Among the most significant decisions was the board’s move to terminate its shared services agreement with South Hackensack Board of Education, effective December 31, 2023. The termination will impact both business office and technology services.

On the academic front, the Education Committee, led by Nicole Campbell Russo and seconded by Jillian Ferdinand, approved various measures including monthly discipline reports and Superintendent Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) reports. A Virtual or Remote Instruction Plan for the 2023-2024 school year was also unanimously approved. Special attention was given to the area of special education with approvals for contracts with CTC Academy and SBJC, Lodi Campus for Extended School Year (ESY) and Regular School Year (RSY) placements. Ava Hewitt was also approved for an internship program with District Speech Therapists.

The board approved multiple contracts aimed at providing educational support. These include contracts with Ridgefield Public Schools, REALM, and the Felician School for Exceptional Children for services like tutoring, Teachers of the Deaf, and home instruction. In particular, a contract was approved with N Imperatore Tutoring LLC for Applied Behavior Analysis services at $60 per hour.

Financial resolutions were not overlooked. The board approved payrolls for May and July and bills for May totaling over $3 million. It also authorized the Business Administrator to submit grant applications for the 2023-2024 IDEA and ESEA to the New Jersey Department of Education. Additionally, a series of change orders for kitchen and cafeteria renovations were approved at a total cost of $28,786.96, charged against a reserve contingency fund.

Facility improvements also received attention. Among the approved measures was a contract for D&L Paving Contractors Inc. to pave the Euclid School Playground/Basketball Court for $44,800. Asbestos abatement in the High School hallway was also approved at a cost of $7,000, with Westchester Environmental conducting final air clearances post-removal for $1,900.

On a lighter note, the board approved a range of extracurricular activities including a Robotics Club competition involving 140 students district-wide and an Educational Cooperative Pricing System Agreement with Ed-Data for $6,910. Pi Day celebrations were set for March 14, 2024, with proceeds going to the Student Council, while a Middle School Halloween Dress-Up was approved for October 31, 2023, with the $5-per-student fee going to Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund.

On personnel matters, the board accepted resignations from Elisabetta Leone, an elementary teacher at Euclid School, and Frank Avella, a Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant. Michael Polizzi’s finalized contract as the Interim Superintendent of Schools was also approved, as were stipends and salary details for various staff members.