001Please. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Good evening and welcome to the South River Board of Education Reorganization Meeting of January 5th, 2026. In compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, chapter 231, Laws of 1975 of the state of New Jersey, adequate notice of this meeting of the South River Board of Education was provided in the following manner. On December 9th, 2025, the notice was delivered to the office of the South River Burough Clerk and posted at the Board of Education Administration building. On December 9th, 2025, the notice was faxed mailed to the following newspapers: Home News Tribune, The Star Ledger. On December 9th, 2025, the
002notice was posted at the South River Burough Clerk's office. Mr. Mr. Rosa, would you please call the role? >> Mr. Bzac >> here. >> Mr. Budson >> here. >> Mrs. Bush >> here. >> Mrs. Lao >> here. >> Mr. Nielsen >> here. >> Mr. Woodway >> here. >> Mrs. Sadowski >> here. >> Mrs. Youngo >> here. >> Mrs. Orbanic >> here. >> Call. >> Thank you. At this time, this meeting is the time and place provided by statute for the installation of the new board members and for the reorganization of the board and to transact several items of business. So, at this time, we are going to appoint our board secretary, Mr. Johnny Rosa, as the temporary board chair. Mr. Rosa, >> thank you. Um, [clears throat] excuse me. Now my first uh business for
003tonight number 3.2. Here on the agenda you will see the election results and the tally amount for the election in November. Anybody have any questions on that? No. All right. So, we'll move right on to 3.3 with the installation of the new board members. Let me set this up here. All right. So, the first person we're going to have is Mr. Basak. You brought your Bible. Come on here. You want to read it? You want me to repeat? Yeah. I'll get you a Bible. What's good? >> All right. And you're going to repeat after me. I >> I Raymond Bezette >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State
004of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments estab established to the United States and this state >> and to the governments established in the United States and to the state >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. I >> I Raymond Bezette >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> that I possess the qualification prescribed by law >> that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law >> for the office of member of board of education >> for the office of member of the board of education >> and that I am not disqualified as a voter >>
005and that I am not disqualified as a voter >> pursuant to RS19 col4-1 >> pursuant to RS19 col4-1 >> nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense >> nor disqualified due to a conviction of a crime or offense >> listed in NJS18A col2-1 >> listed in NJS18A 12-1 >> and I I will faithfully and partially and justly >> and that I will faithfully and partially and justly perform all the duties of that office. >> perform all the duties of that office >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. [applause] So, the next person I have here is uh Kevin Nielson. >> It's my son Carl. my son Brandon. Hold that. >> Just read it. >> I, Kevin Nielsen, do solemnly swear that I will support the
006Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. And I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United States and this states under the authority of your people. So help me God. I, Kevin Nielsen, do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of member of board of education and that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS19 col4-1 nor disqualified due to conviction of crime or offense listed in NJS 18A12-1 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. Thank you. [applause] >> Thanks, guys. Next we have Cynthia Urbanic. I, Cynthia Urbanic, do solemnly swear that
007I 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, Cynthia Urbanic, do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of member of a 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 NJS18A12-1 and that I will faith faithfully, impartially, and justly perform all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability. So help me God. [applause] >> Thank you. >> Next we have Uchan Woodway. You want
008to read it please? I uiway 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 states under the authority of the people. So help me God. I uch an unwitty way do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of member of a board of education and that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS9 colon that 19 colon 4-1 nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense listed in NJ18A colon 12-1 and that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly perform all the duties duties that that office all the duties of
009that office according to the best of my ability. So help me God. >> Congratulations. [applause] Right. Now that we have all our point uh appointees with their oath, we're going to do another roll call with the new members. Mr. Basak >> here. >> Mr. Budson >> here. >> Mrs. Bush >> here. >> Mrs. Laauo >> here. >> Mr. Nielson >> here. >> Mr. John Woodway >> here. >> Mrs. Sadowski >> here. >> Mrs. Young Yao >> here. >> Mrs. Urbanic >> here. >> Okay. For our next order of business under 3.5, we have our election of president. At this time, I will entertain nomination for president. >> I nominate Cynthia Urbanic for the office of president, board of education. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Mr. Mr. Bzac. >> Yes.
010>> Mr. Budson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bush. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Laauo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nielsson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Unawway. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Saddowski. >> Yes. >> Miss Yung Yao. >> Yes. >> Mr. Banick. >> Yes. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. [applause] >> All right. Can I pass over the meeting over to you? You want me to continue with the vice president? Why don't >> you continue? >> Okay. Yeah. >> So, at this time, I'm going to ask for a uh motion for the vice president. >> I'd like to nominate Kevin Nielson. >> Nielson. Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Budson. >> Mr. Bzac? >> Yes. >> Mr. Budson? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bush? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Laauo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nielsen? >> Yes. >> Mr.
