On Monday night, the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education recognized student achievements in the district. 

From Pascack Hills, juniors Justin Cothron and Jordan Morell were recognized for receiving the College Board National African American recognition Award. Junior Rebeca Rodriguez was also recognized for an award given by College Board: their National Hispanic Recognition Award. 

The eligibility for these awards include having a 3.5 or higher grade point average (GPA), having “excelled” on the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) or earning a three or higher on two Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, and if the student is Black, Hispanic American or Latino, Indigenous, and/or attend school in a rural area or small town. 

Two students from Hills were also selected to be a part of the North Jersey School Music Association Region Orchestra: junior Olivia Ge and sophomore Robyn Song. 

Earlier in the meeting, Superintendent Sarah Bilotti discussed the district’s Day of Service, which was held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 16.

“We’re really hoping this is something that will grow and evolve,” she said, “It was amazing…I give them so much credit for putting [it] together.”  

Later, BOE member Debra Stephans asked for an update on the Hills girls’ locker room. According to Bilotti, another Finance Committee and/or Facilities Committee meeting needs to take place to follow up with the architect who is working on it.

“[There are] a lot of ways we could go,” said BOE President Joseph Blundo, “[There are] great renderings, great thoughts, great options, [but a] big price.” 

One final item that was approved on the agenda was the retirement of Spanish teacher Michele Olszewski-Garcia, which will be effective Nov. 1. The BOE did not enter executive session after the meeting.