The focal point of the meeting was the proposed amendment to Superintendent Dr. Olga Hugelmeyer’s contract, which would increase her salary from $210,000 to $243,400 annually. This amendment was the subject of a public hearing aimed at gathering citizen input. The board chair reminded participants to focus their comments strictly on the proposed amendment and salary increase.

Maria Loren was the first to voice her objections, questioning the justification for the salary increase given the district’s performance metrics. She criticized the board’s standards, stating, “Is this what your version of Excellence looks like?” and labeling the situation as “mediocrity with a capital M.” Loren’s argument centered on the belief that the superintendent’s raise should be reconsidered in light of the district’s results under his leadership.

Junior Moriset echoed Loren’s sentiments, acknowledging the district’s challenges but emphasizing the need for performance-based evaluations for any salary adjustments. He suggested that the proposed $33,000 increase could be better utilized for resources that directly benefit students, such as technology and extracurricular activities.

Following these public comments, the board members were given the floor to share their views before voting on the resolution to amend the superintendent’s contract. The roll call vote resulted in mixed support and abstentions, with board member Maria Z. Carvalho abstaining. After the vote, Dr. Hugelmeyer expressed gratitude for the board’s support and anticipation for the upcoming school year.

Another topic during the meeting was the support and resources available for students with special needs. Several parents shared deeply personal accounts of their struggles to secure necessary services for their children. One parent described a prolonged battle for support, ultimately regretting not hiring a lawyer sooner. She highlighted that “the district would rather squander hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to fight against my child than use those funds to provide the services he so desperately needed.” She pledged to continue advocating for other families facing similar challenges.

A parent also raised concerns about the removal of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) without proper evaluation. She articulated the struggles her family faced, detailing how her child, who has autism, is no longer receiving necessary services since the IEP was removed. She emphasized the need for respect and support for her children, stating, “I want my children to be respected.”

Another speaker, identified as Fanny Aravo, shared her distress over the removal of her child’s IEP, which she only discovered during a meeting. “The person who was translating did not tell me that they were removing the IEP and replacing it with an F4 plan,” she said, conveying her concern about the potential impacts on her son, who had previously faced bullying and suicidal thoughts.

Employee compensation was another significant issue discussed during the public comments. An Elizabeth paraprofessional voiced grievances about the lack of raises over 13 years and the impact of outsourcing due to the Affordable Care Act. She stated that her $23 an hour now equated to approximately $17 due to inflation, describing the situation as “living below poverty line wages.” The employee criticized the disparity between the compensation of board members and paraprofessionals, requesting a meeting with a board member to discuss solutions for district employees.

A recent Elizabeth graduate and motivational speaker highlighted the struggles of Black students in achieving proficiency. They noted a disconnect between teachers and students, stating, “If a teacher can’t connect with students, they’re not going to learn.” The speaker urged the board to facilitate change, emphasizing the need for support from both parents and the school to prevent students from ending up in the penal system.

The superintendent presented updates on community programs, including the school meal program, which serves nearly 29,000 students, and the Power School student scheduling system. She also reminded parents of the vaccination requirements for sixth-grade students, referencing a successful vaccination event organized with the city’s Health Department.

The board reviewed several agenda items, including the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) investigations, the Finance and Accounting report, and various resolutions. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter a private session to discuss personnel matters, legal settlements, and contract negotiations. Upon returning to the public session, additional items were added to the agenda, including a supplemental personnel report and several appointments for acting supervisory roles within the district.