Tenafly board says resolution is readoption of existing policies; policy changes must appear in two meetings
Summary
At a Tenafly Board of Education meeting, trustees clarified that Resolution 11-11 readopts existing board policies for the new fiscal year and that substantive policy revisions require notice at two consecutive meetings, a board representative said after a public question.
At its meeting, the Tenafly Board of Education said Resolution 11-11 is a readoption of the district's existing policies for the new fiscal year and does not change current rules. A board representative told a public commenter that substantive policy revisions require notice at two consecutive meetings.
Jody Friedman of Tenafly asked how the board and the public would know what policies were being adopted, revised or amended. Friedman asked, “How will the board and the public know what policies are being adopted, revised, or amended?”
A board member responded, “All policy revisions and adoptions require two board meetings,” and clarified that items that have changed are specifically flagged on agendas and require a first and second reading. The board representative added that the Resolution 11-11 readoption “doesn't change anything” and is a procedural readoption tied to the start of the fiscal year.
Meeting rules for public comment were reiterated: commenters must state their name and place of residence, are limited to three minutes each, and the public comment period is limited to 30 minutes total; large groups were encouraged to designate a single representative.
The meeting proceeded with a motion to move the agenda (moved by Ed, seconded by Adam K.) and a roll-call vote in which trustees present voted in the affirmative. The session ended after a motion to adjourn was made and seconded.
No formal changes to district policy were announced or adopted during the discussion; the board's remarks framed Resolution 11-11 as a routine readoption rather than as new policy action.
