BOE Summer Update
Editor’s Note: The following article is based on updates from the end of the 2024-2025 school year and summer 2025.
On Monday night, the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education (BOE) addressed comments from the public regarding the theater program’s successful separation, commemorated various retiring faculty and staff members, and discussed timely staff and student body accomplishments.
At the start of the meeting, Interim Superintendent Dirk Phillips delivered the Interim Superintendent’s report. He expressed his appreciation, gratitude, and respect for Business Administrator Yas Usami and Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Barry Bachenheimer upon their retirements at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
“I have been here for just over a month, and it didn’t take me long to figure out how vital both of these gentlemen are to our district. Not only are they experts in their fields, but they [are] also laid with grace and compassion. I want to thank them for their assistance in my transition to the Interim Superintendent position, but I also want to wish them the best of luck…” he said.
Although he had only joined the district approximately one month ago, he wished to get to know both Usami and Bachenheimer better. He wished them great success in their future endeavors, particularly in light of their retirement. He acknowledged both their hard work and tremendous dedication that has allowed the district to thrive from their well-respected commitments.
He commended the following Hills staff for their recent achievements outside of their instructional environments that have demonstrated their ambition beyond the classroom:
- Joseph Orlak – Social Studies, Business, and Education/Internship Professional Studies Supervisor
- He was selected to serve on the New Jersey Department of Education, Career Readiness, Life Literacy, and Skills standards review process.
- Megan Graziano – Science and Technology Education Supervisor
- She was chosen to serve on the New Jersey Department of Education’s Draft Writing Committee for the adoption of New Jersey’s student learning standards for science.
- Alyssa Merritt – Regional Instruction and Curriculum Coordinator
- She was selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Bergen County Curriculum Round Table.
- Heather Lutz – Hills English and Holocaust Studies Teacher
- She has completed the defense of her dissertation and has qualified with distinction for her doctorate with a letters degree.
Additionally, he announced the theater department’s separation from the combined district participation efforts for the 2024-2025 school year, as well as the district’s decision to refresh its laptop inventory for all students and secure valuable district-wide grants. Phillips concluded by congratulating the class of 2025 before their graduation ceremony and wished the district’s returning students a good summer upon the year’s completion.
Board member Elizabeth Calderone presented the Post Secondary Education Committee Report. She discussed internship program exposure and transportation strategies, welcome event planning for new students and expanding outreach for the school’s internship program, which is aimed to target both eighth- and ninth-grade students at ‘Back to School Night’ related events.
The board acknowledged Business Administrator and Board Secretary Yas Usami for his contributions to the district’s budget, capital projects utilizing reserve funds, community involvement, and collaboration with the technology department. They appreciated his dedication and hard working attributes.
Board member Kristen Martin delivered an additional message to Usami regarding his retirement and departure from the district. The other board members soon followed by vocalizing Usami’s highly accredited leadership qualities.
“I don’t know how we as a board would function without you [Usami]. When I describe you to other people, I said he’s not only the smartest person I’ve ever met, he’s a gentleman, he’s somebody I can ask questions to and not feel silly. I appreciate everything you did to make my transition onto the board smooth, and I wish you all the best,” said Martin.
Usami responded to their remarks, reflecting on his contributions to the district before he officially retires, and thanked all of those district members who have allowed him to serve as a guiding mentor.
“…I want to thank the board and past boards. It has been my honor to serve this district. I really love this district. This is my second time around, so that’s…it shows I wanted to come back, and I am very happy that I did…” said Usami.
The board also commended Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Barry Bachenheimer upon his retirement, specifically for improving standardized testing policies, maintaining educational principles during the COVID-19 pandemic, and facilitating the opportunity for district students to receive CPR certifications.
Board member James Stankus revealed his appreciation for Bachenheimer’s commitment to the district and wished him well for the future.
“…I want to again thank you [Bachenheimer] for your dedication to this district…top notch educators know that our living is giving. And we have the blessing of when we are an educator, we give as a part of our life, as part of our living. This district is so thankful for you for your years of giving…” Stankus stated.
Junior Ashley Schwartz was awarded the Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award, and senior Grant Bancroft received the recognition for achieving perfect attendance throughout his four years at Hills.
The board awarded the following Hills students for their outstanding choral and musical achievements:
- 2025 Bergen County Choir: sophomore Joshua Lee, freshman Gowri Nair, junior Ayan Swain, and freshman Maya Zislin
- 2025 All-State Mixed Choir: juniors Colin Barry, Caitlin Buckley, Elijah Chen, Anderson Moss, and Ayan Swain
- 2025 All-State Treble Choir: senior Reina Aliko, junior Camilla Ambrosio, junior Eva Friedman, and senior Sophia Padilla
- 2025 Region I Mixed Choir: Junior Ayan Swain
The board also recognized junior Ryan Zoelle, junior Miriam Rozman, and freshman Gabrielle Ruocco for their participation as members of the Pascack Valley Regional Swim Team and winning the county team of the year.
They also highlighted senior CJ Driver for winning the Bergen Record Athlete of the Week for Boys Lacrosse and the Bergen County All-Time Points Record.
When the board opened for public comments, several residents spoke about the theater department.
Montvale residents and Hills Juniors Ettie Eggers and Jupiter Tamagny demonstrated their appreciation for the board’s commitment to separating the theater program. They expressed excitement ahead of the 60th anniversary of the school’s department as it enters the upcoming year.
