Midland Park July 27, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Patricia Terraciano, Midland Park High School’s principal since July, 2002, will be retiring from her position at summer’s end. The board of education accepted her resignation last week effective Aug. 31. She will be taking vacation time until then, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marie Cirasella. “It was time,” said Terraciano of her decision to retire. “It had been in my head, but I wanted to wait until after the school year was over to announce it.” She said she has no immediate plans for the future, but that something would come up. “It’s bittersweet to leave. I have loved my years teaching at Paramus Catholic and my years in Midland Park,” she said. Terraciano praised the Midland Park community and its support of its schools. “It’s a family, a community of caring people. The children are wonderful,” she said. “It offers the best of private/public education. I hope you preserve its uniqueness,” she added. “Pat Terraciano gave the children of this district 12 years seeing that all children receive the highest quality education. The children and the entire community of Midland Park benefited from her career,” commented board President Robert Schiffer. Assistant Principal Nick Capuano was named acting principal from July 21 through Aug. 31. Capuano will Terraciano to retire as principal of high school be paid an additional $2,500 for the acting duties, and $1,250 for athletic director duties for the month of July. Last school year Capuano held the combined position of assistant principal/athletic director following the retirement of the previous long-time AD, Ed Salvi, and the district’s loss of more than $1 million in state aid. He had been returned to full time status effective July 1, but he continued with the AD duties while the district sought a replacement for that part of his job. Ron Standridge was hired as part-time AD at the board’s July 19 meeting. He will be paid $40,000 prorated Aug. 1 to June 30, 2012. Dr. Cirasella said when a new principal would be in place would be dependent upon the candidate selected and any restrictions in place regarding leaving his or her current position. She added, however, that she hopes to conclude the interviewing process in late August/early September. She said about 20 resumes have already been received since the vacancy was posted in-house on July 7 and advertised in the Star Ledger on July 10. The deadline is July 29. Dr. Cirasella said the board’s personnel committee would formulate a candidate pool for first round interviews, to be conducted by a committee to include parent representatives, administrators and teachers. Two or three finalists would then be selected for a second round interview with administrators and board members, she said. The board also expects to solicit community input in the form of emails and perhaps a survey via the district website. Details are expected to be posted on the website this week. “All questions/concerns from parents/guardians and stakeholders will be reviewed and strongly considered throughout this process,” Dr. Cirasella stressed. “Our goal is to identify the best possible candidate to lead MPHS. Strong skills in instructional oversight, leadership, communication, and management are considered top priorities, she added. Terraciano, whose current salary is $134,469, had been the high school’s assistant principal for four years when she was tapped to replace Principal Roger Fitzgerald. She came to Midland Park from Paramus Catholic High School. Capuano was a social studies teacher and head football coach at MPHS for nine years when he was promoted to assistant principal in 2007. He also headed the school’s successful strategic planning project. The Midland Park Board of Education last week selected the brother of a sitting board member to fill an unexpired term on the board. Timothy Thomas of Linwood Avenue was appointed to fill the unexpired term of trustee Paula Lein, who resigned effective June 21. He will be sworn in at the board’s Aug. 23 meeting. “Tim Thomas is a lifelong resident of Midland Park with numerous years in business and financial markets. His experiences will help move the district forward in these difficult financial times,” commented board President Robert Schiffer. A 1983 graduate of Midland Park High School whose parents had both been Midland Park High School teachers, Thomas was interviewed for the position by the board along with former trustee Anne Polhemus, who stepped down in 2008 after 12 years on the board. The board split 4-3 on Thomas’ appointment, with his sister, Maryalice Thomas Hagerty, abstaining. His term will run until next April, when Lein’s term would have expired. “Tim will be a great asset to the MPBOE, and I look forward to working with him,” said Thomas Hagerty of Trustee’s brother appointed to board her brother. “I believe my broad based business experience and common sense approach coupled with my passion for this town and education will serve the board and community well,” said Thomas in a statement. “I look forward to quickly familiarizing myself with the many issues before the board, and I am confident that I can make a positive impact as the trustees work through the many challenges ahead.” A 1987 graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree in political science, Thomas has worked on Wall Street in various positions for the past 24 years. He is currently vice president and compliance officer with J.P. Morgan Chase in New York City. He has been active in the many recreation and travel sports programs in town, coaching football, basketball, baseball, softball and soccer. Midland Park residents since 1996, he and his wife Laura are founding members of the Midland Park Education Foundation. They have three children: Jake, 15; Kayla, 13 and Josie, 9, all students in the Midland Park schools.