Jessica Bryant

The Reorganization Meeting commenced with an Executive Session to discuss a student matter. Key agenda items included the review of the 2020 School Election results and the administration of the Oath of Office to newly elected Board Members. The meeting proceeded with the nomination and election of the Board President and Vice President. Discussions also covered the adoption of the New Jersey School Board Member Code of Ethics and numerous annual appointments for 2021, including personnel roles, the selection of official newspapers, bank depositories, and various professional service contracts for brokerage, legal counsel, auditing, and consulting services. Furthermore, motions were passed regarding participation in the Inter District Public School Choice Program, authorization for budget transfers, mileage reimbursement rates, and the reaffirmation of existing bylaws, policies, and the District's Emergency Management Plan.

The Board of Education agenda items covered personnel and finance matters. Personnel actions included motions to approve employment contracts for the Assistant Superintendent and Board Secretary/Business Administrator, and a salary adjustment for a teacher based on the negotiated agreement. Finance items included approving expenses for several staff members to attend Wilson Fundations workshops with associated fees and mileage reimbursement, and accepting a $10,000 donation from Allentown High School alumni for use at the high school.

The agenda details the upcoming meeting, including the authorization for an executive session to discuss matters exempt from public disclosure, specifically involving an unwarranted invasion of individual privacy and annual staff renewal contracts. The regular business included action items for accepting the HIB Report. Personnel matters involve approving appointments and setting substitute rates for the upcoming school year, alongside specific personnel actions listed in attachments related to FTE increases, appointments, resignations, and compensation adjustments for homebound instruction. Finance actions cover the approval of various financial reports (Board Secretary's, Cash Report, Budget Transfers), bill payments, approval for staff workshop/training expenses, ESY Life Science Job Placements, home instruction approvals, approval of a Corrective Action Plan for auditor recommendations, approval of homebound instruction, an online course approval, and two scholarship donations. Field trip approvals were also requested for Newell Elementary School and the Child Watch Summer Program.

The document outlines the authorization for an Executive Session of the Board of Education, detailing the reasons for closing the session to the public, specifically citing anticipated litigation or contract negotiation (Docket number 3:22-cv-05957) and matters involving employment, specifically the review of Athletic Staff and Administration Job Descriptions/Responsibilities. The Board also approved Allentown High School field trips, approved 2024-2025 contracts including nursing staff services, and accepted the Settlement Agreement and Unconditional Release related to Docket #3:22-cv-05957.

The meeting agenda included Superintendent's reports with action items, notably the motion to accept the HIB Report as presented. The Personnel section involved multiple actions, including approvals for overage compensation for math and ELA portfolio classes, amendments to leave of absence return dates, appointments of per diem substitute teachers, and various leave of absence requests. The Finance section involved certifying the November 2023 financial reports, approving budget transfers, processing payments for November and December 2023 bills, approving workshop/training expenses, approving several Allentown High School field trips, and approving a donation of lab equipment. Transportation motions included approving a new bus route. The agenda also outlined several informational items from school principals and department directors. Finally, the Board authorized going into Executive Session to discuss matters including Annual Staff Renewal Contracts.