The meeting began with the certification of election results and the administration of the oath of office to newly elected board members. Among those taking the oath were Mrs. Tamika Gilbert-Floyd, Mr. Chad Byers, and Ms. Juanita Hyman. The board then moved swiftly into the election of its leadership. Mr. Lou Della Barca was elected president with five votes, succeeding Mrs. Barbara Szilagyi. Ms. Hyman was elected vice president, also receiving five votes. Both elections were met with applause and expressions of gratitude for the trust placed in them by their fellow board members.

In his remarks, the newly elected president, Mr. Della Barca, expressed appreciation for the previous leadership and emphasized the board’s mission to “Embrace, engage, and educate” families and students in the district. He welcomed Mr. Chad Byers as a new member, acknowledging the importance of all board members’ contributions to the district’s success.

One of the topics discussed at the meeting was the appointment of a school treasurer and various annual designations. The board handled these appointments efficiently, with motions for agenda items 9.1 through 9.11 and 10.1 through 10.4 receiving unanimous approval via roll call votes.

The meeting also placed a emphasis on ethics and future planning. The board scheduled a discussion on the code of ethics for an upcoming retreat on January 21. Board members were encouraged to read the code in preparation for this discussion. Additionally, the idea of conducting a self-evaluation of board members in the spring was proposed.

Community engagement was a recurring theme throughout the meeting. During the public comment period, a resident, Lisha Heyman, expressed her interest in participating in parent committees. This sentiment was echoed by other residents.

Board members took the opportunity to express their gratitude for the community’s support in the recent elections. One member conveyed optimism for the new leadership, while another highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving educational excellence.

Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Gruccio addressed logistical concerns, announcing a two-hour delay for the following day due to challenging road conditions. She thanked the facilities department and bus drivers for their efforts to ensure safety, acknowledging the difficulties posed by a salt shortage for road treatment. The district received support from the Atlantic County Department of Transportation, which was instrumental in preparing the campuses for safe travel.

The meeting concluded with discussions on committee assignments and the organization of an upcoming retreat. Board members were asked to express their interest in serving as chairs or participants on various committees, with a deadline set for the following Tuesday.