Mahwah December 22, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3 Superintendent of schools announces retirement plans by Frank J. McMahon Superintendent of Schools Charles Montesano has advised the Mahwah Board of Education of his intention to retire from his 37-year career in education effective July 1. Montesano said he plans to play golf, ride his mountain bike, and fish when he retires, although he might also teach at a college somewhere. Asked if he would accept an acting superintendent position once he retires, Montesano said that is not part of his plan for retirement. “If I was going to be a superintendent, I love Mahwah and I’d do it in Mahwah,” Montesano said. “Why leave Mahwah and go someplace else? I’ll never say never, but that’s not my plan. “I’ve been privileged to work for over 37 years in public education, and I’m proud of being a public educator. I feel particularly blessed to be working in and finishing my career in Mahwah, which is a great place and continues to be a great place.” In his letter to the board of education, Montesano wrote, “It is with a good deal of ambivalence that I submit my resignation for the purposes of retirement after 37 years in education. I have been extremely fortunate to have spent my career in districts that put the needs of students first and support educators in their work with kids. I’ve sincerely enjoyed every year that I have worked in public education.” Montesano emphasized his appreciation for having the privilege of working in Mahwah for the past seven years, stating it was an honor to work with what he described as “an extraordinary group of teachers, support staff, supervisors, and administrators in a community that is so supportive of its schools,” and a board of education that “stood firm in its commitment to always do what it believed was in the best interest of students.” “I could not possibly imagine a better place to finish my career,” he stated. “My retirement will take place effective July 1, but I will remain a T-Bird for life.” Although Montesano gave no indication that his retirement was prompted in any way by the proposed change in New Jersey Department of Education regulations that will cap superintendents’ salaries, many superintendents in the state and county are deciding to retire now as a result of that change, which is set to take effect Feb. 7. Montesano is currently an adjunct lecturer in graduate education at Caldwell College and has served as head of Bergen County Technology Committee and representative to the State Technology Committee. He graduated from Wagner College in Staten Island, New York in 1973 with a BA in social studies. In 1979, he graduated from Seton Hall University in South Orange with a MA in educational administration and supervision. In 1994, he graduated from Fordham University in New York with an Ed.D. in administration and supervision. Montesano has been the superintendent of schools in Mahwah since 2004. From 1993 to 2004, he was superintendent of schools in Emerson. He was nominated twice for Superintendent of the Year honors by the Emerson Board of Education, but declined to submit the application for personal reasons. From 1991 to 1993, he served as principal of Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, and from 1985 to 1987, he was principal of West Ridge Elementary School and then principal of the Park Ridge High School. From 1979 to 1982, he was a teacher, athletic director, and supervisor at Wallington High School. He later served as principal of the Wallington elementary schools, a position he held until 1985. Montesano also served as head football coach at Wallington High. In 1981, he was named Coach of the Year by the Herald News. Prior to his work in Wallington, he was a social studies teacher in the Cresskill schools. Delventhal earns Scout’s top honor Stephanie Delventhal of Mahwah Troop #865 (pictured) has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the top honor a Girl Scout can receive. Delventhal joined Troop #865 as a Daisy and has been an active member of the troop since 1997. She chose Shelter Our Sisters of Hackensack as (continued on page 27) Celebrate Christmas with us… Christmas Eve, December 24th @6pm Our gathering is at Ramapo Ridge Middle School 150 Ridge Rd, Mahwah, NJ Winter specials available now for a limited time only. Call Robin at 973-636-7000 150 Ridge Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430 201- 425-3770 The Plant Church theplantchurch.org