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Paterson board reorganizes; Joel Ramirez elected president, Della McCall vice president
Summary
At its Jan. 7 organization meeting, the Paterson Public School District swore in three commissioners and elected Joel Ramirez president (8–1) and Della McCall vice president (9–0); the board adopted appointments and passed a block of resolutions.
Joel Ramirez was elected president of the Paterson Board of Education on Jan. 7, 2026, after a reorganization vote at International High School. The board’s roll-call tally for Ramirez was eight in favor and one opposed. Della McCall was elected vice president in a unanimous 9–0 vote.
The meeting opened with the certified results of the Nov. 4, 2025 election, which the board read aloud and confirmed that Valerie Freeman, Alex Mendez Jr. and Della McCall won three‑year terms. Governor‑elect Mikie Sherrill delivered brief remarks before the oath of office, and each newly elected commissioner recited the statutory oath.
Following the swearing‑in, the board took routine organizational steps: it completed roll call with no absences recorded, read the New Jersey school board members code of ethics aloud, and approved the board’s appointments and designations by roll call (the motion passed with nine affirmative votes and standing abstentions noted). The board also approved minutes from December meetings and adopted resolutions 1–39 as a block by roll call.
President Ramirez thanked voters, dignitaries and his fellow commissioners after the vote and said the board will "work together for the benefit of our district staff, our children, our taxpayers." Vice President McCall said she intends to focus on unity and on advancing resolutions the board has discussed.
The board then entered its general business agenda and opened a public‑comment period in which members of the community urged action on several issues (see separate articles). The meeting adjourned after routine votes and the chair’s closing remarks.
Next procedural steps: the board assigned committee preferences and asked members to return signed acknowledgments of receipt of the code of ethics and committee preference forms to staff for scheduling.
