001Okay. Uh, good evening everyone. Happy new year. Hope everyone had a nice start to their new year and a healthy holiday. Um, I'd like to call this meeting to order. Adequate notice of this special meeting of the Kennorth Board of Education has been provided to the Home News Tribune, the local uh the Union County Local Source, the Star Ledger on January 6, 20125. A copy has been filed with the Kennorth Burough Clerk, posted in the Board of Education business office, Harding School, the Brley School, and the Kennaworth Burough Hall as is provided by the open public meetings act. The purpose of this evening's meeting is to organize the board of education for the 2026 year in accordance with uh statute and board of education policy 0151. You please stand and salute the flag. >> Pledge
002allegiance to the flag of [clears throat] the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I will now read the certification of newly elected members. I, Vincent A. Ganella, Secretary of the School District of the Burrow of Kennaworth, County of Union, New Jersey, do hereby certify that the following named persons received the highest number of votes and were duly elected as members of the board of education of the school district of the Burrow of Kennaworth, County of Union, New Jersey at the school election held November 4th, 2025 in the burrow of Kennaworth to wit three-year terms expiring December 31st, 2028. Robert Biner, Anthony Leati, and Allison Tears. I do further certify that Robert Biner, Anthony Liddotti, and Allison Tears were
003elected to uh for the terms set forth above. We'll now administer the oath of office. Uh Mr. Ber, please join me. >> Okay. [snorts] >> Okay. I have that for you. a few. I will [snorts] um I state your name. >> I Robert Barn >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitutions 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 uh and to the governments established in the United States >> and to the governments established in the United States >>
004and this state >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. >> Help me God. >> I state your name. >> I, Robert Winer, >> do solemnly swear >> do solely swear >> 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 a member of of a board of education. And I am not disqualified. >> And I am not disqualified. >> As a voter pursuant to RS194-1. >> Nor disqualified due to a conviction of a crime >> nor disqualified due to a coniction conviction conviction of a crime. >> Or offense listed in NJS18A12-1. >> Or offense listed in NJS-18A12-1. and that I will faithfully >> and that I
005will faithfully >> impartially and justly perform >> all the duties of that office >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> Help me God. >> Congratulations. [applause] >> Congratulations. >> Yes sir. Okay. [clears throat] I state your name. I, Anthony Lady, >> 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. >> Constitution of the state of New Jersey >> and 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
006this state >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. I state your name. I Anthony Lagardi >> do solemnly swear >> 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 >> office of member of the board of education >> and they are not disqualified as a voter >> pursuant to RS19 col4-1 >> pursuant to RS 19-4-1 >> nor disqualified due to a conviction of a crime who are disqualified due to the conviction of a crime >> or offense listed >> in NJS >> 18A12-1 >> or listed in NJS18A 12-1 >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially and justly perform >> all the duties of that office >> according to the best
007of my ability >> to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU. [applause] >> [clears throat] >> I STATE YOUR NAME. I, Alison Pierce, >> do solemnly swear >> that I 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 true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> and to the governments established >> in the United States and this states >> in the United States and this state >> under the authority of the people. So help me God. >> So help me
008God. >> I state your name. I, Alison Tears, >> do solemnly swear >> 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 me a member of a board of education >> and I am not disqualified >> and that I'm not disqualified >> as a voter pursuant to RS19 col4-1 >> as a voter pursuant to RS194-1 >> nor disqualified due to a conviction of a crime crime, >> nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime, >> or offense listed in NJS18A12-1. >> 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.
