On Monday night, the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education recognized student achievements and listened to a finance committee meeting recap. They also discussed the Auditorium Project, school funding, club fundraising, and taxes.
At the beginning of the meeting, Superintendent Sarah Bilotti gave her monthly report. She discussed the international partnership between students from India and robotics students. The international trip intended to learn from Hills students and create connections between varying knowledge and nations.
Bilotti also mentioned an upcoming visit from students and teachers from Finland to the district’s schools, to the credit of World Language Supervisor Argine Safari’s efforts. Bilotti expanded on international visits to and from other countries, which adds to the opportunities that Hills’ students can take advantage of.
Business Administrator Yas Usami presented the Finance Committee Meeting recap. He addressed retirees, funding, AI training, and the specifics of monetary changes and updates.
President Gini Varghese recognized and congratulated National Merit Scholarship Award finalists.
The National Merit $2,500 Scholarship is given to the most accomplished and skillful students to aid their higher education. The following students are the National Merit Scholarship Award finalists:
- Ashley Yejoon Chun
- Olivia Ge
- Adriane Heit
- Hyunjun Fred Lim
The BOE also recognized Pascack Hills High School and Pascack Valley High School for their STEM School of Excellence Award. This includes the 2023-2024 ITEEA STEM School of Excellence Award, which is given out by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association to celebrate the teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders in STEM education.
The BOE went on to recognize and congratulate students who were selected for the First Team All Bergen County:
- Hadyn Hopper – 1st Team All County Girls Bowling
- Benjamin Mandler – 1st Team All County Pole Vault
- Tyler Rothstein – 1st Team All County Ice Hockey
Before Gianforcaro Architects gave a presentation about the Auditorium Project, Superintendent Bilotti gave some background information.
“[Five to seven] years ago, there was a decision by the board to set aside resources to, specifically, set aside resources to do renovations to both the Hills and the Valley auditoriums…then Covid hits, we sort of put a pause on those major, not necessary renovations for the short-term. [In] May of 2022, we restarted this project…by meeting with all of the stakeholders at both schools…The Hills auditorium needs to be asbestos abated…there is a necessary infrastructure update that needs to happen,” she said
At the Feb. 26 meeting, the BOE addressed renovation concerns that have continued. The Auditorium Project outlined by the Gianforcaro Architects includes lighting renovations, safety measures, stage improvements, and rearrangements.
The Board asked the architects questions regarding the additional expenses and time frame getting in the way of auditorium events at Hills, such as the fall play.
When the Board opened to comments from the public, Hills Principal Tim Wieland spoke on behalf of Hills and supported the renovation, despite the disturbances to the auditorium agenda.
“Nothing is worse than seeing our kids put in countless hours and then get on stage and have an issue with sound where you don’t hear that solo or that line. This would take those concerns away. Our theater departments have done a phenomenal job with what they have…I think it would be great for our kids and for our school, not only in the theater department,” he said.
Wieland also gave a shout-out to the Hills’ musical, “Cinderella,” coming up this weekend.
Jennifer Mandler from Woodcliff Lake spoke on behalf of her daughter, a member of the theater department, in support of Principal Wieland’s claims and recommended more theater-related academia at Hills.
Under old business, BOE member Michael Weaver addressed inequalities, finances, fundraising, and referendums. Vice President Joseph Blundo responded in agreement with Weaver’s concerns regarding taking action within the schools and their clubs’ financial situations.
BOE members also congratulated the robotics team for their Robot Reveal Night.
Under new business, BOE member Elizabeth Calderone discussed upcoming environmental club clean-ups including the Woodcliff Lake reservoir.
Regarding the recent Woodcliff Lake tax assessment increase, Usami clarified that the school and the BOE are not involved with tax considerations for surrounding towns. Vice President Blundo chimed in on the taxes for school funding at a state level.
“It is a state law, so it is not something that is just made of by the department of education…it is relative evaluation…there are other factors in there, one of which is enrollment…There are only two ways to change it…the first is to get the state law changed…and the second is by a vote of the four towns that each town, individually, has to agree to change our local agreement,” he said.
