001resination meeting of the servo board of education to order. Um, and roll call. Okay. Mrs. Bloom >> here. >> Mr. Callahan >> here. >> Mr. Fernandez >> here. >> Mrs. Hernandez >> here. >> Mrs. Maldonado >> here. >> Mrs. Napoleano >> here. >> Mrs. uh Pablone. Pablone. >> Mr. Smith >> here. Okay. Uh, in accordance with chapter 231 PL law 1975, this public reorganization meeting of the servo board of education has been established by sending a copy of the public meeting notice to the home news tribune and the Star Ledger. In addition, copies of the announcement of this meeting have been sent to the burrow clerk and a copy of the notice of the meeting has also been posted on the bulletin board outside of the office of the secretary to the board. Please stand
002for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. The first announcement is the official results of the board of education election held on November 4th, 2025. three-year term candidates. Lucille Bloom, 7,324 votes. Christopher Callahan, 6,880 votes. Jeffrey Smith, 6,821 votes. Jessica Vance, 4,4,741 votes. Kelly Walk Mueller, 4,67 votes. Ataf Gali 3,684 votes. Jacqueline Hedlam 1,254 votes. At this time, I will be swearing in the new newly elected board members. Um, okay. Um, if we can go to the podium. Mrs. Bloom will be first. would you like to hold? >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> All right. If you don't mind reading this, I, Lucille Bloom, do solemnly swear
003that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United States and this state under the authority of the people. So help me God. I, Lucille Bloom, do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office a member of the board of education and that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS194-1 nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense listed in NJS18A 12-1 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 go. >> Okay. And if you would sign it and this is
004your certificate. Okay. And here's your certificate. Thank you very much. [applause] Mr. Callahan Okay, your family's going to hold >> I, Christopher Callahan, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. And that I will here bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United States and this state under the authority of the people. So help me God. I, Christopher Callahan, do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications prescribed by the law for the office of member of a board of education and that I am not disqualified as a voter persuade into RS194-1 nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense listed in NJS18A 12-1 and that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly
005perform all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability. So help me God. Thank you [applause] Smith, >> Mr. Smith. Yeah, they were all little. >> Okay. I, Jeffrey Smith, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United States and this state under the authority of the people. So help me God. I, Jeffrey Smith, do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of member of the board of education and that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS 194-1, nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense listed in
006NJS18A12-1. And that I will faithfully, and partially, and justly perform all the duties of the office according to the best of my ability. So help me God. Great. >> Thank you. [applause] Members, in your packet, you should have the code of ethics. If you would each read one of the first code of ethics, then the next person. Okay. >> Mic. I thought I was loud enough. A school board member shall abide by the following code of ethics for school board members. I will uphold and enforce all laws, rules, and regulations of the state board of education and court orders pertaining to schools. Desired changes shall be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures. I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools
007that meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex or social standing. >> I will confine my board action to policym planning and appraisal and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them. I will carry out my responsibilities not to administer the schools but together with my fellow board members to see that they are run well. I will reorganize the authority rest. I will recognize the authority rests with the board of education and will make no personal promises nor take any private action that may compromise the board. I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to especially interest or partisan political groups or to use the school for personal gain or for the gain of friends. I
008will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which if disclosed would needlessly in injure individuals or the schools. In all other matters, I will provide accurate information and in concert with my fellow board members, interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its school. I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the chief administrative officer. >> I will support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties. I will refer all complaints to the chief administrative officer and will act on complaints at public meetings only after failure of an administrative solution. >> Thank you very much. Uh we already did the roll call, so I am opening the floor to nomination for board president. >> I'd like to make a motion to nominate
009Fernandez. >> I second. I would like to make a motion to nominate Lucy Bloom. >> I second. >> Okay. Who second it? M >> I second. Miss. >> Okay. Mrs. Bloom. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Um >> just since we've had two names nominated, there may be other names. Maybe you should ask if there's any other names uh to be put into nomination. >> Okay. So, seeing none, I guess we can close the nominations. Uh do we make a motion to open in the first place or did we not? We just which is fine if we didn't. I just didn't recall if we made a motion. >> Well, I have the nomination >> just nomination. So, we just did. There's no other nomination. So, so we have two candidates for the office of president. So, I'm
010going to suggest um you know the the the concept of everybody writing their name on the top of a piece of paper uh and then the name of the person voting by by [clears throat] last name of the person as opposed to yes or no on any given candidate because once a majority is reached uh it would mean that that person's president. It's easier to to nominate and fairer I think for both candidates to to do it. So that each person would just write down on a piece of paper and then as you could pass them this way and then um your name would be announced as a roll call vote essentially with whatever candidates's last name. Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. So I mean piece of your agenda or what you know doesn't have to
