Franklin Lakes August 25, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 School board welcomes two new trustees by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Board of Education will begin the new school year with two new trustees. Susan McGowan was appointed to the board Aug. 3. She replaces Gabrielle Gutierrez, who was elected in April, but resigned in June. McGowan’s term will extend into 2011. Next April, she will have to seek election to either Gutierrez’s twoyear unexpired term or to a full three-year term on the board. Laurence Loprete has been chosen by the board to replace trustee Barbara Capozzi, who resigned in July. He will be formally appointed at the school board’s public meeting on Aug. 31. He will fill out Capozzi’s term, which expires in 2011, and will have to seek election to the board next year. McGowan and her husband Peter moved to Franklin Lakes almost five years ago. They have two daughters who attend High Mountain Road School, where one girl will enter fourth grade and the other will enter second grade in the fall. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from LaSalle University and worked as an accounting supervisor for Simpson Thacher and Bartlett in New York for seven years and then as a human resource analyst for KPMG in Montvale for two years. An active member of the High Mountain Road School community, her involvement has included being a Brownie troop leader, class parent, volunteer in the library, and chairperson of the fall book fair for the past three years. As a regular attendee at virtually all of the school’s Parent Teacher Association meetings, she has volunteered her time at numerous PTA events and fundraisers. “During this past year, I have been a regular attendee at board of education meetings,” McGowan said. “Although I began going out of frustration, I quickly learned about the board’s role as a policy making body and I became aware of the issues and gained respect for the process. The dedication and commitment of the board members is evident, and something I was unaware of until I started attending the meetings. In recent months, I have observed the board’s efforts to enhance community relations and offer a level of transparency that can only serve to improve the level of trust and respect within our district.” McGowan said she is aware of the board’s collaborative efforts to bring the teacher contract negotiations to a successful conclusion -- an effort, she said, which requires balancing fiscal realities with the need to attract and retain the best educators possible. She added that she is fully aware of the impact that Governor Christie’s proposed 2.5 percent cap on property taxes could have on the school district. “We are in a period of transition,” McGowan said, “and I have a strong sense that our new school administrators will energize this district through effective leadership, communication, and accessibility. As a board member, I can bring a fresh perspective and energy to continuing the board’s efforts to inform parents and improve community relations. I have the time, dedication, and passion to devote to this endeavor as I look forward to moving from observer to contributor.” Loprete has lived in Franklin Lakes with his wife Mary and their two sons for nearly seven years. His children attend the Colonial Road School and the Franklin Lakes Middle School. He graduated from Providence College with a bachelor’s degree in 1986. He has been active in the community and, for the past two years, he has served as the borough’s baseball commissioner for grades two and three. Currently employed at Standard & Poor’s as a senior director responsible for global education and training, he says his background in performing various compliance and managerial activities for major Wall Street firms has given him the perspective needed for service on the school board. “I am able to process complex issues, (continued on page 27) BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIALS $5.00 OFF ANY SERVICE ANY SERVICE with purchase of $20 of service or more Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 9/30/10 $30.00 OFF Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 9/30/10 LCN SET Reg. $90.00 with purchase of $50 of service or more Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 9/30/10 $10.00 OFF Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 9/30/10 with purchase of Pedicure FREE MANICURE FEATURING STATE-OF THE-ART EQUIPMENT 20 Chestnut St., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 • 201-670-6807 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:30am - 7:30pm • Sat. 9am - 6:30pm The best prices are now! 8-18-10 kathy/janine CozyNails3x3(8-18-10) 3 x 3” �������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� ���������������������� ������� ������������ ����� ������������ ������������� ������������ ��������� ������������