Jolene Bergantino

The agenda items for this Special Board Meeting primarily focused on personnel matters and routine business. Key items included the approval of field trips, specifically for 2nd-4th graders to Lifetown in Livingston, NJ. The majority of the agenda involved numerous resolutions for the appointment of various head and assistant coaches for the 2025-2026 school year across multiple sports, including Softball, Boys Volleyball, Baseball, Boys Tennis, Golf, Track & Field, Flag Football, and Wrestling. An addendum item for personnel appointments was also addressed.

The Bayonne Public School District's Emergency Virtual or Remote Instruction Plan - Safe Return Plan for 2025-2026 outlines strategies for ensuring continuity of instruction during public health-related closures and other emergencies. Structured around four emergency management phases (Mitigation/Prevention, Preparedness/Planning, Response, Recovery), the plan focuses on providing comprehensive learning opportunities, fostering a positive school climate, promoting inclusivity, and raising academic standards through the implementation of New Jersey Learning Standards.

The agenda for the regular meeting covered several administrative and operational matters. Key discussion points included personnel actions such as retirements, resignations, and processing numerous requests for various types of leaves of absence (medical, family, personal). The meeting also addressed appointments for 2025-2026 positions, including community education staff, athletic coaches, advisors, and student teachers. Further items involved approving conference/travel requests, setting the date for "L.E.A.D. Day" celebrations, approving various field trips, addressing budget/finance matters like monies received, claims and accounts, and expense account adjustments, and reviewing reports on harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) for January/February.

The organization meeting covered the certification of election results for Board of Education members and the administration of the Oath of Office to newly elected trustees. Key agenda items included the election of the Board of Education President and Vice-President. Resolutions were adopted concerning the approval of a Consent Agenda, the establishment of the 2026-2027 meeting schedule, and the adoption of Bylaws, Policies, and Regulations. The Board also addressed the designation of the Official Newspaper, appointments for delegates to the Hudson County School Board Association and New Jersey School Board Association, and the adoption of the Code of Ethics. Furthermore, the continuation of contracts for Health Insurance Brokerage Services (Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield) and Property/Casualty/Workmen's Comp Insurance Services (Fairview Insurance) was approved, along with the authorization of depositories for School Monies. Other matters included personnel actions such as appointments of coaches/advisors for 2025-2026, staff reassignments for the 2025-2026 school year, and the approval of personnel for Academic Reading & Math Support (ARMS) tutoring. Finally, the Superintendent's report on Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) cases from December/January was reviewed.

The Bayonne Board of Education held a meeting covering various topics, including field trip approvals for multiple schools and grade levels, a three-year preschool program plan and annual update, and a nursing services plan for the 2025-2026 school year. The board also discussed and approved personnel matters such as community education staff, coaches and advisors, reassignments, new assignments, AM/PM duty staff, home instruction staff, a preschool transition team, and a data analysis committee. Additionally, the board addressed financial matters such as monies received, acceptance of required reports, claims and accounts, expense account adjustments, payroll, donations, tuition contracts, transportation contracts, and the submission and approval of an ESEA final report and carry-over application. They also discussed professional development and training for staff, including conferences, workshops, and consultants.