001has forwarded notice of this meeting for advertising by having the date, time, and place thereof posted in Caucus Town Hall on the bulletin board located in the hallway of the board of education administration building as well as the district website. >> Excellent. Roll call. >> Mr. Bartletta, >> present. >> Miss Diodeta, >> present. >> Mr. Barry, >> present. >> Mr. Deombre, >> present. >> Miss Keller, >> present. >> Miss Howard, >> present. >> Mr. Lewis, >> present. >> Mr. Lions, >> present. I'd like to welcome you all here this [snorts] evening. Before I get started with my president's message to give some information about what's going on in our schools, I'd like to officially welcome, which I believe we already did, but I don't think we had everybody here last time, our student representatives, Molina,
002Gianna, and Alyn. Welcome aboard. All right, I'm going to start with Yuber Street has come out in front of me. So, updates for the month for Yuber Street. On November 11th, the Yuber Street School 4th grade hosted their annual Veterans Day assembly. Local veterans were invited to join in the celebration. Following the touching assembly, the ve the veterans were invited outside for our field of flags. Dozens of American flags displaying the names of American veterans were placed in front of the property. This project was run by fifth grade teacher Carrie Stamp. On Tuesday, December 2nd, Yuber Street School is joining forces with Claridan School to host the annual elementary school winter concert. The Ubra Street Chorus will be performing and the Clarin School Chorus will perform as well. Students from both schools will come together
003to perform the fifth grade concert in the fifth grade concert band. The show will take place at the Arthur F. Couch Performing Arts Center at 6 PM. Few days later, we are hosting the annual family literacy night at Yuber Street School. The fun event will take place in the Yuber Street School Gymnasium, and we invite students and their families from both Yuber Street School and Clarin School to attend. Join us for a wonderful evening celebrating reading and books. Phone apologize. Other updates update for the high school. The Caucus High School girls volleyball team made history on Sunday with a commanding 3-0 victory over Raridan High School in the NJSIAA group 1 state final hosted at Franklin High School in Somerset. With a performance defined by energy and teamwork, the Patriots left no doubt that they
004were the strongest team on the court. The win marks the 20th state championship in school history. A milestone that speaks to the long long-standing excellence of our volleyball program and the first team in the state to achieve this accomplishment. Even more special, this title ends an 11-year championship drought, making the accomplishment that much more exciting for our athletes, coaches, families, and school community. We are incredibly proud of this team and all that they have achieved. Their success is a testament not only to the athletic talent, but also to their character, their leadership, and commitment to representing Caucus with pride and determination. Please join us in celebrating our 2025 group 1 state champions. Their achievement has brought tremendous excitement to our school and community, and we couldn't be more grateful for the patriot pride they continue
005to inspire. Congratulations, Lady Patriots. And then I just want to mention some um acknowledgements um for the team. So Mr. Dylan Caruso was recognized as coach of the year. Sophia Guzman was named to the first team along with Olivia Jazzichek. Emma Oh, that's I'm sorry. This is not just Caucus. Okay. First team from Caucus. Sophia Guzman. Olivia Jazzichek. Uh, second team, hold on one second, was Avalan Torres, our very own Aelin Torres down at the end of the table and Sarah Velo. And honorable mention was Isabella Pablo. So, congratulations. Very welld deserved to all of those athletes. One minute back. Okay. Also happening at the high school on Tuesday, November 18th, 42 seniors participated in Instant Decision Day, which featured admissions representatives from Caldwell University, Fairley Dickinson University, Keen University, Mammoth University, Monontlair State University,
006NJIT, Ramipo College, Satan Hall University, and William Patterson University. We had a 100% acceptance rate to the institutions with majors such as architecture, psychology, computer science, engineering, nursing, and business. We would like to congratulate those who received acceptances and wish the class of 2026 continued success. The STEM Academy sophomores and juniors had an exciting visit to Stevens Institute of Technology where they got a firsthand look at college STEM programs in action. They toured the campus, heard from current students and faculty, and learned about resour research opportunities in fields fields such as engineering, computer science, and biotechnology. The trip sparked curiosity and helped many students better visualize their own possible futures in the STEM field. Updates from Claran School. Their Veterans Day assembly had become one of the most meaningful traditions of the year. This year,
007we were honored to welcome 15 town veterans, many of whom expressed how welcomed and appreciated they felt by our school community. Several veterans graciously shared personal reflections about their service, adding a powerful and authentic element to the program. It was especially moving to see our students engage with them so respectfully, demonstrating genuine curiosity, gratitude, and understanding in partnership with Mr. Valente, Dr. Garzone, and Miss Mrs. Chetri. Did I get that right? annual social media and smartphone safety night provided parents with essential guidance on digital citizenship, online safety, and effective monitoring strategies. The collaborative effort made the evening both informative and highly relevant for families navigating the challenges of raising children in a digital age. Claridan and Yuber Street School will jointly host the annual elementary winter concert featuring performances by the Yuber Street Chorus, the
008Claridan Chorus, and the combined fifth grade concert band. The concert will take place at the Arthur F. Couch Performing Arts Center, as I said earlier, at 6 PM, and they look forward to a wonderful evening that highlights the musical talents and hard work of the elementary students. Two days later, on December 4th, they will be hosting an annual family literacy night in the Yuber Street School Gymnasium. Families from both Yuber Street and Claron School are invited to join for a fun and engaging celebration of reading and books. We anticipate a strong turnout and a warm enjoyable evening that reinforces our commitment to fostering a love of literacy within our community. And from the middle school, we are thrilled to share the Caucus Middle School has been named one of the best middle schools in New
