Springfield Board swears in three new members, elects officers and approves reorganization items

The Springfield Board of Education on Jan. 6 administered the oath of office to three newly elected trustees and reorganized its leadership for 2025, approving a slate of routine governance, professional-service and personnel actions.

Board Secretary Michelle Calas administered the oath to Tracey M. Rinaldi, Dana Kelly and Jennifer Wishna, each beginning three-year terms after the district election. The board then voted to appoint Laura Gamarekian as board president and Kristy Rubin as vice president for the 2025 calendar year; both elections were decided by roll-call votes after motions and seconds were recorded.

The reorganization portion of the meeting included routine housekeeping and appointments. The board adopted existing policies and bylaws, authorized bank signature changes to include the president, board secretary and treasurer of school monies, and approved the district’s organizational chart and the 2025 schedule of regular and special meetings. The board designated The Local Source and the Star-Ledger as official newspapers for 2025.

Board members also voted to appoint outside professional service providers. Dennis McKeever, Esq. of Chasan, Lamparello, Mallon & Cappuzzo, P.C., and Athina L. Cornell, Esq. of Methfessel & Werbel, P.C., were appointed to provide legal services at a rate described in the record as $170 per hour for the 2025 contract year. LAN Associates, Inc. (Midland Park) was approved as district architect and engineer, and Pennoni Associates (Edison) was approved as a district engineer. Robert A. Hulsart & Company was appointed as district auditors at a fee of $19,500 for the 2024–2025 fiscal year.

The board approved committee assignments and external representatives, including appointment of the superintendent as the Morris-Union Jointure Commission representative and Kristy Rubin as the district representative to the Union County Educational Services Representative Assembly. Phoenix Advisors, LLC was approved as the district’s continuing disclosure agent for 2025–26.

In committee business the board approved multiple personnel actions and program items: staff hires and resignations, substitute pay rates, leave-of-absence requests, home-instructor authorizations (not to exceed $15,000), after-school staffing and revised rates for before- and after-school child care, and athletic coach appointments. The board approved a revised settlement agreement between the district and the parents of student #0201; the meeting record does not specify financial terms or other details of that settlement.

The board approved professional services and education program contracts, including LDTC services (Delta T Group) and speech services (Children’s Specialized Hospital), bedside-instruction vendor contracts and adoption of new high school curricula listed in the record (History of Pop Culture Communication; Multimedia Storytelling; Animation). The board also authorized a swimming pool rental contract with the Morris-Union Jointure Commission for practices and games during the 2024–25 season not to exceed $16,431, and approved an amendment for LAN Associates for an additional $600 for A/E services funded from capital reserve.

Finance items approved included the board secretary’s monthly certifications pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6:20-2.13, approval of the board secretary/treasurer reports for the period ending Nov. 30, 2024, and multiple budget transfers across line items as listed in the meeting record.

During public comment Francesco Licatese asked about retroactive payments and pension salaries; the minutes state that Superintendent Dr. Goldberg and Mrs. Calas responded, though the transcript does not include verbatim responses. Board member Jerry Fernandez asked why Columbus Day and Veterans Day were not observances on the district calendar; Dr. Goldberg explained the calendar choices as part of the discussion.

All motions called for in the published reorganization and committee agendas were approved by either roll-call or voice vote as recorded in the minutes. The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.; the board announced its next regular meeting for Jan. 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Jonathan Dayton High School IMC.

Votes at a glance: Election of Board President — motion carried by roll call (President Gamarekian recorded an abstention; other members recorded yes). Election of Vice President — motion carried by roll call (one recorded abstention; other members recorded yes). Approval of reorganization items 3–17 — approved by roll-call vote. Superintendent’s report approved by voice vote (AYE 9–0). Approval of committee items for governance, school administration, and finance were recorded as carried in the minutes.