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Pascack Valley board honors long-serving business administrator Yaz Usami and curriculum director Barry Bockenheimer at final meeting of school year
Summary
The Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education adopted resolutions of appreciation recognizing Yaz Usami for eight years as business administrator and Dr. Barry Bockenheimer for 14 years as director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, with speakers praising their leadership and district accomplishments.
Interim Superintendent Phillips announced retirements and the board adopted resolutions of appreciation for two long-serving central-office officials, Yaz Usami and Dr. Barry Bockenheimer.
The board read a resolution honoring Yaz Usami for eight years as the district’s business administrator and board secretary, crediting him with developing “eight fiscally responsible budgets,” overseeing more than 40 capital projects, coordinating bond refundings that the resolution said resulted in over $1,200,000 in debt-service savings, negotiating multi-year leases with no increases and implementing multi-factor authentication with the technology department. The resolution also noted his service as executive officer of the Bergen County Association of School Business Officials since 2015 and as a trustee of the Northwest School Board Insurance Group since February 2016.
Board members offered personal remarks after the resolution. Several trustees described Usami as patient, knowledgeable and a stabilizing presence during transitions. Usami spoke briefly, thanked the board and staff, and said Cindy Kirk will serve as the next business administrator and board secretary.
The board also presented a resolution recognizing Dr. Barry Bockenheimer for 14 years as director of curriculum, instruction and assessment (and assistant superintendent). The resolution summarized a list of initiatives attributed to Bockenheimer, including implementation of the Kim Marshall teacher-evaluation system, expanded Advanced Placement offerings, improvements in student standardized assessment metrics, early adoption of virtual learning (cited as a 2014 virtual snow day), districtwide CPR/AED/bleeding-control certification for staff and students, and creation of a regional curriculum office in 2011.
Trustees and committee members spoke about Bockenheimer’s professionalism and mentorship. He thanked the board and staff, and his retirement was listed as effective July 1, 2025, in the resolution text. Both resolutions were read for inclusion in the minutes.
The meeting moved on after brief tributes and a reception for student recognitions.
