Board approves consent agenda including contracts and personnel appointments; one abstention on two finance items

The South River Board of Education moved and approved a consent resolution that bundled routine items across finance, buildings and grounds, instruction, policy, human resources and safety.

The board secretary read the consent resolution into the record describing the grouped approvals (board secretary items, superintendent items, president items, buildings and grounds, finance items 8.1–8.49, instruction items 9.1–9.4, policy 11.1–11.4, human resources 12.1–12.38 and safety items 13.1–13.4). The motion to approve the consent resolution was moved and seconded and, after roll-call affirmations, the board passed the consent agenda; a committee member stated they would abstain on two specific finance items.

The finance committee read remaining additions included in the motion: approval of JGB Sports LLC for football bleachers (8.44); approval of MRA International for interactive floor and sandbox equipment (8.45); approval of DI Group Architecture for primary school roof architectural services (8.46); approval of Mobile Ad Productions for an elementary school social-emotional learning presentation (8.47); approval of Stank Environmental DBA Safe Schools Integrated Pest Management for the 2024–25 school year (8.48); and approval of Sign Wave Inc for network assessment services for 2023–24 (8.49). The finance presentation linked some of these contracts to items discussed earlier in the budget presentation.

Human resources additions read into the record included three approved appointments: Mariam Paladras as high school chemistry teacher for the 2024–25 school year (Item 12.36); approval of Carissa Disney as primary school/elementary learning center assistant principal effective 02/2025 (Item 12.37); and approval of ESL family night instructors for 02/2025 (Item 12.38). During public comment, Carissa Disney stated, "Moving on July 1, I am going to serve as the VP for the early learning center," and thanked the superintendent and staff.

A public commenter asked if extra funding will be provided to the school nursing department after the appointment of two safety and health program coordinators; the superintendent responded that the school nurses worked with the director of student services, have their own budget line for replacements and replenishment, and that their dedicated budget can meet department needs.

The board's vote was recorded as passed on the consent resolution; a board member indicated they would abstain specifically on items 8.16 and 8.29. The motion carried and the meeting proceeded to committee reports and adjournment.

Next steps: approved contracts and personnel changes were recorded as part of the consent agenda; the district will post budget and personnel information as part of its regular records and website updates.