The meeting commenced with a formal session where two new board members, Mrs. Lisa Frato and Mr. Kleidon Ndreu, took their oaths of office. Amidst a backdrop of formality, these new members pledged to uphold the Constitution and perform their duties with impartiality. Following the swearing-in, the board proceeded with leadership elections. Mr. Teddy F. Tarabokija was elected as the new president after being nominated by Mr. Joseph Capano, and Mr. Marcos Garciga was unanimously elected as vice president, following a nomination by Mr. Michael Russo. The outgoing leader was recognized with a plaque for his contributions, as was Dr. Mark Hayes for his leadership during his tenure.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to reviewing operational contracts and vendor appointments. Notably, a six-year contract for mathematical curriculum services was secured, achieving nearly 50% savings compared to a standard three-year agreement. The board expressed appreciation for Mrs. Calgary Savas, who facilitated this agreement.

Several operational updates were addressed, including the continued use of Zoro Zonar for GPS tracking of the district’s fleet of 25 to 26 buses, and the maintenance of 22 Automated External Defibrillators, overseen by Mr. Porfido. The board also confirmed the continued engagement of United Federated Systems for security and alarm services, and Express Air for HVAC maintenance, a relationship that spans nearly a decade.

Further, a new architect, ENV, was engaged to assist with cafeteria-related work. The district has transitioned from Harima to Dr. Ice for maintaining food service equipment, based on recommendations highlighting Dr. Ice’s expertise. Additionally, the board is maintaining its relationship with Cotine Associates for bidding energy contracts, a collaboration that has reportedly saved the district tens of thousands of dollars.

Attention was given to the ongoing maintenance of the athletic field, with the board planning four maintenance sessions annually.

The district’s energy supply strategy was also discussed, with recent bids from Approved Energy and Clean Sky aimed at optimizing costs. This follows the success of contracts managed by Cotine Associates, with commendation for an employee named Jason Markhamm for his knowledge in energy futures.

Several initiatives aimed at enhancing school operations were also highlighted. The board is set to acquire two new buses to replace four retired ones, sourced from a state-contracted vendor, formerly known as Truck King. Additionally, a new vendor, Perry Weather, will provide a lightning detection system at nearly half the cost of the previous vendor.

Smart Pass, a digital hall pass solution, was renewed to maximize instructional time by reducing student movement in hallways. The district also transitioned to a new telecom system through Adel Engage Intermediate, resulting in lower monthly costs and improved functionality. This move included the provision of 180 new phones at no additional cost.

The meeting concluded with a scheduled ethics presentation led by Vic Lapiro, following the board’s signing of the ethics code. The board acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly with rising costs, as nearly all budget line items saw increases of 3% to 5%. Despite these challenges, the board remains dedicated to securing better deals and maintaining quality services across the district.