do it that way and have each board member ask one of the questions. Time limit the interview. Put like 15 20 minutes uh what's average 15 20 minutes for an interview. And then um maybe if we could get the paperwork from the candidates beforehand. Yeah. >> To go over >> That's how Yeah, >> that's okay. So, we could we could review it and have more information about the candidate when they come here. I think Miss
032Ratner and then Miss Bora. >> So, um I had since an email earlier this afternoon, um when we had gone through this process, I guess it was about two years ago, give or take. Um I had reached out on the schoolboard connections just to see how other boards were handling this, what kind of questions they asked. Um, I had sent all of information to you. It was today, so you may not have seen it yet. Um, but there are some good questions that are there. Um, it also included, um, questions that came from New Jersey School Boards Association as well as a form that can be filled out like sort of um, rating each candidate. Um, and then I also two of our surrounding school districts um, East Brunswick and South Brunswick have just gone
033through this process within the last few months. Um, and so I also looked to see how they were handling it, which is essentially they interviewed the candidates um, in public. One thing that I really liked, I forget which one it was, but the other candidates were held in a separate area, so that way they're not hearing their answers. >> Um, you know, and then they're each they're not given the questions in advance. um and each candidate um whether or not we allow them to maybe make like a 90-cond statement um and then ask them you know three or four questions I don't think it needs to be too much um which is funny for me to say but um but I think then you know what they did after that was they went into to
034executive session purely for discussion. There was no voting, no straw polls, none of that. Um, and then they came out and if there was a candidate that they liked, there was a nomination and a second if there was one. Um, and then they did the the roll call on those. I >> think we all have Miss Moore. I'm sorry. >> You have a statement. >> One, I was just going to comment on what Mr. Peter said. I wish we have more than five candidates. Um, I wish we do. It'll be great to see that sort of interest, but if it's up to five, it would just be a lot. And I me and Miss Alvarez were just talking about it before the meeting that a special meeting given that we're doing one right now in
035the months of September October it just gets very t challenging. There's a lot going on not just for us but also for the administration. So if it is under we probably decide as a board tonight that if it's five or less we will try to do it in the same you know public meeting so that we're not looking for a special meeting. to your point about the questionnaire um you know Mrs. this debate. You could probably use the board email and without creating a quorum, maybe send us what you suggest as maybe five or six questions and we could all comment as board me. if we could do a little bit of business on that outside of the board meeting deciding what the it's going to become public eventually what the questions are but just
036if we could deliberate on that and kind of come to a consensus and these are the these are going to be the questions and then you could set a format one minute to every question if it's only five candidates and it's a public meeting I don't see how we can keep the other candidates from hearing the answers of the ones coming before them >> they they should be they should be sequestered some so they If that's possible and legally possible, then that's that's a great idea. >> I went through it before in another district I was in. That's how they did it. >> We only did it once in Monroe. The last time we picked a candidate, we didn't do that meeting, but uh the interview, but the once before, I think there was only
037one candidate from what I know and that candidate was interviewed in a public meeting, but that of course didn't have others that needed to be hidden. So, if it's legally possible, I support that idea. >> Mr. Just to piggyback on what uh Gazala just said legally speaking because we have had a lawsuit in the past at the last what are we allowed to do in closed versus out here because my thinking was do it all out here. >> So closed session when it comes to board vacancies >> the only thing that should be discussed in closed session is is actually personal stuff. thoughts about the the candidate, um, you know, impressions of the candidate, things that you wouldn't necessarily want to say out here because it may embarrass the the candidates, and we don't want
038to do that, you know, at all and their families and their children and all of that. So, the only thing that should be discussed is that personal stuff in executive. There should not be a vote at all in executive. any vote to fill this vacancy has to be done in the sunshine in the public. >> So yeah, if I if this goes the way that you know all of the vacancies that I've ever dealt with in my career goes, it's going to look something like this. Candidates going to have a seat. Um board members are going to have questions. We're going to go round robin. Uh each board member will ask their question. um the person will have the opportunity to respond to them and then make a you know an opening statement and a
039closing statement and then they can stay in once all the questions have been asked. They can stay in because they know all the answers and just watch the other candidates come through. Once we run through all of that, then the board retires to close executive session to discuss the personal stuff. Then we come out and we take a vote. There's not a discussion in there of who do you think, who do you want. That's not really what that's for. Um, it's supposed to be organic. Um, but other than that, there are no rules for it. It's the process is whatever this board says the process is. Um, and and that's that. >> Okay. Gazala had her hand up. She's beating you with her hand tonight. >> I'll get there. >> It's always you against me.
