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Lakewood board modifies HIB finding, provisionally appoints Samuel Melnick and rehired paraprofessionals
Summary
On June 24 the board modified a prior Harassment/Intimidation/Bullying finding to a non-HIB student-conduct violation, provisionally accepted Samuel Melnick as a board member pending background checks, and voted to rehire about 165 paraprofessionals with benefits.
The Lakewood Board of Education took several personnel and disciplinary actions June 24.
HIB case: After reviewing the record for Student ID 946079 in executive session and public action, the board voted to modify its prior HIB determination, reversing the finding that the incident met the Anti‑Bullying Bill of Rights Act standard and reclassifying it as a non-HIB student-conduct violation. The board left disciplinary actions and behavioral interventions in place and directed the superintendent to notify parents and guardians in writing of the final decision and appeal rights to the Commissioner of Education.
New board member: Following an executive-session review of candidates, the board provisionally accepted Samuel Melnick as a new member. The appointment is contingent on successful completion of the criminal-history background checks required by N.J.S.A. 18A:12-1.2 and New Jersey Department of Education confirmation; the resolution specifies the appointment will be null and void if disqualifying offenses are found.
Paraprofessionals rehired: At 9:02 p.m. the board approved a motion moved by Joel Stern to rehire approximately 165 paraprofessionals for the 2026–27 school year with benefits; the motion passed on a roll-call vote. The motion text was recorded in the minutes and the board later certified its vote.
The agenda and minutes record these items as final board actions taken in open session, and the Business Administrator certified the minutes at the close of the public meeting.
