The Bergen County School Boards Association (BCSBA) held its final meeting of the school year on May 29 at the Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights-Meadowlands in Hasbrouck Heights. This was the New Jersey School Boards Association’s (NJSBA) last county meeting for the 2024-2025 school year. BCSBA President Michael Jacobs from Ridgefield called the meeting to order and welcomed both in-person and virtual attendees.
Dr. Timothy Purnell, NJSBA’s executive director and CEO, joined the meeting and provided updates on the activities of the NJSBA.
NJSBA Vice President for Finance Dr. Tom Connors was also present and shared greetings on behalf of the 2025-27 NJSBA officers. Other guests included NJSBA Vice President for County Activities Barry Walker, and NJSBA Past President Irene LeFebvre.
Jack Hurley of Rutherford Public Schools was designated New Jersey’s 2025
Superintendent of the Year by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA). Upon receiving this honor, Hurley said, “Education is the greatest profession. We lay the foundation for all other fields and shape the future of our students.” He added, “This recognition belongs to the board, our dedicated administrative and supervisory teams, faculty, staff, students, and the supportive community of Rutherford.” The Bergen County SBA members congratulated Hurley for his remarkable achievement.
Dr. Michael J. Thumm, principal of Ramsey High School, and Laura Genovese-Behrmann, president of the Ramsey School District Board of Education, introduced Margarita Diakos, who has been named the Bergen County Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025. Diakos, a special education teacher at Ramsey High School, shared an impactful message about what school board members should understand from a teacher’s perspective.
Ray Pinney, chief membership engagement officer at NJSBA, presented the 2026 Archie F. Hay and 2026 Janet S. Lobsenz Awards. Matt Lee, an NJSBA field service representative, shared insights from the field service team and presented the NJSBA Board Certification to the Mahwah Township School District Board of Education. Additionally, Michael Sprague, a delegate on the NJSBA Board of Directors, updated attendees on the recent NJSBA board meeting.
Robert Acerra, the NJSBA county activities coordinator, presented milestone awards and recognized the achievements of board of education members in Bergen County. This year, 43 board members were honored for their collective 565 years of service to their communities.
The members recognized included:
New Board Member Boardsmanship Certification
- Cheryl Berkowitz, River Vale
- Jeanne Browne, Fair Lawn
- Stephanie Carosella, Glen Rock
- Lauren D’Alessandro, River Edge
- Lori Hoffman, Ridgefield
- Douglas Lopez, Fort Lee
- Kenneth Martin, Hackensack
- Mary Micale, Ridgewood
- Heather Perin, Westwood Regional
- Shivonnie Pringle, Hackensack
- Kassandra Reyes, Teaneck
- David Stitz, Ramsey
- Hayley Traverso, Saddle Brook Township
Certified Board Member Certification
- Joseph Baldofsky, Fair Lawn
- Elisa Billis, Franklin Lakes
- James A. Bogosian, Rutherford
- Saurahb Dani, Ridgewood
- Christine Ferrarie, Northern Highlands Regional
- Allan B. Focarino, Garfield
- Julie Mahan, Fair Lawn
- Elizabeth Mierzejewski, Elmwood Park
- Rachel Milston, Northern Highlands Regional
- James Mulvey, Northern Highlands Regional
- Dr. Letizia Pantoliano, Cliffside Park
- Sinead Rundell, Glen Rock
- Karyn Stephenson, Glen Rock
Master Board Member Certification
- William Barnaskas, Bergen County Special Services
- Elisa Billis, Franklin Lakes
- Richard Fallon, Wood-Ridge
- Allan B. Focarino, Garfield
- Christina Holz, Rochelle Park
- Isaac Park, Leonia
- Deborah Podwin, Bergenfield
Certified Board Leader Certification
- Elisa Billis, Franklin Lakes
- Hyunju Kwak, Ridgewood
10-Year Milestone Awards
- Janice Anzevino, South Hackensack
- Joseph Argenziano, Northern Valley Regional
- Anita Bagdat, Montvale
- Rachel Baskin, Montvale
- Thomas Brynczka, Wallington
- John Carvelli, Montvale
- Paula Colbath, Fort Lee
- Lisa Cooper, Oakland
- Anika Davis, South Hackensack
- Michael DePalo, Cresskill
- Michael Galow, Mahwah Township
- Susan Gandara, Upper Saddle River
- Gina-Marie Kiely, Maywood
- Amy Langevin, Ho-Ho-Kus
- Nancy Maciag, Wallington
- Lawrence Meyerson, Bergen County Technical
- Scott Miller, Dumont
- Carol Mountain, Westwood Regional
- Georgina Nico, Wyckoff
- Patrice Pintarelli, River Vale
- Dr. Andrew Prince, Northern Highlands Regional
- Gregory Recine, Rutherford
- Michael Russo, Cliffside Park
- Kristan Saks, Woodcliff Lake
- Salvatore Sileo, Hillsdale
- Mark Stein, Hackensack
- Peter Triolo, Midland Park
- Sylvia Zottarelli, Saddle Brook Township
15-Year Milestone Awards
- Frank Cilento, Maywood
- Karen Embleton-Valido, Dumont
- Richard Formicola, Midland Park
- Douglas Kupfer, River Dell Regional
- Brian McCourt, Midland Park
- John Samuel, River Dell Regional
- Kevin Taylor, Maywood
- Rita Walker, Oradell
20-Year Milestone Awards
- Robert DeWald, Dumont
- Thomas Quinton, Edgewater
- John Scerbo, Oakland
25-Year Milestone Awards
- Jason Kim, Bergen County Technical
- Michael John Labriola, Wallington
- Francisco Martinez, Fairview
30-Year Milestone Award
- Sheila Brogan, Ridgewood
President Michael Jacobs closed the meeting by sharing some final remarks.
