001Mhm. >> Mhm. >> I hereby call to order a reorganization meeting of the Garfield Board of Education on this May 6th, Wednesday, 2026. In accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, notice of this meeting has been posted on our district website and the legal notice page. Will everyone please rise for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence. At this time, I'll take a roll call. Mr. Diaz. Here. Mr. Taylor. Present. Mr. Auto. Mrs. Hassan. Here. Mr. Keles. Present. Mr. Gabba. Present. Mrs. Petrie. Present. Mr. Focarino. Present. At this time, I'll be reading off the election results from our April 21st election. Be it resolved that the Garfield Board of Education reports the official results of the annual school board election held on April 21st, 2026 for membership of the Board of
002Education is as follows. Three-year term results. Alan B. Focarino, 533 votes. Adrian Diaz, 492 votes. Albin Gabba, 488 votes. Carmen V. Briante, 484 votes. Abdelkader Sardena, 481 votes. One-year unexpired term results. Shawn Rezio, 444 votes. Aleah Sanchez, 328 votes. At this time, the newly elected Board of Education members will have their guest administer the oath of office. First, Mr. Albin Gabba, sworn in by Honorable Judge Giuseppe Rendazzo. Repeat after me. I, Albin Gabba, I, Albin Gabba, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and I will bear true faith and I will bear true faith and
003allegiance >> and allegiance to the same to the same and to the governments >> and to the governments established in the United States established in the United States and this state and this state under the authority of the people under authority of people so help me God. So help me God. I, Alban Gaber I, Alban Gaber do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications >> that I possess the that the qualifications prescribed by law prescribed by law for the office of member Board of Education for the office of Board of members of Board of Education that I'm not disqualified that I'm not disqualified >> as a voter as a voter pursuant to statute pursuant to statute >> nor disqualified due conviction nor disqualified due conviction of a crime or offense of
004a crime or offense listed in New Jersey statute listed in New New Jersey statute and I will faithfully and I will faithfully and partially >> and partially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties >> all the duties of that office of that office >> according to the best of my ability according to my best of my ability so help me God. So help me God. Thank you. >> [applause] >> I would now like to call up the honorable Judge Joseph Conte to swear in Mr. Alan B. Focarino. Why not? You're ready? Now repeat after me. I, Alan Focarino I, Alan B. Focarino do solemnly swear do solemnly swear or affirm or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States
005and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and I will bear a true faith and allegiance >> and I will bear a true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments to the same and the governments established in the United States >> established in the United States >> and this state this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people so help me God >> so help me God second oath repeat your name again I Alan B. Policano do solemnly swear do solemnly swear >> or affirm or affirm that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law >> that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of member of the Board of Education >> for the
006office of member of the Board of Education and that I have not and that I have not been disqualified >> disqualified as a voter as a voter pursuant to statute pursuant to statute nor disqualified due to conviction of a conviction of a crime >> crime or offense listed listed in Jersey statute listed in Jersey statute I will faithfully I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform >> justly perform all the duties of that office all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability to help to help me so help me God according to the best of my ability so help me God congratulations thank you very [applause] much congratulations I appreciate it sign off on this thank you I appreciate it >> Yes, please. Because you know it's not me. Oh,
007I got this. I got it. Yeah, I got it. Yeah, because I got my stuff. Thumbs up right here and it's not sent. I got the thumbs up and no send. I'll do it now. I just give you some time. I'd now like to call up Sheriff Anthony Carotenuto to swear in Mr. Adrian Diaz. I'll keep an eye on him. Hey, come on. No, no problem. >> [laughter] >> Good evening everyone. We're going to do the oath for a Mr. Adrian Diaz. Congratulations. And repeat after me. I, state your name. I, Adrian Diaz 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
008of the State That I will bear true faith. And allegiance to the same. To the government established. In the United States. And this state. Under the authority of the people. So help me God or affirm. I, repeat your name. To solemnly swear or affirm. That I will possess the qualification prescribed by law. For the office of member of the Board of Education. And that I will not disqualify and I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to. RS 19:4-1 nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime. Or offense. Listed in. New Jersey state statute. 18A. There we go. And that I will faithfully. Impartially. And justly perform all the duties. Of that office. According to the best of my ability. So help me God. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> And I would now like to call
009up the honorable Louis G. Aloia. He will swear in Shawn D. Redzio. >> [applause] >> Okay, make it easy. Yep. Want you to go on this side. And this way so the pictures look good. Okay? You ready? Ready. Please repeat. I I, Shawn Redzio do solemnly swear do solemnly swear or affirm or affirm that I will support >> that I will support >> of the United States >> the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same and allegiance to the same and to the governments established And the governments and to the governments established >> in the United States in the
