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December 24, 2008 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Midland Park New firm hired for school board’s legal services The Midland Park Board of Education has hired a new law firm to handle its legal matters. Fogarty & Hara Esqs. was appointed last week to replace Winne Banta Hether- ington Basralian & Kahn, which represented the board for more than 25 years. Fogarty& Hara, with offices in Fair Lawn, will be paid an hourly rate of $165 for a partner and $145 per associate. Board trustee Wayne Roberts, who heads the service review committee, said that the committee had received proposals from six area firms, and interviewed two before arriving at its recommendation. He said the firm enjoys an excellent reputation and represents more than 30 other Bergen County school districts. He added that their office’s proximity to Midland Park would be an asset as well. “They are conveniently located in Fairlawn and pos- sess the staffing to provide Midland Park with rapid legal responses, an important quality in an ever more litigious world. Their hourly rate was among the bottom half of the field of six firms which responded to an RFP issued by the district,” explained Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Heebink. “Our firm is pleased and privileged to have been appointed as counsel to the Midland Park Board of Education. Our firm is devoted exclusively to the repre- sentation of school districts, and we look forward to bring- ing our experience to the District and to working with the Board, the administration and the staff,” commented part- ner Stephen Fogarty, reached after the meeting. Fogarty & Hara represents over 45 school districts state- wide, as well as a number of charter schools, jointure com- missions and private schools for the disabled. The law firm also serves as special education counsel to the Demarest School District, Kinnelon School District, Ramsey School District, Wyckoff School District, Northwest Bergen Coun- cil for Special Education and Pascack Valley Council for Special Education. Curriculum director to leave for regional district post The Midland Park Schools’ director of curriculum, instruction and staff devel- opment will be leaving in February for a position with the Ramapo Indian Hills School District. Elizabeth Veneziano, who has held various positions with increasing responsibilities in Midland Park for the past 12 years, will be the regional district’s supervisor of English/language arts. In her new capacity, Veneziano will teach two periods of English each day, combining her two loves -- teaching students and oversee- ing an area of curriculum. “We are grateful for Ms. Veneziano’s competent service as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and curriculum director during her nearly 12-year tenure in Mid- land Park, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Heebink. “We wish Liz professional and personal happiness in her new position.” Dr. Heebink expressed disappointment that the opening was happening mid-year. “Ideally, this opportunity would have arisen later in the year so the district would not experience another administrative departure in the middle of the year. How- ever, the job opened up when it did, and there was no assurance that a comparable one would have existed in the future,” he added. The district’s business administra- tor/board secretary, the director of special services, the social worker, and the High- land School principal have all retired since June. “While Midland Park has pro- vided Ms. Veneziano with some nice opportunities to advance in her pro- fession, it is undeniable that a larger district provides a wider variety of career paths,” commented Dr. Heebink. The superintendent said that to seek a direct replacement at this time would not be practical, since it would take up to four months. “Fortunately, most of her pur- suits are well underway such that we can redistribute them McBRIDE AG E N C Y • R E A LT O R S among various teaching and administrative staff in the short run,” the superintendent explained, adding that in the long run, the future of the position may be in jeopardy. “There is a hope that the position can be maintained. However, this will need to be balanced against other educational pri- orities as we review the 2009-2010 budget proposals,” he said. Wishing All a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Great New Year! ����������������������� COMPUTER REPAIR SLOW? Is your computer running Get it running like NEW again! Call Prestige Design at (201) 445-4220 to schedule a computer pick up or an in home consultation. Mention this ad and get 10% off!!! 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