Ho-Ho-Kus board approves budget transfers, rescinds ROD grant and sets earlier minimum-day dismissal

The Ho-Ho-Kus Board of Education on Aug. 26 adopted board and district goals for 2025–26, approved a series of personnel and special-education contracts, and made several budget adjustments including rescinding a previously authorized ROD grant application because of fiscal concerns.

Superintendent Dr. Linda Bovino-Romeo opened the meeting by thanking summer staff for preparing the district for opening day: “I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated summer staff who made this possible,” she said, naming administrative and custodial members who worked on curriculum updates, scheduling and facilities.

On formal votes, the board approved numerous personnel items, including hiring Sandra Ramirez as a full-time LLD teaching assistant effective Sept. 1, 2025, at an annual base salary of $33,000 on a provisional basis pending statutory review. The board also ratified retirement payouts, including a $41,957.00 payment tied to duties and accrued time for Dr. Diane Mardy.

Under educational planning, the board approved curriculum revisions (grade 8 social studies), the mentoring guide, and adopted a change to the district’s minimum-day dismissal time from 12:45 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., effective Sept. 1, 2025. The board directed the superintendent to post the change on the district website and cited N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8.3 as the regulatory basis for minimum-day requirements.

On special-education contracting and services for the 2025–26 school year, the board approved multiple tuition and related-service agreements with regional providers. Notable contract line items on the agenda included an Alpine Learning Center ESY/SY placement at $134,290.80; Ridgewood Public Schools placements (SY amounts including $77,127.00 and $49,583.00 across listed IDs); The Deron School ESY/SY $90,980.40; and a range of related-service contracts including 1:1 aide placements and speech or audiology supports. Contract amounts were recorded in the public resolution and approved as presented.

In finance actions, the board approved July and August supplemental bill lists and ratified payrolls. It authorized a $15,000 transfer from the Capital Reserve Account to the Debt Service Account to cover part of the 2025–26 tax levy obligation and approved June 2025 budget transfers. The board also approved appropriating $72,675 of 2024–25 excess Extraordinary Aid into the 2025–26 budget (to be allocated to tuition — private schools account 11-000-100-566-000-000) and ratified a $120,000 transfer from the Maintenance Reserve Account to the General Fund; the latter transfer had been included in the budget approved April 29, 2025.

The board rescinded its prior authorization to submit a ROD (Regular Operating District) Grant Application and the associated Section 15 Grant Agreement for DOE Project #2200-050-23-R501 (Grant: G5 6626), stating the decision was made “due to unforeseen budget constraints and fiscal considerations” and directing the board secretary to notify the New Jersey Department of Education and other parties.

The board accepted Every Student Succeeds Act funds for the 2025–26 school year (Title II $7,662; Title IV $10,000), set substitute teacher pay at a per diem rate of $150, and approved an athletic “pay-to-play” fee of $290 per student per sport for 2025–26 to address increased program costs. The board approved No Fuss Lunch as the food-service vendor and accepted a sponsorship agreement for an Author’s Village event, with a $4,300 expense split between the HSA and the Student Activity Account.

Facility and grounds approvals included multiple community and school events and acceptance of a donated service agreement with Premium Aquascapes to maintain the koi pond, with funding provided by the Home and School Association and Education Foundation at no cost to the district.

Two public commenters spoke during the public-question period; the transcript notes Superintendent Dr. Bovino answered both but does not list speaker names or content. The board entered executive session at 8:13 p.m. to discuss personnel, negotiations, student privacy and legal matters and reconvened before adjourning at 8:46 p.m.

Most motions recorded on the agenda carried by the board as “AIF” (all in favor); specific movers and seconders are listed on the public agenda for each motion. The board voted to adopt the revisions and transfers described above; where dollar amounts or contract details were presented in the agenda, the board approved those amounts as listed.