040Um, what Mr. advice that just kind of uh gave me an idea because we could prepare standard questions, >> right? >> But at the same time, you know, based on who the candidate is and what we individually as board members may have a concern about as long as we all decide to be professional about it, I think it's a great idea if we can ask and that would also put an element of surprise on the questions. As long as we agree to three general questions and maybe a roundroin of allowing each board member to ask a question that can be answered in 30 seconds or less, right? That would give us all a better chance to to to gauge the candidate and and I want to reinforce what Mr. Rice just said that these people
041are going to volunteer to step up just for five five months. I wouldn't want to discuss good or bad about them in public. And so I think it the close session is the right place to have the candidate discussions that we want to have as a board about anybody without you know without embarrassing or even making person you personifying somebody to be like really great while the other candidate is not feeling that way. So it's a great idea to have those discussions inside and then come out and just vote right >> without giving our opinion. There's one thing I just want to clarify, Miss Bora. Um, when I said round robin, >> yeah, >> no, I just want to It can be done anyway, but the way that I've seen it is, >> um, there
042will be, let's say, seven questions. I I'm making up a number, but each person will have the same question, right? >> And they will ask it the same question for each of the five people. That's how I've seen it done. But again, the process is whatever the board says the process is, so long as it's fair >> and that's how it should be done. That's how it was done in the board that I was on. There were specific questions because you you want the same answers from each person. So you could it's relevant to for us to hear what they have to say regarding I know Miss Ratner uh the first one is why do you want to be a board member? Uhhuh. You know that that's a big question. She sent this today. I
043didn't have a chance to pull it off the computer but Miss Alvarez just gave it to me. So I mean I I agree with um Mr. Weiss that it has to be >> four or five general questions for each person >> and given so much time per question and so much time for their interview. So because I don't want one person to get like an hour and somebody else get 20 minutes and I'm I want everyone to get the exact amount of time deserving and then we'll go on to the next person. So, I I don't know what everybody wants to do. Um Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Ratner again. Okay. >> Yeah, because she beat me before. >> Excuse me. >> Because she had beat me before. >> Oh, well, I know. >> Um, so
044I was going to sort of say what Mr. Weiss said. I understand what you're suggesting, but I I feel like that leaves a little too much potential. And I also think it's important even when we're running like we get questions from newspapers and it's always everyone's being asked the same question. So, I feel like we should try to stick with that as much as we can. Um, I also I guess just looking at the cal the calendar because I agree with the idea of five or less we would do it at our next meeting. Um, our next meeting is not till the very end of August and from my recollection they don't start at that meeting. They would because they have to do all of their back. So, um, my firm takes the position that
045when there's a vacancy, the person gets appointed right away and must get the background check and everything else done within 30 days of appointment. >> Okay. So, they if we do that at the beginning of the meeting, they're able to vote on everything. >> Um, so let me let me clear >> that they're not conflicted on but >> so they can theoretically once they're seated as a board member, they have as much rights as any of you do. So, we can't say to them, you must abstain because you weren't here to hear the executive session from two times ago where we're not, but we can't do that. But generally, it's my advice to board members who get sworn in like that night for a vacancy. I say to them, you can abstain if you'd like.
