Grosso elected president, Mack elected vice president at Caldwell-West reorganization meeting

Julianne Grosso was elected president of the Caldwell-West School District Board of Education at the board's annual reorganization meeting held at James Caldwell High School; the presidency was approved via roll-call vote, 5-0. Danielle Mack was elected vice president in a subsequent roll-call vote that also carried, 5-0.

The meeting opened with required public-notice statements about compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6) and the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members Danielle Mack and Terry Demartini Greenlee recited the oath of office. Danielle Mack recited, “I, Danielle Mack, do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of The United States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same,” language recorded verbatim in the transcript.

After the roll-call elections, the board confirmed committee leadership and association delegates. Appointments announced by board staff included Marissa Landolfi Jefferson as chair of the Curriculum and Technology Committee with Danielle Mack as vice chair and Dr. Finari (administrator) listed for that committee; Danielle Mack as chair of Finance and Facilities with Julianne Grosso as vice chair and Brian McCarthy as administrator; Christy Ambola as Policy Committee chair with Marissa Landolfi Jefferson as vice chair and Dr. Furnari as administrator; and Terry Demartini Greenlee as Personnel Committee chair with Marissa Landolfi Jefferson as vice chair and Dr. Furnari as administrator. Delegates named included Terry Demartini Greenlee as delegate to the New Jersey School Boards Association and the Essex County School Boards Association, with named alternates for each position.

The board approved a slate of organizational resolutions and operational items in two motions. A voice vote approved agenda items 7–10 (including curriculum, textbook and operating-procedure items and designations for professional service contracts). Upon the superintendent’s recommendation, the board then approved items 12–27 by roll call; the transcript records those votes as 5-0.

During public comment, resident Liz Hart of 149 Ravine offered congratulations to the newly re-elected members, saying, “I just wanted to congratulate Danielle Mack and Terry DeMartini. I don't know why I'm getting emotional, but I'm just very, I'm just very, excited for the both of you to continue on your additional 3 years.” The public-comment period concluded and the board voted to end the public portion and move into executive session at about 6:20 p.m.

The board discussed upcoming dates for meetings, noting a public conference scheduled for the twelfth and a tentative regular session on the 20th, but said the calendar may be adjusted around Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The reorganization meeting concluded after the board entered executive session.