Pasack Valley School Board Honors Long-Serving Staff and New Hires Amid Community Mourning
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
09/23/2024
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Recording Published:
09/23/2024
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Duration:
122 Minutes
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Bergen County
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Towns:
Hillsdale, Montvale, River Vale, Woodcliff Lake
- Meeting Overview:
At the Pasack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education meeting on September 23, 2024, the board honored staff members for their long service, introduced new hires, and discussed academic performance, all while the community mourned the loss of a beloved student and her family.
The meeting opened with an emotional address from Drew Valerian, who spoke on behalf of the Pasack Hills community, mourning the unexpected death of Brook Dryman and her parents. Valerian highlighted Brook’s contributions to the community through her involvement in various initiatives, including serving as co-president of Camp Raspberry, participating in the unified program, and playing on the girls’ tennis team. Valerian described Brook as a positive force, dedicated to her faith and the community, and called for a moment of silence in her memory.
Following this somber tribute, the board shifted focus to staff recognitions. A resolution was passed acknowledging staff members who have served the district for 25 years. The superintendent praised the strength and resilience of the community, attributing it to the dedication of its staff. Staff members Jim Kennedy, Doug Goodman, Deb Horn, Lillian Murray, and Brenda Kirk were honored for their lengthy tenures and contributions to the district.
Jim Kennedy was recognized for his achievements in technology education and leadership roles, including founding the Pasack Pioneers robotics team and initiating the Society of Women Engineers Club. A past principal’s remark encapsulated his impact: “He is a thoughtful man who cares deeply for his students and works to find new opportunities for himself and his students.”
Doug Goodman was lauded for making history engaging and for his positive relationships with students, notably during his role as a lunch supervisor. Deb Horn was praised for her innovative teaching methods and leadership as the debate team coach, fostering student growth in public speaking and understanding politics. Lillian Murray was honored for her multitasking abilities and caring nature as the attendance coordinator, while Brenda Kirk was recognized for her contributions as a bookkeeper and administrative assistant, known for her light-heartedness as a prankster.
The meeting then highlighted the introduction of several new staff members across various schools. Dr. Bot introduced Miss Angie Del Lima, an experienced Italian teacher, and other new hires including Franchesco Dello, Miss Margaret Montaire, Tim Mor Ari, Miss Olga Soy, and Jessica Woodg. The introductions detailed their qualifications and the enthusiasm they bring to their roles.
Mr. Wheen introduced new staff at Hills, beginning with Frank Chirichello, Devon Deert, Janna Duffy, Cassandra Lied, Matthew Marini, Anie Mooney, Jennifer Ring, Jerry Rodriguez, and new French teachers Excel Sant and Margaret Schmidt. Each individual was commended for their strong backgrounds and commitment to engaging students.
The meeting also included a presentation honoring new hires and promoted staff members, including Tracy, recognized for her leadership in technology integration, and Sandy Vasquez, acknowledged for her expertise in social-emotional learning and crisis management. William Vander Van Kersen was appointed as the new athletic director, effective July of the current year.
Transitioning to academic performance, Dr. Bachenheimer discussed recent NJSLA scores. Dr. Russo provided insights into mathematics performance, noting positive overall numbers but cautioning about Algebra 1 scores due to a change in course sequence. Megan Graziano addressed the district’s science performance, revealing that Pasack Valley students scored above the state average, although there were areas needing targeted support.
The conversation also covered the state of the NJ SLE scores in science, discussing student motivation and the lack of an opt-out option for these tests. The superintendent presented an executive summary on midterms and finals, emphasizing that these exams do not adversely impact student GPAs or college admission prospects. The establishment of a Wellness Center was noted as a significant support system for students struggling with anxiety related to grades and testing.
The board discussed GPA inflation and the implications of recent academic changes, noting an increase in honors and AP course offerings since 2020. The introduction of additional academic support systems, such as math, science, and English labs, was highlighted as contributing factors to the rise in GPAs. The policy committee report covered revisions to school policies, including changes to drug screening policies and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Student reports featured representatives from both Pasack Hills and Pasack Valley High Schools, discussing various academic and extracurricular activities, including a year-long cat dissection project and voter registration drives. The meeting concluded with a report on a successful car wash organized by the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society, raising $882 for the Dr. Sapienza scholarship fund.
Sarah Bilotti
School Board Officials:
Gini Varghese, Joseph Blundo, Elizabeth Calderone, Stephanie Huang, Pat Luisi, Kristin Martin, James Stankus, Debra Stephans, Michael Weaver
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
09/23/2024
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Recording Published:
09/23/2024
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Duration:
122 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Bergen County
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Towns:
Hillsdale, Montvale, River Vale, Woodcliff Lake
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