On Monday night, the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education swore in the 2022-23 student representatives, listened to a presentation about Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB), and approved policies for the upcoming school year. 

Pascack Hills junior Olivia Ge is the Hills student representative for this school year. She was sworn in by BOE member Yas Usami and gave her monthly report, acknowledging the SAT and Act prep courses offered, freshman orientation, and NJ.com recognizing Hills lacrosse players and coaches. 

“We get really good insight from our student representatives,” said BOE president Joseph Blundo. 

Superintendent Sarah Bilotti also gave her monthly report and said that she met with BOE members, the administrative team, and the district team individually to plan for the year. She also said that she plans on meeting with teachers and students from both schools in small groups.

“My theme for this year is going to be listening,” she said, “It’s great to hear different perspectives…what people are excited about.”

Rodney Hara, Esquire gave a presentation about HIB to the BOE. He explained characteristics that an HIB must have and the administrative responsibilities.  

An incident must be reported to the principal the same day verbally and in writing within two school days of it happening. From there, an investigation takes place, which is taken to superintendent review, and then reviewed by the BOE. 

Members asked questions and clarified their responsibilities following the presentation. BOE member Michael Weaver asked if HIB reports are taken to college admissions, which Hara said they are not. 

“No one [in the district] has a right to a student’s record unless they have [permission],” he said. 

Towards the end of the meeting, members approved policies for the upcoming school year. New courses have been added to the curriculum including Advanced Placement (AP) Seminar, Accounting, and History of American Popular Music. Donations, volunteers, and new athletic appointments were also approved.

The following were appointed for athletics at Hills: 

Robert Buccino – Cross Country Assistant Coach 

Caitlin Ernest – Assistant Coach 

Audrey Donahue – Regional Pascack Gymnastics Head Coach

Anthony Espinoza – Girls Soccer Assistant Coach

Adam Shawkat – Wrestling Assistant Coach

The following were appointed as volunteers for Hills:

Rhett Arcilla – Girls Varsity Volleyball

Robert Salgado – Football 

Hannah Sarakin – Girls Varsity Volleyball

John Zuzeck – Ice Hockey 

All of the donations went to the district robotics team, but one went towards the interactive monitor for the main entrance foyer. 

Before closing to the public, BOE member Debra Stephans asked for an update on the girls’ locker room at Hills. Usami said that the architect working on it gave him a report, but they are in the process of adding more information to it. 

From there, the BOE entered executive session and did not take any action.