December 19, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Ho-Ho-Kus Board bids farewell to longest-serving trustee by Jennifer Crusco This week, the Ho-Ho-Kus Board of Education will bid farewell to its longest-serving trustee, Michaela Donadio, who is stepping down after over 12 years on the board. “She has been an unbelievably dedicated, committed member of the board and the school community,” Ho-HoKus School Superintendent Deborah Ferrara said of Donadio. “She was on the board that hired me. She is fair and wiling to listen and keeps an open mind about things. She is very knowledgeable about the community and about what will work in Ho-Ho-Kus, and she contributes that knowledge and experience. She is an incredible asset to this board of education and will certainly be missed.” Donadio served on the boards that hired the last two superintendents. She was elected while Tim Lucas was superintendent, and later helped hire both Loretta Bellina and Ferrara. Donadio was also on the boards that ushered in two major building projects at the school. During her service as a trustee, she served as board president and vice president. She has chaired the Finance Committee and the Negotiations Committee, and has served as a member of the Community Relations Committee. She was instrumental in negotiating the terms of four agreements with the Ho-Ho-Kus Education Association. “I’m happy with what we’ve accomplished,” Donadio told Villadom TIMES. The trustee explained that she decided not to run for reelection this year because all four of her children have finished their work at the K-8 school. In fact, three of her children are now college students. “It’s time to get fresh blood and fresh ideas,” Donadio said, adding that it made sense to step down at this time. “We have a great mix of people (on the board).” Earlier this year, when the school board opted to change its election of trustees from the spring to the date of the November general election, Donadio agreed to continue her service through the end of this year. The board will reorganize with its newly-elected member, Cinzia D’Iorio, in January. Donadio, who is from a family of educators, received a degree in economics/accounting from the College of the Holy Cross. She worked in the financial services industry prior to staying home to raise her four children. She and her husband have been borough residents since 1988. She has been an active community volunteer, and has worked with the Ho-Ho-Kus Contemporary Club, the Ho-Ho-Kus Parent Teacher Organization, and the local recreation association. Seven years ago, Donadio went back to work for Entel Systems. Her responsibilities at that telecommunications firm include finance and human resources. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with some great people and I will miss them all,” she said of her peers on the board. During Donadio’s service, the district’s educational program expanded to include new computer technology, an innovation studio, state-of-the-art science labs, extended day kindergarten, and new pre-school programs. At press time, the board planned to recognize Donadio at the Dec. 18 meeting, which was scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School on Lloyd Road. This meeting is open to the public.