011Unway? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Saddowski? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Young Yao. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Urbanic. >> Yes. >> We have a new vice president. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Thank you. [applause] >> At this time, I'm going to um ask the the members if they have any remarks they would like to make on the new nominees. Mr. Basak. >> Yeah. I'd like to uh thank the residents of South River for electing me to another term. I look forward to continually working with the board and superintendent to improve the health of the school district. >> Next, um, >> anybody else have any >> Mr. Mr. N? >> I agree with Mr. Basak here. I want to thank the, um, voters for, uh, coming out and voting. Even though we did run out of pose, I think that
012speaks highly to the fact that the voters like what we're doing up here um, and working with Dr. Zer and her crew to continually improve the uh educational process that goes on here within the district and uh again like to just thank all the voters and it's an honor to stand up here and work with this board and Dr. Zer and her crew. That's all I have for today. Thank you. >> Sus Banick. >> Yes, I would like to echo Vice President Nielsen's comments uh and just add to it that this board is absolutely remarkable to work with. Uh we have accomplished many things throughout the years and we have a lot to show for it. Uh that's been through the guidance of our superintendent through the years and most recently our superintendent Dr. Zer.
013I'd like to thank the voters for supporting the school district always and providing the best education that a public school system can for the children of South River. Um, let's keep going. >> Yeah, >> that's all. >> Very good. >> You want you have any remarks? >> Um, I concur with all previous uh sentiments and uh thank you, South River, and I look forward to uh serving you all. Thank you. >> All right. So, at this time, I'll gladly pass [laughter] the baton over to Miss Orbanick, the president of the board. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Rosa. Our next item of business on the agenda is to approve the premeating and regular meeting dates. Um, and it does say locations, but we know the location is usually the high school auditorium, unless there is
014a student event happening here. Uh there were some requests for two months that being July and November to only have one meeting rather than the premeating and the regular public meeting. I'd like to have some discussion on that if any board member would like to opine on that. >> Yes. In July, we had a hard time getting a core. And I think having just one meeting instead of two, you only have to get a core once and it's a vacation season. And I think that should be a one meeting month. That's all I have. >> Uh, no. Was November your request also, Mr. Bud? >> Um, >> don't discuss November. Just discussed July. >> Okay. Then we'll just discuss July and November will stay as is. >> Okay. >> Uh maybe that was just a
015miscommunication. Um board members, what do you think about the July meeting only being one meeting that month? And I'd also like to ask our superintendent how that fares with you. I know the summer is when we do our most most of our hiring and getting ready for the upcoming school year. I I did discuss the matter with Mr. Rosa. Um we we can um you know continue as is with the two meetings or we can adjust if the board chooses one meeting. It's really completely your discretion and we will adjust as um at the pleasure of the board. So >> if we were to if we were to go to one meeting in July, would we do the 27th or the 30th or would we readjust because it's like a month and a half from
016the June and then another 20 days till August? Like I don't know if that would help. >> That's up to you. I would I in my opinion I would choose the the earlier date. Um I would choose Monday, July 27th. Um I think the month and a half is okay. it lets us flip over to a new fiscal year, which we do at the end of June. Um, I wouldn't move the July meeting earlier than that as like I said, we're just adjusting to a new fiscal year and we would need at least those three weeks to do that. >> All right. >> Any other board members have any uh comment? >> I I agree with one meeting a month for July. >> I'll be fine with July. It is a travel month. Our superintendent,
017our business administrator work very hard. I think that you know for the public that it's good just to warn you. >> Miss Sidowski, I'm fine with this. Whatever the majority is objections, >> I have no objections either. >> Whatever the majority wants. So is it uh then agreed that the July meeting will then only be one meeting and that will be July 27th? >> Yes. >> Dr. Zer, >> that's >> okay. So, let the record uh show that the board does agree that the June, July, and August meetings will only be one meeting for that month and then we will return to schedule as shown in the agenda. Um, all in favor on that. Yes. So, uh, that's the motion. >> Neielson >> by Vice President Nielsen. There is second by Mr. Bezac. >> All
018in favor? I >> Okay, the motion passes. I think uh everyone hopefully did get a chance to see the email regarding the next item which is 5.1 the board committee chairpersons uh which will remain the same as of now. If there is anyone who would like to be considered as a member or vice chair of one of our other committees, uh it is asked that you let Dawn know by January 12th. Uh you were provided the backup as to who the committee chair, vice chair, and members are in that email. But just to recap, uh athletics and extracurricular is Mr. Buden. Our buildings and grounds is vice president Nielsen. Finance is Mrs. Lel. Instruction committee chair Mrs. Bush. Negotiations is Vice President Nielsen and myself. Human resources is Mr. Bzac. Policy and legislation is Mr.