009[applause] Okay, at this time uh I will now um call roll call. >> Finer >> here. >> Crinkolei >> here. >> David >> here. >> Habith. >> Herdina >> here. >> Lead >> here. >> Penichi >> here. Tears >> here. >> Zimmerman. Okay, we have quorum. So we will pro proceed to nominations for president. Nominations for president are now open. Once nominations are closed, I will call for a vote on each of the nominations in order they were nominated. As soon as one of the nominees has received a majority vote, I will declare the individual uh elected. Do I hear any nominations for president? >> I will nominate Dr. Panichi for board president. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Motion for uh Michelle Panichi for president by Mr. Liddati. Seconded by Allison
010Tears. Are there any additional nominations for president? Okay. Hearing none. May I have a motion uh that the nominations for president be closed? >> Some move. >> Okay. Motion made by Mr. David. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Made by Mrs. Conoli. Okay. Uh all those in favor of >> [snorts] >> uh closing nominations for president signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Those opposed I eyes have it. Nominations for president are now closed. I will now uh call for a roll call vote on the um nomination for Michelle Penichi for president. >> Okay. Mr. Ber, >> yes. >> Crinkolei, >> yes. >> David, >> yes. >> Herdina, >> yes. >> Madi, >> yes. >> Penichi, >> yes. >> Tears, >> yes. >> Motion carries unanimously. Congratulations. [applause] Would you like to say
011anything now or would you like me to proceed to vice president? >> Please proceed to vice president. >> Okay. >> Uh would you like me to handle that for you? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Uh nominations for [clears throat] vice president are now open. Are there any nominations for vice president? >> I nominate Ryan Hiber. >> Second. >> He's going to >> Okay. Motion made. Uh motion for Mr. Habith made by Mr. David, seconded by Mr. Kinkoli. Are there any additional nominations for vice president? >> No. Okay. Uh hearing no additional motion uh nominations. May I have a motion to close the uh vice president nominations? >> So moved. >> Okay. Made by Mr. David, seconded by >> Dr. Panichi. Okay. All those in favor of closing uh nominations signify by saying I. I. I
012>> uh opposed. Okay. Motions uh to uh I will now go through the voting for vice presidents. Uh only nomination is for Mr. Habith. So uh Mr. Biner, >> yes. >> Uh Kinkoli, >> yes. >> David, >> yes. >> Hardina, >> yes. >> Lead, >> yes. >> Penichi, >> yes. >> Tears, >> yes. >> Okay, [snorts] motion carries unanimously. Congratulations, Mr. Haber. [applause] >> Mr. Habithther is taking his uh daughter back to college, so he was unable to uh join us this evening. >> Okay, Michelle. >> You can do what you're the president. You can do whatever you want. >> We'll now move on to review of committees, appointment of committee, and other BOE appointments before the presentation. Everything was sent in the packet. Is there any questions that anybody has regarding anything in here?
013>> Resolutions. >> Um, we can go. >> No, no, I just know what you're >> Yeah, I wasn't going to go over these particularly because it was the reorg, but we have the calendar. Um, everything was sent ahead of time. Does everyone want to take a minute to look over each individual one and if any of the chairs chairs now comment? >> Want to just make a comment. I reviewed all the um the all the law firms, the board of attorneys, labor council, and the bond council. They're all um number one, they're all good law firms. Number two, their prices are within reason. Um obviously, you know, Veto's firm, Porsio, Jason Lampereella did our is our labor council. They did a great job last time. And obviously the Wentz firm is probably one of the
014better firms in the state. So I think we're good all on those law firms. >> Anyone have any questions on the resolutions? >> No. Okay. Mr. Gala, can we move on to the ethics training? Yes, we can. >> We're all very excited. >> What? >> We're all very excited for our >> You always are. >> You got to do the readers. >> Okay. Good evening. Um so this training is being used as our our to satisfy our annual obligation to uh conduct ethics chaining training under uh pursuant to statute. Um, so, uh, it does not replace the ethics training that you do go through with New Jersey school boards. Uh, so it's just our annual obligation to have an opportunity to review it as a group. Um, for specific advice, we always ask that you
015ask our board attorney, Mr. Gagliardi. Um so this evening we will discuss the ethics act the code of ethics uh for school board members uh and review adopt policies regarding the training um uh of school board members and the understanding of the ethics uh code of ethics and provide documentation that each board member has received that uh code of ethics uh and has reviewed it. That's this document that's in your packet. If you could at some point this evening sign it and get it back to me. It has the code of ethics for school members on the back and your acknowledgement on the front or depending on which side you're looking at vice versa. Um so the code of ethics according to NJSA1 18A12-24.1 I will uphold and enforce all laws, rules, regulations of the
