Princeton Public Schools honors departing administrators and student reps; Pride event highlighted student-led activities

The board’s year-end meeting included recognitions for departing administrators and student representatives, the appointment of two long‑time grounds staff to leadership positions, and a Pride-month presentation led by high-school faculty and student clubs.

Tributes: Board members paid tribute to Business Administrator Matt Bolden and Interim Superintendent Kathy Foster as both prepare to depart. Speakers recounted Bolden’s financial leadership, oversight of referendums and pandemic-era management, and thanked him for supporting district transparency and operations. Board members praised Foster’s steady leadership and thanked her for her service; Foster delivered a retirement-style reflection, thanked the cabinet and staff, and said she looked forward to retirement.

Student representatives: The board formally recognized student board representatives Maya and Nikolai Margulis for their year of service. Board members noted the students’ contributions to representing student perspectives and presented them with tokens of appreciation.

Facilities appointments: The board voted to appoint Anthony D’Aforly (also called "Tony" in remarks) as director of facilities and grounds and David Hunt as assistant director of facilities and grounds. In accepting the appointment, D’Aforly said he had served the district for more than three decades and told the board, "I accept the position of director of facilities and grounds...I'm not gonna let you down. I got your back." Both appointees have multi‑decade experience in district facilities work.

Pride-month presentation: Doria Esposito, a special-education teacher at Princeton High School, summarized a student- and club-led Pride festival at PHS that included activities such as soccer, henna, trivia, bingo and tie-dye. Esposito credited PREA for funding this year’s event and thanked student clubs and community partners including Princeton House and Princeton Human Services for joining efforts that coincided with Mental Health Awareness Month.

No formal board action was required for the recognitions and the Pride presentation beyond the previously recorded appointments and votes. The meeting closed with thanks and a note that celebratory cannoli would be available to honor the departing business administrator.