019Anmudaway. Safety and risk management is Mrs. Saddowski. Our council board committee liaison is vice president Nielsen. Our residency committee is Miss Yong Yao. Our PTA liaison is Mrs. Saddowski. Our South River Public Library liaison is Mr. Buden. And Mr. Buden is also our legislative representative. Uh if there are any questions, comments, or interest, please let Dawn know by January 12th. Thank you. Um the board secretary, item number six. Do you have anything? >> No. >> Okay. And we'll move on to item number seven, our superintendent of schools, Dr. Zer. >> Uh there is one item, item 7.1. In order to meet the required um deadline, I place this item on this agenda and that is confirmed HI number uh 3000866 >> and that is the only item I have for this evening. >> And then
020I have 7.2 is the settlement agreement as well. I'm sorry I thought that was under attorney. um is the settlement agreement. There was backup in your um agenda for that. This has been something we have discussed and this is the final outcome for your review and approval. >> That's all. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Are there any comments or questions on the superintendence items? Uh at this time we have an item under our instruction committee. Mrs. Bush. >> Yes. We just have one item. Uh that's 8.1. That's to approve a field trip which is going to be between now and our regularly scheduled board meeting. Uh and that is all we have this evening. >> Okay. Thank you. Under policy and legislation. Mr. Anoodle. >> U there is one item to handle review and
021adoption of all policies. And I believe it's supposed to be approved under the consent resolution. >> And if there are no questions on any of those items, >> I think we were going to have a brief review of that that this issue is raised one of your policies, specifically one of your bylaws uh was discussed after the school board's convention in October. Um, we've had occasion to think about our time limit for public comments once in a while and you are above average actually. Well, you're above average, but your time limit is also above average and in fact is not anywhere in your bylaws and policies. So, there was discussion of can we do it? How do we do it? The answer is yes. At the pleasure of the board, you can introduce into your
022bylaw 9322 a time cap. Uh looking at Middle Sex County, looking at the state in general, the most popular numbers are three, five, and two. 10 is very very long uh and unusual at this point. Uh the sentiment that we see in other clients is that a well-prepared public statement by anyone other than a lawyer can be delivered in well under five minutes. So 10 minutes seems to be unnecessary. If you wish to change that, you do it with two readings like any other policy. First reading would be in January, so people would get notice and then it would be implemented at your regular February meeting if the board chooses and with whatever cap the board chooses. >> So board members, there is a discussion on the table to change our to think about changing
023our current time limit which under the reception of visitors uh you know we always that they have 10 minutes. If we shorten that, what are your uh comments and what is your recommendation for a time limit? >> I'd like to speak on that first. Um like I've said before in the past at school boards when um we've brought this up in meetings in the breakout rooms and I tell people that we have 10 minutes, they look at me like I have two heads. They they can't believe that we have such a long amount of time. And uh like Chris says, two minutes is is tops. Two to three minutes. Five minutes I think is a little push in it too. If it's to me I think um somebody comes up here with a prepared statement.
024It's it's usually done with under three minutes. It's it's my personal feeling and I don't I'm not speaking for the board but I think three minutes would be uh adequate for them to come up and and give a speech to let us know how they feel. >> That's just my opinion. >> Again I I also agree with Kevin. I think three minutes is plenty of time to address the board. If you have a prepared statement, you could tell the board. >> Three minutes is good and we could always extend it if we had votes at the other. So >> that is an option to extend it. Mrs. Bush, >> I'm happy with three minutes. Yes, >> Miss Young. >> Y >> Okay, then three minutes it is. Could the documents be prepared to >> Yes,
025I'll have the uh >> make that a policy. >> Yeah, I'll have that to the super office and we will have it on for first reading of January, second reading in implementation in February. >> Thank you, Chris. >> Thank you. >> Okay, good. >> Okay. Um at this time, would you like to do a consent resolution? >> Absolutely. The South River Board of Education by means of a consent resolution adopt various resolution of a routine and non-controversial nature at one time. Whereas the below listed resolutions are hereby adopted by the said board of education in whole as if the same were individually acted upon and those are under superintendent of schools 7.1 to 7.2 instruction 8.1 and policy and legislation 9.1. We have a consent resolution. >> Neielson moved the consent resolution. >> We have
026a motion by Vice President Nielsen. >> Second by Mr. Bez. Are there any comments or questions on any of the items under the consent resolution? >> All in favor? >> I. >> So carry that. Okay. Okay. Then um at this time we are going to open the meeting up to reception of visitors. The public may address any concern or comment that they have for the board. If you do come to the podium, we'll get the mic moved back and you can speak into the mic. And please keep your comments to a 10-minute time limit. Uh this is on first call for public comment. On second call and on third call. Seeing none, we will close this public comment session and we will entertain. There is no executive session tonight. Correct. No. >> Okay. And the
027next item is a motion for adjournment. >> Neielson >> by Vice President Nielsen. >> Second by Mrs. Low. All in favor? >> I. Motion is carried. Thank you and welcome to the new board. >> Thank you.