Kenilworth School Board Elects New Leadership Amid Public Concerns Over School Safety and Construction
- Meeting Overview:
The Kenilworth School Board’s recent meeting was marked by the election of new board leadership and an engaging public feedback session that highlighted community concerns over school construction, safety, and facility management. Newly elected board members took their oaths, and Michelle Panichi was appointed as the president, with Ryan Haberthur serving as vice president. The board also engaged in ethics training and addressed numerous resolutions related to bylaws and financial matters.
The meeting began with the administration of oaths to newly elected members Suzanne Crincoli, Joseph J. Hrdina, and Dr. Michelle Panichi, whose terms will run through December 2027. Each member took the oath affirming their commitment to their roles, met with applause from attendees. The subsequent election for board president saw Dr. Michelle Panichi securing the position with eight affirmative votes, while Ryan Haberthur was unanimously chosen as vice president.
In the public comments section, community member Randy Lechuck voiced concerns over the construction of a new field and track, particularly the absence of adequate lighting, which he noted posed safety risks. Lechuck stressed that lights should be programmed to provide visibility without disturbing local residents, emphasizing the importance of community safety during evening hours. His observations about parking violations, particularly the blocking of fire lanes at school facilities, underscored ongoing safety issues, as he reported multiple cars parked illegally, potentially obstructing emergency services. Lechuck urged the board to address these safety concerns, recalling past measures such as traffic cones that had been effective but were no longer in use.
Lechuck also raised questions about the ongoing school construction, challenging the alignment of current plans with prior community expectations. He expressed confusion about the integration of middle and high school facilities, questioning the need for additional administrative offices and whether the separation of students was being effectively managed. His remarks reflected broader community sentiment.
In response to these concerns, a board member assured that social media comments are not deleted but may be hidden for technical reasons, and promised to investigate the issue further. The board member highlighted ongoing communication efforts with parents regarding the middle school plans.
The board also participated in its annual ethics training, focusing on the New Jersey School Ethics Act and the School Board Member Code of Ethics. This session reinforced the principles of ethical governance, emphasizing adherence to laws and regulations, prioritizing educational welfare, and maintaining confidentiality. Board members were reminded of their roles in policymaking and planning, and the importance of consulting with affected parties before implementing policies. The training underscored that board members should not have financial interests that conflict with their duties or use their positions for personal gain.
During the ethics session, the doctrine of necessity was discussed, relevant for boards when conflicts of interest arise among members. The board emphasized proactive communication about potential conflicts and encouraged members to seek guidance when needed, particularly regarding recusal obligations.
Following public comments, the board addressed twenty resolutions, covering bylaws, financial matters, and appointments, including legal counsel and curriculum reviews. The board expressed confidence in the financial assessments and thoroughness of educational material reviews. The resolutions were approved unanimously.
Jeremy Davies
School Board Officials:
Dr. Michelle Panichi, Ryan Haberthur, Robert Beiner, Suzanne Crincoli, Gregg F. David, John Ferreira, Joseph J. Hrdina, Anthony Laudati, Nancy Zimmerman, Vincent A. Gonnella (Business Administrator/Board Secretary)
-
Meeting Type:
School Board
-
Committee:
-
Meeting Date:
01/06/2025
-
Recording Published:
01/23/2025
-
Duration:
44 Minutes
-
Notability Score:
Routine
Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:
-
State:
New Jersey
-
County:
Union County
-
Towns:
Kenilworth, Winfield
Recent Meetings Nearby:
- 12/09/2025
- 12/09/2025
- 79 Minutes
- 12/09/2025
- 12/10/2025
- 178 Minutes
- 12/09/2025
- 12/09/2025
- 182 Minutes