009Jersey by US News and World Report for 2026. This prestigious recognition places Caucus Middle School among the top performing middle schools across the state and highlights the exceptional academic achievements of our students. Rankings were determined by student performance and progress in mathematics and reading with Caucus Middle School students exceeding the state average in reading proficiency on standardized assessments. A clear testament to their achievement and perseverance. This honor is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our teachers and staff create engaging, supportive classrooms where every student can thrive. It also reflects the strong partnership between school and home as our families play an essential role in reinforcing learning and fostering success beyond the classroom. To be recognized by US News and World Report is not only an incredible milestone, but also a reflection of the values
010that define our school community. Excellence, innovation, inclusivity, and care. We are proud this We are proud of this achievement and inspired to continue building on this momentum as we prepare our students to lead, learn, and make a difference in the world. This recognition belongs to every member of our Patriot community, students, staff, and families whose hard work, collaboration, and commitment make Caucus Middle School a place where success is both celebrated and shared. Um, October and November of 2025. As we wrap up October and enter November, Caucus Middle School continued to celebrate community, compassion, and connection. The month began with a meaningful pinkout day, organized by our student government organization in support of the Susan G. Coleman Foundation. Students and staff proudly wore pink to honor survivors, raise awareness, and show solidarity to those affected by
011breast cancer. A few weeks later, Caucus Middle School came together once again for Unity Day, a national event that promotes kindness, inclusion, and acceptance. Always and classrooms glowed in orange as students and staff pledged to stand up for one another and create a school environment where everyone feels se feels seen and valued. Rounding out the month's events with the PTA fall harvest dance offered students a fun opportunity to dance, play games, and connect with friends. Thank you to our PTO and staff chaperons for creating such a memorable evening. As the holiday season approaches, we are filled with gratitude for our students growth, our staff's dedication, and the continued partnership of our families that make Caucus Middle School such a vibrant place to learn and to lead. That is all the updates for our schools. Um,
012also tonight we are interviewing for our open board seat. I would like to wish everyone luck on their interview and thank everyone for caring enough to dedicate themselves to serve on the board. It is a thankless job at times, but it is filled with rewarding opportunities to be the voice for children and we are looking forward to hearing from all of you. And the board would also like to wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday, being thankful for all the blessings. Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of June 12th, July 17th, and August 14, 2025. Second, >> I think so. Yeah. Okay. Call the roll. >> Mr. Bartletta. >> Yes. Miss Dadetta. >> Yes. [snorts] >> Mr. Barry. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dembre. >> Yes. But
013I have to recuse myself from September. >> September is now on. >> Oh, >> yes. >> That's fine. Yes. >> Miss Geller. >> Yes. Miss Howard? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lewis? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lions? >> Yes. >> I'm sorry. Question for you, Grace. Do you have a a a list of the meetings best? Did Alex miss July? presentation. Let's welcome up for the 2025 graduation update. Hello everybody. First I would like to share that we had 143 students graduating in spring. students graduated passing both New Jersey graduation proficiency assessment also known as NJPA 23 students graduated under the substitute competency test process such as the SAT and PSAT and 32 students graduated under the portfolio process caucus public schools also had zero students receive state high school diplomas as a result of any alter
014alternate requirements for graduation students. Public schools also had zero students deny graduation from the 12th grade class solely because public schools had zero students who were denied graduation from 12th grade class. And these are all of our places that many of our graduating seniors went after college. Many of you stopped by the high school in May and June, you will see that we had a large list sharing what all of our seniors are doing, whether they went to vocational schools, four university, twoear schools or jobs. Congratulations, class of 2025. Your journey has begun. and make your marks. Now, when our students left our high school, they definitely were prepared for the real world and they are prepared if they were ever to go on any public transportation because we do so much safety initiatives within
015our district. I'm also going to share what we are doing our district and our plans for this upcoming school year. Promoting safety through education compressing and using our school buses. The office of school bus safety is committed to advancing the safety of student transportation in New Jersey. educational enforcement efforts. Our mission is to safeguard every student's journey upholding the highest standards of safety in school transportation services. The safest way to transport children to school is by a school bus. school bus. The Office of School Bus Safety will hold school busies and school districts accountable to New Jersey laws, statutes, and safety standards. The office currents doing The first item is bus evacuation. Students are taught how to safely and quickly exit the bus in an emergency using the front side and revers all the students
016on school bus. And we also hold discussions about student responsibility driver on a school bus. Some of the activities we're doing starting from school at our prek where we do these tours and bus evacuation drill. Students will also during the school year participate in some of these activities. We also Feel free to email me with any questions. Thank you. members of the board. district always. So very happy to present five districts. district. So goal involves One of the things that we want to do like teachers. We also want to have a little bit more terms of checking all of our safety Um and we also want to continue with our training. So it together So next instruction organiz have our district. Third goal is training professional development support. that we want to have support. So