046If you feel that you don't have enough information, but there is no like you must first, you know, u be acclimated before you can vote. Um, technically once they're seated, they're able to vote. Uh the question is do they want to abstain because they may need additional information. >> Okay. Because my point was going to be knowing that that's already pretty far out right at the beginning of August. If there were more than five, I would only have have asked like can we have the special meeting before the August meeting, which we can still do anyway. But my point was going to be because then we're not, you know, doing that till afterwards and it could take a pretty long time to get them approved. But I would, you know, depending on how we want
047this to go, I would want to have a a tenth person, um, knowing that their term is already short, um, be here for the maximum amount of time that would be allowed. Agreeing that if it's five or less, then we'll just do it at the next meeting, it saves us money on a special meeting. But I do agree, I think it was Mr. Piro who had said if it's enough people, then we need to give them the time and be respectful. I think it all depends now on how many applications or inquiries we get and if it is five or less we can do it at the August meeting if that's agreed upon by everybody um before that you know after we come out of close session and um then we can maybe go into
048um start the meeting correct and then go back after the meeting into close session ask the candidates to wait and come out and appoint them correct am I right >> we can swear Yes. Point of inquiry. So you said to do close session and then go like you have the second close session usually at the end of the meeting. So you're suggesting we do it then because then they wouldn't be able to participate in that meeting. >> No. >> Okay. >> They don't have to participate in that meeting. Am I right, Mr. Weiss? It's up to us. >> I was just trying. >> Yes. I mean I would like to see the person sitting in the seat by se our September board meeting because it's four months and I'd like to see them participate and
049and help us out with decisions. So, and that's how we've operated. So, I want to see that. >> Right. I was I was suggesting actually like because they Mr. Weiss had said they can be involved in that meeting, right? >> But you're you're suggesting we don't do it till like >> Well, it all depends on how many candidates we get like if we can >> if we have less than five and we do it in the August meeting. Yes. >> Is there a reason that we wouldn't do it at the beginning of the meeting so that person could participate? I guess that was my question. >> We can do it. I think I mean we Mr. ways. Can we do it before the actual meeting itself? >> No. So I I think what Mr. Ratner
050is asking is once the August 20 if if we have five or less, >> right, >> apply at the August 27th meeting, I think she's asking like after flag salute, can we do interviews and then swear in and then that person participates in the actual August 27th meeting? The answer from a legal perspective is yes, it can be done. >> That's what I wanted to ask you. Could we do it before our actual meeting starts? And you just answered me. The meeting has to start. >> Has to start. But I'm just saying yes, we can do it. Yes. Okay. You said it the better way than I did. So, >> is everyone in agreement with that on the board here? Is there any discussions about any questions or concerns? >> No. No. I just wanted
051to move on to the next thing like the timeline, >> right? That's what I wanted to do too. The next thing would be the timeline. Um, ask Allen. Miss Allen. Sorry. >> Yes. So, if we were to advertise this tomorrow morning by 10 o'clock, okay, >> it would be advertised, it would come um on Monday. It would be in the paper. So, we would have I think the 10 business days >> until the Monday before the board meeting. >> Yeah. So, there's no requirement on the amount of time that it needs to be advertised. Um, I would suggest I'm spitballing it here, but I would suggest that if the if you put it, we're going to advertise in the paper. That's one thing, >> right? >> But also like tomorrow, we could put it on
052the board's website so that we could at least get things going. >> And maybe you cut it off two weeks from tomorrow, >> which would then be the 21st. >> Okay. which then lines you up nicely for the board meeting on the 27th. You may at that time, depending, let's say you get 10 people by the 21st, >> you may say, "We're not doing this at the 27th. We may need a special meeting." >> Right. >> Okay. >> So that gives us enough time to decide by that Friday if we need a special meeting or we can do it that meeting. Okay. >> So I think that's fair to everybody. Yes. So, just to clarify when we're putting this out there because I had like if we do the special meeting afterwards and they're not
053participating this month, um we we because we're waiting for two weeks, I guess we would have to do it after the August meeting, we can't really have the special meeting because I would also think we want to make sure that if there was that tentative date that someone needs to be available, we would want to share that with the person >> perhaps. So this is what I suggest and and in view of the very good points that you raised. I suggest that the notice indicate that you know we're accepting applications for the vacancy or letters of interest whatever we want to call it for the vacancy. Uh that it's due on the 21st and that candidates will be contacted with a time and date at which board interviews will be conducted because we quite frankly
