Free meeting summary
Mahwah School Board Faces Concerns Over Student Safety and Violence at Lape School
- Meeting Overview:
During a recent Mahwah School Board meeting, parents voiced concerns about student safety at Lape School, highlighting incidents of physical aggression and violence particularly in classrooms and during recess. Stephanie Leagar, Kim Pascella, and Melissa Dris, representing a group of parents with second-grade children, described troubling scenarios where students suffered physical harm from peers. They emphasized that limited supervision and inadequate surveillance often left these incidents unaddressed or poorly managed. The parents argued that aggressive students were frequently reintegrated into classrooms without effective intervention plans, endangering other children. They stressed that no child should feel unsafe at school and called for increased adult supervision during recess, better staff training to identify and manage behavioral escalation, and improved surveillance in high-risk areas, with footage reviewed after incidents. They criticized the current methods of intervention as insufficient, particularly the use of simple coloring worksheets to address feelings after repeated occurrences of aggression. The parents demanded these measures as necessary safeguards for a safe learning environment, asserting their refusal to wait for a tragedy before implementing changes.
In response, a board member acknowledged the parents’ concerns and assured them that the administration would seriously consider their feedback. The board member reiterated the district’s “zero tolerance” policy for physical aggression and inappropriate language. Additionally, Kimberly Pascella raised issues about the bullying incident reporting process, focusing on the intimidating language related to false reports, which she felt could deter parents from advocating for their children. A board member responded by clarifying that the bullying law primarily addressed student behavior, and any adult-related concerns would involve legal consultation.
The board meeting also included updates from various committees and student representatives. Nicholas Mule, a student representative, highlighted several achievements from Mahwah High School. These included participation by National Honor Society vocalists in a state mix concert, 11 students being accepted into the Bergen County chorus, and the school’s preparation for the play “Done to Death.” Mule also noted the varsity cheer team’s competition victory and the MHS Thunderbirds band securing a score of 86.4 at the U.S. band NJ State Championship. Students from AP Government and the Young Politicians Club were acknowledged for serving as poll workers during the general elections, and three students were recognized for winning a sticker design competition for the League of Women Voters.
Dr. Dtoro and Dr. Farah provided reports on ongoing initiatives and partnerships within the district. Dr. Dtoro discussed a recent referendum communication committee meeting with about 30 participants, which focused on potential projects related to an upcoming referendum. He highlighted the pride felt for student-athletes, specifically recognizing two students for their commitment to university lacrosse teams. Dr. Dtoro also praised the middle school’s efforts to enhance student engagement beyond academics, mentioning an upcoming Brickfest qualifying tournament hosted by the engineering club.
Dr. Farah introduced a new partnership with Granbook College, aimed at integrating clinical interns into district classrooms for hands-on teaching experience, thereby preparing future educators through collaboration with district administrators. He also announced that two students were selected for a prestigious health science workshop, allowing them to explore cutting-edge research. The meeting further recognized Mrs. Pachelli’s kindness car initiative, which promotes gratitude by delivering snacks and smiles to staff.
The board meeting was marked by reflections on the legacy of Ivonne Beatatric, a long-standing member of the Mahwah community and a retired educator. Board members shared memories of Ivonne, acknowledging her contributions to the school and community, including founding the mock trial team and earning accolades for teaching excellence. Ivonne was remembered fondly, with expressions of loss and gratitude for her impact.
Katherine Hiramoto, the new business administrator and board secretary, presented her report, mentioning the open enrollment for health benefits and a 17.5% increase in health insurance rates, which is lower than increases in other districts. She highlighted ongoing efforts to improve efficiency and prepare for a tree planting initiative. The board also discussed Building 5 and its potential use for developing a program for special education students aged 18 to 21, with considerations for state reimbursement for renovations if classified as educational space.
School Board Officials:
Prema C. Moorthy, PhD, Richard A. DeSilva, Jr., Benjamin A. Kezmarsky, Michael Galow, Trista Daveniero, John Dinice, Christopher L. Hughes, Janine Ting Jansen, Brett Coplin
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
11/12/2025
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Recording Published:
11/13/2025
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Duration:
48 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:
Mahwah
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