The Englewood Board of Education elected board member Bill Feinstein as board president and Ronique Hicks as vice president at its annual organization meeting Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the John Greco Elementary School cafeteria. The board also swore in four newly elected members and approved an amended meeting schedule as part of a consent agenda.

The leadership votes followed nominations, four-minute remarks by the presidential candidates and multiple roll-call ballots for president. Feinstein prevailed after a final roll call produced a 5-4 vote. In a separate roll call, the board elected Ronique Hicks vice president by a 5-4 vote. The board approved the consent agenda, including minor calendar corrections, by roll call later in the meeting.

The meeting opened with swearing-in ceremonies for newly elected members. Jason Flores, Elise A. Wiggins, Sherry Banks Watson and Rachel Haber took the oath of office after certified November election results were read aloud earlier in the meeting. The board secretary administered roll call after the oath, and the board confirmed a quorum.

Nominations for board president produced two candidates: Sherry Banks Watson and Bill Feinstein. Sherry Banks Watson, a current board member, used her allotted remarks to emphasize community and family engagement and educational programs, saying, “I pledge to lead this board with integrity, purpose, and unwavering dedication,” and urging continued work on curriculum, guidance and special-education supports. Bill Feinstein, who said he had served as vice president previously, described his goals as providing organizational support to the superintendent and improving board governance. “I believe that I possess those leadership and organizational skills,” Feinstein said.

The board conducted multiple roll-call votes for president. On the final ballot that elected Feinstein, the five affirmative votes were cast by board members who recorded yes for Feinstein: Miss Harbor, Mr. Matthews, Mr. Feinstein, Miss Hicks and Miss Wiggins. The four no votes were recorded from Miss Rivera, Dr. Banks, Mr. Flores and Miss Banks Watson. Feinstein then assumed the office of president and delivered brief remarks thanking colleagues and outlining priorities including academic achievement, special-education costs and board governance.

The board then opened nominations for vice president. Jason Flores and Ronique Hicks were nominated and spoke to members. After roll-call voting and a revote procedure described during the meeting, the board elected Ronique Hicks vice president by the following roll-call tally: yes votes from Dr. Banks, Rachel Haber, Bill Feinstein, Ronique Hicks and Elise A. Wiggins; no votes from Miss Rivera, Jason Flores, Sherry Banks Watson and Mr. Matthews.

The consent agenda, introduced and seconded, included the annual meeting calendar and minor date corrections. Board members discussed moving one May date to avoid the Memorial Day weekend and correcting two November/December dates to fall on Thursdays; the board agreed to leave one May date in place for now and revisit it. The amended consent agenda passed on roll call with the following recorded approvals: Miss Rivera, Dr. Banks, Jason Flores, Sherry Banks Watson, Rachel Haber, Mr. Matthews, Bill Feinstein, Ronique Hicks and Elise A. Wiggins.

During the meeting new and returning members offered brief remarks. Newly sworn-in member Jason Flores said, “If the district wins, everybody wins.” Candidate remarks and member introductions also referenced community programs, such as a new Parent University event scheduled for Jan. 15 from 5–8 p.m. and a January 29 screening and discussion on math literacy hosted with the Algebra Project at Greco School.

The board adjourned with a reminder that its next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2025.