001Please, board members, uh, if we could. >> All right, the webinar is being transcribed and summarized. I'd like to call the board meeting to order here at 6:35 p.m. Uh, please stand 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. Thank you everyone. Like to let you know that notice of this meeting uh adequate notice of this meeting was given in the following manner. Written notice was sent to the office of the secretary of the board at 2:30 p.m. on January 3rd, 2025. That said, said notice was sent via email also to Maplewood and South Orange Township clerks and the editors of the news record, Star Ledger,
002Tap into Soma, and the Village Green. I'd like to proceed by reading off the election results for our illustrious board members. School board election results. So, the results of the November 25 election for the South Orange Maplewood Board of Education as reported by the Essex County Board of Elections are as follows. The three individuals elected to serve three-year terms are Meredith Higgins, Malaner, and Paul Stefen. Meredith Higgins received [applause] Meredith Higgins received 8,788 votes. Maloney Nyer received 9,162 votes and Paul Stefen received 8,459 votes. And now I'd like to proceed with the oath of office for our newly elected board members. Perhaps we can start with Meredith Higgins. Please join me at the front here. Well, thank you for joining me. Um, here we are. I'd like to give you Can Can we hear on
003your mic? Yes. I'd like to give you your copy. And then what we'll do is I will read and then you can repeat after me. >> Okay? So I state your name. I, Meredith Higgins, >> 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 >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and this state >> under the authority of the people. >>
004So help me God. >> I state your name. >> I, Meredith Higgins, >> 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 board of education >> for the office of member of board of education. >> I'm not disqualified as a voter. I'm not disqualified as a voter >> pursuant to RS194-1. pursuant to RS19 col4-1 >> and that I am not disqualified from membership on the board >> and that I am not disqualified from membership on the board >> due to conviction of a crime >> or offense listed >> in NJS 18A12-1 >> in NJS18A12-1 >> and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform >> and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform
005>> all duties of that office >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> Welcome. [applause] >> All right. And next up we'll have uh Melanie Meyer Nyer. sign it afterwards. You can choose BOE ethics or Bible or whatever would you like. Okay. All right. So, welcome. Please repeat after me the required oath for school board members. I state your name. >> I Mal Ner >> 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
006true faith and allegiance to the same. >> And to the governments established in the United States. and to the governments established in the United States >> and this state >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. >> I state your name. >> I Melanie Nyer >> 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 I am not disqualified as a voter. >> I am not disqualified as a voter. >> Pursuant Pursuant to RS194-1 >> pursuant to RS194-1. >> And that I am not disqualified from membership on the board. >> And that I am not
007disqualified from membership on the board >> due to a conviction of a crime or offense >> due to a conviction of a crime or offense >> listed in NJS18A12-1. listed in NJS18A12-1. >> And that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly perform >> And that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly perform >> all duties of that office >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> Welcome. >> [applause] >> And three, two, one. >> Thank you. >> Without further ado, Paul Stefen. All right. The required oath for school board member. Please repeat after me. I state your name. >> I, Paul Stefen. >> 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
008of 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 to the governments established in the United States >> and this state >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. So help me God. >> I state your name. >> I, Paul Stefen, >> 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
009a member of board of education. >> That I'm not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS194-1. that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS19 col4-1 >> and that I am not disqualified from membership on the board >> and that I am not disqualified from membership on the board >> due to conviction of a crime or offense >> listed in NJS18A12-1 >> listed in 8 NJS18A col 12-1 >> exactly and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform perform >> and that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly perform >> all duties of that office >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> Welcome. [applause] Just return it to me afterwards. >> Oh, I got >> And three, two, one. >> All right. >> Congratulations. All right. Thank
010you for that everyone. And now um we'll proceed to a roll call of the members of the board. I'll start with board member Jeff Bennett >> here. >> Board member Dearra Brown >> here. >> Board member Elizabeth Callahan >> here. >> Board member Meredith Higgins >> here. >> Board member Bill Kapatia >> here. >> Board member Will Meyer >> here. >> Board member Melanie Nyer >> here. Board member Shane Saka Gable >> here. >> Board member Paul Stefen >> here. All right. And next up, I will take nominations for the position of board president. Do I have any nominations? >> I nominate board member William Meyer. >> All right. Thank you. Are there any other nominations? All right, with that I will declare nominations closed and proceed with the roll call for board president candidate
011Will Meyers. >> So board member Bennett. Yes. >> Board member Brown. >> Yes. >> Board member Callahan. >> Yes. >> Board member Higgins. >> Yes. >> Board member Kapadia. >> Yes. >> Board member Meyer. >> Yes. >> Board member Nyer. >> Yes. >> Board member Saki Gable. >> Yes. >> Board member Stefan. >> Yes. >> All right. With that, uh, I believe we have a new board president. [applause] And with that, I'll I'll pass the uh the gavl over to you. Uh Mr. President, >> thank you very much, Board Secretary Moody. >> Uh and thank you to my fellow board members. Um I am deeply grateful for uh this vote of confidence and trust. It really is an honor and a tremendous responsibility to uh serve as president of our board of education and I
