001There are a couple individuals I would like to recognize. Um, you know, uh, bittersweet feeling. Um, it's our kindergarten teacher, uh, who has done a tremendous job with all of the students in this school four community. Um, and is our district anti-bullying specialist and director. So, we thank her for all of her years of service and wish her well in the next chapter of her life. This is, uh, Fontan She's our, uh, school four teacher, uh, kindergarten teacher, and has been in the district for a number of years. I was lucky enough to teach, um, in well, uh, back when I was in the classroom over at the high school. So, I heard that she was she was teaching over at school four, um, I wasn't surprised because of, um, who I had in my
002classroom for for a couple years. So, we wish her well, um, on on her, uh, last couple months in the classroom. I feel that I need to give a personal thank you. Mrs. Fontan, I've been in education a very long time, and she is perhaps one of the greatest teachers I have ever encountered. I know myself, I would not have gotten through my daughter's kindergarten year without Mrs. Fontan. She is caring, she is passionate, she is wonderful with the children, and she is just a pied piper, and I think that some of the things that she has done in her kindergarten will stay with the children forever. I want to thank her for the Mother's Day shells that she has done year after year that the kids give their mothers for Mother's Day. I want
003to thank her for the gingerbread book and the gingerbread, uh, ornament for the Christmas tree that she has done year after year. She will be greatly missed, and she will not be able to be replaced. Thank you, Mrs. Fontan, from the bottom of our hearts. I know we have at least two mothers up here whose children >> second that. Yes. Yes, thank you. She still has Michelle. She has a student in the back right now. Yeah, she's sitting in the back. Very blessed that he had the opportunity to have her. We are very lucky. She's phenomenal. Phenomenal. All of our children have had her, and she is phenomenal. I know we're moving this along, but I just couldn't not Of course. Of course. Love her. Thank you again for her. Uh, if you take a
004look at page four, uh, we are posting some of our, um, winter, uh, and fall coaches for next year. Uh, we also posted the co-curricular positions today. So, I encourage any staff members who did get that posting to, uh, send the emails in so we can begin planning for the co-curricular positions for next year. Resolution 19, uh, this was a great event on Monday night at the middle school. Mr. Pinto, Mr. Lombardo, um, and most importantly, Ms. Scorto, our school counselor over at the middle school. We honored 14, uh, new inductees to the National Junior Honor Society. So, um, big thank you to Ms. Scorto, uh, for putting that event together, and most importantly, congratulations to, uh, to all 14 of those students. If you take a look at page eight, we have the, uh,
005outside coaching policy that will be adopted this evening. This is something that has gone through, um, multiple readings, and we've had many conversations about it. So, it is on the agenda, and we'll be voting on it this evening. Page nine, there are a few dates that I would like to bring to everyone's attention. Because of the snow day schedule, we did have to change the end of the year, uh, schedules, uh, very slightly. So, May 22nd, that's the day before, um, it's that Friday before Memorial Day. We, in the past, have had off on that day. That's actually going to be an early dismissal day for the staff and the students. Monday, May the 25th, is Memorial Day, so the building in the district will be closed. Um, we'll have a half day on June
0062nd due to the primary elections. So, that will be for students only. Staff will be doing professional development and an in-service on that day. And the last week of school, as we have done in the past, from June 15th to June 19th, will be a half-day session for all students, and staff will begin their prep work for September of the following year. And our graduation days are going to be June 19th for the middle school and the high school students. And at this time, if you could turn to page 12, I would like to turn it over to Dr. to talk about one of our final policies for the evening. So, this resolution of the Cliffside Park Board of Education honoring Amber Vargas as the 2026 Bergen County Unsung Hero. Whereas the Bergen County School
007Board Association, in collaboration with the New Jersey School Board Association, recognizes unsung heroes from each high school of Bergen County to celebrate those whose character and impact find the heart of our schools. And whereas the Unsung Hero Award honors students who make outstanding contributions to their schools and communities, but are often overlooked by traditional recognition programs. Students who have modeled good citizenship, a spirit of quiet strength, and a profile in purpose that inspire others. And whereas these unsung heroes may have organized community programs, selflessly supported their peers, or achieved significant academic success while overcoming difficult personal challenges, disabilities, or language barriers. Whereas Amber Vargas has overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to reach her full potential, serving both the community and the community at large as a beacon of resilience and integrity. And whereas on Wednesday, March
0084th, 2026, Amber Vargas was formally recognized for these achievements at the 2026 Bergen County Unsung Hero Award Ceremony held at Henry P. Becton Regional High School. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Cliffside Park Board of Education officially recognizes Amber Vargas as an unsung hero of Bergen County and the Cliffside Park School District. And be it further resolved that this resolution is presented to Amber Vargas as a sincere token of the Cliffside Park Board of Education's congratulations and best wishes for continued success. Mr. Genucci, if you would Sure. Um, unfortunately, Amber is present at the time. I will receive the certificate on her behalf. Thank you very, very much. I wanted to thank Dr. Pentangelo for and the Bergen County School Board Association for chairing me and hosting the event. Uh, it was very special.
