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Leonia Board reorganizes: Daniel Lee re-elected president; Maria Thompson elected vice president
Summary
At its Jan. 6 reorganization meeting, the Leonia Board of Education appointed Robert Laurfink as secretary pro tem, re-elected Daniel Lee as board president, elected Maria Thompson vice president, approved the consent agenda and a personnel per‑diem item, and adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
The Leonia Board of Education reorganized at its Jan. 6 meeting, appointing Robert Laurfink as board secretary pro tem, re-electing Daniel Lee as president and electing Maria Thompson as vice president. The board also approved the consent agenda and a personnel per‑diem item before adjourning at 7:29 p.m.
Board chairing arrangements began when the body resolved to appoint Robert Laurfink as board secretary pro tem for the Jan. 6, 2026 meeting. The motion to appoint Laurfink was moved by Sid Sagal and seconded by Maria Thompson; the board voted in favor and the motion carried.
On the presidential ballot, an unidentified board member nominated Daniel Lee. No additional nominations were put forward and the board voted to elect Lee. After the vote, Lee said the presidency is a responsibility rather than a title: "I do not view the position of board president as a title to boast about or a position from which to exercise power." The transcript records the motion as carried.
For vice president, Maria Thompson was nominated and the board voted on nominations in the order they were made. The roll call shows the following recorded votes on Thompson's initial tally: Daniel Lee — yes; Ms. Melman — yes; Ms. Choi — yes; Mr. Grau — yes; Mr. Park — no; Mr. Zapka/Zepka — yes; Mr. Siegel — yes; Maria Thompson — yes; Ms. Molina — yes. Thompson secured a majority and was elected vice president. Thompson thanked board members, saying she was "honored to step into this role and hoping to follow in Kim's footsteps."
The board then approved the consent agenda by roll call. Later in the meeting the board considered a personnel per‑diem item (agenda item 8.1); following motion and second, the board took a roll call vote and the motion carried.
No members of the public offered comment on agenda or non‑agenda items during the two public comment periods. Dr. Meester was recorded as absent due to illness. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m., with no further action scheduled at that time.
