Board Agendas and Minutes

AGENDA

I. OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT: 

Welcome 

Welcome to this public meeting of the Princeton Board of Education. The Board is an elected, unpaid group of ten citizens who set policy and make decisions on educational, financial, and personnel matters for the Princeton Public Schools on behalf of all residents. We are always pleased when members of the community attend our meetings. 

The Board and the school district operate under applicable New Jersey laws and under regulations of the New Jersey State Board of Education. 

Each meeting includes an opportunity for those attending to comment on items on the published agenda or other matters of interest to them. The Board reserves the right to limit the time allotted to public participation. Law limits discussion of individual personnel and confidential matters. 

We desire that our meetings provide useful opportunities for communication between the Board and the community. Thank you for attending. 

Notice of Open Public Meeting 

As required under the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.), adequate notice was given for calling this meeting. It was authorized by the Board of Education and forwarded to the municipal clerk, Princeton Packet, and The Times on January 9, 2025; and distributed to the schools and others on the standard distribution list. 

The Board reserves the right to enter into Executive Session during all meetings of the Board of Education. Board Policy 0168, Recording Devices, requires that we inform those attending this in-person meeting that the proceedings are being recorded. This meeting is being live-streamed. 

Notice on Votes Pertaining to Sending District 

The Representative of the Sending District is authorized to vote on such matters that affect sending district students or affect the governance of the Princeton Public Schools, as more specifically designated in N.J.S.A. 18A:38-8.1. Sending District votes pertaining to personnel 

actions refer to high school, central administrative and district wide staff only, votes otherwise are considered abstentions. In the event that N.J.S.A. 18A:38-8.1 is amended, the law shall take precedence over this bylaw. 

II. ROLL CALL: 

Board of Education Members 

IV. CALL TO ORDER: Dafna Kendal, President

V. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

A. The Board values the opinions and input of students, staff, parents, and community members on any topic.

When called upon to speak, please provide your name and home address, and keep your comments to three minutes, to be respectful of those who wish to comment after you. Please direct your comments to the Board, but note that this is not a discussion or Q&A.

C. CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

I.  OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT:

Welcome

Welcome to this public meeting of the Princeton Board of Education. The Board is an elected, unpaid group of ten citizens who set policy and make decisions on educational, financial, and personnel matters for the Princeton Public Schools on behalf of all residents. We are always pleased when members of the community attend our meetings.

The Board and the school district operate under applicable New Jersey laws and under regulations of the New Jersey State Board of Education.

Each meeting includes an opportunity for those attending to comment on items on the published agenda or other matters of interest to them. The Board reserves the right to limit the time allotted to public participation. Law limits discussion of individual personnel and confidential matters.

We desire that our meetings provide useful opportunities for communication between the Board and the community. Thank you for attending.

Notice of Open Public Meeting

As required under the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.), adequate notice was given for calling this meeting. It was authorized by the Board of Education and forwarded to the municipal clerk, Princeton Packet, and The Times on December 19, 2025; and distributed to the schools and others on the standard distribution list.

The Board reserves the right to enter into Executive Session during all meetings of the Board of Education. Board Policy 0168, Recording Devices, requires that we inform those attending this in-person  meeting  that  the  proceedings  are  being  recorded.  This meeting is being live-streamed.

Notice on Votes Pertaining to Sending District

The Representative of the Sending District is authorized to vote on such matters that affect sending district students or affect the governance of the Princeton Public Schools, as more specifically designated in N.J.S.A. 18A:38-8.1. Sending District votes pertaining to personnel

actions refer to high school, central administrative and district wide staff only, votes otherwise are considered abstentions. In the event that N.J.S.A. 18A:38-8.1 is amended, the law shall take precedence over this bylaw.

II. OFFICIAL RESULTS OF ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTION

• ATTACHMENT 2-A

III. OATH OF OFFICE TO NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

• ATTACHMENT 3-A

IV. ROLL CALL:

V. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

A. NOMINATIONS/ELECTION PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD

B. NOMINATIONS/ELECTION VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD

C. STANDING COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

1. Equity
2. Long-Term Planning
3. Operations
4. Personnel
5. Policy
6. Student Achievement

VI. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS

A. PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS

B. SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS

VII. ANNUAL ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD

A. ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER (Consent Agenda)

1. RESOLVED,The Board of Education acknowledges and accepts the Roberts Rules of Order for Parliamentary Procedure.

B. CODE OF ETHICS (Consent Agenda)

1. RESOLVED, that the members of the Princeton Board of Education recognize that they hold authority not as individuals but as members of the board.