011be anything too formal. >> What about >> just you know a piece of a piece of paper just as long as we could read your last name and the person uh with the name I guess either Fernandez or Bloom. >> Okay. Our name >> your name too because the >> maybe I should get my contract >> to have our public vote. So our name has to be right. [laughter] >> That's exactly right. The the the best the best thing about this feature is that it the order of voting doesn't matter because you're going to be list you're going to be read uh by the board secretary tonight. Uh however you voted and your name will be associated with your vote, but it'll be done all at once as opposed to everybody doing it in order
012and it's the fairest I think way when you have a >> they're submitting their vote with their name on it. >> Correct. Yeah. Pass that. So, your last name and either Bloom or Fernandez. Okay. >> Yeah, I'll collect them. >> And and don't forget to sign the ethics form and then pass it in. It doesn't matter anyway. >> I passed mine down first. >> So then so uh Miss Miss Pashad is going to read the name of the person uh as she opens it and and for whom they voted. Okay. >> Okay. Mr. Smith votes for Mrs. Bloom. Mrs. Maldonado votes for Mr. Fernandez. Okay. Miss uh Pabone votes for Mr. Fernandez. Mrs. Ne Napoleano votes for Mr. Fernandez. >> Mrs. Hernandez votes for Fernandez. Mr. Ch Mrs. Chudkowski votes votes for Mr. Fernandez. Uh,
013Mrs. Mr. Callahan votes for Mrs. Bloom. Uh, Mrs. Bloom votes for Mrs. Bloom. And Mr. Fernandez votes for Mr. Fernandez. And therefore, Mr. Fernandez has the most votes. He has three, four, five, six, and Mrs. Bloom has three. Okay. So, Mr. Fernandez uh is now the president now the president >> 2026 year >> and you are to assume the seat. [applause] Y okay. Thank you. Vice President nomination. >> Now I'll take nominations for vice president. I'd like to nominate Lady Maldonado. >> Second. >> Like to nominate Jeff Smith. >> Second. Any other nominations? Hearing none. Okay. So, I guess we're going to be carving out another piece of paper out of our agendas. Um, and if that's okay, we could just same thing. Uh, at this point, you would just write your name as well
014as either Maldonado or Smith. Okay? And I'll come around and collect them again. We're old at this at this point. Mr. Smith nominates Mr. Smith. Miss Nepalitano uh nominates Maldonado. Mr. Maldonado and Mrs. Maldonado votes for Mrs. Maldonado. Mr. Fernandez votes for Mrs. Maldonado. Mr. uh Mrs. Hernandez votes for Mrs. Maldonado. Miss Bloom votes for Mr. Smith. Mrs. uh Chkowski votes for Mrs. Mrs. Maldonado. Uh Mr. Callahan votes for Mr. Smith and Mrs. Pabone votes for Mr. Smith. And we have four votes for Mr. Smith and five for uh Mr. Mrs. Maldonado. Mrs. Maldonado wins. [snorts] >> [applause] >> If if I'm allowed, I'll move wherever you want me to. >> Okay. >> We'll let you stay there for now. >> Okay. >> Before we move on, I just want to take a moment. I
015want to thank everyone. I'd like to begin by sincerely thanking our outgoing board leadership, Miss Lucy Bloom and Mr. Jeff Smith for their hard work, dedication, and steady leadership. Lucy, your decadel long service to the board of education has been truly invaluable. Your institutional knowledge, your commitment to our students, and the dedication to this district have left a lasting impact on our schools, our community, and me personally. While I know I can never fill your shoes, and there are many of them, I will do my very best to live up to the high standards you have set throughout the years. I am grateful that you will both continue to serve on this board and I look forward to the continued guidance, collaboration, advocacy on behalf of our students and our district. I also want to
016thank my fellow board members for placing your faith and trust in me. I do not take this responsibility lightly. Serving as board president is a tremendous honor, one that I accept with humility, seriousness, and a deep commitment to doing the very best for our district and for all of you. I cannot promise perfection, but I can promise honesty, integrity, transparency, and my best effort to help continue moving our district in the right direction. I will strive with all my ability to live up to the faith that you and our community have placed in me. Five years ago, when I was first elected to the board of education, I understood the honor and responsibility of serving our community and our students. I was also keenly aware that I was the first person of color and the
017first Latino to ever serve on the board of Seville's long history. This distinction was never about a title. It was about responsibility to serve with integrity, to represent all voices, and to help move our district in a way that reflects who we are as a community. I also understood that there was an added responsibility to serve as a role model, particularly for those that may not see themselves represented in leadership roles for our community, for our staff, and most importantly for our students. That responsibility continues to guide my service today. >> [snorts] >> Last year, our board took another important step forward when we welcomed the first two women of color and first two Latinos to the board of education, including our first foreignb born board member. That moment was significant, not just for representation,
018but for what it symbolized, progress, inclusion, the value of diversity, diverse perspectives for the benefit of our students, our staff, and our community. And tonight, this board has taken yet another historic step forward. For the first time in SEL's history, the leadership of this board will be held by individuals of color, including the first Latino vice president, Lady Maldonado. [applause] I want to give you a big thank you for that. This moment reflects how far we have come as a district and as a community. It sends a powerful message, especially to our students, that leadership is inclusive, opportunity is real, and dedication and service matter. I'd also like to thank our parents who are the most important and invaluable influence in our students lives. Your partnership, trust, and advocacy are essential to our success. and
019to our incredible staff, our administrators, our principles, our supervisors, our educators, power professionals, bus drivers, bus aids, cafeteria workers, our technology department, our security, our maintenance, and our custodial teams. Thank you. Each of you play a vital role in supporting our students and keeping our schools strong, safe, and successful. Your dedication does not go unnoticed. As Maya Angelo once said, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. [snorts] That quote reflects how I view this role of continuing learning, accountability, and growth. As president, I pledge to work collaboratively with each of our board members, our superintendent, and our staff and our parents. I will listen and lead with fairness, respect, and I will always keep the best interests of our students at the center of every decision.