054don't know when those interviews are going to be conducted. may be conducted on 27th and it may or it may be conducted you know shortly before or shortly after. So I think just for now put the um due date for the letters of interest and then indicate in there that it's anticipated that the board me board will conduct a special me a meeting at which the interviews will occur and details will be provided to the applicants you know in the future. >> Okay. And then um because I know it said two weeks, but if we were going to do it before, I feel like we'd want to make that a little bit shorter if that date was going to be before the August meeting. But I'm fine with it either way. I know we had
055talked about that person participating. Um the only other question I had or I guess I wanted to discuss is the the I guess the selection of the person. Um I don't know if there is a specific legal process that we follow with that. Does if you have candidates, does someone just nominate second do a roll call on each candidate? Um I guess if you can just clarify. >> So So from the legal perspective, you need a motion, a second, and a vote um to a point. That's what you need from a legal perspective. Um when it comes to um you know, putting up because we're not going to be discussing in the in executive session who people are leaning towards and all of that. it may come out that we put somebody's name up, the
056you know, first person that raises their hand makes a nomination, there's a a vote that occurs and it might fail. >> Um, and then we have to move on to another. >> So, do we vote on each candidate separately or do we do motions and seconds on all potential interest like what sort of what we just did with the >> So, it depends on if your bylaw says how the process is to go. I I don't believe that it does say how to go. It says it goes in the order that >> that the nominations are ready. >> It goes in the order the candidates were nominated with a second. >> There you go. >> So, similar to how the president's election happened. So, >> if I can just summarize what I just understood, we
057would advertise tomorrow with asking them for a letter of interest with a supporting resume. If you need to redact information, feel free to do so. >> We'll give them a timeline of 21st to a deadline of 21st. Then we will consider every candidate that has applied by giving them a chance to interview. We will deliberate as a board on personal opinions in close session. When we come out, >> if any of those candidate gets a nomination, then we will vote on all of them. If they don't, if somebody doesn't get a nomination, let's say no, not all. >> Tonight, you we're having the the hand raises, right, between you and her. Um, so if you were to raise your hand first and you get that nomination in first, that's we're going to vote on your
058person first. Your nomination first. >> Katie is too slow that night. >> Okay, I'm putting my hand up now. >> You're putting yours up now for August and we choose as a board not to do it that way >> and to allow for suspend the policy. >> You'd have to That would be like a >> Yes. But you'd have to go You're going against the policy. But but even Miss Bora, even the race to raise your hand at the end of the day, >> I will win against but that's not going to determine who wins the vote because you still have to have the correct number of votes in order to >> to get seated. That was my clarification because we have to do a roll call on it says in the order the candidates
059were nominated but like Miss Bora had said sort of with what happened you know with presidency but like if you had not declined like as the board presidency I think we've only had maybe once or twice since we've been here where there's multiple candidates you do a roll call on each of the nominated candidates. >> Yes. >> Okay. Because I was thinking that >> you know where I'm going with this. >> I think you have to list the nominees in order. >> Right. So, so you would take the first nomination, that person, let's say they don't get enough votes, then we're going to go to the second person, second nomination. But if this, if the first nomination tonight, let's say tonight, Miss Board did not declined to be considered and she kept her name in
060for tonight, we would have done the first vote would have been for in favor of not or not in favor of Mr. Depay. That vote was successful. So there's no >> So we would we not would have not had voted, right? Oh, because >> I didn't know that. >> So that's not done that differently. >> That's not how I'm interpreting this policy. >> Really? That's >> that's how it's done. >> How do you do it? >> We did a roll call on each. >> Can we all and not yell out? Everyone's voice is important. >> Okay. So if you all want to say something, I'd appreciate we all want to hear what you want have to say. >> Oh, Miss Ratner. >> Yes. So if Miss Bora had accepted, we would have done a roll
061call in I believe it's in the order of the nominations. So a roll call for each person to say yes or no on stain and then we would have done a roll call for each person to say yes or no on Miss Bora. And whichever person had >> more would have been the the successful >> person. >> The last sentence we're going to have Mr. >> That would be very unique uh in the state. I've never heard it done that way. >> Right. >> The last sentence kind of speaks to that. There's two people that get majority votes. >> Yes. >> Allows. >> No, but this is you you have this policy. The first candidate who receives the votes of a majority of the remaining board members will be elected to the vacancy. >> But
062keep going. >> In event no but in event no candidate receives a majority vote, then you keep going. Right. >> Yeah. But that's forever. But that's and then it says if there's two candidates >> if there's two candidates this uh a second election shall be conducted between the two candidates. But that's that's already like three steps. >> Okay. What? >> Yeah. >> What we've done in the past is allowed the opportunity for >> board members to vote yes on this on two different which I know it's bizarre but it has been a the way we conducted it. It kind of gave you the opportunity. >> It never has happened but you could say yes. your your the way your policyy's written is the way that I said it's done in most of the state. >>