017to do that to make them as effective as building right now And we also recognize things that this past week. They are doing solution. So leaders go to leadership. And so I think this is very starting in the winter basically signed up like other school year. So those are my goals and pretty Representatives Tomorrow is possible. And that was last night. It was edition. Another thing is the food drive and it will be held throughout the week until November 26 and all donations will be the volleyball tournament and the take on their juniors Wednesday during the school day for the championship round is next Tuesday. The honor society and honor societies are hosting a holiday toy drive and drive back with Santa on December 5th from 6 to 8 at the high school. Pre-ale are
018$10 for kids and for adult tickets will be $12 for kids and $5. The Hudson County STEM showcase will be held on March 2nd, 2026 at the Liberty Science Center. Students may join the classroom. Projects are due December 15th, 2025. Teams of up to three are allowed and past school projects may And that is all we have to report. Anthony October 31st, 2025 sent to Candidates last takes place session to deliver it will announce it following session. However, December 4th, 2025 to fill the current vacancy on the board. In preparation for Thursday's interview, I also reviewed CCOS board of education policy 0143 board member election and appointment found on the BOE website and attached here to for and reference reading from the second paragraph from the bottom. Policy 0143 states, "In considering candidates who have
019expressed an interest in a vacancy, the board of education may interview candidates in public or executive session. The board must also vote to appoint a candidate to a vacancy in public session, and there should shall be no decisions made in executive session. In the event interviews are conducted in executive session, board members in the public session nomination and voting process shall express their opinion in support of their vote so the public can witness any deliberations, policy formulation, and the decision-making process of the board as candidate for the vacant board position as well as a CC caucus resident and parent of a school age child that values transparency and process. I hope the board sees fit to follow its own district policy 0143 and conduct all deliberations and come to a decision on the selection of
020our new board member in public session, not in executive session. I request this communication be read aloud as a correspondence to the board during the public session of November 20th, 2025 board meeting. Many thanks and I will see everyone on Thursday. Be well, Mr. Anthony Grineer. >> Thank you, Grace. Can you speak to that? >> Uh, yes. Thank you. So, um, just to be clear, we've Um before we started this process, we reviewed the legal requirements. Uh we have had we have had to fill vacancies a few times here uh in seek caucus over the last 15 years. And so the process that you're engaging in is the same one that we we've always done and it's consistent with the law. Um your policy says that you may conduct interviews of candidates in public. Actually,
021we disagree with that. There's a case from 1984, Ganet Sat satellite information network versus Manville that indicates that interviews must be done in public. Uh but that also indicates that deliberations uh may be done in executive closed executive session and that's consistent with the open public meetings act uh specifically um NJSA 104-12B8 which says that a public body may exclude the public only from certain portions of the meeting and one of them is any matter involving the employment appointment etc of any specific prospective public officer um or employee but it includes public officers. So um that case Ganet satellite confirmed that um it's appropriate to have the deliberations over um the individual candidates in executive session. But to be clear um no action is actually taken in executive session. Um as the policy says the
022board must vote to appoint a candidate to a vacancy in public session. There should be no decisions in executive session. So that's exactly what will happen here. The board will have public interviews. It will do the deliberations and closed session um as it's always done and consistent with the Ganet case and the open public meetings act and then the appointment and voting uh which is the decision will take place in public session. So I'm comfortable that everything that the board put out to the candidates is consistent with not only the law but the way that Caucus has always done it here in accordance with the law. Thank you. >> Thank you Vic. Interim superintendent report. Good evening and thank you for joining us for tonight's meeting. Um, tonight our students and the board of ed
023president did an exceptional job providing updates and shared other news from around the district. So much of what I would have to say would be redundant. So given this, I'll focus my report on a few central office news items. First of all, across the district, several initiatives and projects are currently underway. But our team continues its preparation in the central office for the upcoming CQAC review, which is scheduled for early 26. This is an enormous undertaking. It's a process that requires a thorough review of documentation practices across all five areas of district operations. So, it is an enormous monitoring project and the administration and the staff have been diligently working to ensure that we are well prepared. The other big news in the district is that our our financial audit is in process. The auditors
024are present in the district collecting information that they need to complete the audit. um like to take a moment to congratulate all of our fall sports teams. Of course, our volleyball team highlighting a state championship is really something that's unbelievable, an incredible accomplishment. I'd also like to take a moment to recognize the outstanding work of our students for the Veterans Day assemblies that I was able to go to. They were exceptionally well done and very meaningful for the student, staff, and of course the guests of honor, veterans from all branches of the armed forces. Thank you everyone for the continued support of the Sakus public schools and happy Thanksgiving. >> Thank you Dr. Tobec. >> Harassment, intimidation, bullying report for this period, September 18, 2025 through October 15, 2025. I'd like to make a motion