009They gave a very special shout out to Cliffside Park, so thank you for that. Uh, Ms. Prais is here in attendance. Ms. Prais nominated, uh, Amber and, uh, presented the award to her. So, I would like to call Ms. Prais up so she can just read what she read at the, uh, at the event. Thank you, Mr. Genucci. Um, so, this is what I read, uh, for Amber at the award ceremony officially. Um, the Cliffside Park High School Unsung Hero Award is proudly presented to Amber Vargas, a student whose impact is felt not through loud recognition, but through quiet dedication and compassion. With a very strong academic record and an even stronger heart, Amber consistently puts others first. She's been a dedicated member of Wonder Girls and that holds very dear to my heart, so
010I'm very proud of that. Throughout all four years of her high school career, embracing its mission of wellness, leadership, and service. And she is also a founder and the president of our brand new animal advocacy club this year. Um she very much stepped out of her comfort zone. If anyone knows Amber, she's incredibly quiet, incredibly quiet, incredibly shy, but this was like a really big thing for her, so I was really proud that she did this. And it's gained really big popularity at school. She She even took a day for me for Wonder Girls because they brought puppies in and who can argue with that? So Um so she did that. She led meaningful service projects. She raised awareness for animal rights. Her volunteer work, especially at our local homeless shelter, has shaped her passion
011for health care and service to the community. She's a first generation college student. She exemplifies resilience, humility, and selfless leadership. She's truly an unsung hero and she makes North Brunswick High School a better place every day. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> [applause] >> YES. YES. YES. UM ONE THING I DO WANT TO mention Dr. is the president of Jersey School Boards and that's why I think it was a great honor for her to present the award to Amber in addition to all the work that went into that event. And I think every high school in Bergen County was represented. So it was quite quite an event. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you for doing so. Um I guess at this time I'll turn it over to Mr. Alfano. I don't know if he has
012anything he would like to mention. May 12th we have a lawyer coming in. We will do a pre-audit for our 2015-2016 school year. We always bring the auditor whether they're in early to be proactive in order to minimize any potential findings when they come in for the audit. We're looking at the end of the year. Believe it or not, we're talking about 40 days left of school. We have a surplus and facility projects that we may potentially engage this summer. And I believe the last resolution one major large capital project we're going to be doing this year. I call it the masonry project. Essentially it's the area site work in Mr. Genucci's high school. We are approving the resolution tonight to award Medina Restoration at a bid of approximately $1.3 million. We chose it tonight
013and we will engage in the beginning regarding the pre-construction meeting when they can start early demo. Kick start it so we're done well before the energy of the staff and students come back in August. We are starting school August That's correct. That's correct. So hopefully we'll have a very dry summer. Because most of the work is outside, so So fingers crossed, but that's pretty much it. Um are there any questions, comments, concerns from the board? Mr. Alfano, do you want to open it up to Mr. Alfano? Not online. Not online. >> Not online. Any Any of the public have any commentary for those Mr. Alfano, if you would please Your name address State your name and address, please. Uh Lindsey Rego. I'm I'm sorry. Lindsey Rego. Hi Lindsey. Sorry. Three times over. Yeah, cuz the
014mic won't stay. It's a little uh All right. Lindsey Rego, three time Hamilton Ave parent for quite a few years. Um good evening. Lindsey, just one second. I just wanted to give an overview that you have about 3 minutes. It is not a Q&A. It's just you voicing your views to the board. Okay. And it won't be part of a a dialogue. Perfect. Awesome. Sorry for I just came from a track meet, so working it, so that's why I'm still dressed in uniform here. Good evening. My name is Lindsey Rego. I'm a building rep at the high school. On behalf of the union leadership, I am going to read you a statement. Although board policy is not inherently a union matter, this policy would create We were talking about the coaching policy. Would create a
015hardship and have a potentially negative effect on some of our members. As an organization that deeply values this community, we ask you to reconsider your this policy. Thank you for your time and consideration. Anyone else from the audience? Uh no. Okay, Mr. Anything else? Anything else to I'll make a motion to I'll make a motion to I'll make a motion to approve and I'll second it. I established Mr. first and that's Mr. Alfano and I'll second. I hear anything. We can't hear anything. We can't hear anything. There's a motion to approve the application the applicant I'm sorry that's next door. There's a motion to approve the meeting's agenda that we have. And there's a motion on the floor from President Teddy Terrabokia and I second the agenda this evening. We're now going to vote on
016approving the agenda. Mrs. DeBruin? Yes. Mr. Alfano? Yes. Yes, except no on the policy on the coaching policy. That was no on the coaching policy, Mr. Alfano? Yes. Thank you for that. Mrs. DeBruin? Yes. Yep. Dr. Papaleano? Yes. Mr. Russo? Yes. Mr. Terrabokia? Yes. And Mr. Genucci is not here. So we'll I'll make a motion to close. So moved. That was Mr. Terrabokia and that was Mr. Alfano. Vote.