Bergen County School Boards Association Recognizes Executive Superintendent, Conducts Other Business

The Bergen County School Boards Association met on Sept. 30 at the Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights-Meadowlands in Hasbrouck Heights. Michael Jacobs (Ridgefield), president of the Bergen County School Boards Association, called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone in attendance, both in person and virtually. He led the attendees in the pledge of allegiance, introduced the other members of the BCSBA Executive Committee, and delivered remarks.

Lou DeLisio began his career in education almost 50 years ago when he was employed as a teacher in the Cliffside Park Public School District. He concluded his career in public education in 2015 after serving for 11 years as the superintendent of schools for the Fairview Public School District. After “retirement,” DeLisio served as the interim superintendent in several school districts before accepting the position of Bergen County executive superintendent of Schools in 2019. DeLisio has also served on two boards of education and two terms as a councilman in the Borough of Northvale. DeLisio is stepping down as the county’s executive superintendent of schools. Jacobs recognized his six years of service in the role.

NJSBA Immediate-Past President Irene LeFebvre was in attendance to bring greetings on behalf of the NJSBA officers. Each NJSBA officer has pledged to attend a meeting of each county association during their 2023-2025 term as an officer. LeFebvre also gave the attendees an overview of the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey that she serves on as a trustee in her capacity as NJSBA’s immediate past president.

The meeting’s business proceeded with Lou Schimenti, NJSBA’s associate director of exhibitions and cooperatives, giving the attendees a brief but valuable overview of Workshop 2024: Quest for Student Success. Behrooz Pasdar (Emerson), an NJSBA board of directors alternate, provided the attendees with a comprehensive update on the Sept. 20 NJSBA board of directors meeting, ensuring that everyone was fully informed.

The evening’s program was “AI: Embracing the Power of Artificial Intelligence in Education.” Dr. Peter J. Hughes, superintendent of schools for the Cresskill School District, presented this dynamic program. The Bergen County School Boards Association also approved its Bylaws Modernization Committee recommendations.

Also in attendance were BCSBA First Vice President Dr. Letizia Pantoliano (Cliffside Park), BCSBA Second Vice President Paula Colbath (Fort Lee), NJSBA board of directors delegate Michael Sprague (Norwood), BCSBA Executive Committee members Bill Barnaskas (Bergen County Special Services), Elisa Billis (Franklin Lakes), Melissa Delrosso (Old Tappan), Laura Genovese-Behrmann (Ramsey), Diane Holzberg (Demarest), Mary Katherine Norian (Oradell) and Marlene Somerville (Hackensack). Ray Pinney, NJSBA’s chief membership engagement officer, and Robert Acerra, the Association’s county activities coordinator, also attended the meeting.

At the meeting, a variety of other important business was also conducted. The BCSBA Executive Committee announced that the next Bergen County School Boards Association meeting will be hosted at Hackensack High School on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. The topic for this meeting is “Addressing the Teacher Shortage in Bergen County.” This meeting will also invite all newly elected board members in the November election to join. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to all the speakers and attendees for their valuable contributions and commitment to implementing what was learned from the meeting in the upcoming school year.