Erick Depew

The board meeting included several key discussion and action items, such as the recognition of various student achievements, including valedictorians, salutatorians, National Merit Scholars, Unsung Heroes, STEM fair winners, and award-winning choir, band, and athletic teams. The board approved an executive session to discuss an HIB hearing, adopted a revised school and meeting calendar, and updated policies regarding petty cash. Additionally, the board approved an overnight field trip for DECA students, various human resources appointments, resignations, and leaves of absence. Financial actions included the approval of bills, an increase in the legal services budget, the appropriation of extraordinary aid, the renewal of a food service contract, and shared service agreements for school security officers. Furthermore, the board authorized the disposal of obsolete equipment, approved a construction change order for auditorium renovations, and finalized various student transportation contracts.

The Board of Education meeting covered several key topics including the approval of a 2026-2027 school year budget, the adoption of a comprehensive equity plan, and the establishment of cooperative sports program agreements. The board addressed personnel matters such as resignations, new hires, staff assignment changes, leaves of absence, and various appointments for tenured and non-tenured administrators, supervisors, teachers, and support staff. Additionally, the board approved an overnight trip for DECA students, financial reports, travel expenses, tuition rates for the upcoming school year, a subscription bussing program, and special education transportation contracts.

The Board discussed various routine and operational matters, including personnel reports, facility construction updates, the preliminary school budget for the upcoming year, and curriculum technology goals. Key highlights included the announcement of district valedictorians and salutatorians, the state of district construction projects, athletic achievements, and student-led initiatives such as volunteer meal packing and social entrepreneurship projects.

The agenda for this regular meeting, which was ultimately cancelled due to weather, included several key items. Routine matters involved reports from the Board President and Interim Superintendent, and committee reports. Minutes from the February 2, 2026 Regular Meeting required approval. Presentations were scheduled on School Ranking and Absenteeism. Policy discussions included a first reading of a revised Petty Cash bylaw and the second reading and adoption of revised bylaws concerning Nepotism, Employment of Chief School Administrator, and new policies/regulations regarding Sexual Harassment for staff. Education agenda items covered approving overnight trips for the Robotics Team to attend regional and world championships. The Human Resources consent agenda involved accepting a resignation for retirement, approving revised job descriptions, approving a revised annual appointment, approving additional period assignments due to employee leaves, approving annual technology stipends, accepting a co-curricular resignation, approving a co-curricular appointment revision, rescinding an athletic appointment made in error, accepting several athletic resignations, approving numerous athletic appointments and revisions, approving volunteers, approving staff for SAT testing support, approving chaperones for a past event, and revising CPR/AED instructor payment rates. The Finance section included approval of bills totaling over $4.27 million, pre-authorization for various professional development travel expenses, acceptance of several donations, an amendment to the Empowering Educators Grant, approval for Aid-in-Lieu transportation reimbursement, approval of a Collaborative Educational Services Agreement, approval of shared services agreements for nurses and homebound instruction, authorization to submit an ESEA amendment reflecting carryover amounts, and the awarding of special education transportation contracts for Region II. Old Business included the Monthly Suspension Report. New Business was also listed. Finally, a motion to enter into Executive Session was planned to discuss a possible HIB incident and contract review.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the review of routine monthly reports from the Interim Superintendent and Student Representatives. The Board approved several routine matters, including the minutes from the October 27, 2025 meetings. The presentation covered the goals and structure of the district's professional development plan, with discussions on instructional scheduling and evolving educational standards. Policy matters involved the approval of the 2026-2027 school calendar and the adoption of revised bylaws regarding the Use of Electric Communication. Education items involved the approval of an overnight trip to New Orleans, the acceptance of a new tuition student, approval of home instruction, and out-of-district placements for several students. Human Resources actions included approving several new personnel appointments, leave replacement assignments, leave of absence revisions, and changes in job titles and substitute nurse rates. In Finance, the Board approved budget expenditures totaling over $6.4 million for the period ending November 17, 2025, accepted September 2025 financial reports, approved transfers, and authorized a capital reserve withdrawal of $212,500.00 for the Pascack Valley Milestones Renovation Project. Agreements were approved related to the Sport-O-Rama Ice Rink usage, use of AI Grant funds, ESEA Title I funding, and special education transportation contracts/renewals with various providers. The meeting concluded with Old Business updates on the Superintendent search and the subsequent decision to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, contracts, and a possible HIB incident, before adjourning.