025to accept the harassment, imitation, and bullying findings as reported by the interimm superintendent and are available at the administrative offices for review. >> Second >> discussion. All the role. >> Mr. Bartletta, >> yes. >> Miss Deident, >> yes. >> Mr. Dear, >> yes. >> Mr. Deombre, >> yes. >> Miss Geller, >> yes. >> Miss Howard, >> yes. Mr. Lewis. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lions. >> Yes. >> Business administrative board secretary report. >> Yes. Good evening. Tonight under governance we will be adding resolution R 1.21 to accept the recommendation of the interim superintendent to approve the following. Whereas the CC caucus board of education is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the district and for maintaining high standards of professional conduct among all employees. And whereas the interim superintendent of schools has conducted
026a review of an employment matter involving employee number 5541 and has recommended to the board that the employment of said individual be terminated. And whereas the board has considered the interim super superintendent's recommendation as well as all relevant information pertaining to the employment of employee 5541. And whereas employee 5541 will remain on administrative leave with pay as permitted by the law and board policy until the effective date of termination. And whereas the board has determined that determination of employment is warranted and in the best interest of the Caucus Public School District. Now therefore be it resolved that the CC caucus board of education hereby approves the termination of employment of employee 5541 effective January 20th 2026 in accordance with the applicable laws regulation board policies and contractual obligations and further approves the continuation of the
027administrative leave. Be it further resolved that the interim superintendent of schools is hereby authorized and directed to provide the employee with all required notices of this action and to take any and all steps necessary to implement this resolution. Thank you. >> Thank you, Grace. Public forum regarding agenda items. >> Uh there is none this evening. >> Thank you Pat. Governance committee personnel >> [clears throat] >> In governance this month, we did the approval of some teacher placements as well as the approval of the district goals that you heard about tonight by Dr. Hobach. We also have an approval of the 202526 school safety and security plan, our annual review. Multiple coaching positions are appointed and we are regretfully accepting the retirement of our long-standing teacher, Miss Karen Cibbrano. And under policy, we have first readings
028on two policies. One is the assignment of pupils which discusses students moving within [clears throat] the town and their placement of their elementary school as along as well as a com a policy on student tracking devices which are allowed within the district. However, for privacy purposes, there is no audio, video or taping allowed through these devices. That's it. >> Okay. Thank you, Christina. education curriculum. >> Good evening all and thank you for being here with us tonight. Uh the education committee met on November 10th this month and we have a few resolution to vote on tonight. But before I introduce them, I would like to give a quick update on the non-resolution matters that we discussed. The district completed the NJSLA and NJ GPA adaptive field testing in October. the district reported that everything went
029very well and all the information and all data was submitted to the state. Um, another issue we discussed and it seems to be that this issue appears every year. It's uh availability of the textbooks for our students. So the textbooks are available for our students at every level if needed. And um additionally um and it could be requested through the teachers. Additionally in middle school and in high school the books could be the textbooks could be accessed online. Last but not least [clears throat] we talked about the transition of the special education classes to Hubers Street School. Uh Miss Hennessy was present at our meeting and she reported that transition went very well. Um the faculty, staff and students were very welcoming and um have been helping the new classes to feel at home. Uh
030as far as the resolutions, we have five today. The district is looking for approval of the curriculum updates, uh grade six through eight science, um approval of to dispose of outdated books. Also very exciting news, our high school is um adding one more um class. It's introduction to band. Um also the district is looking for approval of the Sakus public schools 202526 professional development plan. And I just would like to give a side note. It's a very comprehensive professional development plan that looks pretty much at everything from artificial intelligence to um collaboration uh between our faculty and staff. Um and finally approval of field trips. >> Thank you [snorts] Tatiana. Operations Committee finance. At our meeting this month, uh there were uh discussions on um the long range facility plan walkth through uh that was
031done. Netflix was in the district from November 3rd through the 8th. There were no major um nothing major to report. We did have a couple minor issues. Um there was a fuse that was blown and a fiber optic cable was ripped out and Netflix and Netflix is covering the builder. Uh to fix all that, uh we did get a water grant. um of approximately $250,000 for new uh water fountains, water coolers, water faucets throughout the district. Uh we are preparing for CQAC uh coming through uh at Huba Street School and Milbridge School. Uh the uh we did get a quote for repair of the playground turf. At Claran School, the boiler room entrance concrete was uh was complete. Uh, and we got a and we got a quote for the playground turf there. Also, the
032depot pump was fixed over the break. Um, and then we also discussed uh finances uh for the month for the district. That's it. >> Anything for safety, security, buildings and grounds? No. Okay. I need a motion to vote. >> I make a motion to accept uh the recommendations uh for all three committees. >> Second discussion, any recusals on anything? Everybody's good. Okay. Call the roll. >> Mr. Bartletta. >> Yes. >> Miss Detta. >> Yes. >> Mr. Barry. >> Yes. >> Mr. Deumbre. >> Yes. >> Miss Geller. >> Yes. >> Miss Howard? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lewis? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lions? >> Yes. >> Okay. There are no um meeting minutes discussed for any of the ad hoc committees. And now moving on to new business, the board vacancy candidate interviews. Bye ladies. Thank you.
