The meeting began with a tribute to Holly Howard, a former Board of Education member, followed by the reorganization of the Board. Laurie Lachs was elected as the board president after a debate, with Barbara Reiss nominating her and praising her dedication and leadership. Mark Csizmar was nominated for Vice President by Jeffrey Winston, who cited Csizmar’s extensive experience and leadership, particularly in law enforcement and school security. However, it was Heather Guas who was eventually elected as Vice President following a tie-breaker, with Vicki Becker highlighting her intelligence, insight, and educational background during the nomination.

Superintendent Victor Valeski provided a detailed report on school events and achievements, drawing attention to various student-led initiatives and the upcoming observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Day. The board also pondered the use of a drone to monitor construction at the high school, discussing logistical details such as insurance and project timelines.

The meeting took a turn when it came to public comments, where multiple community members addressed urgent global and local matters. The crisis in Gaza was a notable topic, with concerns raised about the lack of discussion within the school system and the need for support and education on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Chad, one of the speakers, emphasized the need to break the silence on the issue. Zena Zuri spoke about disturbing social media posts related to the conflict, urging the board to provide correct information to the students. Muhammad Sakeeb suggested integrating cultural aspects into the curriculum and proposed a Muslim heritage month to promote diversity and understanding. Matthew Lei also highlighted the importance of educating students on the Israel-Palestine conflict and addressed concerns about threats to students and the necessity of accurate information.

In response to these public concerns, Superintendent Valeski and Dr. Frigoa reported on the mobilization of guidance support for students. They also noted the difficulty in getting students to share their experiences. Laurie Lachs, the newly elected board member, was welcomed, and the importance of continued education and growth in board roles was discussed.

Other matters addressed during the meeting included a discussion on the official newspaper for publication of legal public notices, with a suggestion to include online media sources to adapt to the digital age and make information more accessible. Dr. Wahed Baja, during his address, stressed the importance of equipping the next generation with tools for engaging in difficult conversations.

The adoption of the New Jersey School Board member code of ethics was unanimously agreed upon, with each board member reciting a portion of the code. This was followed by the unanimous passage of motions regarding bylaws, policies and regulations, meeting notices, official depositories, and the designation of the official newspaper for legal public notices.