Board addresses political text-message allegations targeting members; mayoral texts read into record

During new business the Palisades Park Board of Education read aloud portions of a text message circulated on May 16 that a speaker identified as coming from a mayor. The message alleged that a councilman or other parties struck a deal involving a consulting job in exchange for political support. The board president said the texts appeared "fake and false" and read responses from the individuals who had been contacted.

The board president read that the mayor’s text asked whether a board member had "struck a deal" with a consultant to influence an election and suggested a possible sunshine‑law violation when multiple board members appeared together at a council meeting. The president said copies of the resolution and relevant correspondence would be forwarded to state officials and emphasized the board’s duty to protect the district from political smear campaigns.

Sung‑Jae Min, who introduced himself to the record as a resident, council member, and mayoral candidate, denied the allegations and urged the public not to believe the rumor; he said he would step down if such a deal were factual. Former board members whose responses were read in the message (Tom Matarazzo and a person identified as Mr. Barnabas) also denied any improper exchanges and characterized the message as a low‑quality or false campaign claim.

Board members expressed concern that the exchange had become political and said such matters should not compromise the governance or legitimacy of the board. The board invited the mayor to attend the meeting but he did not appear. The president suggested the board could discuss the matter further at a future meeting if needed.

What the transcript shows: excerpts of the mayor’s messages were read into the record and several named respondents denied the allegations on record; the board framed the texts as politically motivated and pledged to address the issue with seriousness.