The new Board of Education drew praise and thanks at its first meeting after organization of the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education, both for the improvements to hearing what board members say at the meeting as well as for swift action in establishing committees and new board policies.
Residents also learned in the presentation for the 2023-2024 Highlands School district financial report by Alvino & Schechter, LLC, that the former Highlands Board of Education had a surplus of more than $1.039710 that must be used in the 2025-2026 regional school budget.
The report also showed, as did the financial reports for the other two schools in the district, both of which were presented by Robert Hulsart & Company, that there were no recommendations nor any problems with the audit reports for the 2023-2024 school year, described as “clean audits.”
Board Chairman Richard Colangelo named Committees comprised of board members representative of both municipalities, he said, with himself as alternate for each of the committees. The committees, one each for Instruction and Programs, Finance and Facilities, policy, personnel and regionalization, with each meeting at specific times of the year, ranging from as needed for the policy committee to monthly in the week before the regular meeting for the finance committee two or three times a year for other committees. The Regionalization committee, chaired by Diane Knox, with Justin Thomas, Cory Wingerter and Alison Burel as members, will have monthly check-ins via e-mail and full meetings as needed.
The board will also post its agenda on the board site the Monday prior to the regular meeting, will have committee reports read at each meeting by each committee chair who will also lead the discussion of that committee’s matters during the regular meetings.
At the request of a resident, Colangelo gave assurance that the American flag, until tonight on display at the side of the meeting room out of view of most attendees, will be displayed in a more prominent position for the next and future meetings. Until now, spectators had to turn sideways to salute the flag, and many had to have their back to the flag throughout a meeting.
Drawing acclaim from both spectators and at least one board member were the improvements made to enable everyone attending a meeting to hear everyone speaking, with more improvements assured for future meetings.
While one effort was made at the last meeting to move seating closer to the board in the room used for the school’s plays and musical events, seating was moved even closer for this week’s meeting. More microphones were added for board members and professionals to ensure all could be heard throughout the meeting, two complaints that have been risen at recent board meetings but were not addressed to this extent until this meeting.
Colangelo also named board members to “be the face of the board” in each school, naming members to represent the board at the elementary and middle schools in both boroughs as well as the high school in Highlands . saying the board should be evident in each of the school and “show our face.”
