Ho-Ho-Kus July 27, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 School district to welcome new administrator this fall by Jennifer Crusco When the new academic year begins in September, the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School will officially welcome Thomas Lambe, the K-8 district’s new business administrator, who will also be serving as board secretary and supervisor of buildings and grounds. Ho-Ho-Kus Superintendent Deborah Ferrara said Lambe’s contract is currently under review by Bergen County officials, and approval is anticipated. Ferrara noted that the contract covers a 10-month period with a salary of $75,000, as the salary associated with a 12-month agreement would be $90,000. “We’re very excited about him,” Ferrara said of Lambe. “He is experienced, and will fit in nicely. He has wonderful references, has been mentored by a very strong Bergen County business administrator, and is spoken of very highly.” Lambe, in turn, said he is pleased and excited about the opportunity to work in Ho-Ho-Kus. He is currently working in the High Bridge schools in Hunderdon County, where he has taken on the responsibilities of business administrator and of supervisor of buildings and grounds. Before beginning his career in education, Lambe worked in financial positions in the corporate world. He subsequently became a math teacher, serving for five years in the East Rutherford schools and another three in the Emerson schools. He later took on his current responsibilities in High Bridge. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Rutgers and earned an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. He later received a master’s in educational leadership from New Jersey City University. Lambe said he holds a certificate of eligibility for business administrator and will receive his full certification in August, once he has completed his year of mentoring. His mentor is Emerson School Business Administrator Philip Nisonoff. Lambe said he also holds a certificate of eligibility for principal and various teaching certifications. Originally from Hasbrouck Heights, Lambe and his wife, Peggy, reside in Cedar Grove. They are expecting a child in September, which Lambe acknowledges will be a busy time. “I always thought that I would like to work in administration, using my financial skills,” Lambe said. Dr. Diane Mardy, who was serving as director of special projects and part-time business administrator for the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School, is due to begin work as principal of Waldwick’s Crescent School next week. In anticipation of Dr. Mardy’s departure, Ho-Ho-Kus advertised for a candidate who would be qualified to assume the responsibilities Mardy had carried out as part-time business administrator, and the responsibilities of district buildings and grounds supervisor – a position Ferrara has been handling. Ferrara plans to take on the work of the director of special projects in conjunction with Principal Alexis Eckert and a current member of the teaching staff. David Rinderknecht has been working one day a week as the district’s interim business administrator since September 2010. Rinderknecht, who distinguished himself by serving the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District for 17 years, replaced Anthony D’Achille, who had been interim business administrator for the K-8 district since May 3, 2010. Now retired from full-time work, D’Achille’s last post was interim business administrator of the East Newark schools. D’Achille took over for James Davis, who left Ho-HoKus to accept the post of business administrator for the Oakland schools. The Ho-Ho-Kus Council recently retained the services of commercial real estate tax appraiser Louis Izenberg of Izenberg Appraisal of Chatham. The appointment will be effective for a one-year period retroactive to Jan. 1 and continuing until Dec. 31. The contract is not expected to exceed $17,500. Borough officials said the move was routine, and was not based on an increased number of tax appeals. Last week, Ho-Ho-Kus Tax Assessor Marie Merolla Tax assessor reports fewer appeals reported that there have been fewer appeals in the borough since the municipality underwent a comprehensive reassessment last year. Merolla said that, while the average number of appeals varies each year, the total number tends to move with the economy. “When the economy is better, there are fewer appeals as property values increase,” the assessor noted. “Appeals increase when property values decline.” (continued on page 14)