Board approves personnel pay adjustment, accepts anti-bullying report and terminates employee after closed session

The Pleasantville Public School District Board of Education moved through several consent and substantive actions at its October meeting, approving a 2.5% salary increase for unaffiliated employees, accepting the district—9s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (HIB) self-assessment report and voting to terminate employee number 105807 after a closed session.

The board voted on an across-the-board increase for unaffiliated employees (effective as of 12/01/24) and approved the HIB report and multiple agenda blocks (finance, transportation, curriculum, facilities) by roll call. The board also approved a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel and pending/anticipated litigation under NJSA 10:4-12 and 10:4-13.

Why it matters: the personnel action affects district staff compensation and the termination is a formal personnel outcome recorded in the public minutes. Acceptance of the HIB report signals the board—9s formal receipt of the district—9s annual school self-assessments and related next steps.

Key actions and votes

- Motion: "All unaffiliated employees as of 12/01/24 shall receive an increase of 2 and a half percent." Mover: Missus Alberto. Second: Mister Gibson. Vote (roll call recorded): Miss Alberto — yes; Mister Gibson — yes; Miss Akins — yes; Miss Mello — yes; Miss Pepe — yes; Miss Waters — yes; Miss King — yes; Miss Royal — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion: "Accept the HIB report." Mover: Miss Akins. Second: Miss Pepe. Vote (roll call recorded): Miss Alberto — yes; Mister Gibson — yes; Miss Akins — yes; Miss Mello — yes; Miss Pepe — yes; Miss Waters — yes; Miss King — yes; Miss Rowan — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion: "The board of education to accept the recommendation of the superintendent of schools and hereby approves to terminate employee number 105807." Mover: Mister Gibson. Second: Miss Pepe. Vote (roll call recorded): Miss Alberto — yes; Mister Gibson — yes; Miss Akins — yes; Miss Mello — yes; Miss Pepe — yes; Miss Silver — yes; Miss Waters — yes; Miss King — yes; Miss Rowell — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion: "It is hereby resolved that the president of the board of education may go into closed or private sessions which the public shall be excluded in accordance with the provisions as set forth in NJSA 10:4-12 and 10:4-13." Mover: Miss Akins. Second: Mister Gibson. Vote (roll call recorded): unanimous. Outcome: approved; board entered executive session to discuss personnel and pending/anticipated litigation.

Other procedural approvals: the board approved grouped consent items for finance (3.1—03.3), transportation (4.1), curriculum and instruction (8.1—08.3), policy items (7.1, 7.2) and facilities items except where pulled for discussion. Those motions carried by roll call.

What the board said: There were no recorded dissenting votes in the public roll calls for the major actions listed above. Several board members thanked staff and the public during closing comments.

Next steps: The termination and personnel matters discussed in executive session will be reflected in public records when the confidential nature of the topics no longer requires privacy, as stated by the board at the meeting.

Votes-attributed transcript excerpts

"The motion is all unaffiliated employees as of twelveonetwenty 4 shall receive an increase of 2 and a half percent." — Motion text read before roll call.

"It is hereby resolved that the president of the board of education may go into closed or private sessions ... NJSA 10 4 dash 12 and 10 4 dash 13." — Motion text authorizing executive session.