##VIDEO ID:N0pi1i2XMDI## e e e we doing good evening welcome to the uh January 2nd 2025 organization meeting of the Clifton Board of Education uh will you all please stand for the pledge United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all thank you Allan your daughter your granddaughter is the cutest by the way uh we all slowed down so now it is time to administer the oath of office to our three reelected officials we go in alphabetical order uh Miss Judy bassford uh County Clerk is going to be swearing her in good evening everyone and happy New Year it's an honor to be with all of you tonight before I administer the oath I'd like to just take a moment and congratulate my good friend commissioner bassford on her re-election I also want to congratulate commissioner Dany commissioner Paris on your re-elections um you know it's clear that Clifton nights have placed their trust in you countywide we had a voter turnout in the November 20 24 general election of 61% and in true Clifton fashion Clifton had a voter turnout of 62% so Clifton knites have made their voices very loud very clear in saying that they want to continue trusting you they trust your leadership they value your experience and they know that the uh quality of Education of our most valued treasure our children is in great hands Judy thank you for the opportunity to stand beside you and Minister your oath as you begin your fifth term I know that you'll continue to serve wonderfully and you will continue to be committed to ensuring that every child in Clifton has an opportunity to succeed so with that let's get to the oath please repeat after me I state your name I Judith bord do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United States and to the governments established in the United States and this state and this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people so help me God so help me God I state your name I Jud the bford do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I that I possess the qualific ifications that iess the qualifications prescribed by law prescribed by law for the office of member of a board of education for the office of member of the Board of Education and that I am not disqualified and I am not disqualified as a voter as a voter pursuant to RS pursuant to RS 19 colon 4-1 19 for death one nor disqualified nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime crime or offense contradiction of a crime or an offense listed in njs listed in njs 18a 18 colon 12-1 12-1 and that I will faithfully and I will faithfully impartially and justly perform and partially and justly perform all the duties all the duties of that office of that office according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability so help me God so help me God congratulations [Applause] Danielle do you want to come up here and to sign the oath for me Judy I need you as well for a quick moment Judy you are here I fill it in R thank you man next we have Dr Lucy Danny see this goes youing I didn't want to be like I'm going to read everything in one shot he's going to repeat after me I state your name I Lucy Dany do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution that I will support the Constitution of the United States of the United States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and allegiance to the same to the governments established in to the governments EST established in the united states in the United States and this state and this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people so help me God so help me God I state your name I Lucy Dany do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law prescribed by law for the office of a member of a board of education for the office of the member of a board of education and that I am not disqualified and that I am not disqualified as a a voter pursuant to as a voter pursuant to RS RS 19 colon 4-1 19 4-1 nor disqualified nor disqualified due to a conviction of a crime due to a conviction or crime or offense or offense listed in listed in njs njs 18a 18a 12-1 12-1 and that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully impartially and and partially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties all the duties of that office of that office according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability so help me God so help me God congratulations Dr last but not least Mr Paris please have your family join us so cute come on up guys come on up don't be embarrassed hello you wanted to read it for you her to read it she probably do a better job than I could all right repeat after me I your name Alan Paris do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution that I will support the Constitution of the United States of the United States and the Constitution and the constitution of the state of New Jersey of the state of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and that I will bear true faith and Allegiance and allegiance to the same to the same and to the governments established and to the governments established in the united states in the United States and this state and this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people so help me God so help me God I I state your name Alan Paris do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law prescribed by law for the office of a member of a board of education for the office of a member of the Board of Education and that I am not disqualified and that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to as a voter pursuant to RS RS 19 19 colon 4-1 col 4-1 nor disqualified nor disqualified due