MONTVALE —The Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education on Feb. 2 voted to withdraw from Region II, a shared-services special education consortium, and approved the closure of Park Academy, a district-sponsored public school therapeutic program for students in grades 4–8.
In a meeting summary issued by Interim Superintendent Dirk Phillips, the district said Region II and Park Academy will close at the end of the school year and that students receiving services through those programs “will continue to be supported by their home district.” The summary said Phillips “expressed gratitude to staff for their dedication, highlighting the importance of these programs in our district’s progress and community impact.”
On the district website, Park Academy is described as a separate public school program coordinated by the Region II Office of Special Education that serves students in grades 4–8 with behavioral disabilities. The district’s website also states that Pascack Valley Regional operates five special education programs and serves approximately 352 classified students, with additional students placed out of district.
We have reached out with a request for clarification.
In other business, Phillips told board members the district is transitioning to a calendar-year Board of Education meeting schedule, a change he said will allow new board members to provide input on meeting dates for the entire calendar year.
Phillips also provided updates on three construction projects. Work on the Milestones project has been slowed by extreme cold and snow, though footings have been poured and rebar installed for a ramp. Permits were issued for interior work and demolition has begun on the second floor, he said.
At Pascack Valley High School, Phillips said HVAC improvements and related work in the kitchen have been completed, with a fire inspection scheduled later this week. If that is approved, a final health inspection will follow.
For the PVHS auditorium, Phillips said carpet has been installed in the seating area and stage flooring is being installed this week. He said there is a delay with the new screen and some additional minor work, but the district’s goal is to have the auditorium partially operational when students return from Presidents’ Day break.
Phillips also referenced the recently signed “Bell to Bell” cell phone ban, signed in January and set to take effect in September 2026, saying the district will review current practices and develop procedures for the start of next school year.
Phillips said the Feb. 23 board meeting will include presentations on school rankings and student chronic absenteeism.
According to the meeting summary, the board approved the meeting calendar for the remainder of the year, appointed its 2026 committee members, and approved a first reading of policies and regulations concerning employment of the superintendent, nepotism and sexual harassment.
The board also approved two head coaching appointments: Matthew Marini (Pascack Hills football) and Julia Abahazy (Pascack Hills spring track and field, girls).
Several donations were accepted for district groups and programs, including $2,000 from Nu Products Seasoning Co. for PH Robotics; $1,000 from Wegmans for PH Becca’s Closet; $1,000 from Robert Buccino for the PH Scholarships Coach Buccino Award; $4,000 from Paul Higgins TTEE of The Rita B. Higgins Trust for the PV Wellness Center; $500 from Wegmans for PH Robotics; and $800 from Make Our Schools Safe, Inc. for the PH Moss Club.
The district apologized that it was unable to livestream the Feb. 2 meeting due to technical difficulties, but said the meeting video is available online along with agendas and presentations.