033Have a good night. All right. At this time, I'd like to welcome up Natalie W. This >> could do. Welcome. Thank you. Okay. Welcome. >> I do have a clarifying question. >> Coming. Yes. >> Will you be posing the questions or should I just be responding? >> You will just be responding. Yes. >> Okay. Anytime you're ready. >> Okay. Good evening. >> Um, thank you all for the questions that you posed this evening. So, I'll just go through my answers accordingly. When I think about stability, especially in a school district, I think about creating conditions where students, educators, and families can count on consistent leadership, clear communication, and systems that support learning every single day. In my work, I oversee student services, organizational operations, crisis management, and things that I can't even remember on a
034day-to-day basis. But what I've learned is that stability isn't just the absence of conflict or disruption. It is the presence of strong structures, predictable processes, and a shared commitment to improving. It's when people understand the direction where we're headed and feel supported getting there. As a board member, I know the role is not about managing the day-to-day operations. The greatest responsibility is working with the superintendent, selecting strong leadership, creating clear expectations, and ensuring that the superintendent is supported. When the board and the superintendent are aligned, that consistency flows throughout the entire district. It reaches the principles, the teachers, the staff, but most importantly, our students. If the district continues to move in a stable direction, I believe there are a few uh key priorities. And I feel like um we may have had a conversation,
035the superintendent, because it very much aligns with your goals that you shared this evening. First, we need to have clear and measurable long-term goals. When goals are consistent and well communicated, they provide a roadmap that remains stable even when circumstances change. And we've learned over the last few years, change is inevitable. The second is communication, which those of you who have been on the board previously know that that is a bone of contention for me. In my own experience, communication offer often is the difference between calm and chaos. And families and staff want to understand the decisions that are made by the board, but how they're made, even if they disagree, because that's where trust is built. Third, we need a strong system that supports our students. While we've had ranking uh success with ranking,
036there's still opportunities for support in the area of academics, socially as well as emotionally for our students. When students feel supported, the entire district ecosystem becomes more stable. And finally, we should continue to invest in leadership development. When I saw that uh Mr. Vorhees was able to step up and willfully take the interim superintendent role. It made me think, are we really cultivating our administrators and teachers to move forward in certification processes so that they too can advance and step up not only in times of crisis but in times of when there is opportunity. At the end of the day, stability is a stewardship. It's about ensuring that our decisions um support the school system for our students as well as families. something that they can depend on. Um, and with my background in organizational
037management as well as student centered leadership, that's the approach that I would bring to the board. Something that is thoughtful and works in line with the current superintendent. And unfortunately, we will have a future superintendent, but one that is a system that is built to last. For our second question, one example that would reflect my ability to work collaboratively. Even when I don't personally agree with the direction of a group, um it comes with my experience. Probably hiring committees is probably where you find the most opportunities to disagree in the workplace. There have been instances where committee members have had a preferred candidate over my top choice. In one case, after reviewing finalists, I believe that the individual had a stronger match based on leadership styles and experience in working with complex student needs. However,
038through continued discussion, I got a clearer understanding of why my colleagues prefer one candidate over another. They were able to quantify and qualify their their pick. While it didn't change my position, it gave me insight into why they aligned the way that they did and I gained a deeper understanding and insight into their evaluation. In these moments, I believe it's important to uphold the integrity of a process and that doesn't mean you have to change your mind. What it means is that you have to respect the decision. For me, in the end, we disagreed and the committee moved forward with the decision of another candidate. My commitment was to support the ongoing onboarding process to ensure this person's success as well as meeting the goals and the objectives and the interests of our students. This
039really reflects on how I view the role of a board member. A trustee brings their individual expertise and perspective, but the governance is the collective responsibility. decisions may not always reflect each other's first choice, but once the board votes, it's our commitment to be and it's our commitment and responsibility to be transparent and to support the decision, the district, and the superintendent to carry things out. I'm very comfortable with engaging thought engaging in thoughtful debate. Some of you may know that better than others. um and m maintaining my position when it's appropriate, but the goal is to work collaboratively collaboratively, excuse me, in the interest of the district. The final response, my qualifications. I think submitting a three-page document really does give you insight into my professional and academic qualifications. But I think what's most
040relevant and what you won't find on paper um is that in any role and what matters most is when I show up, I show up to show out. People who know me understand that my commitment to education is not limited to my work or to my children. It extends to every child in our community. I believe we have an obligation as neighbors, as adults, to act in the best interests of every student, not just the ones in our homes or the ones that we know by name. For me, the commitment is to show up in very real ways. the young lady who came to me by way of my nine-year-old who decided she didn't want to go to college and working with her and her family to find a vocational school that she's currently in
041love with or working with a local family who just arrived in the US and struggled navigating the educa the US educational system so that their child could succeed and it's meant stepping into spaces that weren't always comfortable to maintain respect and productivity. These are not moments that can be advertised or captured on paper. They are simply the things that you do when you believe in community and citizenship. And that's who I am. These are the values that I would bring to this role. Showing up, standing up, and doing what's needed in the best interest of our students. Thank you so much. Next, I'd like to welcome up Mary Eckles. >> Good evening. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to uh apply for this position. For question one, for me, stability is really about creating
