Ridgefield Board elects Andrew Grippa president, Claudia Narvaez vice president; approves reorganization consent package

The Ridgefield Board of Education elected Andrew Grippa as board president and Claudia Narvaez as vice president during its reorganization meeting on Jan. 2, 2025, after the board certified its annual election results and administered oaths to newly elected members.

Board Secretary and Business Administrator Kelvin Hiciano called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m., administered oaths to newly elected members including Mr. Borek and Mr. Morilla, and recognized members present. After nominations, Mrs. Claudia Narvaez nominated Andrew Grippa for president; Mr. Grippa accepted and was elected by roll call. Following the presidential election, Mr. Grippa accepted nominations for vice president; Mrs. Narvaez was nominated by Mr. Michael Jacobs, accepted and was elected by roll call.

The board then moved and approved a consent agenda of reorganization resolutions (D1–D25). The package covered routine governance items including adoption of the code of ethics and policies, approval of the district's standard operating procedures and purchasing manual, designation of official banks and newspapers, membership renewals (including the New Jersey School Boards Association and NESBIG), authorization of petty cash accounts, approval of curriculum and textbooks for 2024–25, an asbestos operations and management plan, continued participation in cooperative purchasing through Middlesex and Hunterdon regional educational services commissions, participation in the National Joint Powers Alliance, authorization of professional contracts, and approval of a contract with Holy Name Medical Center. The roll call shows President Grippa recused himself on item D18 (authorization of professional contracts); the consent motion was approved as presented.

The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.