##VIDEO ID:TrS3HF8qDD8## America and to the for it stands Nation God indivisible with liy and justice for all pursuance to the open public meetings act adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as follows having a time date and place of this meeting posted on the bulletin board in the administration building on January 12 2024 sending a copy of this meeting notice to The Star Ledger and the local Source on January 12th 2024 and by filing a copy with the hillside uh Township of Hillside and Hillside Public Library also on January 12th 2024 our only announcement unless Mr Glover has one is the presentation of a plaque if Mr Lofton is with us toight oh there he is come on up sir [Applause] got to [Laughter] speak spe yeah the mic is yours you do your thing first and foremost um I think it's important that we acknowledge and recognize not just the work that Mr Calvin Lofton has done while he's been on the board the work that he's done in the township of Hillside for many many many decades we joke often about the students that come through the doors Calvin has laid his hands on them in some shape form or fashion in a positive way but that truly statue limitations that truly speaks to just how instrumental he has been in this community and making sure that the children of this community have a space to really be young people he's an advocate he's an individual who does not bite his tongue but he also seeks to make sure that truth and Justice is there for our young people so whether sitting on the board whether sitting in the community I've had opportunity to have great conversations with Calvin and understand that his voice and perspective will be missed on the board but I know he's not going away any place so it's you're deserving of the flowers that we're giving you you're deserving of all the accolades and Ovations that the members of the community are showing you this evening I personally say thank you thank you for being a strong voice on the board holding us accountable holding me accountable and on behalf of the 3,000 students and over 500 stat members here We Salute Your Service and dedication to this community thank you very [Applause] much so on behalf of the hillside Board of Education we express our appreciation to Mr Calvin Lofton for his years of service as a member of the Board of Education Township of Hillside New Jersey 2022 to 2024 congratulations my brother you want me to say something too [Music] Mr Calvin we have known each other for well since I was a little girl right I'm sorry but but we're we're only we're only like five years apart but um it's what I would like to say is that knowing you from when I was a kid growing up at at the community center and to be able to serve with you on the board of education has been an honor and a privilege and I'm grateful that I've had that opportunity you are strong and passionate about Hillside about the athletic department about the recreation center and you left us a to-do a to-do list as well and um we're gonna make sure that we fulfilled that and it's just been wonderful to have you on the board so thank you and congratulations thank you thank you very much oh first I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity to serve this town and to serve this board and I want to thank um the people of this town for electing me to do this job you know without you guys I never been able to do it and you know before I got on here I had a vision for some things I wanted to get done and I could say for the most part A lot of them got done and I want to name some of them but I want to take all night cuz I did a lot of stuff I'm just kidding I'm just kidding for just a couple things that you know when I when I came on I wanted to you know we I was a um pop water football commissioner and we had the worst fi around and I said no we can't do it we can't live like this for our kids so I said I'm GNA get a fi and everybody said you're not getting a fi but I yes they don't know who I know the man upstairs is in charge of all this not me but if I prayed long enough and if you guys prayed long enough for the things that you want eventually they come true I want to fill we got a gym we got bleaches we got AC we got security systems we got to add on to the school because the schools was too crowded when I came they said oh you can't build n no everything is I said we going to get a new f new school new classrooms and then we got a gym on top of it I mean God is wonderful if you believe in him you get anything done and I just want to say thank you for all my board members that I work with you guys we been great you know y'all had to put up with me for years and y'all made it but we did a lot of good great things you know so without any more you know thank you guys for the and enjoy the new board members they're going to be great also I know thank [Applause] you ask for a motion to go into public motion second I all in favor I residents are requested to State their names addresses and subject matter in the event it appears the public comment portion that may exceed 15 minutes the presiding officer May limit each statement made by each participant to three minutes issues raised by public uh 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 ask 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 the specific legal right afforded by the laws of the state of New Jersey the board no 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 the light of legal rights of those affected or identified in their comments and be aware that they are legally responsible and liable for their comments given the nature of this evening's special meeting we ask that only comments related to this agenda be presented to the board Madame President and board secretary if I may um our member of our Township Council board president would um council president would like to come forth and say a word if we may is that all right Madam president oh I'm well I guess I can say that board secretary yes sir all right thank you Mr Craig EPS Township council president my bad kick up check check okay good evening School Board uh scho scho superintendent I just want to come before you before I even continue congratulations Mr Calvin very good friend of mine he's well deserved for the honor and the ACC so congratulations I just want to come before you today to say thank you for allowing us 5 b Sig fraternity Kai Sigma chapter to use your school facility at the high school for the Christmas uh giveaway for our Hillside residents uh school it was very trying for us to get a facility uh thanks with the school superintendent his uh diligence due diligence board