010United 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 I do solemnly swear or affirm I State your name. I Shawn Daniel Redzio do solemnly swear or affirm do solemnly swear or affirm that I possess that I possess the qualify the qualifications prescribed by law the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of member of the Board of Education for office for for for office of member of Board of Education and that I am not disqualified >> and that I am not disqualified >> pursuant to statute as a voter pursuant to statute >> nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime conviction of a crime or offense or offense listed in New Jersey statute listed
011in New Jersey statute >> I will faithfully and that I will faithfully impartially >> impartially and justly perform >> and justly perform all the duties all the duties >> of that office according to the best of my ability. of that office according to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. Congratulations. Good job. >> [applause] >> Congratulations. Elsie, if it wasn't you holding the Bible, he never would have done this. Thank you. Wait, Shawn, I think you have to sign something. >> I will now call for nominations for the position of president of the Board of Education. I'd like to make a motion to nominate Arlene Putterer for president. I second that. >> Adrian Yes. Yeah, at this time I'll call for any other nominations for presidency. Hearing none, roll
012call. Mr. Diaz I Mr. Taylor I Mr. Rado I Mrs. Hassan I Mr. Keles I Mr. Gabba I Mrs. Petrie I Mr. Falcone now I Mr. Rezzio I Motion carries. Yeah. >> [applause] >> Okay, next is nomination for vice president. Do I have a motion for anyone for vice president? Yeah, I'll make a motion to nominate Marissa Irizarry. I'll second that. Seconded by Alan Gabbay. Are there any other nominations? We'll close it. No other nominations? No, I asked this. No. Roll call. Roll call. Mr. Diaz. I. Mr. Taylor. I. Mr. Otto. I. Mrs. Irizarry. I. Mr. Kielas. I. Mr. Gabbay. I. Mrs. Petrie. I. Mr. Fogorino. I. Mr. Rezzio. The Marissa >> Motion carries. You wanted to do it. >> [applause] >> Okay. >> And we did we did vice president. We approved that and
013we did a roll call. Okay. Next item on the agenda is the approval of the calendar. Yeah. We did the roll call. Oh, okay. Doesn't that feel good? That does not. I skipped right over that and I went to this page. Okay, roll call. Mr. Diaz. Here. Mr. Taylor. Present. Mr. Oddo. Here. Mr. Redzio. Mr. Quiles. Present. Mr. Gabba. Present. Mr. Fogarino. Present. Mrs. Hassan. Present. Mrs. Petire. Present. Next order of business is the approval of the calendar of the board meetings. Do I have a motion for the approval of the calendar? >> Albano and Mr. Oddo. Roll call. Mr. Diaz. I. Mr. Taylor. I. Mr. Oddo. I. Mr. Redzio. I. Mr. Quiles. I. Mr. Gabba. I. Mr. Forcarino. I. Mrs. Hassan. I. Mrs. Petrie. I. The next item on the agenda is the approval
014of district code of student conduct. Can I have a motion? I'll make a motion. I'll second. Okay. Uh Mr. Diaz. I. Mr. Taylor. I. Mr. Otto. I. Mr. Redzio. I. Mr. Kilis. I. Mr. Gaber. I. Mr. Forcarino. I. Mrs. Hassan. I. Mrs. Petrie. I. Next item 10.3, approval of the cooperative pricing system. Do I have a motion? So moved. I'll second. Yeah. Mr. Diaz. I. Mr. Taylor. I. Mr. Otto. I. Mr. Redzio. I. Mr. Kilis. I. Mr. Gaber. I. Mr. Forcarino. I. Mrs. Hassan. I. Mrs. Petrie. I. I vote like this. So, go to the comment. Okay. What? I heard. What about 11? Approval of I think just skip it. Okay. Uh next, um we're I'm going to open it up to the uh public for public comment. There's no public comment. We'll close that
015portion. Yeah. I have to turn the page. Okay. Are there any comments from any any trustees? Trustee comment? Alan? >> this moment to congratulate all the uh candidates from Diaz to Razzio to Mr. Gaba. Uh guys ran a campaign and the people spoke and that's what democracy is all about. I want to congratulate uh Hassan for being the uh the vice president being elected by the trustees here as well as Ms. Terry. I believe this is the first time you're going to have a uh a duo of females, women, uh to be in charge of a board. It's never happened in the history of Garfield. So, uh the congrat- I congratulate you [applause] and um we're looking forward to work and moving this district forward. Congratulations to all. Thank you. Any other comments? Alan? Congratulations
016to uh my fellow running mates uh and everyone who ran this election. Uh congratulations again to Mr. Gaba, Mr. Diaz, and uh congratulations Ms. Terry uh on your presidency, as well as Miss Esani, on your vice presidency. Uh looking forward to another successful year with the Board of Education in Garfield. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone? Mr. Esani? Uh I want to congratulate um the incumbents, Mr. uh Diaz, Mr. Garba, and Mr. Forcarino. I also want to uh congratulate Mr. Redfield on winning a term on the board. Um I want to thank all of you for uh nominating me for the vice presidency. I don't take any role of leadership or representation lightly, so I thank you for trusting me to be here. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Any other comments? Uh yes. Uh thank you
017guys for all the support, my fellow uh running mates. Congrats to all of you. Mr. Forcarino, congratulations. Sean, 19, you did good. Man, I'm proud of you. I really am. Uh Miss Piteri, Miss Esani, congratulations. First women duo, and I love that. Uh thank you guys again. >> [applause] >> Anyone else? Mr. President. Okay. Uh first I would like to say thank you very much to my family, my greatest supporters, my wife. It's been nights that we haven't discussed our family issues, but this is a bigger issue because it's not only one and two, this is the whole community that needs our support. So, thank you for giving me that support there. Thank you to all 488 voters who believed on me. Thank you to the running mate, all the candidates, and uh congratulations to