012look forward to facilitating productive governance among our nine members uh partnering with and supporting Superintendent Bing uh and his talented staff including all of our amazing teachers and working to ensure an excellent education for all our kids. Uh I learned today that January is school board recognition month. Serving on the board is both a serious duty and an incredible privilege. Board members are community members who've committed their time uh and efforts to be the stewards of this district to oversee our superintendent and strengthen the school system we cherish. Uh to do that, each volunteer member contributes long hours uh often multiple nights a week, juggling work and family life, missing bedtimes, and fielding concerns from community members at coffee shops, school pickup lines, and on social media. Uh it's a big commitment, and we all
013fought for the chance to do it. I'm really truly grateful to be working with this specific, talented, and devoted group of board members. Uh we come from different backgrounds, experiences, and worldviews, and we each have ties with different segments of our community. Uh in fact, uh I did the math here. Seven out of the nine of us, uh ran against one or the other in a prior BOE election. Uh despite these differences, uh I'm pleased to say I respect and actually genuinely like each person here. Uh and I believe we have a strong foundation of common purpose. We know how tough our annual elections are and to be honest, we should all be doing better in that regard. Um, but the principles that unite us here are far outweighing those that divide us. This doesn't
014mean we're always going to agree on how to achieve this shared vision. Each person here is obligated to follow the courage of their convictions in every vote that we take, and I know they'll do so. Uh but we also know that we were each sent here by the electorate, by our neighbors uh to do this work together and we hold a shared responsibility to serve our entire community. Uh I trust that each member here is prepared to work together in good faith, strengthening our relationships and our governance and focusing on the practical solutions to the challenges before us. Because those challenges are serious. Our charge this year is to oversee our district through a difficult fiscal climate and ensure that we continue to provide a rigorous education to all students. Nonetheless, to budget our resources
015responsibly while not sacrificing academic excellence or student supports, and to stay true to our promise of ensuring real equity and diversity in all of our classrooms. Full stop. I know that our district leadership is prepared to meet this goal and that this board is ready to give them the tools and the oversight that they need to make it happen. Finally, we are a community that values diversity and belonging. And I feel confident representing that each and every person sitting on this day is holds those views. The belief that every child and every family should feel welcomed and safe in our schools, regardless of your race, your religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, family structure, or any other characteristic that could stand in the way of making someone feel like they belong here.
016That commitment extends to our immigrant families, our Jewish families, our black families, our families of trans youth, our special education families, every family in our community. And not every board president sitting in their reorganization meeting this evening could say that about their board and about their leadership. Uh I'm proud that I can and I look forward to working with each of you in the year ahead to make these commitments more of a reality every day. Thank you. >> [applause] >> And with that, I would now welcome nominations for the office of first vice president. >> Liz Callahan. >> Any other nominations? Okay, I will uh nominations are now closed. And we will now be voting on uh board member Elizabeth Callahan. Mr. Moody, would you please take the role? >> Absolutely. Will do. So for
017first vice president, uh Elizabeth Callahan, I'll start with board member Bennett. >> Yes. >> Board member Brown. >> You and I have spoken, but my vote is no. >> I didn't I I didn't quite get that. Sorry. >> No. >> Oh, okay. Um, board member Callahan, >> yes. >> Board member Higgins, >> yes. >> Board member Kabadia, >> no. >> Board member Meyer, >> yes. >> Board member Nyer, >> yes. >> Board member Sakit Gable, >> yes. >> Board member Stefen, >> yes. >> All right, with that, we have a new first vice president. Welcome, [applause] [cheering] I will now welcome nominations for the office of second vice president. >> I nominate Melanie Nyer. [laughter] Are there any further nominations? Hearing none, we'll now close nominations. Uh and uh we will hear the election for
018uh board member Mal Ner. Would you please call the role >> for second vice president? Board member Molly Nyer, I will commence with the vote. Board member Stefen, >> yes. >> Board member Sack Gable, >> yes. >> Board member Nyer, >> yes. >> Board member Meyer, >> yes. >> Board member Kapadia, >> yes. >> Board member Higgins, >> yes. >> Board member Callahan, >> yes. >> Board member Brown, >> yes. >> Board member Bennett, >> yes. With that, we have a new second vice president. Welcome, Mal. [applause] We'll now move to our hearings of individuals and delegations. Thank you for coming in person and joining us online this evening. We value public comment at our board meetings. While we can't engage in a dialogue with you, we take your comments seriously and your input will
019inform our work. Our comment period is limited to 1 hour and each speaker will have three minutes. Uh please begin by stating your name and your town. And I'm sorry, do we have the sheet? Would you? Thank you. [clears throat] We have Shar Lincoln. >> Thank you. All right. Our first public speaker, Shar Lincoln. >> Hi everyone. First of all, happy new year. My name is Shar Lincoln. I'm the vice president of SEMA. Um, first, congratulations on everyone's new positions on the board. Um, on behalf of SEMA, we would like to warmly welcome our new board members. Thank you for your willingness to serve. We appreciate your commitment and dedication and we look forward to working together to support a positive and successful school year. Congratulations. >> Thank you. We have one online public speaks.