042an environment where every everyone, students, staff, families, and leadership knows what the district is working toward and can trust that we're moving in the direction consistently. As board members, we're not involved to day-to-day operations. We are responsible for hiring and supporting the superintendent and making sure the district has steady, focused leadership. I believe stability starts with a strong partnership between the board and the superintendent. When expectations are clear, communication is open, and we are all working toward the same goals, it allows the superintendent to lead confidently and keep the district moving forward instead of constantly shifting gears. To promote that kind of stability, I think the district should stay committed to clear long-term goals. When priorities are consistent, it helps everyone from the classroom to central office understanding where we're headed. support steady leadership. Frequent
043changes at the top can disrupt disrupt progress. A su superintendent can only be effective when they have clear direction and unified support from the board. Communicate openly and transparently when staff and families understand the why trust is naturally stronger and uncertainly discreet decreases. Retaining retaining great educators is key and consistency in expectations, support and opportunities make a big difference. Stability comes from a thoughtful informed choices, not constant shifts in policies. Stability means consistency, clarity, and trust. When we have those things in place, the superintendent can lead effectively and our students and staff benefit from districts that moving forward and purpose. Question two. As a board member, I understand that the role is to focus on governance, not day-to-day operations. My responsibility is to work with the superintendent, make decisions that support district goals, uphold policies,
044and help maintain stability for our students, staffs, and community. Stability happens when the board stays aligned with the purpose, works within its boundaries, and presents a consistent, respectful, and professional front. I I also understand how important collaboration is. Trustees will not always agree or vote the same way, but it's our responsibility to listen to one another, respect different perspectives, and keep the focus on what is best for the district. Even when opinions differ, the board must move move forward together once a decision is made. There have been times in my past board service when I did not personally favor a proposal, program, program change, or budget direction. I shared my concerns, but I also made sure to review all the information, consider and perspectives of other trustees and look at the board at the broader
045needs of the district. Even in the final decision wasn't the one I preferred, I supported it publicly because the board functioned as a single body. The stability of the district and the trust from the community are more important than any individual vote. I have taken the same approach in committee settings. Even when I prefer preferred a different plan, I focused on compromise and finding common ground so that we can present a unified path forward. I I believe strongly in teamwork, professionalism, and doing what is best for students for the students even when it means setting aside personal preferences. Finally, I bring a well-rounded combination of board experience, community involvement, and professional skill to the board of education. From 2019 to 2021, including one term as vice president, I gained a strong understanding of governance, policy
046development, and the importance of maintaining stability with the district. In 2020, I played a significant role in helping the board prepare the district for the COVID error. working collaboratively with support students, staff, and families through the unprecedented and challenging time. During my term, I also parti part participated in contract negotiations, giving firsthand experience in collaboration, budgeting, and ensuring agreements remain fair, sustainable, and student focused. Beyond the boardroom, I have remained actively involved in our community by volunteering regularly on townwide events, including those supported by the Caucus Police Department, which has strengthened my con connection to family, staff, and local organizations. These experience these experiences combined with my commitment to teamwork, transparency, and responsible leadership continue to drive my dedication to serving our district and supporting the success and well-being of every student. Thank you. Thank
047you very much. like to welcome up Dina Jerbasio. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts. I believe true stability comes from trust. trust between the administration, staff, families, and the board. Stability doesn't mean resisting change. It means creating a consistent, transparent, and collaborative environment where change can happen thoughtfully and strategically. As a board member, I see our role as setting a clear vision and holding ourselves accountable to it while empowering the superintendent and district leadership to carry out that vision with confidence and continuity. Stability is built when leadership decisions are data driven, communication is open, and everyone from teachers to parents feels informed and valued. To promote stability, I believe the district should focus on three key areas. First, consistency and leadership. Stability begins with consistent, transparent leadership. Building and maintaining a strong
048communicative relationship with the superintendent rooted in mutual respect and shared goals is essential. I believe finding a permanent superintendent is key to restoring trust and providing long-term stability within our district. It's difficult to build confidence when leadership is constantly changing. by utilizing and valuing valuing the expertise of our current interim superintendent and taking the time while he is here to conduct a thorough thoughtful search process. We can ensure we find the right long-term leader to guide our district forward. If we want different results, we have to take a different approach. Second, transparency and communication. True stability comes from open, honest communication. Families and staff should feel informed, heard, and engaged in the decisions that affect them. Transparency doesn't mean breaking protocol. It means finding the right balance between openness and adherence to policy so our
049community feels in included and confident in the district's direction. Lastly, investment in people. Stability starts with investing in the people who make our schools thrive. Our teachers and administrators need the resources, training, and support to do their best work. And when they feel valued, our entire district benefits. We should prioritize promoting from within and developing leadership opportunities for our existing staff. We have incredible talent right here in C caucus. By investing in and retaining those ini individuals, we not only strengthen our schools but also foster a sense of pride, continuity, and commitment throughout our district. Second question. I understand that a board member's role is about governance and accountability, not managing the day-to-day, but helping set the vision, policy, and direction of the district while ensuring our decisions always serve students first. It's also about
