SCHOOL , from Page 1
“ She asked the board if they would indulge her not to be able to come tonight because of the treacherous roads , and she asked if I would fill in her for . I said it would be my privilege and my honor ,” he said . After the open public meeting statement and the pledge of allegiance , William Donio read the results of the 2021 school election .
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“ Erica Polito , 1,842 ; Tom Attanasi , 1,967 ; Sean Grasso , 1,395 ; Kelly Donio , 2 , 110 ; Luke Coia , 1,886 ; Mickey Pullia , 1,623 ,” Donio said .
Oaths of office were then administered for Attanasi , Coia and Donio in alphabetical order .
William Donio administered the oath for Attanasi , who was joined by his granddaughters , Ellie and Emma Driscoll .
“ One of the various privileges I
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have is swearing in new board members , because that ’ s a continuation of our participatory democracy that we have found to really reflect the ideals of our nation ,” William Donio said .
Judge Frank Raso administered the oath for Coia , who was joined by his wife , Angel , and their children , L . J ., Katie and Gia .
“ This is not the first Coia family member that I have sworn into office . Thirty-five years ago — yeah , you heard that right ; 35 years ago — I swore in Luke ’ s dad into office for a second term as a fouryear member of the Hammonton Zoning Board . The best part of that story is that I did it with this bible ,” Raso said .
Kelly Donio was joined by her husband , Jim , and their children , Matthew , Juliet and Amelia , and was administered the oath of office by Judge Sara Beth Johnson via Zoom .
“ When Kelly told me she was elected to the school board , I was very excited . I ’ ve known her and Jim for a very long time — Jim for longer , because Kelly ’ s younger than us . I know that she ’ s going to be a great asset to the school board and to the district ,” Johnson said .
Before taking official roll , William Donio echoed the sentiments of both Raso and Johnson “ in thanking both the new members who are on board for the board of education as well as everyone
Wednesday , January 5 , 2022 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Attanasi , Coia , Donio sworn-in at Jan . 3 school board mtg .
who runs .”
“ It ’ s important in a vigorous democracy to have elections , and have those elections have integrity , and to have those elections mean something . It ’ s very important that we continue to do so , so I want to welcome everyone ,” he said .
Following the roll call , William Donio called for nominations for board president . Board member Linda Byrnes nominated existing president Sam Mento III , with Attanasi seconding the nomination . Board member Barbara Berenato nominated Kelli Fallon ; Fallon seconded the nomination .
Board member John Lyons abstained . Berenato , Coia and Fallon voted for Fallon , while Attanasi , Byrnes , Donio , Mento , Ray Scipione and Waterford Twp . representative Al Pangia voted for Mento .
“ I believe and I would recommend that the board recognize Mr . Mento as elected to president ,” William Donio said . Mento then offered a welcome to the new board members .
“ Although I wasn ’ t one being sworn in tonight , I do always feel — at every reorganization meeting — the nervousness and the anxiety , and , really , the positive energy in the room . I look forward to working with not just the new members , but working with all of our members here at the board ,” Mento said . Mento addressed the board at large .
“ These are challenging times , and I really think , together , if we put our collective minds and all pull in the same direction , we certainly will be able to provide our students the first-class education at a cost that all our taxpayers can afford ,” Mento said .
Mento then accepted nominations for the board ’ s vice president . Attanasi nominated Byrnes ; Scipione seconded the motion . As there were no other nominations , Byrnes was elected to the position .
The board then voted on an action item resolution to “ appoint Mr . William Donio , Esq . of Cooper Levenson attorneys for 2022 calendar year .”
Pangia made the motion to approve , which Coia seconded , and the motion was approved unanimously .
“ It has been 26 years , and we appreciate the support and the ability to continue to represent my home . As you know , I bleed Blue Devil blue ,” William Donio said . The board also resolved to :
• Adopt Robert ’ s Rules of Order , the By-Laws , Policies and Regulations of the district , and the district ’ s fee structure under Public Records Policy ( N . J . S . A . 47:1A-5 ) for the ensuing term
• Adopt the New Jersey School Board Member Code of Ethics ( N . J . S . A . 18A : 12-24.1 ) for the en-
See DISTRICT , Page 12
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