The meeting opened with Mayor Derek Armstead administering the oath of office to the newly elected board members. He then took a moment to congratulate the board for their successful budget management and continued effort to enhance educational programs. The board swiftly moved forward with the order of business for 2024, adopting Robert’s Rules of Order for parliamentary procedure and designating official newspapers for legal notices.

The conversation then shifted to the practicality of the board’s operations, focusing on the timing of meetings. After deliberations, there was a board consensus to start regular Thursday meetings at the earlier time of 6:00 p.m. In addition, the board debated and agreed to limit public comments to three minutes, with the implementation of a timer to enforce this rule. These changes reflect the board’s responsiveness to the need for efficient and productive meetings.

Another decision was the unanimous vote to approve a list of ethics for board members.

The board also addressed the importance of continued education for its members by approving a resolution for attendance at training and informational programs sponsored by the New Jersey School Boards Association and Union County School Boards Association.

January 2024 was proclaimed School Board Recognition Month and Muslim Heritage Month in Linden Public Schools, highlighting the board’s recognition of its own role and the diversity within the community it serves. The building, grounds, and security committee further demonstrated community involvement by approving the use of school facilities for local sports events as requested by the Linden Department of Parks and Recreation.

Public engagement was evidenced during the comments section, where City Councilman Carlos Rivas praised the board’s collaborative efforts with city officials. Rob Mangel, a social studies teacher, also took the floor to remind the board of the profound impact their decisions have on students and staff.

Board member Donna Hernandez opened the conversation regarding the school’s meal program, emphasizing the need to increase breakfast participation and address portion size concerns. The discussion on graduation venues was also prominent, with Faith Fellowship and alternative sites considered due to Kean University’s unavailability.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to student scholarships and educational support. The board expressed a desire to double the previous year’s scholarship amount from $3 million and discussed the student-to-guidance counselor ratio and the establishment of a scholarship committee. Several initiatives were highlighted, including instant decision days, college fairs, and a districtwide College and Career Readiness day. The involvement of parents in the educational process was also stressed as crucial for student success.

In an effort to reach out to the diverse student population, board member Lymari Cintron proposed having multilingual information available online. Brianna Armstead suggested the inspirational display of college and university banners and pictures of scholarship recipients in the cafeteria, while Sasquia Carrillo emphasized the importance of college awareness and financial support through scholarships. Questions were raised about the student video initiative, including participation levels and the potential need to extend the project deadline.

The meeting closed with board member comments reflecting a shared commitment to serving the district. The members then adjourned, expressing gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the Linden community.