The Pascack Valley Regional Board of Education bid farewell to board members Brian Hallowell, David Steinberg, Arnold Scher, and Kenneth Ralph during Monday night’s BOE meeting held in-person at Pascack Valley and on Zoom. The board members all have terms that expire this month. 

“The thing I discovered to be the biggest asset of the district during my time here was the people: the people in leadership positions, the administration, people in finance and building and grounds, and most especially our teachers,” Ralph said. 

Pascack Valley Senior Sean Cuffe and Pascack Hills Senior Charles Goertz were both awarded with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award by Stephen Kalish, a representative from the West Point Society of New Jersey.

“[The BOE] thanks [Cuffe and Goertz] for how well you’ve represented not just yourselves, but your entire school body. We’re very proud and thankful for what you’ve done for our district,” District Superintendent Erik Gundersen said. 

Due to the impending snowstorm, Gundersen said that he will “probably” make an announcement regarding which day the district will shift to remote learning. 

“Instead of having to shut down schools and close instruction for a day, due to inclement weather, [the NJDOE] is allowing [schools] to shift to remote learning because we’re getting pretty good at [remote learning] now, and we’re used to shifting to remote learning at the drop of a dime,” Gundersen said. 

BOE member James Stankus gave a Curriculum & Instruction, and Technology Committee Report and announced that parents and students gave positive feedback on the possibility of adding an eighth period for the 2021-2022 school year. 

“The possibility of adding the eighth period would give [the district] more flexibility and more course offerings,” Stankus said. “It wouldn’t increase the workload of the students because it could also give them a study hall or maybe some [other] options with the eight class, as well.” 

Patricia Zimmer was approved as District Payroll Manager for the 2020-21 school year following the retirement of current Payroll Manager Marlimyn Sinisi. Because Sinisi will retire on Jan. 31, 2021, Zimmer’s position will be effective starting Feb. 1. 

Gundersen said that he hopes the district can continue to remain open until winter break, and students help determine whether remote learning continues. 

“We all need to modify our behaviors to make sure we are able to keep schools open,” Gundersen said. “It might be messy at times and it might not be what everyone wants to hear, but [the district] is trying to do what’s best for our students.”

The BOE also approved the History Club as a probationary club at PV with History Teacher Leah Jerome set to be an unpaid volunteer for the club. 

“Let’s just focus on celebrating the things that are going well,” BOE President Tammy Molinelli said. “As we enter into 2021, I’m optimistic and looking forward to continued learning [and] continued growth.”