016state board of education and court orders pertaining to schools. desired changes shall be brought uh only through uh legal and ethical procedures. B. I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek to uh develop and maintain public schools that meet the individual needs of all childrens regarding uh uh regardless of ability, race, creed, sex or social standing. C. I will conf confine my board action uh to policym planning and appraisal. I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them. Uh D I will carry out my responsibility not to administer the schools but together with my fellow board members to see that they are wellrun. E. I will recognize that the authority rests with the board of education
017and will make no personal promises nor take any private action they may may compromise the board. F. I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to special interests or partisan political groups or to use the schools uh for personal gain or for the gain of friends. Gee, I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which if disclosed would needlessly injurual injure individuals or the schools. Uh in all other matters, I will provide accurate information and in concert with my fellow board members interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its schools. H. I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the chief administrative [snorts] officer. I I will support uh and pro uh protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties. J.
018I will refer all complaints to the chief administrative officer and will act uh and will act on the complaints at public public meetings only after failure of administrative uh solutions. So that was the code of ethics. Now we're going to move on to the school ethics act according to NJSA 18A12-24. I like the code of ethics. They're very straightforward. The School Ethics Act, as you know, has evolved over time due to case law, but uh this is what it says in 18A12-21. No school official or member of his immediate family shall have any interest in a business organization or engage in any business transaction or professional activity which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties and public uh uh in the public interest. B. No school official shall or attempt to
019use his privilege, his office position to secure unwarranted privileges, advantages, or employment for himself, members of his immediate family, or others. No school official uh shall act in his official capacity in any matter where he, a member of his immediate family or a business organization in which he has an interest, has a direct or indirect financial involvement that might reasonably be expected to impair his objectivity or independence of judgment. No school official shall act in his official capacity. And any matter where he or a member of the immediate family has a personal involvement that is or creates some benefit to the school official or member of his immediate family. And D. No school official shall undertake any employment or service which uh whether compensated or not which uh might reasonably be expected to prejudice his
020independence or judgment in the exercise of his school duties. E. No school official or member of his immediate family or business organization in which he has an interest shall solicit or accept any gift, favor, loan, political contribution, service, promise of future employment or other thing of value based upon an understanding that that gift, favor, loan, contribution, service, promise or other thing of value was given or offered for the purpose of influencing him directly or indirectly in the discharge of his official duties. This provision shall not apply to the solicitation or acceptance of contributions to the campaign or an an of an an announced candidate for elective public office. It uh if the school official is has no knowledge or reason to believe that the campaign contribution if accepted uh was given with the intent to
021influence the school official in the discharge of his official duties. F. No school official shall or allowed to be used his public office or employment any other uh information not generally available um to the members of the public which receives a or requires in the course of and by reason of his office or employment uh for the purpose of securing financial gain for himself uh any member of his immediate family or any business organization which um with which he is associated. G no school official or business organization in which he has an interest shall represent any person or party other than the school board or school district in connection with any cause proceeding application or other matter pending before the school district in which he serves or in any proceeding involving the school district in
