0:00The meeting began with the confirmation of election results for new board members Dr. Marlene Berghammer, Lymari Cintron, and Antoinette Pino. Each was sworn in by the mayor, who administered the oath of office. Following their official induction, a motion was made to nominate Dr. Berghammer for the position of board president. Her nomination was approved with a roll call vote, and she assumed her role after accepting the gavel from the interim chair. In her acceptance speech, Dr. Berghammer expressed gratitude and outlined her vision for the district’s future. She emphasized the progress made under the current administration, detailing facility improvements such as new playgrounds, ceiling tile replacements, and gymnasium floor renovations. Specific schools were mentioned, including School One’s bathroom renovations and School Two’s basement and classroom upgrades. Dr. Berghammer also mentioned ongoing improvements at the high school, particularly praising the performing arts department.

22:24The board also recognized individual contributions from its members. Noteworthy was Brianna Armstead’s collaboration with the media department to establish a state-of-the-art media room for Linden Public Schools. This initiative aims to provide students with transformative educational experiences, including a recent trip to Disney World to explore the World Media Center. Armstead’s efforts were praised as a significant enhancement to the district’s educational resources. Additionally, Lymari Cintron’s role in advancing the Special Needs Department was acknowledged, particularly her involvement in organizing the Special Olympics, which received a financial boost from a $10,000 grant from Phillips 66. The board also emphasized that these accomplishments were achieved without raising taxes, underscoring fiscal responsibility.

Further into the meeting, discussions focused on educational outcomes and strategies to improve test scores. The board stressed the collective responsibility in raising children and enhancing their educational prospects, with the goal of facilitating admissions to prestigious colleges and universities. Malaysia Thomas was nominated and approved as vice president of the board during this session.

Procedural matters included the adoption of Robert’s Rules of Order as the official guide for parliamentary procedure, and the approval of the 2025 meeting calendar. Concerns about potential scheduling conflicts with local and state events were raised, with an emphasis on maintaining awareness to ensure attendance at community gatherings. The importance of starting meetings punctually was highlighted.

38:52The meeting also featured a motion to proclaim January 2025 as School Board Recognition Month, which passed unanimously. Reports from various committees, including Personnel, Finance, Buildings, Grounds, and Security, were presented and approved without opposition. The Planning and Policy Committee’s second reading of policies 5511 and 64701 also received unanimous approval.

Public comments included congratulatory remarks from Mayor Derek Armstead, who commended the re-elected board members and highlighted the importance of prioritizing children and improving test scores. Other community members echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for the board’s dedication and willingness to tackle the challenges of their roles.