Board approves personnel memos, change orders and hires investigative firm; several abstentions recorded

The Enlarged City School District of Middletown Board of Education on Thursday approved a slate of routine personnel, financial and facilities items and appointed an outside investigative firm.

Board President Estrada called for a series of motions that passed by recorded voice vote or by unanimous consent. Most motions carried 9–0, though the board recorded abstentions on specific line items in two personnel memos and on a change order.

Among the formal actions, the board: - Approved the meeting agenda (motion moved by Curtis Rhett; seconded by John Perino). Motion carries, 9–0. - Approved consolidated minutes for meetings from Aug. 14 through Sept. 15 (moved by [Bias/Biosyn]; seconded by Pastor Williams). Motion carries, 9–0. - Approved an administrative personnel memorandum (8A, item 1) (moved by Pastor Williams; seconded by a board member). Motion carries, 9–0. - Approved personnel memorandum 8B (items 1–16). The board recorded one abstention on item 8B8 (abstention noted by Dr. De Jesus); the remainder of 8B was approved. (Mover: Pastor Williams; second: John Perino.) - Approved noninstructional personnel memorandum 8C (items 1–13). Item 8C7 drew one abstention; the rest were approved. (Mover: John Perino; second: Pastor Williams.) - Approved financial memorandum 9D (items 1–7). (Mover: John Perino; second: Drew Moore.) Motion carries, 9–0. - Approved special services memorandum 7E (items 1–2). (Mover: Drew Moore; second: Dr. De Jesus.) Motion carries, 9–0. - Approved change orders 5F (items 1–3). The board recorded an abstention on item 5F1 (conflict disclosed by Pastor Williams); items 5F2 and 5F3 were approved. (Mover: Pastor Williams; second: John Perino.) - Approved APPR recertifications (mover: Curtis Rhett; second: Pastor Williams). Motion carries, 9–0. - Approved amendments to the 2025–26 annual appointments (mover: [Bias/Biosyn]; second: Drew Moore). Motion carries, 9–0. - Adopted a resolution appointing Ferrara Fiorenza, PC to provide investigative services and authorized the board president to sign an engagement agreement (mover: Miss Tobias; second: Pastor Williams). Motion carries, 9–0. - Approved a stipulation of agreement providing stipends for two instructional leaders (mover: [Biasin]; second: John Perino). Board discussion clarified the stipends cover duties the acting assistant superintendent had been managing; the stipend recipients were named in the meeting as Tiffany Hall and Terrence McKernan. Motion carries, 9–0. - Approved committee assignments for the 2025–26 school year (mover: Miss Debiason; second: Vice President Romero). Motion carries, 9–0.

All formal actions were taken in open session; when a member disclosed a conflict the board recorded an abstention on the specific item, and the chair read the applicable motion and tally aloud when votes were taken.

The board concluded by moving to adjourn; that motion carried 9–0.