president laquana best and all the school board members we just say thank you for allowing us to the facility we were able to service over 75 families in Hillside I think Miss best came she saw all the toys we did we had left um it was a great event we had food coats and everything it was well received the staff at the security custodial staff everybody was courteous everything went well so I just want to say on behalf of our fraternity thank you thank you thank you something formally is coming but sometimes that takes a while but I just want you know didn't go unnoticed everything that you done for us and I just want to say thank [Applause] you thank you sir thank you Mr ABS anybody else public comment agenda items only I ask for a motion to close motion second second all in favor hi business administrator board secretary declares the following persons as duly elected members of the hillside Board of Education as a result of the election held on November 5th 2024 each for a three-year term Christian estrera margerie horra Eric [Music] okai Bard attorney Mr Hamlin will administer the oath first to Christian estera yes you can swear or affirm which do you prefer i' swear hold on before we begin if you have any family members or loved ones that you want to have next to you as this takes place please have them come up I mean this is a big moment share it with everyone right we are filming live so just everyone knows that we are lives you ready yeah can raise your right hand say I state your name I Christian estrera do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and the constitution of the state of in New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and Allegiance and I will bear true faith 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 in this state in this state under the authority of the people in the authority of the people so help me God so help me God and I state your name I Christian Ester do solemnly swear do soundly swear that I possess the qualifications that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law prescribed by law for the office of member for the office of member of a board of education of a board of education and am not disqualified as a voter and am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS pursuant to RS 19 colon 4-1 19 colon 4-4 4-1 4-1 am not disqualified due to conviction of a crime am not disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense or offense listed listed in njsa in njsa 18a 18a colon colon 12-1 12-1 and that I will faithfully and I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly perform all the duties of that office perform all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability according to the best of my my ability so help me God so help me God congratulations [Applause] take seat yes take your [Applause] seat good take a seat Miss marjerie hardgrave [Applause] a swear or affirm affirm ready yes I state your name I margerie hardgrave do affirm do affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support this Constitution 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 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 this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people I I Marjorie Hargrave do affirm to affirm that I possess the qualifications that I possess I possess the qualifications prescribed by law prescribed by law for the office of member for the office of member of a board of education of a board of education am not disqualified am not disqualified as a voter as a voter pursuant to RS pursuing to RS 19 colon 19 colon 4-1 4-1 am not disqualified due to conviction of a crime am not disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense or offense listed in njsa listed in njsa 18a 18a colon 12-1 colon 12-1 and that I will faithfully and I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly perform all the duties perform all the duties of that office of that office according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability congratulations thank you sir [Music] Eric [Applause] oai you going come up or yeah Miss prefer to swear or affirm okay ready yes I state your name I Eric goai affirm affirm 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 government's established and the governments established in the united states in the United States and in and in this state and in this state under the the authority of the people under the authority of the people I state your name I Eric oai do affirm do affirm that I possess the qualifications that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law prescribed by law for the office of member of a board of education for the office of member of Board of Education am not disqualified as a voter am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS pursuant to RS 19 colon 4-1 19 col 4-1 am not disqualified due to conviction of a crime am not to that one more time you not disqualified am not disqualified am not disqualified due to conviction of a crime due to conviction of a crime or offense or offense listed in njsa listed in njsa 18a 18a colon 12-1 colon 12-1 and that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully and partially and partially and justly and justly perform all of the duties of that office perform all the duties of th office according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability congratulations [Applause] [Music] thank you you guys want to sit right there congratulations to our new and renewed board [Applause] member roll call Miss best pres Miss igu present Mr estrera Pres Miss Hargrave present Miss Horton given present Mr Howard Miss Dr Howard I'm not making that mistake again Mr oai Miss Parks president Mr Shapiro I'm here at this time the business administrator board secretary will entertain nominations for the office of president of the the Board of Education please State who is making the motion and who are you making the motion for Shapiro making a nomination for lauana bestz for president is best do you accept the nomination yes at this time the business administrator Board of secretary will entertain other nominations for the office of president of the Board of Education be there no further this next motion is just to close the nominations off that's why there's a roll call being there are no further nominations motion made by to close the uh nominations please move seconded by second roll call vote on closing the nominations Miss best yes Miss EA yes Mr esta yes Miss Hargrave yes Miss Horton G yes Dr Howard yes M Mr okai yes Miss Parks yes Mr Shapiro yes business administrator board secretary will now conduct a roll call vote