063We just missed the >> So, and the way Mr. Weiss uh said it, that's how I understood it to be also. >> so I think we're going to go with that, >> right? No, I was just going to say the board officer's policy is different. >> That might be the reason. So, our board officer's policy says ver voting shall take place by verbal roll call after nominations. When more than one person has been nominated, the board will vote on candidates in the order they were nominated. Then in the event no candidate receives a majority vote of the members, then the process would continue. But it doesn't say the first person would get that. >> Yeah, but it's the first person who gets the majority of the votes. >> For this is the board officer vacancy
064doesn't say it for the board office. Doesn't say that one for board officer. I don't know if we need to update that or not but that's >> you can if you want if this is something that the policy committee wants to do >> it has to be taken up with policy committee on that. So, so now uh we have to decide are we going to give a half hour, 20 minutes, how what kind of limitation and it all depends on how many candidates we get to >> and how many questions you >> and how many questions. Now, Miss Ratner sent everybody. I was at home all day. Um this if you don't mind looking at the questions and emailing me what questions you think are pertinent or best for for our district. But can I
065just say something because I I don't I I I we need to kind of have um >> Sure. >> No, no, no. Uh I want to ensure integrity of the process and my concern is that if we're now talking about where we're getting the questions from, that may give advantage of to somebody who has viewed the meeting versus not viewed the meeting. So my suggestion would be for everybody to look at what Miss Ratner sent in and then email to Mr. Depay what question you think you want to ask. That way we're not telegraphing to the public the questions that we might ask, the type of questions that we might ask and things like that. It'll be a cleaner, purer process, and that's again not a legal thing, but that's my suggestion based upon experience
066here. >> Okay. I thought I thought that's what I explained, but maybe I didn't. But I'd also like you to send your response to Miss Alvarez also. As vice president, we're going to work side side by side on everything and make sure that we're velcroed together these few months or what how long it it is we're here and we both know what's going on because you never know with life what happens and we want to make sure that the meetings are still run if one of us can't make it. So that's how I did it in the past and um so if you would CC myself and Miss Alvarez. Uh, is there anyone else that should be CC, do you think? >> No. You don't want to be CC, do you? >> Do you have
067anything else? No. >> So, if you >> She had her hands up. I don't know if you saw. >> Oh, did Usha? I'm sorry. Usha. Yes. >> It's okay. I have a question. >> Spelling like that. You have to do like Miss Al. >> All right. Because we keep saying five applications or five candidates. I'm just asking question out of the loop because this is my first experience. What if we receive only one application or or if we receive 10 or 12 or 15 application? How does that work then? >> It's a great question. Um so I guess the answer would be that it's either going to be a long night or a short night. >> Um because your policy requires you to interview everybody >> and unless the board is going to suspend that
068policy, which I do not recommend because that is where we start going down a slippery slope. um unless you're going to suspend that policy, we're going to be here for a while. >> So each one has to be indeed fine. So if we have only one candidate, one application, >> so that's a funny it's a funny question. Not not funny in that >> even if it's a single candidate, that person could potentially not get votes. >> Yeah, that's correct. >> And so let me just let's talk about that weird scenario where you have one candidate, >> nobody votes for that candidate and then you don't have anybody. >> You can start the process again. It all has to be done within 65 days. If it's not done within 65 days, the county superintendent is statutoily
069empowered to pick who you're going to. Now, but with that, I will say when county superintendent have to pick candidates, um because the board can't come to a consensus, typically the county superintendent will look to see the resumes that came in and make a selection from there. >> And if we get one candidate and we interview and we don't feel the candidate is good enough, then we're not going to put them on. Yeah. >> So, we're going to have to re um you know, put the information out again. And I mean, I wouldn't just interview one person and then we were all sitting here going, "Well, we didn't like what they said." So, if we have to go back out, we would go back out. Correct. >> So, I don't know if we're allowed to
070go back out again before we would like if we close it and we have that person, I think we do. We can't go out again if you're I just wanted to get I guess clarification on that. I was actually raising my hand because I want to get clarification what you said about the county superintendent because from what he had told us when we went through this because we had gone past that time we were told that because we have a current I guess legal quorum that the seat could remain unfilled that he was not required by law to fill that. So I just wanted to get >> so so clarification on that. Um, yeah, I guess by law he's not, the county superintendent is not required to fill it. Um, I've never seen that happen.