to a conviction of a crime due to a conviction of a crime or offense or offense listed in listed in njs njs 18a 18a Colon 12 12-1 col 12-1 and I will faithfully and I will faithfully and partially and partially and justly perform all of the duties perform all the duties of that office of that of that office according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability so help me God so help me God congratulations [Applause] thank you not practice all [Music] day off all right all right guys congratulations to all of our board members sworn in looking forward to another three years [Applause] um now the fun part um I will be opening the floor for nominations for president roll call Mr Shan oh excuse me uh Mr brunak here miss bassford here Mr kova here Dr Danny here Mr Mia here Mr Paris here Mr Santiago here Mr siano here M Suarez here we have a quorum okay now we'll be opening the floor for nominations for president yes Mr BR Mr statement Mr SE oh my God I don't have any attenda in front of me um Mr I read the mission statement really nervous about reading those I didn't look thank you Mr shahada the mission of the Clifton School District in an open and reciprocal Community Partnership is to provide all students with a quality education to develop the skills necessary to become literate lifelong Learners who are responsible and productive citizens contributing to a Democratic Society in an everchanging world you read it good you miss Maggie will you please read the open public meeting statement the New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right to the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon in accordance with the provisions of this act the Clifton Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be publicized by having the date time and place thereof posted at the city clerk's office Clifton Public Library administration building senior citizen Nutrition Center on cable TV in the local press on the district's website and mail to presidents of parent teacher organizations this meeting will be tape recorded in accordance with policy 0168 now we will open the nominations for president I'd like to nominate commissioner Paris for president any other nominations nominations closed you guys all have a slip in front of you please sign it and put who you will be voting for and send it my way just take a tally take t for me T came offer last year so much let's talk about you send them all down send them all down all right and no particular order Miss Suarez votes for Mr Paris Mr siano for Mr Paris Mr I think that is T oh Tony Mr Paris Mr Paris for himself Mr Mahia for Mr Paris Mr Kenova for Mr Paris Dr Dany for Mr Paris Mr brunak for Mr Paris and Miss bassford for Mr Paris Mr Paris 90 congratulations Richie will you mind switching seats for Mr Paris thank you it is your show president Paris next up is next up will be nominations for vice president taking nominations from the floor I'd like to nominate Miss bassford okay nomination for Miss bassford for vice president any other nomination for vice president I'd like to nominate Mr Santiago for vice president okay commissioner Dr Danny nominates Mr Santiago commissioner Santiago any other nominations okay please write your selection and pass it towards the board secretary [Music] sorry out I know I know I it's like it's like haveit haveit sorry sorry I got a paper that you sign your inance all right in no particular order Mr Mahia for Mr Santiago Mr Santiago for Mr Santiago Mr siano for Miss bassford Miss Suarez for Mr Santiago Miss bassford for Miss bassford Dr Danny for Mr Santiago Mr per President Paris for Mr Santiago Mr brunak for Mr Santiago and Mr Kenova for mitz bassford you put one in the wrong pile all good six to three congratulations vice president Santiago okay Mr shahada yes sir um will you be reading the school board member code of ethics bylaw that's what's next no you guys go around one by one everybody reads a letter okay got it so we'll start with uh commissioner Suarez thank you President parison congratulations um a school board member shall abide by the following code of ethics for school board members I will uphold and enforce all laws rules and regulations of the State Board of Education and court orders pertaining to schools desired changes shall be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures commission sio I will make decisions in terms of the educational well welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools that meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability race Creed sex or social standing vice president Santiago I will confine my board action to policymaking planning and appraisal and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them commission Mia I will carry out my responsibility not to administer the schools but together with my fellow board members to see that they are well run uh commissioner Dr Dany I will recognize that Authority rests with the Board of Education and will make no personal promises nor take any private action that will compromise the board commissioner Canova I will refuse refuse to surrender my independent judgment to special interest of partisan political groups or use the schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends commissioner brunak I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the school which if disclosed would needlessly injure individuals or schools in all other matters I will provide accurate information and in concert with my fellow school board members interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its School commissioner basard h i will