Woodland Park Board approves budget transfers, contracts, personnel moves and adopts promotion policy

WOODLAND PARK, N.J. — At its May 20, 2024 meeting the Woodland Park Board of Education approved a slate of routine financial and personnel measures, including multiple budget transfers, transportation and technology service contracts, special-education placements and service contracts, and the adoption of a mandated promotion-and-retention policy.

The board unanimously approved a consent agenda that included the secretary/treasurer reports, a list of March 2024 line-item transfers and other routine items (motion by Mark Salemi; second by Julissa Rodriguez). Notable finance adjustments in the transfers included a $150,000 increase to the transportation account (to $713,000), a $50,000 increase for electricity (to $190,000), a $100,000 reduction in the health benefits line, and a $91,000 reallocation into an undistinguished operating expenditure account.

Also approved were two contracts arranged through the Northern Regional Educational Services Commission (NRESC). The board renewed a technology-support shared-services agreement for the 2024–25 school year at a total annual cost of $281,775 (which the record notes includes three full-time on-site technicians). The board also approved transportation routes for the 2023–24 year procured via NRESC for specific routes; individual route costs were listed on the agenda (votes recorded as roll calls; motions carried 6–0).

The meeting recorded several special-education and student-support approvals. The board approved out-of-district placements for the 2023–24 year, including a placement at South Bergen Jointure (ID #34032, cost $18,552) and Shepard School (ID #34867, approximately 32 days at $10,085.76). The board also contracted with Silvergate Prep to provide homebound instruction for student ID #33726 at $40 per hour (10 hours weekly for an estimated 4–8 weeks) and approved an Innovative Therapy Group contract to provide ESY occupational therapy at $78 per hour, not to exceed 10 hours per week for July 8–Aug. 31, 2024. Each of those motions passed unanimously.

On personnel matters the board accepted multiple resignations and retirements, carried in a personnel packet (motion by Mark Salemi; second by Kim Galbraith; roll call 6–0). The agenda included the acceptance of the retirement of Julie Gencarelli, a part-time aide who will retire effective June 30, 2024 after 25 years with the district; Dr. Joe Giammarella publicly congratulated Gencarelli on her service. The board also accepted resignations for Jessica Sharpe and Kiara Amante (both effective June 30, 2024), and separately accepted the resignation of per-diem substitute Carolyn Gratta effective May 20. The board approved Scott Rosenfeld as an as-needed substitute for afterschool academies at $46 per hour for the period 5/14/24–5/30/24.

The board accepted a grant application and award from the American Rescue Plan—Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund—Homeless Children and Youths (ARP‑HCY II) in the amount of $7,936; the business administrator was authorized to take steps necessary to receive the award. The board also approved the second reading and adoption of the mandated Policy/Regulation R5410 (Promotion & Retention).

Superintendent Michele Pillari reported the district’s annual HIB (harassment, intimidation and bullying) self-assessment results: district average 74/78, with school-level scores listed in the minutes. During the public-hearing portion of the meeting, Terri Carbonelli, co‑president of the Woodland Park Education Association, congratulated Dr. Pillari on receiving Passaic County Superintendent of the Year.

The board moved into executive session at 7:12 p.m. to discuss personnel, litigation or contract matters; the minutes note that in closed session Dr. Pillari discussed HIB cases #2024‑82 and #2024‑83 under attorney–client privilege. The board returned to open session at 7:53 p.m. and adjourned. All recorded votes on agenda items listed in the official minutes were unanimous (6–0) where a roll call is recorded.

Votes at a glance (agenda identifiers, motion summary, mover/second, outcome): 224-440–224-443: Consent agenda (secretary/treasurer reports, transfers, HIB decisions, substitute list) — mover: Mark Salemi; second: Julissa Rodriguez; roll call 6 YES — approved. 224-444–224-448: Personnel packet (resignations/retirements) — mover: Mark Salemi; second: Kim Galbraith; roll call 6 YES — approved. 224-50A: Acceptance of resignation — Carolyn Gratta — mover: Julissa Rodriguez; second: Gina McQuin; roll call 6 YES — approved. 224-449: Transportation contract via NRESC — mover: Mark Salemi; second: Glen Grimes; roll call 6 YES — approved. 224-450: NRESC shared-technology services agreement (2024–25) — mover: Glen Grimes; second: Kim Galbraith; roll call 6 YES — approved ($281,775 annual). 224-451: Out-of-district special-education placements — mover: Glen Grimes; second: Julissa Rodriguez; roll call 6 YES — approved. 224-452: Contract with Silvergate Prep (homebound instruction for student ID #33726 at $40/hr.) — mover: Mark Salemi; second: Julissa Rodriguez; roll call 6 YES — approved. 224-51A: Contract with Innovative Therapy Group (ESY OT services, $78/hr., up to 10 hrs/wk) — mover: Kim Galbraith; second: Gina McQuin; roll call 6 YES — approved. 224-52A: Acceptance of ARP‑HCY II grant ($7,936) — mover: Julissa Rodriguez; second: Gina McQuin; roll call 6 YES — approved. 224-453: Adoption of Policy/Regulation R5410 (Promotion & Retention, 2nd reading) — mover: Glen Grimes; second: Julissa Rodriguez; roll call 6 YES — approved. Executive session motion (to closed session at 7:12 p.m.) — mover: Mark Salemi; second: Julissa Rodriguez; voice vote 6 YES — approved. Return to open session and adjournment — motions carried by voice vote 6 YES.

Takeaway: The board’s May meeting largely handled routine financial reallocations, contractor renewals and personnel changes with unanimous recorded votes. The meeting included the district HIB self‑assessment report and an executive session addressing named HIB cases under attorney–client privilege. The minutes provide line-item transfer details and contract costs for public record.