Caldwell-West Board reelects officers, adopts committee roster and approves referendum language for March ballot

The Caldwell-West School District Board of Education on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, swore in two newly reappointed members, elected board officers for 2025, approved committee and delegate appointments and voted to place referendum language on the March 11 ballot.

Board members Julianne Grosso and Christopher D'Ambola were sworn into new three-year terms, the board announced. The board then elected Julianne Grosso president and Kristen Bola vice president for the 2025 calendar year; both elections were carried unanimously by the five members present.

The reorganization meeting also approved the board's standing committees, delegates and negotiation-team representatives. Committee assignments include: Curriculum and Technology (chair: Terry DeMartini Greenlee; vice chair: Danielle Mack; administrator: Assistant Superintendent Caitlin Jones); Finance and Facilities (chair: Danielle Mack; vice chair: Julianne Grosso; administrator: Brian McCarthy); Policy (chair: Marissa Landolfi Jefferson; vice chair: Terry DeMartini Greenlee; administrator: Dr. Conklin); Personnel (chair: Christopher D'Ambola; vice chair: Marissa Landolfi Jefferson; administrator: Dr. Conklin). The board voted to accept all committee and representative appointments on a single motion; the roll call was 5-0 in favor.

On resolutions, the board voted to accept agenda items numbered in the meeting packet as items 11 through 25 (as announced during the meeting). Among those resolutions was the language for a two-question bond referendum set for the March 11 ballot. The board described Question 1 as funding districtwide infrastructure projects, including renovation of a wing at James Caldwell High School and STEAM lab upgrades in all four elementary schools. Question 2 covers demolition and construction of a new field house. The board approved the resolution(s) placing the two questions on the ballot by a 5-0 roll-call vote.

The meeting followed the requirements of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (NJSA 10:4-6); the board read its required annual notices and the board membership code of ethics during the session. After public comment (no speakers in person), the board voted to close the public portion and enter an executive session.

Votes at a glance

- Election of Board President (Julianne Grosso): motion carried, voice vote; roll-call confirmation 5-0 (D'Ambola: yes; DeMartini Greenlee: yes; Grosso: yes; Landolfi Jefferson: yes; Mack: yes). - Election of Vice President (Kristen Bola): roll-call vote carried 5-0 (D'Ambola: yes; DeMartini Greenlee: yes; Grosso: yes; Landolfi Jefferson: yes; Mack: yes). - Acceptance of committee chairs, delegates and negotiation-team representatives (items listed in meeting): roll-call vote carried 5-0. - Acceptance of resolutions on the agenda (items announced as 11–25 during the meeting), including referendum language for March 11 ballot (two questions): roll-call vote carried 5-0. - Motion to close public comment and enter executive session: carried 5-0.

Context and next steps

The board identified March 11 as the referendum date and described the two-question ballot format during the meeting. The packet referenced multiple resolutions (announced as items 11–25); the board approved them en bloc and did not discuss each resolution individually on the public record at this meeting. No members of the public spoke during the in-person public-comment portion. The board entered executive session at the meeting's close; any actions taken in executive session and the contents of related reports were not included in the public portion of the transcript.