Board of Education

Parul Khemka, Vice-President
pkhemka@livingston.org

Pam Chirls, Member
pchirls@livingston.org

Seth Cohen, President
scohen@livingston.org

Fang Gong, Member
fgong@livingston.org

Inna Yelisevich, Member
iyelisevich@livingston.org

Abe Klein, Student Representative

Residents are cordially invited to attend Board of Education meetings. Both voting and workshop meetings commence on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the Central Office, 11 Foxcroft Drive, unless otherwise indicated. The schedule is subject to change; please confirm a meeting by phoning 973-535-8000, x8012. The dates are also posted on our website and on the door of the Board of Education building.

At regular Board meetings, the Board can take official action on school business, discuss policy, hire personnel, give direction to the Administration, and set goals for the district. The Board can also elect to meet in closed work sessions in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act ("Sunshine Law"). Topics discussed during closed sessions include personnel, labor negotiations, and confidential and legal matters.

Members of the public attending Board of Education meetings are permitted to voice their opinions on school-related topics at specified times during the meeting. Time is allotted once during the meeting for audience comments on both agenda items and/or any topic concerning the schools. Policy #0167 - Public Participation in Board Meetings is available for further details regarding public comment.

The Livingston Board of Education is currently holding public meetings in a hybrid format. Members of the community have an opportunity to attend in-person at the Central Office, 11 Foxcroft Drive, or virtually via Zoom webinar. Webinar registration information will be posted at www.livingston.org under "District Announcements" on the day of the meeting. Meetings will be livestreamed via the district’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/LivSchools. 

READ: A Guide to Board of Education Meetings in New Jersey (Courtesy of New Jersey School Boards Association)

Public Comment Guidelines for Livingston Board of Education Meetings

During the board meeting, the board offers members of the public an opportunity to address issues regarding the operation of Livingston Public Schools. Our goal is to maintain the formality, decorum, and efficiency of our meetings according to Bylaw 0167.

• If you wish to speak and are present in person, you must go to the podium; if you wish to speak and attend the meeting via the webinar, you must raise your hand virtually.
• When called on by the President, state your first name, last name, municipality of residence, and group affiliation for the public record.
• A timer will be displayed on the screen for the three minutes you have to address the board.
• Limit your comments to the items listed on the agenda and/or operational items directly related to Livingston Public Schools.
• There shall be no cross-dialogue between the speaker and the board and/or the administration.

Our goal is to maintain the formality, decorum, and efficiency of our meetings according to Bylaw 0167. 

• Issues raised by members of the public may or may not be responded to by the board, and the President may direct the Superintendent to respond after the public comment session.
• Members of the public should be courteous and aware of others’ rights when speaking. The board can interrupt, warn, or stop any person who disrupts the meeting.
• Comments raised about students, administrators, and staff of Livingston Public Schools are discouraged and will not be responded to by the board.
• Students and employees have specific legal rights afforded by the laws of New Jersey: 
  • The board bears no responsibility nor will it be liable for any comments made by members of the public.
  • Members of the public should consider their comments in light of the legal rights of those affected by or identified in their comments.
  • Members of the public should be aware that they are legally responsible and liable for their comments.

N.J.S.A. 2C:33-8
N.J.S.A. 10:4-12