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Franklin Lakes Board approves consent agenda, selects Provident Bank for short-term investment and green-lights two SLEO hires
Summary
At its Dec. 9 meeting the Franklin Lakes Board of Education approved a broad consent agenda including a plan to invest about $4.0 million with Provident Bank, an amendment to hire two Class III SLEOs for the 2025–26 school year, several contracts and payroll/bill approvals, and affirmation of a no‑HIB finding.
The Franklin Lakes Board of Education on Dec. 9 approved a large consent agenda that included fiscal approvals, contracts, personnel actions and a safety-services amendment, the board announced at its regular business meeting at Franklin Avenue Middle School.
The board voted to approve the consent agenda covering resolutions 2035–2073. Resolution 2035 (approval of Nov. 11, 2025 minutes) passed with five votes in favor (Kathryn D’Agostino, SeWhan Kim, Ryan Richman, Robert Spiotti, Ari Donio) and two abstentions (Elisa Billis, Carolina Severino). The combined packet of resolutions 2036–2073 passed by roll call with seven affirmative votes and no dissent.
Among the items approved, the board: • Authorized a short-term investment of approximately $4,000,000 from the district’s Capital Reserve and Maintenance Reserve accounts with Provident Bank for periods of three to 12 months; the board authorized the Business Administrator and Board President/Secretary to execute necessary documents. (Resolution language states "approximately $4,000,000.00" and the Request for Quotes was referenced.)
• Approved an amendment to the shared services agreement with the Borough of Franklin Lakes to hire two Class III Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEO3) for the remainder of the 2025–26 school year. The resolution authorizes the amendment but the transcript does not include operational details such as start dates, duty schedules, or whether existing SRO positions will change.
• Affirmed the Superintendent’s finding of no HIB (Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying) offense in Investigation No. 298363 and directed administration to notify affected parties; the board recorded Ayes 7, Nays 0, Abstentions 0 on that action.
• Approved routine but large fiscal items including the November bills list totaling $4,288,494.30 and a December check register totaling $1,180,882.51; the board also approved actual payroll for November 2025 ($2,011,674.37) and estimated payroll for December 2025 ($2,100,000.00).
• Selected Wolfman Productions for the Living Lessons 2026 program at a cost not to exceed $15,000 and approved a contract with Frontline Education for IEP Direct (total implementation and prorated cost listed as $16,306.17). The board also approved a psychiatric evaluation for student #4034 at $850 (ML Psychiatry) and a retroactive School Clearance Assessment ($230) conducted by West Bergen Mental Health Care.
Personnel actions approved included multiple Schedule B-2 stipends, collaborative prep-period pay for FAMS staff (listed prorated amounts), appointment and extension of non-tenurable leave-replacement teacher Jenna Ribeiro through June 30, 2026, approval of substitute employees pending required clearances, mentor stipends, and acceptance of the resignation of Special Education teacher Lauren Calamita effective Jan. 30, 2026.
The board also completed first readings of new/revised policies (Policy 2535 Library Services and Regulation 2535; revised Policy 2530 Resource Materials; revised Policy 9130 Public Complaints). The suspension report for FAMS was noted (two out-of-school, one in-school). Board members set the next meeting for Jan. 6, 2026 (Board Reorganization Meeting, 7:00 PM). The public meeting later recessed into a private work session to discuss personnel and legal matters.
Motion to open/close public comment and motions on consent items were offered and seconded during the meeting (for example, motions by Ms. Kathryn D’Agostino and Ms. Carolina Severino were recorded). Business Administrator/Board Secretary Dina Messery certified the Provident Bank resolution language and is listed as signing related certification.
The transcript records the actions and vote tallies but provides limited operational detail on the SLEO arrangement and no rationale recorded for the two abstentions on the minutes approval. The board’s resolutions and supporting documents (e.g., the Request for Quotes and contracts) were referenced by the board as the basis for approvals.
The meeting adjourned at 7:22 PM.
