Salem County boards approve hires, contracts and a $5,000 Special Olympics grant; enter closed session on HIB report

The Salem County Special Services School District and the Salem County Vocational Technical School District boards approved a string of routine personnel and contract items at a joint meeting on Oct. 14, 2025, and recessed into a closed session to consider the monthly Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) report.

Board members voted to approve minutes, personnel appointments, contracts and administrative reports across both districts. Among the items approved were the second reading of a revised Director of Food Services job description, a shared services agreement for computer technician services between the two districts and a lease agreement with Salem Community College for instructional and office space covering Oct. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The board also approved routine financial certifications and reconciliations for August and a set of transportation and vendor contracts.

The board accepted a $5,000 grant from Special Olympics Unified Sports for the Special Services district. On personnel matters, the boards approved the employment of Julian Buck (SCVTS) and Nieje Green (SCSSSD, Cumberland placement) and recorded resignations for Gianna Taylor and Kristen Sanders; the board also approved a payout of unused accumulated time as presented.

Motions were made and seconded on the record for each roll-call item. Example roll-call outcomes recorded in the minutes include the approval of the Sept. 23, 2025 minutes (motion by James Davis, second by Earl Ransome; yeas — Earl Ransome, James Davis, Patty Bomba; abstain — Linwood Donelson) and multiple omnibus approvals where the four named board members voted yea. The meeting minutes show consistent majority support across routine approvals.

The board moved into an executive session specifically to accept and approve the monthly HIB report; the agenda noted the board would provide a public report on any actions taken in executive session. The meeting reconvened and adjourned at 7:51 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Sept. 23, 2025): Motion by James Davis; second by Earl Ransome. Outcome: approved. Yeas — Earl Ransome, James Davis, Patty Bomba; Abstain — Linwood Donelson. (SEG 005) - Approval of Old Business B.1–B.2 (Director of Food Services job description; Code of School Ethics): Motion by Earl Ransome; second by Patty Bomba. Outcome: approved. Yeas — all listed members. (SEG 012) - Approval of New Business C.1–C.3 (Curriculum in Action; Facility Use; Shared Services Agreement for computer technician services): Motion by James Davis; second by Earl Ransome. Outcome: approved. Yeas — all listed members. (SEG 017, SEG 016) - Approval of lease agreement with Salem Community College (SCVTS lease of space for instruction/office, Oct. 1, 2025–June 30, 2026): Approved as part of G. items. (SEG 050, SEG 052) - Employment approvals: Julian Buck (SCVTS) approved (H.3); Nieje Green (SCSSSD—Cumberland) approved (O.1). Resignations of Gianna Taylor and Kristen Sanders recorded and accepted. (SEG 056, SEG 094, SEG 099, SEG 100, SEG 101) - Acceptance of $5,000 Special Olympics Unified Sports grant (SCSSSD N.3): Motion by Patty Bomba; second by James Davis. Outcome: approved. (SEG 089, SEG 092) - Recess into executive session to accept and approve monthly HIB report: Motion by James Davis; second by Earl Ransome. Outcome: approved; board recessed and later resumed public session. (SEG 072, SEG 122)

The meeting record indicates the motions were routine approvals rather than extended debate. The board signed minutes and the meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.