Swedesboro-Woolwich board elects Azzari president, approves contracts and 2025 calendar

The Swedesboro-Woolwich Board of Education elected Gina Azzari as board president and Natalie Baker as vice president during its Jan. 2, 2025 reorganization meeting at Gov. Charles Stratton School in Woolwich Township.

The board approved the nominations by roll-call votes that carried 8-0. Marie Barbara moved to nominate Azzari for president with Julie Dickson seconding; Alfred Beaver moved to nominate Baker for vice president with Dickson seconding.

In routine reorganization business the board also approved committee assignments, appointed professional-service providers and vendors for the 2024–2025 school year, and confirmed a set of district officers and signatories. Approved vendors and professional services included Parker McCay for school solicitor; McManimon, Scotland & Baumann and Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer for bond counsel; Phoenix Advisors Financial Group as financial advisor; Garrison Architects as district architect; and Holt, McNally & Associates as district auditor. Medical inspectors named included Inspira Health Network Medical Group (formerly DePersia Medical Group) and Advocare Pediatrics Medical Group.

The board assigned statutory and operational roles for the year: Korey Jeffries was named School Board Secretary, Public Agency Compliance Officer, Custodian of Records and authorized to award contracts up to the bid threshold of $32,000 (with a quote threshold set at 15%, or $4,800). Christina Panebianco was approved as Assistant Board Secretary at $125 per meeting. Other role assignments confirmed included the district HIB coordinator, homelessness liaison, attendance officer and 504 officer as listed in the agenda.

Financial housekeeping measures approved included allowing manual checks under board policy #6470, continuing collection and maintenance of pupil records in accordance with FERPA, readopting existing contracts and agreements where continuation is authorized by law, authorizing procurement through State Contracts, approving investments and transfers of funds, and establishing petty cash funds for the superintendent ($300), board office ($500) and individual schools (amounts between $100 and $300 as listed).

The board approved official banking depositories (Fulton Bank; Bank of New York; JP Morgan; TD Bank; Depository Trust Company), the district chart of accounts, the use of facsimile signatures for the superintendent, business administrator and board president, and designated the South Jersey Times as the district’s official newspaper for 2025. The 2025 schedule of regular and special meetings was adopted, including a budget hearing set for April 30, 2025, and listed regular meeting dates through December 2025.

During public comment Eileen Healey, president of the Swedesboro-Woolwich Education Association, congratulated re-elected board members and thanked them for their volunteer service; Superintendent Dr. Kristin Kellogg echoed those remarks. No contested items or formal dissent were recorded.

Votes at a glance: • Election of Board President (motion: Barbara/Dickson) — Azzari elected; roll-call 8-0. • Election of Vice President (motion: Beaver/Dickson) — Baker elected; roll-call 8-0. • Approval to open regular meeting and adoption of agenda — carried 8-0. • Approval of professional services, personnel designations, signatories, financial resolutions and meeting schedule — carried by roll-call votes as listed, generally 8-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:24 p.m. Mr. Korey Jeffries, board secretary/business administrator, signed the minutes. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Jan. 15, 2025.