071>> Um, but it's not to say that it can't or it won't happen. Um, I would say that if you don't have somebody, um, let's say one person applies and you don't pick that person. I would say that the board is well within its rights to as long as we're within that 65day window, the board is within its rights to restart the process. >> Okay. I mean, and I guess we can we can play the blood if game forever, but my question was if we see the one candidate, they still need to be interviewed and voted on. Like, we can't just look at them before that and say we want to go back out for more. Like, we we need to go through that process. Okay. That's what I wanted to clarify. >> They have
072to be interviewed like anybody else, one candidate and discussed and voted on. >> Yes. Is everybody in agreement with that? Anybody have questions or concerns about it? >> One comment. >> Yes. I would really like to avoid a special meeting and I think if we had 10 candidates I still think we could do it >> the night of the meeting. Okay. Okay. >> At what limitation of time for each >> only because it's the beginning of the school year. I know school. Yes. >> So I think if there are nine of us up here and everybody's asking a question and if you give them a little bit of time to speak at the beginning you should be able to complete that within like 15 20 minutes tops. I don't think we should be going to
073a half an hour. Um, that's a very long time to talk with somebody. >> Is everyone in agreement? 15 20 minutes. >> 15 minutes is good. >> We all don't have to ask a question. I think we each take one and like ro, you know, keep and then have five or four and then say it stops over here, the next group can start here and doing it. If if I can say that if the questions are the same, maybe the board president can ask and keep the process moving along because we've all kind of by that time agreed on the question. So it's not a different question. So there's no reason for all of us to talk. You could conduct the interview. Our job is literally to >> I would like Miss Alvarez also to
074participate in that too. >> I don't think if the question is the same then >> then we can each take turns to ask the questions and you can write your notes. Okay. Thank you. >> I agree with Miss Bora. That's >> everyone's okay with that. Yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. You got it. >> I'll move the >> Okay. Okay. Anything other discussion regarding the vacancy? >> We don't have to vote. >> No, this is >> just Mr. Pin, would you just summarize the whole thing for the, you know, the public that's listening so that we know we've discussed it, but just what's going to happen in the next two weeks. >> Well, in within the next two weeks, tomorrow morning, Miss Allen is going to put in a in their newspaper and it's going to
075go on our website. >> Yes. uh a request for a letter of intent with a small version resume of your background. Uh you don't have to list your where you work or anything like that to be sent to the board office to Miss Allen. Correct. >> Um by August 21st >> and then she'll let us know how many candidates we have by August 21st and we can decide if it's five candidates or even 10 according to Miss um Dr. PE interview them at the August meeting as we open the meeting and then start the meeting with that and go into close session and pick our choice discuss in close the candidates that we have it. I mean if it goes over 10 I think we need a special meeting. I I don't think What do
076you think? What's everybody's opinion? >> We'll cross that. >> Right. Yeah. Let's wait and see. and then that Miss um Allan will send all of us copies of what information that she gets before the meeting so that we at least have some information about the person and then Miss Alvarez and I will ask the questions and if you would look at the questions that um Miss Ratner sent today that she had picked up from sample board questions. >> No, I'm not saying no I'm not. Don't worry. um and pick out a few questions that you would like. Send them to Miss Alvarez and myself. If there's something else that you think should be asked, please don't hesitate to put it in there because her Miss Alvarez and I can discuss it and see what you
077know what this might be better than that one that we saw. >> We all have to and I'll bring it back to all of you and say, you know what, I got four or five people that said, "How about this?" and then I'll bring it back in an email and we can decide whether we want to add or subtract questions before that night. Is that okay with everyone? >> Yeah, Mr. Pink, can I just ask a quick legal question? Mr. Weiss, the people who are who want to um put their application in, are the same rules applying? Like I I know you have to if you are running for office you have to be a resident for a year all all that because it doesn't specify in the policy but it doesn't specify that you
078can't. So I just wanted to get clarification on that. >> So I'm looking at a draft notice that >> okay >> Nancy was kind enough to um to create. >> Thank you Nancy. >> Um if it's okay I'll I'll read it out loud just to see if anybody has any issues with it since we're here in the sunshine. Um, legal notice, vacancy board of education member, >> Monroe Township Public Schools, Monroe Township, Middle Sex County, New Jersey. Notice is hereby given that the Monroe Township Board of Education is accepting letters of interest and resumes from township residents to fill one vacancy on the board of education. The appointment shall be for a term which shall run through to the board's 2026 organization meeting. Now, Mr. Ratner, this is where your question comes in. Um the
