SOMSD BOARD OF EDUCATION NEWSLETTER
September 29, 2022 Public Meeting Recap | Vol. 2, Issue 1
Highlights from the September 29, 2022 - Regular Session Board of Education Meeting
The District will share a monthly newsletter with the SOMSD community to keep you informed and to provide a recap of key action items discussed and approved by the Board of Education during their monthly regular Public Session meetings. The BOE meeting recap newsletter will be shared monthly after each regular session public BOE meeting (and will only be provided for regular-session Board meetings).
Board President's Monthly Statement
The school board meeting is a business meeting in public and not a meeting with the public. Oftentimes it may appear to members of our audience that the Board of Education takes action with very little comment and in many cases a unanimous vote. Before a matter is placed on the agenda at a public meeting, the Administration has thoroughly reviewed the matter with the Superintendent of Schools/Chief School Administrator (CSA). If the Superintendent of Schools/Chief School Administrator is satisfied that the matter is ready to be presented to the Board of Education, it is then referred to the appropriate Board Committee. The Members of the Board Committee work with Administration and the Superintendent to assure that the members fully understand the matter. After the committee discusses the matter, it is presented to the full Board for discussion before any action is taken. Only then, is it placed on the agenda for action at a public meeting.
Superintendent's Monthly Report
- Watch the Superintendent's School Reopening Update (cued to begin at 1:30:30 minute mark): https://youtu.be/GPDhnNfcCqU?t=5432
Board President Monthly Report/Update:
- Special SEPAC Presentation: https://youtu.be/GPDhnNfcCqU?t=6101
- Board President Monthly Message/Update (cued to begin at 2:12:47 minute mark): https://youtu.be/GPDhnNfcCqU?t=7966
Key Action Items
- A full list of action items and associated resolutions is available here.
Approved Resolutions:
- 4342: Personnel Fiscal Resolutions
- 4343: Personnel Substitute Resolutions
- 4344: 2022 ESY OOD Placements | B) 2022-23 SY OOD Placements
- 4345: Financial Reports
- 4346: Approve: New/Revised Curriculum
- 4347: School Field Trip Destinations
- 4348: New Book Adoption
- 4349: New Course Proposal-Select Drama (Grade 8)
- 4350: Affirmation of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Investigations for the Month of August 2022
- 4351: Abolish and Adopt Board Policies
- 4352: Confidential Special Education Settlement Agreement
4353: Approve: Emergency Virtual Or Remote Instructional Program for the 2022-2023 School Year
There were second readings and adoptions of 6 policies:
- B. 2415.06 Unsafe School Choice Options
- C. 2426 Study Skills (Abolished)
- D. 2451 Adult High School
- E. 5517 School District Identification Cards
- F. 8550 Unpaid Meal Charges/Outstanding Food Services Charges
There were first readings of 4 policies:
Upcoming Meetings
Current BOE Members
Note: to email all board members, please email boemembers@somsd.k12.nj.us.
Thair Joshua
Board President
Term: 2020 - 2022
email: tjoshua@somsd.k12.nj.us
Susan Bergin (1st Vice-President)
Term: 2021 - 2023
email: sbergin@somsd.k12.nj.us
Kaitlin Wittleder (2nd Vice-President)
Term: 2022 - 2024
email: kwittled@somsd.k12.nj.us
Elissa Malespina
Term: 2021 - 2023
email: emalesp1@somsd.k12.nj.us
Erin Siders
Term: 2020 - 2022
email:esiders@somsd.k12.nj.us
Qawi Telesford
Term: 2022 - 2024
email: qtelesfo@somsd.k12.nj.us
Arun Vadlamani
Term: 2022 - 2024
email: avadlama@somsd.k12.nj.us
Courtney Winkfield
Term: 2021 - 2023
email: cwinkfie@somsd.k12.nj.us
Johanna Wright
Term: 2020 - 2022
email: johannawright@somsd.k12.nj.us
Student Representatives to the Board of Education
Noah Morros
Term: 2021 - 2022
email: boestudentrep1@somsd.k12.nj.us
Vanessa Previlon
Term: 2021 - 2022
email: boestudentrep2@somsd.k12.nj.us
South Orange & Maplewood School District
The mission of the South Orange Maplewood School District is to empower and inspire each student to explore and imagine, to pursue personal passions, and to collectively create a better future by creating a learner-centered environment through multiple pathways; reimagined structures, systems and supports; innovative teaching; partnering with families; and maximizing community expertise and resources.
Email: info@somsd.k12.nj.us
Website: https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/board-of-education/
Location: 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, NJ, USA
Phone: (973) 762-5600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/somsdk12/
Twitter: @SOMSDK12