“I want to say thank you for hearing us out about our theater program,” she began. “And I know that I’m personally very excited for the 60th season of the Pascack Hills Players. And I would like to make sure that you all know that you are invited to every show, and we will have seats for you no matter where you want to sit,” she continued. “I want to also say that I’m really grateful for having an administration and a Board of Ed. that is willing to listen to us…” said Ettie Eggers.
“I would also like to say thank you for listening to us about our quest to separate the theater programs, and I am very excited for the 2025-2026 Pascack Hills theater season. And I extend the invitation to all of you, so thank you so much,” said Tamagny.
Montvale resident Elizabeth Gloeggler applauded the board’s commitment to the artistic involvement of the student body and recognized the specific educational opportunities that students have applied to real-world scenarios.
“In our house, we are so excited to have the Pascack Hills Players back for the 2025-2026 school year, and they will be kicking off their 60th season. I also want to thank each and every member of the Board of Education for always caring so much about the arts and about theater. And thank you for hearing our kids, and thank you for reading their super long proposal. I also want to say a huge thank you [BOE] to you all for creating such a stellar learning environment for the kids in our district,” she said.
For a full viewing of the BOE meeting, click the link below.
Editor’s Note: The following article is based on updates from the end of the 2024-2025 school year and summer 2025.
On Wednesday night, the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education discussed recent position appointments, the district’s celebratory graduation ceremonies, and standardized testing results from the previous school year.
To begin, Interim Superintendent Dirk Phillips delivered the Interim’s Superintendent Report. He acknowledged Cynthia Kirk as the new Business Administrator and Board Secretary. Phillips also recognized the new Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Dr. Mark Russo, upon his transition into the role for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, Phillips congratulated the class of 2025 graduates and commended the district for planning a cohesive ceremony despite the uncontrollable weather disturbances.
Phillips also announced that 74 district students qualified for their New Jersey Department of Education Seal of Biliteracy and Global Seal of Biliteracy. He touched upon laptop distributions set to begin taking place on July 21 for the incoming senior class.
He also mentioned the district’s hiring of two new supervisors for various subject matters. First, Phillips referenced Dr. Jessica Nuzzi who will serve as the district’s supervisor of mathematics and computer science. He also discussed the approval of Kiara Kupiek, the new supervisor of World Language, and Family and Consumer Sciences.
“During the summer months, a lot of districts are really struggling to fill the open positions. We are very fortunate that all of our instructional positions are filled for the opening of the school year,” said Phillips.
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Dr. Mark Russo shared the results from the spring administration of the NJ Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA) administered in March. He elaborated on the importance of delivering the exam to the district’s eleventh grade students.
“The NJGPA is designed to measure the extent to which students are graduation ready in ELA and Mathematics. The ELA component is aligned to the grade ten standards, while the mathematics component is aligned to Algebra I and Geometry standards,” said Russo.
He explained that this exam has been implemented as a graduation requirement for the three most recent graduating classes and the district is waiting for more data and patterns to determine whether it will remain the same for future years. Russo revealed that he would present a more comprehensive presentation during the fall on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
“Students who take, but who do not meet the minimum required score, which has been a 725, on each component of the assessment will have the opportunity to receive additional support…” said Russo.
He then explained that any student who does not pass can retake any section requirement that they are missing in the fall, they can use an alternative assessment like the PSAT, SAT, or ACT to provide enough information regarding their academic performance. These students can also complete portfolio appeals as another replacement to satisfy the district’s requirements.
“As in the past, we will identify relative strengths and weaknesses as we refine our instruction. We’ll spiral in older concepts and skills and plan in review opportunities, and we will continue investing additional support for students through the math center [and Writing Center],” he said.
When discussing an agenda policy regarding athletics, BOE member Michael Weaver mentioned the decision making process for Hills’ uniforms. Weaver revealed that at the time of the district’s mascot change, administration allegedly made decisions about certain “wording” during the transition without aligning with input of student athletes and coaches.
“…I don’t know when we’re coming up on a cycle to start buying new uniforms, but when we do come up on that cycle, [I am] just hoping student athletes and coaches can be a part of that process for deciding what’s going to be on the uniforms,” he said.
For a full viewing of the BOE meeting, click the link below.
Editor’s Note: The following article is based on updates from the end of the 2024-2025 school year and summer 2025.
On Monday night, the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education discussed the upcoming school year, staff achievements, and language learning testing results.
Interim Superintendent Dirk Phillips delivered the Interim’s Superintendent Report, starting by recognizing Biology and Research in Molecular Genetics teacher Dr. Aarti Mallya as the Teacher of the Year. He commended her continued efforts to expand her scientific knowledge and dedication to students, the district, and the community for over 25 years.
He continued by commending the administration for all of the summer work that they have dedicated along with the technology department, led by supervisor Tracy Leigh, effectively kickstarting the cohesive laptop distribution ahead of the school year.
Phillips provided an overview of the upcoming week, including Freshman Orientation on Wednesday and the first day of school Thursday. Phillips also confirmed new language and advanced music course selections. Finally, he highlighted a significant change to the NJGPA testing format, which will now be adaptive, adjusting question difficulty to student answers.
Pascack Hills senior Stephanie Yeung was appointed student representative for Hills this school year. She was sworn in by BOE member Cynthia Kirk.
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Dr. Mark Russo presented Hills students’ results on the annual statewide English Proficiency Tests (ELL assessments), an exam mandatory for K-12 students who come from multilingual backgrounds.
“District wide averages remain well below the NJDOE [New Jersey Department of Education] exit requirement of 4.5 in each category, signaling that most of our multi-language learners will require continued language support services,” said Russo.
For a full viewing of the BOE meeting, click the link below.
