On Monday night, the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education (BOE) addressed the new 2025 board members, the election of board executives, and college preparation during high school.
The first BOE meeting of 2025 began with Gia Guzman, Katie Keller, and Debra Stephans being administered the Oath of Office by Board Secretary Yas Usami.
Guzman, a resident of Hillsdale, had 4,024 votes toward her election. Keller, a resident of River Vale, received 3,357 votes toward her election, and Montvale resident Stephans had 3,334 votes toward her election.
The BOE also nominated members for this year’s president and vice president positions. BOE President Gini Varghese and Board Member Debra Stephans were the nominated candidates. They were appointed unopposed and accepted the seats for both roles, respectively.
After acknowledging new Board members and implementing the election results, President Varghese read the Code of Ethics for school board members.
While discussing new business, BOE member Elizabeth Calderone discussed how New Jersey teachers are no longer required to pass the state’s Basic Literacy Test and its misleading nature. This could impact the future of faculty at Hills and every New Jersey school.
A resident whose children attend Hills and are active members of the student body’s music program commended the BOE for expanding the school’s curriculum to offer honors-level courses in the department.
This was accomplished through recognition and work on behalf of the BOE after the April 29, 2024 meeting regarding the music department.
The BOE responded by referencing the weighted incentive that comes with honors-level music courses, elaborating on student grade point averages and transcript information located on Scoir and Genesis.
Board Member James Stankus emphasized the relevance of committing to creative extracurriculars for standing out in the college application process aside from strictly the grade point average.
Amidst the college conversation, board member Stephanie Huang asked for clarification regarding the guidance department surveys sent before Junior conferences, how it tracks interest, and its levels of inclusivity.
Superintendent Sarah Bilotti responded regarding the junior meeting surveys and the general Scoir application surveys that can help guide the students.
“It depends on: do you have a strong sense of what you want to do already, and if you do not, then you can do more to [find that],” she said.
For a full viewing of the BOE meeting, click the link below.
