May 7, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 11 Midland Park Board renews Dr. Cirasella’s contract for five years Midland Park Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marie Cirasella was reappointed to a five year term during last week’s board of education meeting. Her new contract will run from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2019. “We are very excited to have Dr. Cirasella continuing as the chief school administrator,” said newly-elected Board of Education President Maryalice Thomas. “We are confi- dent that she will continue to work on the goals of student achievement at all grade levels, compliance with the new aspects of the TEACHNJ Act and working with the board to serve the needs of the children, staff, and community.” “It is gratifying to have been reappointed the district’s superintendent of schools for the next five years. Together with a committed and skilled board of education, dedicated faculty and staff, and amazing school families and students, we have accomplished a great deal the past four years. The next five years will signal a recommitment to collaboration and teamwork as we continue our efforts to provide the best public education to the children of Midland Park.” com- mented Dr. Cirasella. “I’d also like to acknowledge with thanks the leadership of outgoing BOE President William Sullivan and Vice Pres- ident Sandra Criscenzo, and congratulate our new officers, Board President Dr. Maryalice Thomas and Vice President James Canellas and incumbent trustee Peter Triolo on their reelection. As always, I’m grateful to everyone in our com- munity for voting in the recent school budget election and look forward to working each day to build on the progress we have made thus far,” she added. According to the contract, Dr. Cirasella’s base salary will be $147,500, the maximum permitted by state cap reg- ulations. This is down from her current salary of $177,735, but the contract provides that should the cap law change, the board may renegotiate the salary for the remaining years of the contract. In addition, the contract provides that the superintendent may also be awarded annual non-pen- sionable merit bonuses on the basis of her achievement of specific merit criteria. This would include progress toward achieving up to three quantitative and two qualitative merit criteria established in accordance with the district goals. The merit bonuses may not exceed 3.33 percent of annual salary for each quantitative merit criterion achieved and 2.5 percent of annual salary for each qualitative merit criterion. The bonuses shall not be cumulative. The contract provides for 24 vacation days per year, five of which may be used the following year or forfeited; 15 sick days plus 50 banked days, four personal days and 13 holidays. Dr. Cirasella first came to the K-12 school district in July, 2010 from the Bloomfield School System in Essex County, where she held the position of assistant superinten- dent. She replaced Dr. William Heebink, who retired due to health reasons. Dr. Cirasella has a B.S. in communications and journal- ism from William Paterson University, master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction and in education administration from Caldwell College, and her Ed.D. in educational leader- ship management and policy from Seton Hall University. Doctor Marie Cirasella