WOODBRIDGE, N.J. — At its Jan. 2, 2025 reorganization meeting at Ross Street School No. 11, the Woodbridge Township Board of Education elected Daniel Harris as board president, selected Susan Borden as vice president and voted to adopt six recommendations from the communications policy and planning committee.

The board administered oaths to reelected members Susan Borden and Jenny Perez, with Mayor McCormack and Speaker Coughlin assisting. After nominations, Daniel Harris was nominated and elected president by roll call. Later in the meeting the board voted to elect Susan Borden as vice president.

The board also considered a report from the communications policy and planning committee. "The communication policy and planning committee, on recommendation of the superintendent of schools, presents the following six recommendations," Mr. Mohammed said before moving their adoption; the motion was seconded by Ms. Anderson and carried on a roll-call vote.

Board President Daniel Harris outlined priorities for the year, saying the board would "continue to support the administration and our wonderful 2,000-plus employee workforce" and pursue a new strategic plan. Harris said the board will "partner with the McCormack administration on a new school 10 and the Hope 1 section, maintain fiscal discipline now that our district is fully funded by the state, and continue partnerships with the township and parent groups." He closed by quoting former Congressman Steve Kagan: "If we get public education right, everything else will follow."

The board said the annual calendar will be finalized at its Jan. 16 meeting. No members of the public addressed the board during the public-comment portion of this meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Election of Daniel Harris as president of the Woodbridge Township Board of Education: Motion to elect Daniel Harris (mover: Susan Borden; second: Mr. Mohammed). Roll-call vote: Ms. Anderson — yes; Susan Borden — yes; Mr. DeLaPietro — yes; Daniel Harris — yes; Mr. Mohammed — yes; Jenny Perez — yes; Mr. Treblassner — yes; Mr. Velez — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Election of Susan Borden as vice president of the Woodbridge Township Board of Education: Motion to elect Susan Borden (mover: Jenny Perez; second: Daniel Harris). Roll-call vote: Ms. Anderson — yes; Susan Borden — yes; Mr. DeLaPietro — yes; Mr. Mohammed — yes; Jenny Perez — yes; Mr. Treblassner — yes; Mr. Velez — yes; Daniel Harris — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Adoption of six recommendations from the communications policy and planning committee: Motion to adopt (mover: Mr. Mohammed; second: Ms. Anderson). Roll-call vote: Ms. Anderson — yes; Susan Borden — yes; Mr. DeLaPietro — yes; Mr. Mohammed — yes; Jenny Perez — yes; Mr. Treblassner — yes; Mr. Velez — yes; Daniel Harris — yes. Outcome: approved.

Background and context

The Jan. 2 meeting was the board's annual reorganization session following the Nov. 5, 2024 school board election; the board announced the election results for three-year terms held by Susan Borden (18,599 votes), Daniel Harris (20,734 votes) and Jenny Perez (19,320 votes). The meeting followed the New Jersey open public meetings law; the board recorded that public notice had been provided and posted in district locations and local media in January 2024.

Board materials presented at the meeting referenced the district's staffing and enrollment counts (about 2,000 employees and nearly 14,000 students) and listed shared services agreements and youth-center partnerships the board plans to continue. The board said the district is "fully funded by the state"; the board and administration indicated the annual calendar will be published at the next regular meeting on Jan. 16, 2025.

No formal budget, contract awards, ordinances or other binding items beyond the officer elections and committee recommendations were discussed or voted at this meeting.