Rochelle Park board approves SRO deal, extends Hackensack send-receive, renews insurance membership; votes at a glance

The Rochelle Park Board of Education approved a series of motions at its April 29, 2025 meeting, including a School Resource Officer interlocal agreement with the Township of Rochelle Park, a temporary one-year extension of the Send-Receive Agreement with Hackensack Public School District, and multiple routine finance and personnel items.

Interlocal SRO agreement: The board approved an Interlocal Services Agreement with the Township of Rochelle Park to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) to Midland School #1 for the 2025-26 school year. The motion was made by Mr. Joseph DeFalco and seconded by Ms. Elaine Rainone; roll-call recorded 7-0 in favor (motion carried).

Send-receive extension with Hackensack: The board approved a Temporary Extension to the Send-Receive Agreement with Hackensack for the 2025-26 school year under Paragraph K of the original agreement. The extension preserves existing terms with a 2% tuition increase to give both districts additional time to negotiate a successor agreement. The motion was made by Mr. Joseph DeFalco and seconded by Ms. Elaine Rainone; roll-call recorded 6-0-1 with Mrs. Michele Balik recorded as abstaining (motion carried).

Finance and contracts: The board approved payment of bills and mandatory payments through April 24, 2025 totaling $41,508.71 (General $40,103.75; Grants $895.00; Aftercare $509.96). The board authorized payroll for April 30, 2025 (Fund 10 $639,858.93; Fund 61 $13,007.36; total $652,866.29). The board approved Cowboys Landscaping for spring shrub pruning, weekly lawn maintenance and field lining for the remainder of 2024-25, Sycamore International for one-time whiteboard removal and recycling at no cost, and an amended joint transportation agreement with Elmwood Park adding one student to route EP003 for $1,800 for the remainder of the school year.

Insurance membership and policies: The board renewed membership in the Northeast Bergen County School Board Insurance Group (NESBIG) for a three-year term from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 and authorized the Board Secretary/Business Administrator to sign required documents. The board also approved second reading and adoption of Policy 2416 (Programs for Pregnant Students) and Policy 5752 (Marital Status and Pregnancy).

Personnel approvals: The board approved Extended School Year (ESY) staffing for July 7–31, 2025, including Lead Teacher Kristina Arocho ($75/hour), paraprofessionals at $23/hour, and therapists at $50/hour, with hours and schedules specified in the posted minutes.

Adjournment: The meeting concluded with a motion by Ms. Christina Holz, second by Mr. Joseph Marolda and the meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the minutes): - A1 Interlocal Services Agreement (SRO) — Motion: approve SRO agreement; Mover: Mr. Joseph DeFalco; Second: Ms. Elaine Rainone; Roll call: 7-0; Outcome: approved. - A2 Temporary Extension to Send-Receive Agreement (Hackensack) — Motion: extend one year with 2% tuition increase; Mover: Mr. Joseph DeFalco; Second: Ms. Elaine Rainone; Roll call: 6-0-1 (Mrs. Michele Balik abstained); Outcome: approved. - F1 Payment of Bills (through April 24, 2025) — Total $41,508.71; Roll call: included in composite F1–F10 motion; Outcome: approved. - F1–F10 Composite motion — Motion: approve F1–F10 finance items including vendors, contracts, facility use; Mover: Mr. Joseph Marolda; Second: Ms. Christina Holz; Roll call: 7-0; Outcome: approved. - P1 Extended School Year staffing approvals — Mover: Ms. Christina Holz; Second: Ms. Elaine Rainone; Roll call: 7-0; Outcome: approved. - P&R1 Policy adoptions (2416, 5752) — Mover: Ms. Christina Holz; Second: Ms. Elaine Rainone; Roll call: 7-0; Outcome: approved.

All listed motions and vote tallies are taken from the meeting minutes posted in the transcript.