Residents urge reconsideration of polling locations and adoption of civility framework

During two rounds of public comment at the reorganization meeting, community members urged the board to adopt a civility framework and reconsider the use of school buildings as polling sites.

Valentina (Val) Mendez, a resident and former board member, congratulated newly sworn members and said the decision not to elect particular candidates was a "missed opportunity" to demonstrate unity. She asked the board to consider a resolution she had proposed to guide respectful governance and said she hopes the board will "rebuild trust." "This vote could have been a first step toward healing, collaboration, and setting a different tone for the year ahead," Mendez said.

On the polling-site issue, members of the board and administrators discussed prior conversations with the county board of elections. One board member said the county read state law to them as giving the board of elections discretion to use school buildings unless alternative locations satisfy polling requirements. Board members and staff said they had asked the county for written documentation and would continue to pursue it.

Board attorney Michael Gross clarified the legal status of the National School Boards Association (NJSBA) guidance discussed in the meeting: "The NJSBA is a lobbying organization. They pass resolutions all the time to encourage the legislature and the governor to do certain things, but they have no power to change statute," Gross said. He explained that NJSBA resolutions may encourage legislative changes but do not alter current state law, and that the county election office's practices are being followed until statute changes.

Residents also asked for greater transparency in meeting materials; one commenter requested that attachments and addenda be posted in advance. The board acknowledged the request and said it would work to make supporting documents available online.