The Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education recognized resigning teachers and appointed new ones for the coming school year at its July 16 meeting. Four teachers have resigned from their positions, Colleen Morrison, Nancy Palker, Lois Fyfe, and Sara Graja.
“There are two names on here that I think are worthy of acknowledgement,” said Board member Adam Sawicki. “First Sara Graja, who has been our Language Arts and Social Studies supervisor for a number of years. I’ve known her both in that role as well as the teacher for my children and she’s been excellent in both roles, and I wish her the best. And the same with Lois Fyfe. She’s been fabulous for the kids. We’re going to miss them.”
Only one of the several teachers appointed was present at the meeting. Lora Durr, the new art teacher at Central High School, was welcomed by the Board prior to her appointment.
“Thank you very, very much,” said Durr with a smile after her appointment. “I’m really excited to come here.”
Director of Curriculum and InstructionRosetta Treece was recognized by Superintendent Thomas Smith for her work involving social and emotional learning. Treece is planning a program before Back to School Night for parents to attend so that they can learn how to better support their children and also become aware of the warning signs of suicide ideation.
“That is something that the District is fully in support of,” said Smith.
The Policy Committee was hard at work this month and presented the Board with six policies and regulations for first reading. One regulation in particular sparked conversation amongst Board members: R2414, or programs and services for students in high-poverty and high-needs school districts. The regulation addresses class sizes and curriculum requirements.
Board members discussed that HVRSD is, fortunately, not a high-poverty or high-need school district, and wondered why this regulation was even being discussed. Sawicki, who is head of the Policy Committee, assured that while there is no need for it at the moment, the Committee wanted to go through it to understand what it meant.
“The Policy Committee, I have to say, has been working so hard. They’re doing policies we might not even need,” said Smith with a laugh.
The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for August 20 at 7:30 in the Administrative Building.
