On May 16, 2023, the Demarest Board of Education convened, chaired by President Holzberg, with Superintendent Mr. Fox and Ms. Kelly as the Business Administrator/Board Secretary.

The meeting’s primary focus was the staffing decisions for the 2023/2024 school year. Six educators—Julia Amaya, Hyewon Mohanram, Audrey Moran, Nicole Petri, Katherine Shaughnessy, and Kelly Tiscornia—were awarded tenure. The board unanimously approved these decisions upon recommendation from the Chief School Administrator.

The Board also ratified the provisional employment of Reilly Medzadourian as a substitute teacher for the remaining 2022/2023 school year and Lia DiPiazza as the County Road School Physical Education and Health Teacher for the 2023/2024 term. Additionally, several teachers were approved for tenure appointments for the 2023/2024 academic year. The Board ensured that the teachers’ salaries and steps would be adjusted upon the final settlement of the contract between the Demarest Board of Education and the Demarest Education Association.

Aside from staff appointments, the Board confirmed athletic schedules for girls and boys basketball and approved various custodial, maintenance, and secretarial staff for the upcoming school year. Frank Mazzini was appointed as Affirmative Action Officer (AAO) for the 2023/2024 academic year.

Notably, the Board also approved a Consortium Memorandum of Agreement between the Northern Valley Regional High School Board of Education and the Demarest School District. This agreement aims to optimize the usage of the ESEA Grant, making the Northern Valley Regional High School the fiscal agent and lead education agency (LEA) for the consortium. Each consortium member will retain its own Title I grant money.

Among other fiscal decisions, the Board approved the donation of a storage container to the Borough of Demarest Department of Public Works. They also green-lighted contracts with the BCSSSD for non-public students and Thrive Alliance Group for support services for the ERi program using ESSER III grant monies, amounting to a maximum of $55,440.

The proposed 2023/2024 contract for Antoinette Kelly, the School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, was also submitted for sanction to the Executive County Superintendent. The Board concluded the fiscal matters by approving April 2023 payrolls and an April 25, 2023 bill list totaling $579,741.20, encompassing multiple expense areas.