020I thank you again for the trust you've placed in me, and I'm very proud to serve. Thank you. Now, Dr. Lavyby, you want to summarize the agenda for the reorg? >> We don't we don't we don't have to summarize that. >> Okay. >> I don't think there's a need to summarize the reorganization agenda. I think though that it's prudent to ask the board members if they have any questions about any of the reorganization >> items um before asking them to vote on. Yeah, you could do it either as a motion, second on approval of all them and then you know comments or questions from the board before you move on. >> We want to do the comments before the vote. >> It's up to you. You can do that as well. >> Yeah. So before
021we vote on does anyone have any comments or questions on the board agenda or the reorg agenda? >> Just the reorganization. >> Um Dr. Labby, I know that this is the first time we're seeing the new dates for board meetings. And when I went in and checked the school calendar, I noticed that we already have a couple of conflicts with events that will be occurring. Um May 19th, which is scheduled as a board meeting, is the night of the honor society night, which is I believe that's the night when all of the smaller honor societies do their induction. So I think that if they have time, they could maybe change that night. So it's not honor board night. >> And that's for the small honor societies, >> I believe. >> Yeah. I mean, we can
022ask them to change. We're we we can't we have to try to stick to the best of our ability to the third Tuesday in the in the first t first Tuesday for our budget workshop meeting. So I'm sure that the high school will be flexible and change that date. >> And the other one um was June 16th which is the senior barbecue but I'm not sure whether that occurs in the afternoon or in the evening. >> In the evening. Yeah. So that >> and again I mean >> that that could >> that is a conflict and hopefully they can change that but it's not one in which we would change a board meeting on >> and and the other one that is very important. >> It's February 17th is my birthday. >> Oh well we'll
023definitely change that. >> Yes, please. >> And I'm surprised you didn't >> I can have dinner with my family. I love Patrick's cooking but you know >> may not have many birthdays left. So, >> and I know one of the other conflicts, I'm surprised you didn't mention it, was January 20th, and that's parent teacher conferences, >> but they're virtual. >> They're virtual, and that's why we're able to do that. So, I do apologize for some of the conflicts. We have spoken to our principles about making sure that I know that prior to the new year, we did have a concert at the middle school that conflicted with a board meeting. We have asked our principles to be vigilant in making sure that they they do not, you know, you know, date different activities on the
024same same time as a board meeting. So, I'm hopeful that the high school will be able to change the barbecue as well as the um the the smaller honor society, you know, celebrations and then we'll do what we can about February 17th. >> And then next year, don't plan anything on St. Patrick's Day. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Well, we'll do the best we can with that, too. >> Yeah. Oh, that's right. There's I saw that, too. >> It won't be on Tuesday, so it'll be okay. >> All right. Seeing no other comments, I'd like to open up the floor to any public comments on reorggenda items only. >> Seeing no comments. to take a vote for motion. >> Motion motion to accept the reorganiz second. >> Yes. >> One. >> Roll call, please. >> Yes.
025>> Mr. >> Yes. Mrs. Npalitano. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Pabone, >> yes. >> Mr. Smith, >> yes. >> Motion. >> And now, can we have a motion to move into executive session? >> So move. >> Second. >> Guess that was it. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> That's after. Okay. It's okay as long as you go ahead and read it. The the the agenda item. >> Um she didn't give me the motion, but I'm going to bluff it. Okay. We will be uh motion to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel, uh student matters, uh attorney client privilege, and negotiations with the SCA. Okay. All right. You all know that that's exactly what you voted on, right? Okay, great. All right.