Pascack Valley Regional High School District

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.

Key discussions and actions included the Student Recognition segment, commending several high school athletes for various achievements such as Athlete of the Week and All County selections. The Board reviewed the Annual Audit Report for 2024-2025. Routine matters involved reports from various committees and an update confirming the Interim Superintendent will continue through April 30, 2027. Policy discussions involved approving the district Technology Plan for 2025-2028 and conducting first readings for several revised and new bylaws, policies, and regulations, alongside approving action taken pursuant to a Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Report. Financial matters included approving substantial bills, accepting the Secretary's and Treasurer's financial reports for October 2025, accepting the final audit for the year ended June 30, 2025, and awarding a contract for the Pascack Hills High School Room 104 HVAC Replacement to Iron Mountain Mechanical, LLC. Furthermore, the Board approved change orders related to the Milestones and PH C-Wing Roof Replacement projects, and addressed numerous Human Resources items, including the acceptance of two retirements, the appointment of a new interim assistant director, and approval of several leaves of absence and additional teaching assignments. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss legal matters.

The meeting included the organization of the Board, involving the certification of election results from November 4, 2025, the administration of the Oath of Office to newly elected members, and the election of the President and Vice President. The Board read aloud the Code of Ethics for School Board Members. Key actions under the Reorganization agenda included authorizing the award of numerous professional services contracts (attorneys, auditors, engineers, architects, etc.), appointing various officials and contractual entities for services like insurance and custodians of records, dissolving existing committees and adopting new ones, adopting the district organization chart, and adopting existing curricula and textbooks for the 2026-2027 school year. Financial resolutions covered establishing maximum travel expenditures for 2026-2027 and approving purchases utilizing state contracts. Under the Regular Meeting agenda, the Board approved minutes from December 15, 2025 meetings, adopted revised bylaws, policies, and regulations, approved overnight trips for DECA students and athletic teams, accepted several resignations, approved an employment contract for the Interim Superintendent, revised and approved additional period assignments for staff on leave, approved substitute nurse rates for overnight trips, and approved budget expenditures and financial reports for July through November 2025. Public comments primarily focused on concerns regarding the football program and general school performance rankings.

The meeting featured several student recognitions, including commendations for Adam Shaw, Ally Piniac, Maline Romero, Eva Meyers, and several students selected to the First Team All County for various sports and gymnastics. The Interim Superintendent congratulated the student recipients and recognized staff members selected as Teacher of the Year and Educator Service Provider of the Year across the high schools. The Superintendent also provided updates on construction projects, noting progress on exterior ramps at Milestone, HVAC work at Valley cafeteria, and the completion of the Valley auditorium project targetting completion by the end of January. Additionally, a visitor management system was installed at Valley. The maintenance staff was thanked for their quick response during a recent snow event and a power failure. The Superintendent also mentioned ongoing budget development for the 2026-2027 school year and legislative chatter regarding cell phone policies in schools. The presentation of the annual audit report for the period ending June 30, 2025, indicated a general fund balance of $13,334,000, down slightly from the prior year, supported by excess local revenue, state aid, and unexpended appropriations. Reserves were utilized for healthcare costs and ongoing capital/maintenance projects. The report highlighted consistent use of excess surplus to support operations. Long-term liabilities showed a reduction in serial bonds, leases, and compensated absences, while the net pension liability decreased. A key positive highlight was reporting zero findings and recommendations for the audit, though adjustments for new accounting standards are expected next year.