050being part of a team, understanding that while we may not always agree, we share the same goal of doing what's best for our schools and community. A good example from my own experience is my work as CPAG liaison. When I stepped into that role, emotions were high and many parents wanted to take a different approach based on past experiences. Instead of contributing to the existing intention, I focused on rebuilding trust, listening, communicating openly, and encouraging collaboration. Over time, this helped shift the dynamic from frustration to genuine partnership. We were able to accomplish real positive initiatives because we stayed focused on solutions rather than conflict. That experience taught me that progress isn't about being right. It's about understanding different perspectives and finding common ground. And lastly, I believe my blend of professional, academic, and community experience
051has uniquely prepared me to serve effectively on the board of education. I bring nearly 20 years of experience in communications and marketing with a strong background in strategic planning, relationship building, and crisis communication. All of which translate directly into thoughtful, transparent, and accountable governance in the community. My work as CPAC liaison has given me a deep understanding of both the strengths and the challenges within our district. I've worked directly with families and administration, organized district-wide events, and advocated for meaningful inclusion. This experience has shown me how important transparency, follow through, and partnership are in building trust. As both a public relations professional and an adjunct professor, I've developed the ability to listen deeply, assess complex issues, and communicate clearly across diverse audiences, even in high pressure or emotionally charged situations. Teaching communications in and integrated
052marketing has further strengthened my understanding of how to effectively communicate, how effective communication can build trust, clarity, and collaboration within a community. My experience in crisis and relationship management has taught me how to navigate conflict with professionalism and empathy, bring people together amid differing viewpoints, and maintain transparency even in challenging moments. At my core, I am a communicator, someone who values clarity, openness, and the responsibility that comes with representing a community. Education has always been at the heart of my career. I earned my being BA in communications from William Patterson and my MS in marketing from NYU. I also passed the practis, completed the alternate route to teaching, and even spent a year at full-time as a full-time prek teacher. And let's just say if you've ever had to corral 24 year olds before nap
053time, you can handle just about anything, even serving on a board of education. That experience taught me more about patience, adaptability, and grace under pressure than any corporate or any job ever could. It also reinforced that real progress takes time, communication, and consistency. Skills that are just as essential in a classroom as they are in the boardroom. That position also gave me a deep respect for educators and a lasting appreciation for the heart and resilience it takes to teach every day. Qualities I carry with me and will bring to this role as a board member. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Finally, I'd like to welcome up Anthony Grineer. Okay. >> Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. Um so my news on stability is that this entire school district needs to have a unified
054consistent front with the sole purpose of advancing the best interest of all of our children. Um unfortunately in the most in the most important areas of this district the building is lacking. We've had eight superintendents in eight years. The lack of continuity and leadership at the top level has prohibited our district from advancing and we failed to give our students the best possible opportunities to thrive. Um the most recent state proficiency tests that were referred to by Miss Deetta earlier today show that in fact half of all students in every grade level are not proficient in math and reading. Um I believe the numbers for the middle school although we received a gold star were less than half of all of our students in math and reading were not proficient. Um, moreover, our school district
055receive a one out of four in inclusion for special education in the most recent studies. Um, that is the lowest score that we could possibly get. And this is really all in fact given the fact that we have not had consistent leadership in this district for over eight years. Uh, secondly, there is a vast amount of instability on the board of education. Um, we are here today to fill a position based on another member vacating that board before the expiration of his term for reasons unknown. The board also went through a threemon search process um held pretty much entirely in executive session where then seven where then of the seven voting members of our board could not reach the five votes needed to hire our next full-time superintendent. We are here searching for a new
056superintendent because the board suspended our previous superintendent without cause which ultimately led to his no fault discharge a year and a half later. And as every candidate thus far has talked about, we lack transparency in some of the most important decision-making processes that this board uh has. um including tonight where I have requested on numerous occasions that the board hold its deliberations for who it selects to fill this vacancy in public as per our policy. Unfortunately, I did not receive the um court case that was referred to earlier today from our attorney prior to tonight, but um I I don't know if it says that it may or must be held in executive session for deliberations, but I know that our policy states that in the event that the interviews are being held in executive
057session that the public nomination and voting process shall express the opinion and support to to support their vote. and I quote, "So the public can witness any deliberations, policy formations, and decision-making process of the board." Um, I call on all of our nominees tonight um to sign a letter uh that I've drafted earlier today to ask that the board conduct its deliberations and uh decision-making process in public or that the rest of our caucus community could see what happens here tonight to promote transparency and promote trust within this district. Um and when referring to the open public meetings act earlier um this would not be in violation of the open public meetings act is um given the fact that we all then will be requesting that this actually happen this um how do I view
058the role of a board member? Well, as stated by the New Jersey Board of Associations, uh the member of a school board have the dual role of representing the concerns of community and the parents to the school administrators and to represent the needs of the students and school district community and to the parents. The members of the school board oversee the budget, approve the curriculum, and set the policies, goals, and objectives for the district. And the board holds the superintendent responsible for advancing the curriculum, implementing the policies, and achieving the goals. Collaboratively working as a team to further these new roles is essential to the proper functioning of the board. No single board member should have the ultimate veto on any proposed policy, goal, concern, or decision regarding a district-wide issue. Transparency with the community
