The meeting began with the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected board members. Gabriel Camacho, Wanda Garcia, Danielle Jackson, and Derrick Gallashaw took their oaths. Each member pledged to uphold the duties of their office with dedication. The ceremony concluded with applause and congratulatory remarks from fellow board members and the superintendent, who praised the board for their dedication and readiness to tackle the challenges of the upcoming year.

Following this, the board moved to elect new officers. N’Namdee Nelson was nominated for president and secured the position with unanimous approval from the present board members. Similarly, Jeanette Alvarez was elected as vice president, also receiving unanimous support.

In addition to the leadership elections, the meeting highlighted the Camden community’s increased involvement, as evidenced by the voter turnout. Over 7,000 votes were cast in the recent school board elections, a substantial increase from the usual 3,000 to 4,000 votes in previous years. This spike in voter participation was met with applause during the meeting.

The board also reviewed and appointed members to various committees, emphasizing the importance of organized and focused efforts across different operational areas. These committees include Finance and Operations, Teaching, Learning, and Student Supports, Policy and Governance, and Communications and Parent Engagement. Such structured committees are essential for addressing the diverse needs of the school district and ensuring effective governance.

Additionally, the meeting covered administrative actions necessary for the board’s reorganization. This included setting meeting dates for 2026, identifying official publications, and confirming adherence to parliamentary procedures. The board also approved memberships in the New Jersey School Board Association and National School Board Association.

An overview of the code of ethics for board members was provided by the interim general counsel. Each member read a section of the code.

As the meeting progressed to the public comment section, it was noted that no community members had signed up to speak. This led to further board member comments, where expressions of gratitude and excitement for the upcoming year were reiterated. Board members acknowledged the support from family, friends, and the community, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and communication in achieving the board’s goals.