• In order to make a clear public statement of its philosophy of service to the students of the district, the board adopts this code of ethics.
• I will uphold and enforce all laws, state board rules and regulations, and court orders pertaining to schools. Desired changes should be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures;
• I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools which meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex or social standing;
• I will confine my board action to policymaking, planning and appraisal and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them;
• I will behave toward my fellow board members with the respect due their office--demonstrating courtesy, decorum and fair play at all public meetings and in all public statements;
• I will refrain from inappropriate conduct in public meetings and in making public statements, refraining from any disparagement of my fellow board members or others on a personal, social, racial or religious basis;
• I will carry out my responsibility, not to administer the schools, but, together with my fellow board members, to see that they are well run;
• I will recognize that authority rests with the board of education and will make no personal promises nor take any private action which may compromise the board;
• I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to special interest or partisan political groups or to use the schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends;
• I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which, if disclosed, would needlessly injure individuals or the schools. But in all other matters, I will provide accurate information and, in concert with my fellow board members, interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its schools;
• I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the superintendent; 
• I will support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties; 
• I will refer all complaints to the superintendent and will act on such complaints at public meetings only after failure of an administrative solution.

The board shall see that all members of the board receive training in understanding and adhering to this code of ethics and shall discuss it annually at a regularly scheduled public meeting. Each member shall sign documentation that he/she has received a copy of it and has read and understood it.

• ATTACHMENT 7-B

C.  ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULE (Consent Agenda)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education schedule its meetings on the fourth Tuesday evening of each month, when possible, and avoid meeting during holiday periods, except for special meetings, if necessary; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the noted meeting schedule for the ensuing Board year (2026); authorize the administration to post it publicly, and send it to at least two newspapers and the municipal clerk within seven (7) days following the Annual Organization Meeting.

• ATTACHMENT 7-C

D. NEWSPAPERS FOR LEGAL ADVERTISEMENTS (Consent Agenda)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education designate The Princeton Packet and The Times of Trenton, including online versions of either, which circulate in the region served by the school district, as official newspapers for legal advertising and notifications; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorize the Business Administrator/ Board Secretary to select an appropriate newspaper for each legal advertisement.

E. LEGAL ADVERTISEMENTS FOR HIRING OF STAFF (Consent Agenda)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education designate The Packet Media, Town Topics, The Times of Trenton, Education Week, The New York Times, New Jersey School Jobs, Newark Star Ledger, and Applitrack for the placement of advertisements for the hiring of staff; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorize the administration to execute the necessary documents for each media source, as needed.

F. DISTRICT ORGANIZATION (Consent Agenda)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the district’s organization as detailed on the attached organizational chart and request that a copy be addended to the minutes.

• ATTACHMENT 7-F

G. HIRING BETWEEN BOARD MEETINGS (Consent Agenda)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorize the Superintendent of Schools, to fill vacancies in existing job classifications, in between Board Meetings; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education give final approval of all hiring at the next regular Board meeting.

VIII. BUSINESS, FINANCE, PLANT & TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS

A. AWARD OF CONTRACT (Consent Agenda)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accept Resolution 2026-01-06-8A as follows:

RESOLUTION  OF  THE  PRINCETON  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS BOARD, MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO DIAMOND CONSTRUCTION FOR PROJECT NO. 5559A

WHEREAS, the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education (“Board”) solicited for bids for Site Upgrades and Improvements at Various Schools for Princeton Public Schools as prepared by Fraytak Veisz Hopkins Duthie, P.C., Project No. 5559A; and

WHEREAS, the Board desires to award the contract on the Base Bid and Alternate Bid No. 2 as it presents a higher priority; and

WHEREAS,  the  Board  determined  that  Jak  Construction Corporation d/b/a Diamond Construction (“Diamond Construction”) submitted the lowest bid, with a Base Bid in the amount of $1,445,000 and Alternate Bid No. 2 in the amount of $225,000; and

WHEREAS, legal counsel for the Board reviewed the bid submitted by Diamond Construction and determined that it complied with all material aspect of the bid specifications and the Public School Contracts Law (“PSLC”), N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-1, et seq.;

WHEREAS, the Board confirmed that Diamond Construction submitted all documentation as required prior to the award of contract.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PRINCETON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN THE COUNTY OF MERCER, NEW JERSEY, AS FOLLOWS:

1. The Contract for Site Upgrades and Improvements at Various Schools, Project No. 5559A is hereby awarded to Diamond Construction; and
2. The Board is authorized to execute any and all documents necessary in connection with the bid and award of contract as described herein.

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT

A. The Board values the opinions and input of students, staff, parents, and community members on any topic.

When called upon to speak, please provide your name and home address, and keep your comments to three minutes, to be respectful of those who wish to comment after you. Please direct your comments to the Board, but note that this is not a discussion or Q&A.

Under New Jersey law, the Board shall not discuss personnel matters and shall not respond to comments made by the public. The Board President may refer questions or requests for action to staff for response at a later date.

Speakers are reminded that comments should be respectful and maintain a level of decorum appropriate for a meeting of a public body. Defamatory or abusive remarks are always out of order.

There will be a 15-minute maximum time period for comments, inclusive of all speakers, unless otherwise agreed by the Board.

Thank you for your consideration of others.

X. CONSENT VOTE

XI. CLOSING DISCUSSION/COMMENTS OF THE BOARD

XII. ADJOURNMENT