059and our parents is key. The board should seek public input when permitted by the New Jersey School Board of Code of Ethics. And when disagreements arise, as they ultimately always will, a full board discussion should be had where members come ready to justify their position with facts and also come to the table with an open mind that can be persuaded with reason. As the principal adviser to a Supreme Court judge in Manhattan, we engage in such discussions every day to search the record and come to the right decision. My judge and I don't always see it eye to eye, but we both listen to each other's reasons and the goals with the goal to find the right answer, not just be the have the winning argument. In the end, if we approach disagreements properly, discussions
060that result from different viewpoints will lead to a richer decision. When it comes down to my qualifications, um I'm a product of public schools. I am passionate about education for all. I'm a lifelong earner uh learner, excuse me, who received a bachelor's in science and business finance from Ohio State University uh graduating magnum lad. I received my jurist doctorate from Hopster University, also graduating magnum lad. I received a master's in law from NYU. Uh and I was also valictorian in my high school. Um also I have attended almost every single board meeting that this board has had for approximately the last year and a half. I believe it was February 2024 was the first time that I've been here and I think I might have missed one board meeting since then. Um, so I probably
061have made it to more board meet board meetings than several of you in the last year and a half. Um, my commitment to this district, my commitment to the children of this district is unwavering. It is proven. I will always hold the board accountable for their actions whether it be from this audience or as part of the board. I would like to do it as part of the board and I think that my presence and the pointed questions that I have brought to the board show my qualifications and my desire um to help make this district better because that's really what we're trying to do here is just make the district better. Um and again I do call on all the other nominees um if they so see fit to sign the letter with me
062to ask that the board deliberate in public session. Thank you. >> Thank you. public forum. Anthony Grineer. Okay. Steven Zambrano Good evening everybody. >> Good evening. >> I would just like to say on Miss Trabzio's behalf, she'd be an incredible asset to the board of education. She's highly knowledgeable, deeply passionate about our school district and her role as head of CPAC. She has done an outstanding job advocating for students and supporting families. I've also had personal experiences with her through CPAC and in the community of Caucus where she's a positive role model for children especially in sports. Her dedication, leadership, and genuine care for our students truly sets her apart from the rest of the candidates. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, board member comments. I'd just like to say again, um, happy Thanksgiving from
063all of us, to all of you and your families. At this time, the board is going to go into executive session to discuss the candidates. We will be back out to vote. Thank you. Motion. >> I make a motion to go to exit session. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Call the role. >> Mr. Bartletta. >> Yes. >> Miss Detta. >> Yes. >> Mr. Barry. >> Yes. >> Mr. Debre. >> Yes. >> Miss Geller. >> Yes. >> Miss Howard? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lewis? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lions? >> Yes. really fast. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to make a motion to go back into public session. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Call the roll. >> Mr. Bartletta? >> Yes. >> Miss Deetta? >> Yes. >> Mr. Barry? >> Yes. >> Mr. Deombre? >>
064Yes. >> Miss Geller? >> Yes. >> Miss Howard? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lewis? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lions? Yes. >> At this time, is there a nomination on the floor? >> Yes. I would like to nominate Dina Jerbasio to take an open seat of the Chicago school board. >> I would like to second that nomination. >> I can I make a recommendation? I mean, >> yes. Uh Mary, please. >> I second. >> Are there any other nominations? Hearing none, we will call the role based off of the order of the interviews. Oh no, the order of nominations, I'm sorry, the order of nominations. So, we will vote on Dena Jerbasio first. >> Mr. Bartletta, >> no. >> Miss Diodeta, >> no. >> Mr. Barry, >> no. >> Mr. Deombre, >> no. >> Miss Geller, >>
065yes. >> Miss Howard, >> yes. >> Mr. Lewis, >> no. >> Mr. Lions, >> yes. >> The next nomination is for Mary Ethel. Can you call the role for that vote, please? >> Can you give us the tally for Miss? Yes. Four, Mr. Jasio. Three yeses, nos. Five. >> Can I just ask a question? So, when we vote again, we can vote a yes or a no, even if we voted the first time, yes or a no? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Mr. Bartletta, >> yes. >> Miss Dadetta, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Barry, >> yes. >> Mr. Deombre, >> yes. >> Miss Geller, >> no. >> Miss Howard, >> yes. >> Mr. Lewis, >> yes. >> Mr. Lions, >> no. >> We have six yeses and two nos. Congratulations, [snorts] Mary Eckles. >> Congratulations.
066>> Okay. Um, before I close, um, Christina Deari did not get a chance to say her board member comments and she just would like to say something. >> I apologize for keeping us a moment later. I just wanted to quickly give a big shout out to guidance for their college planning that they did for all the seniors. Um, as Kelly mentioned, uh, they had accepted students day. Nine stu nine colleges came in, which they had free applications to, which was a huge cost savings at each application being anywhere from $50 to $75. Um, I would also like to commend President Diodeta on something that we keep hearing about, which is transparency. And I have to say every email we get as a board member, she not only replies to but debriefs her us on it,
067lets us know what her responses and I feel like as a board we really have been working hard on [clears throat] being transparent and I think um I just want to thank my board members for all working as that goal and I'd also like to thank Dr. to whether you're here for a short amount of time or two years and um I think when we voted I know the public may not think it's stability but I feel like you have brought a calm and stability and I'm really enjoying learning from you and that's it. >> Thank you Christina >> and Kelly just real quick. >> Yeah. >> Um I want to give a quick shout out to uh the kindergarten teachers at Claren. Alex and I last week went to the uh sensory museum that
068they did in Claran school and it was it was very well done and the kids had a lot of fun with it. So I just want to just chat. >> Thank you. Also just want to say on behalf of the board, thank you to all the candidates who came out. It wasn't an easy decision. We did deliberate um for quite some time and uh thank you very much for putting yourselves out there and coming out and I encourage you all to run in the next election. So, thank you. >> Motion to close. >> Motion. >> Second. All in favor? >> Good evening, everyone.