During the session, newly elected members Stephanie Huang, Kristen Martin, and Gini Varghese took the oath of office, affirming their commitment to the Constitution of the United States, the state of New Jersey, and their qualifications for serving on the board.

Members read aloud the code of ethics for school board members. The code emphasizes the importance of upholding laws, prioritizing the best interest of children, and maintaining confidentiality in board matters.

During the meeting, the Board moved through the consent agenda items numbered 7 through 22 without any notable debate or opposition. These items covered a range of topics from education and human resources to finance. Furthermore, the meeting minutes from December 18th, 2023, and the executive session from November 20th, 2023, were approved after the standard procedure of motion, second, and roll call vote. Notably, Stephanie Huang abstained from voting on the December 18th meeting minutes.

The meeting also touched on old business briefly, with a mention of the monthly suspension reports, though no extensive discussion was undertaken. The focus on new business brought attention to the teen dating program offered by the County of Bergen. The Board discussed plans to hold workshops for freshmen and seniors.

Another point of interest was the upcoming Martin Luther King Day of Service, with Board members sharing planned activities and expressing their enthusiasm for the event’s growth. This event is a reflection of the district’s engagement with community service and the emphasis on student involvement in civic activities.

Additionally, the Board alluded to a potential visit from a police officer to address concerns about the lack of Wi-Fi at Valley.

The meeting concluded with a call for public comments. However, no citizens came forward to speak, which led to the adjournment of the meeting without further discussion or debate.