Midland Park March 27, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Christina Gouraige was promoted last week to the position of director of special services for the Midland Park School District effective July 1. She will receive a salary of $90,000 for the 2013-14 school year. Gouraige has been the school district’s social worker since January, 2009. The director’s position has been vacant since the resignation of Sheralyn Gottlief in June, 2011. Barbara Gemza has been serving as interim director. “I am very much looking forward to starting my new position as Director of Special Services,” said Gouraige. “I am very excited to be able to continue the great work that we have been doing in the Special Education Department in Midland Park. We have a great community, and a great school faculty. I am so happy to be able to con- District appoints special services director tinue to work with both in this new role,” she added. The new director holds a Master of Social Work from New York University, and received a BA in psychology and Educational Leadership-Principal Certification from Montclair State University. Prior to coming to Midland Park, she worked for four and a half years as a primary therapist and social worker at Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center in Orangeburg, NY. “I am delighted to welcome her as an administrator,” said Superintendent of School’s Dr. Marie Cirasella of Gouraige. “She brings a strong skills set coupled with a knowledge of Midland Park and its students. She will be an asset to the district operations. I am eager to begin working closely with her,” Dr. Cirasella added. In other business, the board approved a leave of absence with pay and medical benefits for Dr. John Schumbari from March 19 through June 30, and accepted his resignation effective June 30. Dr. Schumbari, whose salary is $123,000, has been the district’s director of curriculum, instruction and assessment since July, 2011. “I’m sad about his resignation. He was well informed, intelligent, energetic and caring of the children,” said Vreeland Avenue resident Patricia Fantulin of Schumbari. “He was responsive to the parents. He met with me,” she added. Dr. Cirasella said the district will post/advertise for a replacement as soon as possible. The replacement would be contingent on the approval of the school budget next month, said Board President William Sullivan.