for Ms best as president of the Board of Education motion motion I'll call you last Miss best U Miss IG present yes yes Mr estrera yes Miss Hargrave yes Miss Horton giv yes Dr Howard yes Mr aai yes Miss Parks yes Mr Shapiro yes Miss best yes congratulations thank you you all so much thank you so much this is you now the newly elected board president will entertain nominations for the office of Vice President of Board of Education if you would do miss best the same state your name and who you're nominating marer Hargrave nominating Joanne Horton giv Miss Horton giv do you accept the nomination [Music] yes Ben Shapiro nominating Donald Howard Dr Howard do you accept the nomination yes closing the nominations need a motion by to close the nomination for VP if there are not Mr Shapiro second and by second roll call vote on closing the nominations for VP Miss igua yes Mr EST Mara yes Miss harra yes Miss Horton given yes Dr Howard yes Mr Rai yes Miss Parks yes Mr Shapiro yes Miss best yes the president will now conduct a roll call for first being Miss Horton given okay vice president there's no second on this Miss igu yes Mr estrera yes Miss Hargrave yes Miss Horton giv yes Dr Howard Mr okai yes Miss Parks yes Mr Shapiro obain abstain Miss pain regardless of the outcome we need to take a roll call vote on the second candidate president or myself will now conduct a roll call vote for Mr Howard Dr Howard as vice president of the board of education is there a motion motion is there a second second Parks migu yes Mr estrera yes wait what are we what are we hold on this is this is for Mr H Dr Howard as vice president miss day second n Mr esta yes Miss Hargrave no Miss Horton given no Dr Howard yes Mr okai yes Miss Parks no Mr Shapiro yes Miss best yes Miss wardon given one two three four five six yeses one no and two extensions Mr chapier uh M Dr Howard one two three four five yeses three NOS vice president gets how does that vote roll out [Music] given the results of the two votes uh Miss Horton given vice president of the board of [Applause] education is best if you would read number one only open public meetings Act established meeting dates time and place resolved that the hillside Board of Education pursuant to chapter 231 P does hereby proclaim the public meetings of the Board of Education will be held in the hillside Board of Education meeting room Hillside innovation academy 1100 woodriff Avenue at 6:30 p.m. as set forth below unless indicated otherwise be it further resolved that the purpose of the regular meetings shall be the normal conduct of business of the Board of Education and any other items brought to the board's attention by the board members board attorney ATT superintendent and business administrator board secretary be it further resolved that the board of education does hereby designate The Star Ledger and Union County local source as official newspapers to receive notices of meetings and be it further resolved that notices of meetings of the Board of Education will be posted in the hillside Board of Education Administration office and posted on the district website be it further resolved that the Board of Education reserves the right to adjourn or recess a meeting at any time to discuss such matters that may be considered in closed session however the board will first adopt a resolution stating the general nature of the subject to be discussed and as precisely as possible the time and circumstances under which disclosure to the public will be made and be it further resolved that in order to conduct his meetings properly and efficiently the board shall require the following procedures pertaining to public participation at at board meetings any individual Desiring to speak shall give his or her name address and the group if any that is represented the presentation shall be as brief as possible but no more than three minutes per individual the board vests and its president or other presiding officer authority to terminate the remarks of any individual if he or she deems it is in the best interest of those present to do so be a further resolve that the Board of Education will meet on the following dates can I have a motion on number one Mo second U yes Mr esta yes Miss Hargrave yes Miss Horton given yes Dr Howard yes Mr aai yes Miss Parks yes Mrs Shapiro yes Miss best yes Miss best numbers two through five together please motion to authorize the board president to submit standing committee assignments number three motion that the Board of Education conducts his meeting in accordance with the Robert's Rule of Order number four motions to reopt the existing bylaws and policies for the operation of the board and the school system in full force number five motion to adopt the New Jersey School Board member code of ethics as follows resolve that the New Jersey school SCH board's Association code of ethics shall be considered the official code of ethics of the hillside Board of Education that's fine is there a motion on two to five please motion second please second Miss yes Mr estrera yes Miss Hargrave yes Miss Horton given yes Dr Howard Mr aai yes Miss Parks yes Mr yes Miss best yes six only please motion to declare that Citizens Bank shall be the depository for the following accounts with all signatories per each account as indicated and that all dispersements shall be made by check reflects only accounts affected due to new president fine motion on motion second second m g yes Mr esta yes Miss harro yes Miss Horton given yes Dr Howard Mr aai yes Miss Parks yes Mr Shapiro yes Miss best yes seven only motion to appoint Dr David Aken Holz business administrator board secretary as the public agency compliance officer for C calendar 2025 is there a second the see yes Mr estera yes Miss Hargrave yes Miss Horton given yes Dr Howard yes Mr okai yes Miss Parks yes Mr Shapiro yes Miss best yes just a j well thank you all for coming out this evening to support our new board members as well as to welcome back uh our board member hardgrave we thank you for uh coming out and just showing your support to the Board of Education in general we accomplished a lot of things last year despite certain circumstances um but we're here to do the work of our 3,000 plus students and we're going to continue to do that same work and have the dedication and integrity as we move forward and I thank you to my board members again and welcome aboard vice president Horton given may I please is any any board members want to say anything before we adjourn for the evening if not I will ask for a motion tojn thank you is there a second second all in favor have a great evening thank you [Applause] [Music]