(Editor’s Note: Updated at 2:45 pm to correct a quote inadvertently attributed to PV physcial education teacher Thomas Gallione instead of Superintendent Erik Gundersen.) 

The Board of Education approved an emergency hybrid meeting on Thurs. May 13 to discuss the possibility of combining the attendance of both cohorts by May 17. The board made this decision during Monday night’s BOE meeting held in Pascack Valley’s cafeteria and virtually on Zoom. 

With a Reopening Committee meeting scheduled tomorrow at 3:15pm, the district said that it will take input from the committee to determine whether school can fully reopen for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Superintendent Erik Gundersen also said that he will send a survey out to parents to determine how many parents will allow their children to attend school in-person if the cohorts are combined. 

“If the board does vote to merge cohorts, we would send out a form to parents to respond by Thursday of this week, whether or not their child will be coming into school, then we’d have a better sense of exactly how tight those classrooms would be,” Gundersen said. 

Gundersen said that the survey sent to parents will also possibly serve as an official survey to determine whether or not students will remain fully remote or fully in-person for the remainder of the school year.

“The intent is to have [the survey] be a commitment. That’s me speaking,” Gundersen said. “When I share this with the administrative team tomorrow morning. They may have some compelling points where details should be slightly different, but that’s the sentiment at this time.”

The BOE approved a moderate rebranding plan of $147,350 to rebrand PV and PH from its former mascot names and logos. An additional $25,000 will be added to the moderate plan to allow for new uniforms for PH. Superintendent Erik Gundersen said that the moderate plan focuses more on necessary changes that need to be made to both schools. 

“The moderate plan somewhat asks: what do we really need to replace right now, that makes sense for our schools?” Gundersen said. “It also includes not replacing things that can be perceived as trivial.” 

Course title changes were made during the meeting including the Computer Science Principles course being approved to be named Introduction to Computer Science and App Development, and Honors Chinese V being approved to become AP Chinese Language and Culture. The title changes for both courses will be effective for the 2021-2022 school year. 

PV physical education teacher Thomas Gallione was approved as assistant principal of PV, effective July 1, 2021 for the 2021-2022 school year. The BOE approved the retirement of Gloria Gordon, a PV speech and language specialist, effective June 30, 2021. Anthony Morgen was also approved to become Maintenance Coordinator for the district. His position will be effective June 1, 2021 for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years. 

“[Gordon has] touched the lives of so many students, and has really made a positive impact on students who have struggled,” Gundersen said.  “[Gordon has] helped those students really thrive throughout their high school career as they launch into their college and career paths. I want to thank Miss Gordon for the years of dedication to Pascack Valley Regional High School District, and wish her all the best in retirement.” 

Luisa Sanchez was approved as leave replacement special education teacher at PV. She will be replacing Dayna Lane from Aug. 30-Dec. 20, 2021. The BOE also approved Melissa Szabo as family and consumer science teacher for PV effective Aug. 30, 2021. Joanna Katz was also approved as Student Family Resource Liaison at PV effective July 1, 2021 for the 2021-2022 school year.