vote to appoint the best qualified Personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the chief administrative officer I I will support and protect School Personnel in proper performance of their duties commissioner Suarez I will refer all complaints to the chief administrative officer and will act on the complaints at public meetings only after failure of administrative solution thank you uh I think all of you have seen the the meeting meeting uh schedule list uh delegates and committee appointments committee appointments will be forthcoming uh delegates I'm going to ask if the individuals that are already delegates would like to continue in that role which would be uh for njsba uh be commissioner Mahia as delegate M Santiago as an alternate yes yes and for Pake County uh Dr Dany for delegate and commissioner Mahia as alternate yes yes I'm okay we'll note that in our in our minutes uh Dr Robert toy your uh no report tonight uh Mr Paris other than to congratulate our um newest board members and to say to all of the board and the entire Clifton Community uh happy New Year and I look forward to working with this board for the betterment of our children thank you Dr arber toi this portion of the meeting meeting is open to the residents and non-residents of Clifton for the purpose of addressing any subject matter pertinent to and or directly related to the operation of the Clifton Public School District residents and non-residents are requested to sign the register provided for this purpose and to State their names addresses and subject matter comments are limited to 5 minutes per person issues raised by m members of the public may or may not be responded to by the board all comments will be considered and a response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate the board asks that members of the public be courteous and mindful of the rights of other individuals when speaking specifically comments regarding students and employees of the board are discouraged and will not be responded to by the board students and employees have specific legal rights afforded by the laws of New Jersey the board Bears no responsibility nor will it be liable for any comments made by members of the public members of the public should consider their comments in light of the legal rights of those affected or identified in their comments and be aware that they are legally responsible and liable for their comments nol okay no one online motion close second motion close commissioner brunak seconded by commissioner Mahia uh would anyone like to approach the podium this evening for a public comment seeing none motion to close public comments motion motion by Suarez second by Brun commissioner brunak thank you uh we only have one item to to um vote on this evening so I'm looking for a motion to approve under B education ad Administration item number one Professional Services for the fourth coming year motion motion by commissioner Suarez seconded by Dr Dany any discussion question roll call Mr shahada Mr brunc yes Miss bassford um I need to abstain on the appointment of the medical personnel for um the academic Academy Orthopedics I have a personal uh use of them and so I'm abstaining on them and also I want to vote no on the uh special education attorney I'd like to see that go back to committee and uh rethink that as well because last two years ago we hired a wonderful Law Firm for weer wner Law Group and I'd like to see us go back to the table and work that out but I'm voting no on that one thank you thank you kindly Mr kova yes Dr Danny yes Mr Mahia yes Mr siano yes M Warz yes but I would like to entertain the conversation that commissioner bassford had because I would like to learn more information so if we can bring that to committee as well I don't know what the next steps are for so is that a no for the attorney um for now yes I guess that's correct thank you vice president Santiago yes president Paris yes all motions carry thank you Mr Shada uh nothing left but to adjourn so motion to adjourn motion second Mo by commissioner Mia uh seconded by commissioner Canova Mr I wanted to thank people that came can we do that are we allowed certainly can okay I'm sorry I just a couple people came and uh I think they need recognition there's a colleague of mine from Hudson County in the back seat Lorenzo Richardson uh he was former uh board president from Jersey City he came we're on a group text there's a bunch of us throughout the state so thank you Lorenzo yeah you're you're a true trooper for coming all the way from Hudson County thank you uh tonight I just had want to uh say that I was incredibly honored to being sworn in as a member of the Clifton Board of Education this is my fifth term um this moment holds profound significance for me I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our Pake County Clerk the qualified candidate Danielle Ireland mhof for doing the um honor of swearing me in and making it even more special tonight so thank you Danielle to my family and the one Clifton family your unwavering support has been my foundation and to the voters of Clifton thank you for for placing your trust in me holding my grandmother's Bible cherished Bible from 1964 I feel the presence of my ancestors here tonight guiding me and inspiring me to embark on this journey to serve the community and its children together we will continue to build a brighter future for Clifton so thank you and happy New Year everyone good night you Dr Denny to [Applause] speaker I'll hold my comments till our next meeting um but everybody happy New Year and have a great evening and safe drive home e