The most pressing topic of the meeting was the detailed presentation by the board attorney on school governance and the role of board members. The presentation served as a comprehensive refresher on the legal and ethical boundaries governing board member conduct. They also stressed the responsibility of the board to make policy, develop plans, and evaluate outcomes, while clarifying the limitations on individual board member authority in school administration.

The implications of the restrictions placed on board members sparked debate, with concerns raised over the limitations on communication outside of official meetings. The attorney also tackled issues of transparency and the consequences of violating the open public meetings act, which could result in legal action by the county prosecutor’s office. Additionally, the attorney warned about the potential access to communication records under the Open Public Records Act, cautioning against the use of text messages for communication as they are considered government records and susceptible to public record requests.

The discussion also covered the code of ethics for board members, highlighting that they cannot resolve complaints individually, must refer issues to the superintendent or business administrator, and must maintain respectful communication and conduct. The importance of confidentiality was underscored, particularly regarding executive session discussions. The attorney outlined the potential legal consequences of violating privacy rights and the importance of insurance coverage in scenarios where a board member’s private actions conflict with the Board of Education.

The meeting included examples of ethical violations, such as a superintendent who faced an ethics complaint for approving the employment of her son as a substitute teacher. The board debated the “advice of council defense” recognized in a recent court decision, which may shield board members from penalties if they relied on legal advice when approving settlement agreements.

On the financial front, the proposed tentative 2024-2025 budget commanded attention with the finance committee’s recommendation of a 2.99% tax levy increase. This increase, intended to address rising costs in health benefits, transportation, and property insurance, would exceed the 2% cap. However, additional ratables in the township meant that taxpayers would see an annual decrease of $75.64 for the River Vale School District. The board deliberated on the implications of not approving the increase, which would necessitate cutting over $200,000 from the budget—potentially affecting programs, sports busing, and personnel.

In addition to these primary issues, the board discussed the code of ethics regarding board member involvement in day-to-day school operations. It was clarified that while board members could act as class parents and engage teachers for tutoring, they must recuse themselves from board discussions involving those teachers. The board secretary reminded attendees to complete mandatory training and ethics statements.