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Closter Board adopts Comprehensive Equity Plan, approves contracts and field questions on locker replacement cost
Summary
The Board unanimously approved the districtComprehensive Equity Plan (20252028) and multiple finance and personnel motions including payment of bills, a $67,450 two-year Crowdstrike EDR purchase, renewal of athletic transportation at $425 per trip, and an assignment of roof-repair contract funds to the surety; the public raised questions about a planned locker replacement estimated at roughly $405,000.
At its April 9 meeting the Closter Board of Education unanimously adopted the districtComprehensive Equity Plan for 20252028 and approved a slate of operational, finance and personnel motions, while responding to public questions about a planned locker replacement funded from Capital Reserve.
Motion and votes: The Board approved the Comprehensive Equity Plan and other agenda motions by roll call; the recorded YEAS on multiple grouped approvals were Janine Micera, Ms. Argenziano, Marilyn Estrems, Mr. Paldi, Ms. Salamea-Cross, Edmund Choi and Ms. Finkelstein, with no NAYS. The Board also approved payment of bills: $788,065.46 for March 20March 31 and $1,451,149.81 for April 1April 9.
Contracts and procurement: The Board renewed the athletic transportation contract with Valley Transportation Co., Inc. for 20252026 at $425 per trip with no price increase; the resolution cited N.J.S.A. 18A:39-3 to permit negotiated renewal with an existing vendor within CPI limits. The Board also authorized assignment of remaining contract funds to the surety (Bondex Insurance Company) related to the partial roof replacement contract with Duga Construction, LLC after bond claims, with the business administrator and Board president authorized to execute required documents.
Technology and benefits: The Board approved adding a Roth 403(b) investment option for eligible employees at no district cost, and approved a two-year Crowdstrike Falcon Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agreement through CDW-G for $67,450 via the ESCNJ cooperative contract; administrators said the EDR purchase helps meet the district's cyber insurance coverage requirements.
Public questions on lockers: During public comment Rafaella Yacouel asked about a reported "half a million dollars" allocated for locker expenditures and whether the public could review plans before spending. Superintendent Vincent McHale said locker replacement has been on the district's Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) since 2023, noted current lockers are over 35 years old and replacement parts are unavailable, and said funding is expected from the Capital Reserve account. Business Administrator Floro M. Villanueva Jr. told the audience the district has contacted more than 10 vendors, "we are planning to install 700 lockers at a cost of approximately $580 per locker," and that removal and installation was estimated at about $405,000; he also said the district's LRFP lists roughly $68 million in projects and that about $5.5 million is available in Capital Reserve.
What passed next: The Board approved routine disposals (a tab-tensioned screen and surplus printers), staff coursework and conferences, field trips and staff chaperones for upcoming student events, and accepted retirements of two Tenakill teachers effective June 30, 2025 (Jeffrey Roem and Karen Caruso). The Board moved to closed session at 8:12 p.m. to discuss an HIB matter, reconvened at 8:29 p.m., and adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
What the public should know: The locker replacement remains at the planning stage; the district identified cost estimates and a funding source (Capital Reserve) during the meeting. The Board did not vote at the meeting to award a locker contract; procurement steps and vendor selection were described as ongoing.
