Bogota Board of Education

 4-September-2023

On Tuesday 29-August the Bogota Board of Education held their first meeting for the 2023-24 school year. In his reports section Superintendent Mr. Damain Kennedy talked about a number of topics. They included the building of a playground at Bixby School to be completed very soon. The re-pointed of the facade at Steen School. The progress of work at the new Pre-school office, and Life Skills class space. He also mentioned the District has received a grant to upgrade the Kichen faculties in the schools. This grant will also include an indoor flex farm garden which can provide fresh vegetable to be served to the Students. 

  Another report that was made was the District passed the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) is the Department of Education's monitoring and district self-evaluation system for public school districts. This is a done every three years and for the second straight cycle Bogota past the evaluation on the first attempt.   Then Superintendent Kennedy announced that Mr. Brad DiRupo has given in his retire letter affected on Monday 1-January-2024. In his time at Bogota High School Coach DiRupo has served at the Athletic Director, Head Women's Softball Coach, and Women's Volleyball Head Coach winning 11 Group I state championships.

  A final presentation Superintendent Kennedy made was on the results of the testing scores for the 2022-23 school year.  The main focus was the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA).  This was given to Junior Student who are now Seniors and graduating in 2024. They were tested in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.  Over 91 % of the Students participated in both tests.  In ELA 90.4% were scored graduation ready in Bogota, compared to 80.5% in the State. In Math 43.5% were scored graduation ready in Bogota, compared to 55% in the State. Superintendent Kennedy added that the District's scores in both tests showed improvement from last year.  He continued in saying that this showed proof of the District's committing to ELA studies, will allow Math score will also improve. Superintendent Kennedy said the district will look to focus on the improvement of Math skill starting with the Eight Grade Students.

  Then the Board of Trustees voted on the consent agenda. All resolution were approved by unanimous vote.  Items of note were:

 To approve a cooperation agreement with Ridgefield Park for the 2024 Baseball Season.

To accept the resignation of Mr. Christopher Parke, English Teacher at the Middle School, Ms. Gina Giunchini, RTI Teacher at the Middle School, Ms. Jennifer Grom, Special Education Mathematics Teacher at the Jr./Sr. High School, Mr. Patrick Clark, Physical Education Teacher at the Jr./Sr. High School, Ms. Laura de la Garza Noble, Dance Teacher, Ms. Katherine Sura, School Psychologist, and Mr. Brad DiRupo, Physical Education Teacher/Athletic Director.

 To approve the hiring of Ms. Katie DeLorenzo Dance Teacher, Ms. Deirdre Radburn as Guidance Counselor, Mr. Noah Panagia as a Middle School RTI Teacher, Mr. Jarred Tolotti as a Physical Education Teacher, Ms. Rachael Carletto as a Supervisor of Vocational Education, Ms. Nicole Ferrara as an Elementary Special Education Teacher, Ms. Jennifer Smith as a 6th grade Teacher, and Toni Marinelli as a Part Time RTI Teacher at Bixby School.

  Also, to approve the hiring of Mr. Thomas Kobin of the Law Firm of Chasan, Lamparello, Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC. (CLMC) to serve as counsel for all purposes effective immediately. Mr. Kobin replaces the former Board Attorney Mr. William Soukas who resigned his position in order to be seated as a Judge on the Superior Court, Family Division for Bergen County.

  The next Board of Education meeting will be Tuesday-12-September at 7:00p. This will take place in person in the cafeteria located at 2 Henry Luthin Pl. Bogota, NJ and online. This meeting is open to the Public. For more information, please go to: https://www.bogotaboe.com/   

The recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GySPVPiU_J4&t=735s

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