The election of the board president was a focal point of the meeting, with both Jay Slade and Matthew Sulikowski nominated for the position. After a tie in the initial roll call vote, a further vote determined Sulikowski as the new president. Marjorie Jodrey had remarked that both candidates would serve well in the role. Subsequently, Jennifer D’Antuono was elected as the vice president, solidifying the new leadership structure of the Old Bridge School Board.

The meeting commenced with the acknowledgment of the public’s right to audio or video record proceedings. This was followed by the announcement of the top three vote-getters from the November election, Kristina Mazzone, Matthew Sulikowski, and Elena Francisco, who were then sworn into office. A roll call confirmed the attendance of all board members.

Public commentary featured prominently in the meeting, with resident Tony Pasti voicing strong opposition to policy 5756. Pasti argued that the policy infringed on parental rights and stressed the critical role parents play in their children’s education, calling for the board to rescind the policy. This sentiment was echoed by another resident, Ron Mack, who also took the opportunity to raise the issue of the rights of non-local individuals to address the board. Mack further disputed the commonly referenced notion of “separation of church and state,” claiming it was not present in the Constitution.

In a notable moment of the meeting, members paid tribute to Frank Weber, acknowledging his substantial contributions to the board with several members sharing personal anecdotes and expressing their gratitude for his mentorship. Weber’s financial expertise and service were highlighted as instrumental to the board’s past successes.

An interesting discussion arose during the old business and new business segment, where a board member addressed the topic of seating arrangements. The member expressed a preference to revert to the pre-COVID-19 layout to foster better cohesion among the board members. While another member recognized the logistical challenges of the previous setup, there was an openness to consider changes that might enhance board dynamics.

The board also revisited the code of ethics, with members being asked to sign and return the document. The importance of adherence to the laws, rules, and regulations of the State Board of Education was underscored, along with the commitment to making decisions that prioritize the educational welfare of children and confining board actions to policymaking and planning.