Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • March 26, 2014 FLOW Area Borough’s K-8 superintendent ready to move on by Frank J. McMahon Frank Romano III, Ed.D, superintendent of the Franklin Lakes K-8 School District, has accepted a superintendent’s position in the Ridgefield K-12 School District, which has just under 2,000 students. The Franklin Lakes Board of Education, meanwhile, is completing its search process for a new superintendent to replace Romano, whose resignation will become effec- tive at the end of his contract on June 30, 2014. Romano announced his resignation in May 2013. School Board President Larry Loprete advised that a new superintendent is expected to assume the leadership of the district for the 2014-15 school year. Romano’s final agreement on terms and language with the Ridgefield Board of Education was reached on Feb. 27. A five-year contract was submitted to the Bergen County Superintendent immediately after that, according to Romano. On March 13, the Ridgefield Board of Education approved that contract, which calls for a base salary of $157,500 with an opportunity for an additional 15 percent of the base, or $23,625, in merit pay. Romano notified the Franklin Lakes School Board of his new contract on Friday morning, March 14. “Coming to Ridgefield feels like coming home,” Romano said. “I had the good fortune of being raised in a town very similar to Ridgefield and only a few miles away with family and friends in the adjacent towns. I have very fond memories of times spent with very good people. Find- ing my way back to that place in my life brings me full circle and leaves me excited about what I believe will be a dynamic and rewarding opportunity.” Romano said he experienced a supportive and respect- ful board of education during his interview process and, during his time in the Ridgefield district, he has seen edu- cators who are committed to children and committed to their craft. “I have seen fine examples of leadership,” Romano said. “I see a team with whom I can work to continue the posi- tive and productive momentum, while building a success- ful future for all of the children who attend the Ridgefield schools, and what beautiful and respectful children they are!” Romano emphasized that he has valued and enjoyed his time in Franklin Lakes, where he has had the opportunity to work with a bright and cohesive administrative team, a highly professional support staff, and extremely talented teachers. “And while every place has beautiful children, you can’t help but miss the ones that you come to know so well, espe- cially the ones who need you most,” Romano said. Explaining his reason for leaving Franklin Lakes, he (continued on page 23) Regional district receives insurance safety award The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School Dis- trict has received the 2013 Safety Award from the New Jersey School Boards Association Insurance Group. RIH is one of 43 school districts to receive this award of distinction out of over 400 districts in the NJSBAIG’s workers’ compensation insurance pool. Award recipients are selected based on two criteria. The first criterion is the effort the district put forth as measured by the New Jersey School Boards Association Insurance Group’s Safety Assessment. The second crite- rion is the result achieved as measured by the workers’ compensation loss ratio, which is loss dollars divided by premium dollars. The 2013 recipients were recognized for implementing an effective safety program in their districts which mini- mized their workers’ compensation costs with the ultimate benefit to the taxpayers and students. Under this safety program, the students have fewer substitute employees so the continuity of their education is maintained at the highest level, and the taxpayers will realize a savings because the school district pays lower insurance premiums. “This award is a tribute to our business administra- tor, Frank Ceurvels,” said Interim Superintendent Ernest Palestis. “Under his leadership, the district staff has been trained in safety protocols and this award is based upon site visits to Ramapo High School and Indian Hills High School by the NJ School Boards Association Insurance Group safety team. “As a result of careful district planning, we have expe- rienced low claims. This results in favorable insurance rates thus benefitting our FLOW taxpayers.” The New Jersey School Boards Association Insurance Group, located in Burlington, New Jersey, is a non-profit entity, which provides property and casualty insurance to public schools in New Jersey. It is the only statewide insurance pool for property, casualty, and workers’ com- pensation in New Jersey. F.J. MCMAHON