Colts Neck BOE OKs Majority Members As Committee Chairs

COLTS NECK, NJ — As expected, committee chair positions on the Board of Education were assigned to the majority Colts Kids First members at the recent board meeting.

The appointments Jan. 24 did spark some reaction, both in comments from board members and from a speaker from the public.

Board President John Camera makes the appointments and named his fellow Colts Kids First slate members to head the committees. That team holds a six to three majority on the board and the minority members are on the committees as well, but none in a chairperson role.

Camera, in the president's report, said he chose the committee chairs based on their being able to put in the time, have backgrounds in the area, and a "correct demeanor."

Two minority board member questioned the appointments, saying the committee chairs had in the past been the most experienced members of the board - and not including a senior member as a chairperson was "insulting."

But the new members also vowed to be dedicated to their roles and said they looked forward to the work, despite being newer to the board.

In a statement made at the end of the meeting, Alison De Noia congratulated the new chairs but also offered advice, as a longer-serving member:

"There were seasoned members who could have continued in these roles, yet Mr. Camera saw potential in each of you to bring a fresh perspective to the board. This is a privilege," she said.

But she also said she wanted to offer a "reminder to stay vigilant, be aware of the intricacies, and navigate with caution. Take advantage of the support from experienced members — they are valuable resources on this journey. Seek guidance when needed, and let their wisdom complement your fresh ideas. In every challenge lies an opportunity for growth. I wish you all the best as you take on your new roles," she said in the statement.

A member of the public, Mallory Reardon, also spoke at the public comment portion of the meeting to later applause from the audience.

She expressed concern that the board majority, which may have felt ignored in the past and so sought to join the board, can "do better" and be more inclusive of all the board members.

She said showing unity is the best way to bring the board and the community together.

Meanwhile, the actual committee meetings may be fewer in number, Camera said, because the board is trying a Committee of the Whole meeting structure, possibly leading to one meeting a month for the school board.

The next meeting is Feb. 14; there will not be one on Feb. 28, he said. The meeting in March is scheduled for March 13, Camera said. He added that, at times, district needs may necessitate a second meeting in a month.

The New Jersey School Boards Association has training for the Committee of the Whole structure and the superintendent will arrange that for the board. The association was providing the board with an ethics program after the regular meeting.

Here are the committee and other assignments, as presented on the agenda:

• District representative to New Jersey and County School Boards Associations: Angelique Volpe.
• Buildings & Grounds/Safety & Security: Kevin Walsh, chairperson; Brenna Dillon, Jason Orrico and Vincent Rugnetta, committee members.
• Communications: Vincent Rugnetta, chairperson; Amy Dimes, Jessica Ramirez and Angelique Volpe, committee members.
• Curriculum: Jessica Ramirez, chairperson; Amy Dimes, Vincent Rugnetta, Kevin Walsh, committee members.
• Finance/Negotiations: Jason Orrico, chairperson; John Camera, Alison DeNoia, Kevin Walsh, committee members.
• Policy: Jessica Ramirez, chairperson; Alison DeNoia, Jason Orrico, Angelique Volpe, committee members.
• Advocacy & Government Relations: Angelique Volpe, chairperson; John Camera, Brenna Dillon, Jessica Ramirez, committee members.
• Ad-Hoc Committee for Arts, Sports, & Extracurricular Activities: Vincent Rugnetta, chairperson; Brenna Dillon, Jessica Ramirez, Kevin Walsh, committee members.

The Colts Kids First team - Orrico, Walsh, Rugnetta and Volpe - won the Colts Neck Board of Education election this past November.

Other board members still completing terms, who are not affiliated with Colts Kids First, are Alison DeNoia, Brenna Dillon and Amy Dimes. None of them has chairperson positions on the committees.

Camera was also named the mentor for new board members Jason Orrico and Angelique Volpe; Ramirez was named the mentor for Vincent Rugnatta and Kevin Walsh.

That decision also met with questions from the minority members, with one saying the longer-serving members have experience to share and should be included in mentorship.

Camera said the mentors (he and Ramirez) are two-year members rather than three-year members and have sufficient expertise.

Brenna Dillon and Amy Dimes voted against the mentor assignments. Dillon also voted against the committee chair appointments.

The nine-member board now has six self-avowed "socially and fiscally conservative" members, Camera said in November.

Camera was elected in 2022 on the slate, along with Jessica Ramirez and another candidate who could not be seated because he did not live in town at the time of his candidate filing. That unexpired term was won by Volpe.