DePascale, who has been a member of the board, received considerable support from his colleagues, with the exception of his own abstention during the voting process. Altaai, similarly, was nominated and elected with affirmative votes from her peers, albeit with her own abstention. Their appointments come after a public affirmation of the November 2023 Board of Education election results, which saw DePascale securing a three-year term with 921 votes, Joseph Fede being elected for a one-year term with 1161 votes, and Melinda Street receiving the highest number of votes, 1257, for a three-year term.

During the meeting, the board members took their oaths of office, pledging to uphold their duties faithfully, impartially, and justly, in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the United States and New Jersey. Following the swearing-in ceremony, the board progressed to formalize the election results and moved to nominate and elect the new president and vice president for the year.

The board also acknowledged the service of Andrea Bellise-Jandoli as the past president, thanking her for her contributions in 2023. Additionally, they recognized the presence of local dignitaries, including the chairman of the Republican committee, council members, and the chairman of the zoning board.

A key item on the agenda was the adoption of the Board Member Code of Ethics, which emphasizes the commitment of the board members to uphold laws, make decisions in the interest of students, and maintain confidentiality, among other ethical standards. The code was unanimously adopted by all present board members.

Furthermore, the board confirmed the chairpersons and members for various committees for the 2024 organizational year, adding two new committees: Recreation, chaired by Anthony DePascale with Joseph Fede as a member, and Community Outreach, chaired by Angela Altaai with DePascale also serving as a member. This measure is aimed at ensuring that the board can immediately begin addressing the district’s needs and priorities.

In other business, the board highlighted the upcoming fundraiser for the Education Foundation, set for February 7th, encouraging community participation and support for the initiative. They also expressed appreciation for school personnel who adeptly managed scheduling changes and technical issues during the winter break.