ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS

Approval of Annual Committee Appointments

Each Board of Education (BOE) member has been assigned to chair one committee and serve as a representative on two others, ensuring that each member is involved in three committees in total. This structure is logical and equitable.

However, when it comes to liaison appointments, fairness seems to take a backseat.

BOARD COMMITTEES

• Bradford: Finance/Facilities (Chair), Negotiations (Rep), Personnel (Rep)
• Stanley: Finance/Facilities (Rep), Negotiations (Chair), Curriculum (Rep)
• Khanna: Finance/Facilities (Rep), Curriculum (Rep), Policy (Chair)
• Foregger: Negotiations (Rep), Athletics/Co-Curricular (Rep), Personnel (Chair)
• Dillon: Athletics/Co-Curricular (Chair), Personnel (Rep), Policy (Rep)
• Terrero: Athletics/Co-Curricular (Rep), Strategic Planning (Rep), Technology/Communications (Chair)
• Akiri: Strategic Planning (Chair), Technology/Communications (Rep), Policy (Rep)
• Joly: Strategic Planning (Rep), Technology/Communications (Rep), Curriculum (Chair)

LIAISON APPOINTMENTS: A LOPSIDED DISTRIBUTION

Outside of this bizarre appointment, committee assignments follow a fair and balanced approach; liaison appointments tell a different story.

Board President Gale Bradford has appointed herself to six organizations and Deb Terrero to six. Meanwhile, Dipti Khanna has been assigned to just one.

It is worth noting that Bradford, Terrero, and Khanna all have terms ending this fall, raising serious concerns about who is getting community exposure—and who is being sidelined.

Bradford and Terrero will be regularly attending high-visibility meetings with Town Council, PTO leaders, and the Education Foundation, while Khanna’s only liaison responsibility is with the county. This discrepancy is stark and, in the context of the upcoming November 2025 election, appears strategically unfair.

I have reached out to Mrs. Bradford for clarification on the rationale behind these appointments, as the imbalance is both glaring and concerning.

Liaison Assignments Breakdown:

• Bradford (6): Town Council, PTO Area Council, Union County Educational Services Commission, Union County School Boards Association, NJ School Boards Association, BH Environmental Commission
• Terrero (6): Town Council, Education Foundation, Tech Advisory Board, HIB, PTO Curriculum, Recreation
• Stanley (4): PTO Area Council, Education Foundation, Educator of the Year, Special Education
• Foregger (3): Tech Advisory Board, Union County School Boards Association, HIB
• Khanna (1): Union County Educational Services Commission
• Akiri (3): Legislation, Special Education, PTO Curriculum
• Joly (2): District Diversity, Educator of the Year

A Clear Disparity

The result? Bradford, Stanley, and Terrero control 16 liaison positions, while Akiri, Khanna, Joly, and Foregger are left with only 9.

Does this seem fair to you?

ADMINISTRATION

Semi-Annual HIB Report (Attachment B)

The latest Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) report confirms 17 cases across district schools:

• GL – 1 case
• CMS – 12 cases
• MP – 3 cases

All 17 incidents were verified as confirmed HIB cases.

PERSONNEL

Amended Appointments

• Interim Assistant Superintendent: Mr. Phillips will continue in his role through April 30, 2025.
• Acting Director of Special Projects (6-12 Social Studies & 1-12 World Languages): Ms. Laurie Scott will continue through June 30, 2025.

Retirement Announcements

• Mr. Halleran (Math, GL)
• Mr. Rehberger (Custodian, GL)
• Ms. Bird (Speech, TPH)
• Ms. Chok (Para, MKM)
• Ms. Elmi (Para, WW)
• Mr. Hill (Custodian, CMS)
• Mrs. Nardi (Principal, TPH)
• Ms. Weber (Special Ed, CMS)

We extend our deepest gratitude to Mrs. Nardi, an administrator who has served the district for years. Her dedication to staff, students, and families has left an indelible mark. We at NJ21 thank her for her advocacy and service.

We wish all retirees the best in their next chapter.

Resignations

• Ms. Cruz (Para, MKM)

BUSINESS

Audit Findings & Corrective Action Plan

Despite approving a corrective action plan, the actual audit report has yet to be shared.

Key Findings:

1. Check Approvals & Cash Receipts: Some checks lacked a second approval signature, and cash receipts were not consistently recorded in the cash register.
2. Discrepancies in School Aid Applications: Differences were found between reported figures and actual district work papers. Additionally, supporting documentation for some students classified as low-income was missing.

Both issues are expected to be resolved by June 30, 2025.

For a deeper dive, read John’s Notes on the Audit Findings.

Other Business Approvals

• Demographic Services Contract Increase: The contract price has been raised from $17,600 to $18,600.
• Classroom Toilet Upgrades (William Woodruff Elementary School):
  • Bids range from $190,000 to $232,000.
  • The project appears to be laying the groundwork for adding preschool capacity at WW.
  • However, no public discussions have been held regarding traffic, parking, or drop-off/pickup logistics, which would significantly impact the area.

NEW BUSINESS

• Policy 0155 (Stanley)
• New Committees

Read More on the BHPSNJ BOE

Subscribe to NJ21st For Free