Northern Burlington board elects officers, approves appointments and accepts audit with no findings

The Northern Burlington County Regional School District Board of Education completed its reorganization and routine business on Jan. 6, electing officers, approving professional appointments, and accepting the district’s 2023–24 audit without findings.

During the reorganization segment, Paul Norwood and Krista Applegate were sworn in to three-year terms. Board members nominated and elected Mike Figgs as board president and Laura Bond as vice president; both elections were approved by roll call or voice vote during the reorganization process.

The board approved a block of appointments (agenda section 3) that included the district Title IX affirmative-action officer, the Section 504 officer, ambulance provider, anti-bullying specialists, general and special-education attorneys, bond counsel, auditor, engineers, financial advisor, medical inspectors, chemical-hygiene officer, child protection liaison, custodian of records, harassment/intimidation/bullying coordinator, health insurance broker, homeless liaison, indoor air quality officer, integrated pest management officer, public agency compliance officer, right-to-know officer, school safety specialist, surrogate-parent coordinator, and treasurer. The motion to approve the appointments passed; the roll call included one abstention on item 3.11 and one “no” vote on 3.07 recorded by board member Bucks.

Business administrator Mr. Kaz reported on the district’s finances and the annual audit, telling the board he was “pleased to inform the board that there were no findings in the audit.” He described several reserve balances: capital reserve “over $13,000,000,” impact-aid reserve “over $9,000,000,” and an unassigned fund balance of about $2,300,000. Mr. Kaz said proprietary enterprise funds (food service, transportation, adult school, and technology) were healthy and that the food-service fund balance exceeded the allowable cap by about $76,000; the money is designated for reinvestment in the food service program.

The board authorized a resolution to solicit bids for a lease-purchase for a synthetic turf field to be included in the 2026 budget; Mr. Kaz emphasized this resolution authorized solicitation of bids only and was not an award or installation authorization.

Other routine business passed on single-roll-call votes: readoption of policies, bylaws, and regulations; readoption of curriculum and textbooks; annual ethics statements; authority to offer employment contracts; authority to pay routine bills and approve budget transfers; designation of official newspapers and depositories; approval of the 2025 bill list; and approval of the consent agenda, which included minutes, the cafeteria report for November 2024, budget-status resolutions, and other consent items. The board also approved a nonconsent item (14.02, a CUSAC equivalency waiver application) by voice vote.

Why it matters: The elections and appointments set the board’s leadership and designate officials with statutory and administrative responsibilities (Title IX, Section 504, safety and compliance roles). Acceptance of the audit without findings signals a clean financial review for 2023–24 and identifies reserve levels and fund balances that will factor into 2026 budget planning.

Votes at a glance: - Election of board president (nomination: Mike Figgs) — approved by roll call/voice vote. - Election of vice president (nomination: Laura Bond) — approved by voice vote; motion passed unanimously. - Section 3 appointments — approved by roll call; one abstention on 3.11; Bucks recorded a “no” vote on 3.07. - Section 4 (official newspapers, depositories, investment resolution, chart of accounts) — approved by roll call; motion passed. - Section 5 (readoption of policies, curriculum, ethics statement, authority for contracts and budget transfers) — approved unanimously. - Acceptance of the 2023–24 financial audit (agenda 7.03) — approved; Mr. Kaz: “there were no findings in the audit.” - Resolution to solicit bids for synthetic turf lease purchase (agenda 7.04) — approved; authorization to solicit bids only, to be included in 2026 budget planning. - Consent agenda and bill list (including Jan. 6, 2025 bill list) — approved by roll call. - Nonconsent item 14.02 (CUSAC equivalency waiver application) — approved by voice vote.

What the board discussed and directed: The business administrator outlined the budget calendar and said the district expects state-aid numbers around early March and will present a tentative budget for submission by the March meeting. He encouraged board members to complete a committee-interest form. The district will proceed with competitive bidding for the turf project and will not award a contract until later approval steps.

Ending: The reorganization and routine business concluded with unanimous or near-unanimous approval of the slate of organizational items and financial reports; the board then moved to receive public comment and later into executive session for confidential personnel/student discussion.