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Holmdel Board Honors Outgoing President Terrence Wall and Longtime Staff, Presents Year-end Awards
Summary
At its Dec. 18 meeting, the Holmdel Township Board of Education recognized outgoing board president Terrence Wall and 22‑year business administrator Michael Petruzzo, presented teacher and staff awards across schools, and heard extended public praise for district leadership and student success.
Terrence Wall, the outgoing president of the Holmdel Township Board of Education, delivered a farewell address at the board’s Dec. 18 regular meeting, thanking students, teachers, administrators and volunteers for what he called a community “ecosystem” that supports student learning.
Wall said he will step down in January after seven years of service and used his remarks to highlight safety measures, in‑person learning during the pandemic and investments such as full‑day kindergarten. “When the boys and girls are sitting in a classroom, it’s designed to be comfortable,” Wall said, praising staff and administrators who support students daily.
Superintendent Dr. Cascone and board members presented Wall with a plaque and made brief tributes to his leadership. Dr. Cascone said Wall balanced accountability with respect and called his board presidency a period of “very productive” collaboration. Multiple board members recalled district actions during COVID‑era reopenings, the recent capital project and efforts to strengthen town‑district relations.
The board used the meeting to recognize employees and students across the district. Athletics supervisor Mike Casau honored Jack Cannon for a standout season at quarterback and for setting multiple school records; Cannon was noted as the first Holmdel student to both pass and rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season.
Principals and assistant principals presented staff awards by school. Village Elementary named Colleen McCarthy its Educational Services Professional of the Year and Amanda Lawrence its Teacher of the Year, citing McCarthy’s paraprofessional support and Lawrence’s impact in preschool. Indian Hills recognized Pat Thomas and Joy Hartman for education service and teaching excellence. SATS/Saks Middle School honored speech therapist Vula Constantarokos and teacher Mary Anne Asaro. Holmdel High School named school nurse Jennifer Pollinger as Educational Services Professional of the Year and Jamie Montana as Teacher of the Year for the high school.
The board also publicly acknowledged Michael Petruzzo, the district’s business administrator, who attended his final meeting after 22 years of service. Board members praised Petruzzo’s institutional knowledge and consistently clean audits; Petruzzo thanked staff, past board members and his family.
During the public‑comment portion, several residents and family members offered extended thanks to Wall and Petruzzo and credited the board with maintaining in‑person instruction during the pandemic and improving transparency through livestreaming and posted minutes.
The board’s recognition items and public tributes closed with holiday wishes from the superintendent and a call for continued focus on priorities such as historic preservation and curriculum enhancements as the new board takes office.
