Hillsborough recognizes educators and local achievers; economic office reports strong business turnout

Mayor Pease used the address to recognize educators and community achievements, saying the township annually has the Board of Education select one teacher and one educational service professional from each school for recognition and that the Township Committee presents proclamations to honor them.

“Every year the Hillsborough Township Board of Education recognizes one teacher and one educational service professional from each of the district's schools,” the mayor said, introducing a group of recognized educators. Several of those educators introduced themselves: “My name is Eric Puma. I’m a high school English teacher,” said Eric Puma; Katina DeCrinis identified herself as “a fourth grade teacher at Amsterdam Elementary School,” and Julia Liebeskind said she is a “speech therapist also at Amsterdam.” Other educators who introduced themselves included Lucinda Ferrari (seventh- and eighth-grade literacy coach and interventionist, Hillsborough Middle School), Kim Wright (second grade, Hillsborough Elementary School), Christina McKeever (first- and second-grade special education teacher, Woodfern Elementary), Stephanie Preisler (math specialist, Woodfern), Linda Hook (instructional assistant, Hillsborough Elementary), Nicole Janick (fifth-grade literacy and social studies, Auten Road Intermediate School), Joanne Shamamey (instructional assistant, Sunnymead Elementary), Connie Zhang (computer resource teacher, Auten Road), and Megan Jadro (music teacher, Sunnymead Elementary School).

The mayor also highlighted community events that drew local participation: a March 19 networking event hosted by the township’s Economic and Business Development Office at Iron Peak with local historian Greg Gillette and more than 80 businesses in attendance, and a March 11 visit from Girl Scout Troop 60842 to the mayor’s office for a democracy badge activity. He congratulated Hillsborough High School’s Debate Club for winning eight individual awards and being named best small delegation at the London Youth Moon 2026 competition.

Mayor Pease concluded the recognitions segment by announcing the winners of the police department’s Top Cops program: “Officer John Johnson from Squad A and Officer Dan Shahad from Squad B” were named 2025 Top Cops and will receive a commendation in their permanent file, a special award bar for their uniform and have their names engraved on a commemorative plaque in the police headquarters lobby. He thanked Chief McMahon for his presence.

No formal votes or policy decisions were recorded in the transcript for these recognitions. The mayor asked residents to view the full meeting video and follow township channels for more information on proclamations and award ceremonies.