018vice president and president, Mr. Esani and uh Piteri. So, congratulations to everybody, and uh we land the strong foundation last year to build the greatest future. So, we started last year and let's not stop. Let's continue this foundation to be built for our students. Congratulations to everybody. Congratulations to Mr. Pacorino. Yes. Like Mr. Diaz says, Sean 19, congratulations. And good luck to everybody. Let's all work together. >> [applause] >> Are there going to be any other comments? Congratulations to everybody. Mrs. Son, Mrs. Petere, congratulations. Mr. Diaz, Pacorino, congratulations. Mr. Daba, look forward to working with you guys. Anyone else? Okay. Just to echo the statements and not to, you know, beat a dead horse. Congratulations to everyone who ran. Just to put yourself out there, as we all know, it is not easy. And to
019all those who were elected to have the first duo female vice president and president is really awesome. So, congratulations to Mrs. Son and uh Mrs. Petere, Mr. Diaz, Mr. Pacorino, and Mr. Regio, a a bright future here. So, congratulations to all and looking forward to working together. >> [applause] >> All right. So, I have to say this campaign was never truly about me. As you probably heard, and I probably beat a dead horse about it. I grew up in these schools and sat in these schools. But when I decided to run, it was never for the title or the seat, but truly for the students who are sitting in the same classrooms I sat in years ago. And the thing is, these seats are temporary, and I think we all need to remember that. We
020are merely passing through, and at the end of the day, these seats belong to the citizens of Garfield, and most importantly, the students of our district, and let us never forget that as a board. I want to be honest about something. Many times throughout this campaign, I didn't know why I kept going and it was truly hard being a full-time college student and working two jobs throughout this campaign. And there were many nights where I questioned everything and it felt like it wasn't worth it. What I What I will say is that anyone out there doubting themselves, who's exhausted and wondering if it truly is worth it, I'm telling you don't give up because this campaign was for you. Keep showing up. Don't give up even on a random when random rainy Wednesday. Thank you
021everyone. >> [applause] >> Okay, now I guess I got to follow Shawn. Thank you, Shawn. Okay. First of all, I'd like to congratulate all of the candidates. All I know it was a hard campaign. It was a good campaign. Again, congratulations to all. This year kind of made a little history. Right now, there are six generations of people sitting on this board. I don't think and I tried looking it up. I don't think it ever happened before. There's six generations here from the 20s to the 70s. So, there's six generations here. And again, history being made with two women running the board. We're going to try I'm we're going to try our best and these are great great bunch of guys we'll be working with. And I want to again congratulate everybody and thank you
022for nominating me as president and giving me this opportunity. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Yeah, you could speak. I didn't congratulate you, but congratulations. I think you've shown great leadership over the year and I'm I'm really proud of you that you're the president. Thank you and same to you, Larissa. We have become very close over this last year. Many hours. Nobody realizes it's not just one meeting a month. It's telephone calls, texts, emails, back and forth. Her stopping over for coffee and says, "It'll only be a minute." And we have a stack of paperwork like this to go over. But, we're committed. And again, Marissa, I don't think I would want anybody else by my side but you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Madam President, if if I may. Yes. I know Mr. Geiser loves
023when I talk. He told me don't talk tonight. But, congratulations to everyone. I have to say this is moving into my third year here. Garfield's an incredible place. I say it all the time everywhere I go. The kids, the the teachers, and and this board collectively, the work that you all put in, you know, keeping us in in check for if I may say that. Um you know, and and I think we were talking about before. Um It it really This is a board that is really really zoned in on the kids. It's true. The programs and even unfortunately some of the budget things we talked about. Um you know, make sure the kids aren't affected. So, so I'm I'm honored to be serving with you all. So, let's look I'm looking forward to a
024great year and progress. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. >> [applause] >> I forgot to now. Okay. Okay, head Mr. Gaba. And then I just want to to remind everybody about Dr. Tomko, how much work he has put or he puts during the day. There is time that 11:00, 12:00 at night he responds to the concerns that we have as a board member. Not one day, not two days. His job is 365 a day, 24 hours a day. So, I'd like to thank him a lot publicly, not just personally. >> Yeah. And even when he's on vacation with his family, he takes the time to update us every minute. And then you wonder why sometimes, okay, salaries are very high. This man works. At least we work him and he responds to us immediately. Again, thank
025you Dr. Tomko. Kirk, I see you do a great job also. So, also Jack La Rue, thank you. I don't want to leave you guys out, you know. Yeah. Yes. Okay, can I call for an adjournment? Okay, can I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? So moved. Second, Albano and Mr. Quiles. Uh whoever wants it. Roll call.