079qualifications under NJSA18A uh col2-1. A board member must be a citizen of the United States. A board member must be a resident of the district uh the member represents and must have been such for at least one year immediately preceding the member's election or appointment. A board member must be able to read and write. Board member must be registered to vote in the district and not disqualified from voting pursuant to NJSA uh 194-1. A board member must not be disqualified from membership for the conviction of crimes pursuant to NJSA1821. Additionally, a board member must have no interest in any contract with or claim against the board and a board member cannot concurrently hold office as mayor or member of the governing body of Monroe Township. Interested parties must submit a letter of interest and resume
080no later than 400 PM on August 21st, 2025 to Laura Allen and the addresses provided in the um notice by submitting a letter of interest with any relevant information they would like considered to the board. The interested party affirms that he or she is eligible to vote in the state of New Jersey and meets the age, citizenship, and residency requirements as required by New Jersey law. Candidates will be contacted with a date and time when they will be interviewed and then it's signed Laura Allen. Does anybody have any issues with >> questions issues? >> Yeah, I saw the draft and and resume was strike out. I think the the text instead uses with any relevant information they would like considered. I think that that makes it okay to keep the resume optional. I feel like
081we should reward that part. We we I would encourage them to so it should say a letter of interest and a resume and in the bracket it can say redact any employer information you would like to fine let's use the word resume >> I think we should yes thank you miss >> that's why I wanted to show you guys over there >> thank you >> can I keep this >> okay are we >> I think you have to read that now right >> oh yes okay Oh, wait. Hold on. Are we done? Are you done? >> No, I was just asking if anybody had any any other discussion before we moved on. >> Okay, Miss Allen. >> Okay. Um, it is it's recommended that the Monroe Township Board of Education designate the newly elected board
082president as an authorized signatory board of on the board of education accounts. >> Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor? has to be voted on this one. >> Miss Allen can take them. >> Yes. Um, Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Miss Depay, >> yes. >> Dr. Peek, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tufano, >> no. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Motion passes. Thank you. >> Okay. Next is the business administrators report. >> That was that. Yep. >> I'm sorry. >> That's okay. >> Next is our next scheduled board of education meeting which is on Wednesday, August 27th. All of our meetings will now be conducted here at the high school
083and they will be starting at 7:15 with a 6:15 close session to 7:15 and we'll be out in public at 7:15. Anything else to be discussed? >> So that might change for our >> that might change according >> for the next meeting, but we would make public notice. >> Yes. Yeah. We would make notice of that according to what we get in. Yes. >> Any other >> I just have one more thing I would like to request. Are we able to set out send out a blackboard? Is that what you guys call it about the vacancy or is it just going to be listed on the website? you know, those notices that go. >> Yes, we certainly can send out a district email or the broadcast email. It does get to some community members who
084have signed up. So, anyone who signed up to our uh you know, email address. Absolutely. >> Okay. Thank you. >> We can work with technology office connect with Mr. Feldman to do that. >> Can it be sent to the senior center because they have a very wide um website there too and there might be some seniors that might be interested. >> Yeah, we can certainly connect with the township and >> Okay. I think whatever resources they have township and the community should be listed in it. Yes. I'm sorry, Mr. Tano. >> Good idea would be also to post it on the community um the community video channel that we partnered up with the township. >> Yes. Yes. Yeah. Anything to do with the community. Yeah. Thank you. >> Library as well, >> right? And the
085district Facebook page like all the places we >> every place that we can put it out, we should. Yes. >> Okay. Nothing else. >> Mr. We are we allowed to share this with the disclaimer or is it like if you are interested with putting putting nothing else on there or >> um I would suggest that uh to the extent you're going to post anything about the vacancy um that you use a disclaimer >> but we can >> you you can as long as you use a disclaimer. Um >> be smart. >> Just because you can doesn't mean you should. >> Yeah, >> that's all I'm going to say. Okay. Brief and brief and to the point. Yes. Who had somebody else had a question? Were it make a motion to adjourn this evening? >> So
086motion. >> Second. >> Motion was made by Mr. Zikner, seconded by Miss Alvarez. Roll caller. >> Thank you. I'll get it. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Anybody opposed that want to stay for a little while? And thank you um for coming out on this extra night tonight. And thank you uh for people in the audience for coming out tonight too. And of course, thank you to all of our tech people in the back who are always there. >> I have to hit the gamble. I don't know.