Joseph DeFalco appointed to Rochelle Park Board of Education; vote 5-0

The Rochelle Park Board of Education voted unanimously on Jan. 7, 2025 to appoint Joseph DeFalco to serve as a trustee of the board, the meeting minutes show. The resolution states: "BE IT RESOLVED that Joseph DeFalco is hereby appointed to serve as trustee of the Board of Education effective January 28, 2025 pending background check clearance, for a term prescribed by law." President Scott Kral called the vote and the roll call recorded a 5-0 tally in favor.

The board conducted interviews for the vacancy in an executive session to discuss confidential personnel matters. Before those interviews, Board Member Elaine Rainone excused herself from the meeting and any participation in discussions about the appointment, according to the minutes. The board reconvened in public at 7:14 P.M., recited the Pledge of Allegiance and opened a public-comment period; no members of the public spoke.

After the roll-call vote, President Scott Kral and other board members thanked the applicants for stepping forward, saying, "It was a very hard decision. Congratulations to Mr. DeFalco." The minutes note the board encouraged other candidates to explore volunteer roles such as the district's SEPAC group.

The appointment is listed as effective Jan. 28, 2025, contingent on clearance of a background check and for the term "prescribed by law." The minutes do not specify the exact length of the unexpired term or identify who moved or seconded the motion; they record only that the motion, second and roll-call vote produced a unanimous 5-0 result. The board announced its next regular meeting for Jan. 28, 2025 at 7:30 P.M. in the Midland School Gymnasium; an executive session is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 P.M.