022which he serves. This provision shall be uh not be deemed uh to prohibit representation within the context of the uh labor uh union or similar representational representation responsibilities. H. No school official shall be deemed to in conflict with the these provisions if by reason of his participation in any matter required to be voted upon, no material or monetary gains accused to him as a member of any business, profession, occupation, group to any greater extent than any gain could reasonably be expected to acrue to any other member of that business, profession, occupation, or group. I, no elected member, uh, shall be prohibited uh from making an inquiry for information on behalf of a constituent if no fee, reward, or other thing of value is promised to, given or to, or accepted by the me by a
023member or a member of his immediate family, whether directly or indirectly in return thereof. J. Nothing shall prohibit any school official or members of his immediate family uh from representing himself or themselves in negotiations or proceedings concerning his or their own interests. So what is one of the differences between the school ethics act and the code of ethics? Who does the code of ethics apply to? code of ethics applies to only board members whereas the school ethics act applies to both board members and administrators. So that's one of the distinctions. So so though we do follow the ethics, it's the code of ethics is specifically um um for board members and how they relate and how they do their their business. whereas the code of the school ethics act applies to elected officials as well
024as appointed officials such as myself and Mr. Davies. So some areas of concern um if you suspect that there's some type of financial involvement I mean we do we do a million dollar millions of dollars worth of business uh so if something comes across the the the um agenda that you feel uncomfortable about or have a question about you could always have the opportunity to recuse yourself um um especially if it involves an immediate family member um and um uh personal involvement. Okay. So, recuse yourself uh when you or a member of your immediate family has a personal involvement that creates some benefit to you or to your immediate uh family member. What's changed over the years is what that definition of im immediate family member is. So, if you have any specific questions, uh
025let us know. Um it's gone broader and broader. It used to be basically basically people living in your house. Now, it's gone much much broader than that. Um, collect the negotiations. Uh, discuss with the board attorney or myself if you believe that conflict exists that may impact your ability to participate in negotiations. Several of you know what your responsibilities are with regarding to that and cannot participate uh as a result of that. It's not a a huge issue. We come across that quite often in our profession. So just as long as we know about it and we can uh disclose it, there's no issue with that. uh ethics advisory opinions. So, uh these are uh issued by the school ethics commission upon request. Uh it's for more complicated issues. Um um and if our board
026attorney or myself can't answer that question, we could seek the advice of the school ethics commission to get a uh um an opinion um uh regarding that. the doctrine of necessity. That's where there are several board members who have the same conflict and runs into the situation where the board can't function. Uh it does happen in certain districts. It's it's not really happened here. Um but if you have a uh five member board for example uh which there are some out there and three of them are teachers um then that has an impact on their ability to negotiate. So that's where the doctrine of necessity would come in. it would be invoked. It would be disclosed and invoked uh as the as the the necessity to actually do our business. So we have to deviate
027around the the the the uh the ethics act indemnification. The board must cover costs related to defending a board member or an act or a mission arising to his or her official duties as a member of the board. And finally, um, uh, some questions, uh, how do, uh, ethics affect board members? Um, questions to think about. Do you have any conflicts that would prevent you from voting or participating, uh, in a matter? Have you sought an advisory opinion from the school ethics commission? Have you consulted the board attorney? Uh, are there any matters where the board will uh, have to use the doctrine of necessity? The whole purpose of this review is to keep this in mind as you review agendas, as we appoint people to to plan ahead to let us know um uh
028what's going on so we can officially e efficiently uh operate the school district. So, two opportunities to get help uh is our board attorney, Mr. Gagliardi, and then the school ethics commission as well. Um and then also school boards of course is always a good uh service as well. They have a great legal department down there. The policy department uh and our field service representative uh Jean Clearary can also assist as well. So any questions regarding the uh school ethics act or the code of uh uh ethics? >> No. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you Vince. Very well done. >> Thank you Mr. Gala. Before we open up the public portion of the meeting, Mr. Dies, do you have anything you want to share? >> Just a few quick points. Uh, first of all,
