June 16, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 19 �������������������������� by John Koster Richard Kuder stepped in as Wyckoff’s K-8 interim superintendent of schools as the Wyckoff Board of Education voted to accept the resignation of Dr. Janet Razze after four years of service to the district. Dr. Razze had been on extended leave before the Wyckoff Board of Education recognized her official departure at the June 7 meeting of the board. No permanent replacement has been announced, and no details of the search process were available last week. Kuder was the popular and highly regarded principal of the Blue Ribbon Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School until he stepped in during Dr. Razze’s leave of absence. Razze was praised by the board for her “selfless commitment” to children and her “distinctive warmth and caring.” The former superintendent, however, had received an overwhelming vote of no confidence from the Wyckoff Education Association earlier in the school year as the majority of the teachers objected to her support of privatized janitorial services to save money for the financially pressed district. Municipal officials sometimes praised Razze for understanding that everyone, educators included, had to make sacrifices during trying economic times. In April, the Wyckoff K-8 school budget was defeated Wyckoff Sale Days June 17-18-19 Razze resigns; Kuder named interim superintendent at the polls by about 20 votes, and the Wyckoff Township Committee cut $479,000 from that budget after being urged by some older residents who deplore tax increases to trim even more. A number experienced teachers and long-term employees also resigned from the Wyckoff school district at the June 7 meeting. These included: Basil DeMase, an art teacher in the district for 39 years; George Licitra a social studies teacher in the district for 38 years; Robert Santin, a music teacher for 31 years; Stephen Carpenter, assistant supervisor of buildings and grounds, in service to the district for 29 years; Carol Molnar, a home economics teacher for 28 years; Donna Greenberg, the school social worker for 26 years; Maureen Feeney, an English as a Second Language teacher for 24 years; Arlene Tancorra, an elementary school teacher for 17 years; Barbara DeMauro, a language arts teacher for 13 years; and Sandra Lembo, secretary to the principal at the Eisenhower School for 11 years. Katherine Van Dyk was honored for 29 years as a school bus driver, and Thomas Occhipinti was honored for seven years of service as a part-time maintenance staff member. 6-16-10 pat/janine Verizon4x9(6-16-10)