Ho-Ho-Kus Board approves personnel moves, donations and special-education contracts at Sept. 16 meeting

The Ho-Ho-Kus Board of Education on Sept. 16 approved a slate of routine personnel actions, accepted two community donations, authorized special-education tuition contracts and adopted several policies on second reading.

Superintendent Dr. Linda Bovino-Romeo told the board the district is “off to a great start to the year,” noting kindergarten events, a spirit rally where attendees chanted “Go Bears,” and a 9/11 remembrance. She said the district will accept a $2,500 donation from the Cappadona Family to fund Koi Pond maintenance and a $2,322 donation from the Contemporary Club of Ho-Ho-Kus. Both gifts were approved by the board.

On personnel, the board approved extracurricular stipend appointments for the 2025–26 school year, including Eric Pfeifer as Coordinator of Athletic Activities ($3,618) and named coaches for boys soccer, cross country and volleyball. The board also approved substitute lunch supervision appointments, the resignation of Speech-Language Pathologist Claudia Fermano effective Nov. 10, 2025, and a change of column on the teachers' salary guide for Allison Schepis to MA-45, step 6 (new salary $84,618). Those personnel motions were moved and recorded as approved AIF (all in favor).

In educational planning actions, the board authorized a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School District and the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus and approved a Statement of Assurance regarding paraprofessional staff. The board also approved that five board members may attend the New Jersey School Boards Association conference Oct. 20–23, with the district covering registration fees only; board members will personally cover travel, lodging and meals.

The board approved School Safety Team membership and authorized several special-education tuition contracts for the 2025–26 school year with itemized placements and costs on the record, including Institute for Educational Achievement entries at $139,650.00 (multiple line items), ECLC ($82,008.00), Shepard Preparatory High School ($76,045.26) and the Emerson Board of Education ($82,156.00). These contract approvals were presented and adopted as recommended by the superintendent.

On policy, the board approved second readings and adoption of multiple policies and regulations, among them Policy 0143 (Board Member Election and Appointment), Policy 0144 (Board Member Orientation and Training), Policy 0177 (Professional Services), Policy 1570 (Internal Controls), Policy 1620 (Administrative Employment Contracts), Policy 6111 (Special Education Medicaid Program) and Policy 6220 (Budget Preparation).

Finance and operations actions included ratifying payrolls ($84,799.86 on Aug. 29, 2025, and $409,041.44 on Sept. 15, 2025), approval of a supplemental bills list (Fund 10: $600.00; Fund 11: $58,903.32; Fund 20: $13,332.18), acceptance of the Board Secretary and Treasurer reports for August 2025, authorization to request recent SEHBP Claim Experience Reports at a cost not to exceed $2,000, and authorization to issue an RFP for Broker of Record services for employee health benefits. All finance motions were approved AIF.

Board President Mary Ellen Nye and committee chairs gave brief updates: the finance committee will continue work on budget items; buildings and grounds reported maintenance work; and curriculum committee members provided an update on social studies curriculum activity. Liaison reports noted the HHK Education Foundation trustee meeting and that the HSA reported raising over $100,000 through community fundraising efforts.

There were no public comments recorded on the agenda. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. following a motion by Mrs. Lilijegren and second by Mr. Karoleski, approved AIF.

Next steps: specific implementation tasks (e.g., executing tuition contracts, processing payroll changes, and filing the authorized RFP) were recorded as administrative follow-ups; the board did not schedule any additional votes at the meeting.