020Uh Patrick Harris, >> that community member is not online. >> Okay. And with that, we're going to close our uh hearings of individuals and delegations, and [snorts] we will move on to the action portion of our meeting. Uh tonight, we have two resolutions on the agenda. Uh resolution 4901 to approve our reorganizational resolutions and resolution 4902 to approve our BOE committee and liaison assignments for the 2026 calendar year. Uh may I have a motion to approve these two resolutions? Thank you, board member Callahan. I have a second. Thank you, board member Sack Gable. Uh, is there any discussion? Well, I have some discussion. Uh, I'd like to give some context for the [snorts] benefit of the public. Uh, with regard to our committee and liaison assignments, uh, we're trying something new as we enter the
021new year. Uh, we're starting up a new committee which we're calling the student and family affairs special committee. The name sounds sort of broad uh, and indeed the committee has a broad mandate. Our goal is to take district functions that currently exist at the outer edges of existing committees and place them front and center in a committee that is focused on several areas that directly impact our students and families. We expect this committee to look at enrollment, assignment, and attendance issues. Uh student wellness including suspensions, student conduct, and counseling. Family engagement including district communication with parents as well as before and after care. student engagement, including student organizations, athletics, and the arts. And finally, a special focus on prek offerings, including at the district's partner sites. Uh the talented assistant superintendent, Dr. Gilbert, will be
022the committee's liaison on the school leadership team, and the committee will engage with other district personnel as needed for the areas we address. Now, we expect to regularly include our student representatives in these meetings and solicit input from relative uh relevant community groups as well. And part of the mandate for the special committee will be to determine by the end of the year whether this committee should continue as a standing committee going forward. Is there any additional discussion? Board member Bennett. This [clears throat] is meant in a neutral way. Um I think the board is setting a record for how many committees it's having in this current year. Um eight. When I was on the board in my first term, we only had four committees and no executive committee. And now we have like eight
023committees and an executive committee. So we're like trying a lot like we're trying not to let any issue uh slip through the craps sorry slip through the cracks which has happened. Um it's very good that we'll be talking about things we might have neglected in the past. But I just want to say like you know we should be cognizant of the fact that sometimes if we discuss something in a committee we may not discuss it in public. So, we do want to be mindful of the need to have like these public discussions so the public can keep up with what we're doing, what's on the radar, and you know, what's coming down the pipe. Thank you. >> Aside, um, in my first term, like we only had four committees, and now there are several board
024members who are actually on four committees. So, it's interesting to think about our president is on four committees and several others are, too. >> I heard we all wanted something to do in the evenings. So, yeah. Uh, any other discussion? Okay. Hearing none, we'll close discussion. Mr. Moody, would you please call the roles? >> Sure. Absolutely. And this will be the roll call vote for the action items, uh, resolutions 4901 and 4902. Board member Stefen, >> yes. >> Board member Saki Gable, >> yes. >> Board member Nyer, >> yes. >> Board member Meyer, >> yes. >> Board member Kapadia, >> yes. >> Board member Higgins, >> yes. Board member Callahan, >> yes. >> Board member Brown, >> yes. >> Board member Bennett, >> yes. >> All right. That concludes the action portion of our meeting.
025Uh, as a programming note, Eagle-Eyed Board Watchers will note that our 2627 budget calendar uh had anticipated a presentation of our annual audit at tonight's meeting. uh that process was slowed because of uh the recent federal government shutdown and issued to completion of the audit and we have not yet had a chance to discuss uh the audit report internally in committee. Uh therefore the presentation will take place in our regular January board meeting later this month and indeed the board of education will meet on January 29th 26 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in public session for our regular meeting. action will be taken. And now I would welcome a motion to adjurnn. Remember second gable. Do I have a second? Callahan. All in favor? All right. Any opposed? All right. Uh, this meeting is adjourned at
0267:01 Yeah.