The first Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education meeting of 2024 began with Stephanie Huang, Kristin Martin, Gini Varghese, and Michael Weaver being administered the Oath of Office by Board Secretary Yas Usami. 

Huang, resident of Woodcliff Lake, had 988 votes toward her election. Martin and Varghese, residents of Hillsdale, accumulated 1,714 and 1,603 votes towards their elections, respectively. Montvale resident Weaver had 1,519 votes towards his election. 

The BOE also nominated members for this year’s president and vice president positions. Former BOE President Joseph Blundo stated at the last meeting that he would not be running for reelection. 

Varghese and Blundo were the nominated candidates for president and vice president. They were appointed unopposed. 

Upon finalizing election results and new members’ presence, President Varghese recited the Code of Ethics for school board members. 

While discussing new business, BOE member Elizabeth Calderone talked about a teen dating workshop for freshmen and seniors at Pascack Hills. Martin discussed concerns about the lack of Wi-Fi at Valley. 

Superintendent Sarah Bilotti spoke about the second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Day of Service at both schools and potential events during the spring and into next year. 

“We’ve taken the Martin Luther King day of beloved community and we’ve tried to expand that throughout the school year, looking at ways to form connections between staff members, staff and students, staff and parents, and school and community. The culminating event is the Jan. 15 day of service,” she said, “We are looking at this point at having almost 100% participation in the community from all staff, and we also have additional student groups participating.” 

“I think it’s wonderful and [I’m] super excited to see how it continues to expand and grow from year to year,” said Bilotti.