Week in Review: Policies, Milestone, Profiles

With school set to start in just over two weeks, this past week saw the Wyckoff Board of Education settling some outstanding personnel issues while trying to come up with a solution to Eisenhower Middle School's interscholastic sports program, which isn't currently funded.

The board officially appointed Stephen Raimo as the permanent principal of the middle school while saying goodbye to several teachers who are retiring. Meanwhile, Raimo helped to deliver a pitch to the board on a pay schedule that would save the interscholastic sports program while adding a character development component to athletics.

Questions and concerns prevented the board from taking definitive action on the proposal, but the membership hopes to convene a special meeting soon to resolve the issue before the start of classes.

Other items of note:

• The school board also heard its second pitch from an outside firm interested in being hired to guide the search for a permanent superintendent. The board, which does not have to necessarily hire any firm, has not yet made a decision on how the search will proceed.
• This past week was one marked by exciting progress at Patch.com, as we celebrated the launch of our 100th site in Morristown and updated the look of our homepage.

Our new design retains all the features that you've come to expect while repackaging them in a more vibrant display that gives greater weight to stories, reader-submitted announcements and events and our business directory listings.

• The Wyckoff Public Library expansion project is finally nearing its start, as the Board of Trustees hired a construction manager and authorized its chairman to effectuate a contract with the contractor who was selected as the lowest responsible bidder.

While the board worked to transform the facility, the staff was busy conducting programs for kids as part of its regular offerings. Tykes danced and sang along with the music of childrens' entertainers Melody & Presley while teens explored their creativity by re-writing a children's book.

• We also took a look at two new services offered at Valley Hospital: the Ridgewood facility currently offers advanced concussion testing for youth athletes, and expecting mothers interested in a holistic approach to childbirth can find a full complement of services at Valley.
• The Wyckoff police made several arrests in connection with an alleged underage drinking party, one of several that authorities have encountered this summer.
• We also introduced you to the Rev. Paul Bushhorn, who is the new youth minister at Wyckoff Assembly of God.
• Columnists Marc Philips and Allison Witkowski both checked in, with Marc writing about the often abusive conditions found at internships, and Allison offering her advice on how to purchase a short sale when looking for a home. Columnist Gloria Johnson explored the surprisingly shady world of extra virgin olive oil, which is the subject of studies and suits.

As always, please contact me with any ideas or concerns at 201-208-3349 or nick@patch.com.