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Elizabeth Board of Education elects Maria Carvalho president, appoints co‑general counsel
Summary
At its annual reorganization meeting, the Elizabeth Board of Education elected Maria Carvalho president and Stephanie Goncalves Pastana vice president, approved appointments including co‑general counsel, adopted routine resolutions 8‑1 through 8‑10, and heard no public comment.
The Elizabeth Board of Education held its annual reorganization meeting and elected Maria Carvalho president for 2026 and Commissioner Stephanie Goncalves Pastana vice president, the board announced. Members also approved the appointment of co‑general counsel and adopted a set of routine resolutions.
The meeting, called to order with ceremonial presentations and an invocation, included the swearing in of three board members: Stephanie Clairvoyant Noel, Isaiah J. Rivera and Diane Barbosa. Maria Carvalho, newly elected president, said the board will prioritize maintaining safe, modernized learning environments and fiscal stewardship so "every dollar serves our children in a way that best supports their growth and development."
The board moved and recorded roll‑call votes to confirm leadership and appointments. A resolution to appoint "Closy Simmets, counselor of law, and LaCourte Bundy Verdi Kinsella, attorneys at law," as co‑general counsel was moved, seconded and approved. The clerk summarized that resolutions 8‑1 through 8‑10 — covering items such as official election results, designation of official media, depositories, appointment of auditors and consultants, appointment of medical inspectors, and the schedule of meetings — were presented together and approved by roll call.
Vice President Stephanie Goncalves Pastana, elected for the coming year, said she is "especially honored to be selected" and noted her long service on the board and ties to the district, adding that she and colleagues are committed to ensuring "that our children have the bright future that they deserve." Newly sworn member Stephanie Clairvoyant Noel and reelected members Isaiah J. Rivera and Diane Barbosa offered brief remarks of gratitude and commitment to equity, inclusion and student supports.
The president opened the public comment period and read the board's public‑comment rules; the clerk reported that no members of the public had signed up and the public‑comment portion was closed. The board also designated Rosa Moreno Ortega as the district representative to the New Jersey School Boards Association and Jerry D. Jacobs to the Union County Educational Service Commission.
The meeting concluded after the roll‑call approval of the resolutions and a motion to adjourn at 7:30 p.m.; members posed for a board photo following adjournment. No votes failed; details and roll‑call records were read into the record during the meeting.
Next steps: routine appointments take effect immediately per the resolutions approved; the board will meet on the schedule set in resolution 8‑9 (the schedule of meetings).