029happy new year to everybody. Welcome back. Um, also congratulations to Mr. Biner, Mr. Lady, and Miss Tears. And welcome back, Miss Tears. Um, exciting week for Kennallorth Public Schools. We um are our new pre or two preK teachers um started their uh work with us because we're opening up two sections of prek, which is very exciting. And this is um the continued uh benefits of the referendum passing, being able to open up space at Harding for additional prek classrooms. Tomorrow is the first day of school for 30 preschoolers uh in Kendallorth, which is very exciting. They have a half day tomorrow and then their first full day is on Wednesday. So just uh something that's celebratory for our district and I want to thank the board for their support and of course the community for
030their support for opening up additional prek uh for the community. Also just uh note that we finalized our strategic planning process uh back in December and now the leadership team is taking all the input from the community and we're working on action plans. So you'll be hearing from me once the leadership team has those action plans outlined and I'll be providing a presentation to the board. And then um lastly the school calendar for this year. I emailed in my last update to the board uh minor tweak that we're going to make or I'm going to ask you to consider making next week at our regular meeting which is to change the half days in January to encompass both the middle school and the high school high schoolers have midterm exams but with the shared staff
031um it's just creating a lot of conflicts um and it makes a lot of sense to to have half days also for middle school students um we have a plan for that and that's in my update so I just wanted you to be aware of that in advance of next week's meeting. Um, otherwise again, happy new year and welcome back. >> Thank you, Dr. Penichi. >> Thank you. Before we open up the meeting to the public, I'd like to just remind everyone if you can within the next 48 hours to please email me any requests for committees and then I will get it to Mr. Ganell and we will send it out. Okay. At this time, we would like to open up the meeting to the public. Can I have a motion to open up
032the meeting to the public? >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. David, seconded by Dr. Conley. All those in favor of open up opening up the meeting to the public, please say I. >> Opposed. Eyes have it. Motion carried. Mr. Danilla. >> Public comment will now be accepted. The board of education sets the limit to the uh for the public to speak at a board of education meeting to five minutes per person unless prior permission has been granted by the board of education for extended time pursuant to BOE bylaw 0167. Please be reminded that while the board of education while board members while members of the public may speak on personnel members during public comment, the board of education is legally prohibited from discussing individual personnel issues in public session unless the
033employee at issue has requested a discussion public discussion. The board's role is to set policy and ensure the effective operation of our schools. While personnel recommendations are exclusively the responsibility of the superintendent of schools, the board reviews and acts on those recommendations in accordance with the state law and the district policy, but does not init uh initiate or manage individual staffing discussions decisions. So, where did we just hear that? We heard that in our our ethics. Correct. Okay. Uh, all those in favor of uh going to clo close session or no public. >> I >> Okay, opposed. Okay. Okay. We're open for comment. >> Anyone like to make any comments at this time? >> Hi everyone. Tony Gardaniano Perno. I just wanted to congratulate um Bob and Anthony and welcome Allison back. We missed you.
034Um, and just say happy new year to everyone. I think we're off to a really great finish to 2026. Really, we're only halfway. So, um, but it's nice to see a group of people who are so dedicated uh to the point where you want to run again and throw your hat in the ring and come back. And uh we really need dedicated people and our great schools show um the support that you give the staff of uh Harding and Brarely in the middle school. So just thank you and happy new year everyone. >> Happy new year. >> Any other public comment at this time? Okay. Motion to close the meeting for the public. >> Some moved. >> Second. Motion made by Mr. Hina. Seconded by Mr. Dav. All those in favor of closing the meeting
035to the public, please say I. >> I opposed. Eyes have it. Motion carried. Meeting is now closed to the public. Mr. Canalo, are we ready to vote on the roll of resolutions, please? >> We have 18 resolutions on this evening's agenda. Do any of those need to be voted on separately? >> No. Okay, then we will proceed. Biner, >> yes. >> Crinki, >> yes. >> David, >> yes. >> Herd, >> yes. >> Lady, >> yes. >> Penichi, >> yes. >> Tears, >> yes. Motions carry unanimously. >> Okay, Mr. G, we have to go into close executive session. >> No, we do not. >> Okay. So, at this point, um, since we don't have to go into closed executive session, can I have a motion to adjourn? >> So, move. >> Second. >> Motion made by
036Mr. David, seconded by Mrs. Tears. All those in favor of adjourning? I >> I opposed. Eyes have it. Motion carries. Meeting is over. Thank you so very much. See you in a week. A week. We shall save that time.