BY PATRICIA KELLER
WEST MILFORD — The West Milford Board of Education approved the appointment of two new supervisors at the Aug. 23 meeting - one for the combined Science and Industrial Arts Departments and one for the combined History/Social Sciences and Business Departments.
Science and Industrial Arts
West Milford High School Science Teacher Coleen Weiss-Magasic was appointed to the position of Supervisor of Science and Industrial Arts district-wide, replacing former supervisor of Science Eric Siegal. Weiss-Magasic began her new position effective Aug. 24, at the prorated annual salary of $120,000, contracted through June 30, 2017.With the exception of Trustee Teresa Dwyer, who abstained from the vote stating a “personal relationship” with Weiss-Magasic, and Trustee Glenn Huber who was absent from the meeting, the vote to approve Weiss-Magasic was unanimous. Board President Jim Foody congratulated Weiss-Magasic on her appointment, noting her past awards as Teacher of the Year for West Milford and Passaic County and her experience in grant writing. “I think she’s gonna be a real asset to the district,” Foody said.
“I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to serve the district in this new role,” Weiss-Magasic said. She noted she is “home grown” - raised in West Milford, is still a current resident of the township, and has spent 21 of her 26-year teaching career in West Milford Schools.
“Forty-six years ago, my parents were leaving Bergen County looking for a place for their children to have fresh air and an excellent education- and this is where we landed. So I’m happy to continue that tradition in this new role,” she commented.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alex Anemone sent a Honeywell Instant Alert Message to district families Wednesday morning:
“Mrs. Weiss-Magasic is a West Milford resident and an award-winning teacher in the WMHS Science Department. Over her distinguished career, she has won numerous awards including West Milford Teacher of the Year, Passaic County Teacher of the Year, New Jersey Teacher of the Year – Finalist, and New Jersey Exemplary Secondary Educator. Mrs. Weiss-Magasic has also been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and earned grants from numerous sources. Please join me in welcoming her to her new position.”
The school board appointed Deana Pezzino as the new science teacher at the high school to fill Weiss-Magasic’s former position. Pezzino is a former student of Weiss-Magasic’s, following in her mentor’s shoes as a science teacher with a master’s degree of her own.
History/Social Sciences and Business
The Board appointed Oliver Pruksarnukul as supervisor of History/Social Sciences and Business, at the annual salary of $102,000 prorated, effective Oct. 24, through June 30, 2017.Pruksarnukul replaces Dr. Greg Matlosz who was appointed principal of Upper Greenwood Lake Elementary School last month; he will also supervise the Business Department.
The appointment was unanimously approved.
Foody welcomed “Mr. P.” to the district stating he looks forward to great things happening.
Trustee Debbie O’Brien commented, “I’d also like to congratulate Mr. P, and I have good news and bad news. Mr. P, the good news is you are following Dr. Matlosz. The bad news is that you are following Dr. Matlosz! I wish you the best of luck.”
Pruksarnukul pronounced his name for the audience, then stated he’s been “Mr. P” for the past 16 years and is fine with that. He thanked the board for the opportunity. “I look forward to working with the community of West Milford,” he said.
“Mr. Pruksarnukul is a successful teacher in the Montclair Public Schools and has also served as social studies subject matter leader as well as a house leader at the middle school level," said Anemone in his statement to parents. "In addition, he has coordinated the Montclair Public Schools’ Gifted and Talented Programs and National Junior Honor Society and is a three-time winner of the prestigious Weston Award for Teaching Excellence as well as a nominee for the Princeton University Distinguished Secondary School Teaching Award.”
New Administrator for Highlander Academy
The school board also approved an agreement with Bryant, Gemza, Keenoy and Kozlik, LLP, for the appointment of Dr. Gayle Strauss as the new administrator of the Highlander Academy for the 2016-2017 school year in an amount not to exceed $95,000. Strauss replaces the former Highlander Academy administrator of the past few years Nick Del're, who was also previously appointed each year via similar agreements with a company specializing in the referral of special services administration personnel.