The New Rochelle Board of Education held a wide-ranging meeting recently that included hearing impressive reports, honoring a departing Board member, granting tenure to dozens of educators, and honoring school district retirees from both 2021-2022 and 2019-2020.
High School Update: Ninth-grader Luca Lazzarini presented a comprehensive report about recent activities at New Rochelle High School, as well as a summary of the school year overall. He recounted how resilient students coped and learned remotely when the building’s opening was delayed until Nov. 1, 2021 by flood damage from Hurricane Ida. He also detailed upbeat achievements such as awards ceremonies, the Latino Migration exhibit, a Latinx conference, and visits by dancer Misty Copeland and Congressman Jamaal Bowman. “It was amazing to see how seniors persevered, and their hard work did not go unnoticed,” he said.
Honoring Moselhi: Board of Education member Amy Moselhi was honored for her service at the meeting; her distinguished five-year term on the Board ends at the end of June. Moselhi, who has also served as Board President and Vice President, and on numerous committees, brought “profound dedication” and “tireless, conscientious service,” Board President Julia Muggia Ochs said as she presented Moselhi with a commendation. Muggia Ochs praised Moselhi for strengthening the school district’s financial health, overseeing a successful $106 million bond issue to upgrade schools and facilities, and for leading the Board through the onset of the COVID pandemic. Fellow board members praised Moselhi’s diligence, service, and dedication. Moselhi offered deep gratitude, thanking her fellow Board members past and current, school district superintendents, friends, and family.
Tenure: “We’re thankful and proud of you,” Superintendent Jonathan Raymond said about 45 educators granted tenure by the Board of Education. Review the distinguished list here: https://bit.ly/3zF4PHq.
Retirees: The Board of Education congratulated retiring school district employees, both from 2021-2022 and 2019-2020, a group that could not be honored in person due to the COVID pandemic. The 2021-2022 retirees totaled 976 years of service; retirees in 2019-2020 encompassed 1,241 years of dedicated employment. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. Corey Reynolds said the retirees “made the lives of students who come to our schools that much better.”
Congratulations, District Retirees 2021-2022!
Administration: Daniel Billups, 33 years.
Albert Leonard Middle School: Jason Anderson, 17 years; Rita Ciampa, 16 years; Mary Degen, 20 years; Karen Gongora, 20 years; Mirjana Jovanovic, 23 years; Allison Maguire, 31 years; Maureen Martin, 16 years.
Barnard Early Childhood Center: Edith Barasch, 25 years; Andre Bryant, 34 years; Debra Reich-Litzky, 27 years; Elena Vallario, 22 years.
Columbus Elementary School: Frances DelFico, 18 years; Susanne Mercatante, 32 years; Ramona Pineiro, 17 years.
Daniel Webster Elementary School: David Bergamini, 28 years; Gail Conroy, 7 years; Andrea Finnerty, 20 years; Frayda Grossbach, 33 years; Genevieve Stroh, 21 years.
District-wide: Scott Benevento, 11 years; Nicholas Girone, 12 years.
Facilities: Willie Clark, 30 years.
George M. Davis Jr. Elementary School: Jane Hadi, 21 years; Abigail Wiegel, 38 years.
Isaac E. Young Middle School: Robert C. Johnson, 33 years; Patrice Kentner, 26 years; Cheryl Minor-Williams, 20 years; Regina Simoes, 28 years.
Jefferson Elementary School: Roslyn Claytor, 6 years; Sloane Occhiuto, 35 years.
New Rochelle High School: Martin Billig, 32 years; Maryann Capossela, 20 years; Kevin Corcoran, 30 years; Bruce Daniele, 17 years; Mary Fama, 25 years; Charles Mascoll, 21 years; Jeanine O'Brien, 15 years; Stephen Pelak, 19 years; Grisella Ramos-Santiago, 20 years; Robin Rappo, 15 years.
Salesian High School: Susan Ramondelli, 13 years.
Trinity Elementary School: Nora Klion-Wolloch, 18 years; Carol Mazzella, 24 years.
William B. Ward Elementary School: Mary Lou Basso, 19 years.
Congratulations, District Retirees, 2019-2020!
Administration: Judith Amato, 20 years; Rhonda Jones, 11 years; Sally Ann Moss, 21 years; Lisdalia Saraiva, 26 years; Laurette Shrage, 26 years.
Albert Leonard Middle School: Rita Ciampa, 16 years; Maureen Martin, 16 years; Albert Santiago, 25 years; Dorothy Vento, 36 years.
Barnard Early Childhood Center: Andre Bryant, 34 years; Betty Latorre, 29 years.
Campus School: Neil Mattera, 36 years.
Columbus Elementary School: Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn, 26 years; Amelia Jones, 28 years; Elaine Meleti-Gallagher, 23 years; Sandra McKay, 18 years.
Daniel Webster Elementary School: Antoinette Boncardo, 33 years; Donna Conte, 33 years; Gail Conroy, 7 years; Mary McCormack, 32 years.
District-wide: Scott Benevento, 11 years; Nicholas Girone, 12 years; Marc Schneider, 11 years.
Facilities: Willie Clark, 30 years.
George M. Davis Jr. Elementary School: Rhonda Abramowitz, 21 years; Abigail Wiegel, 38 years.
Isaac E. Young Middle School: Linda Bollettieri, 18 years; Susan Carpanzano, 13 years; Robert C Johnson, 33 years; Joy Klebanoff, 25 years; Diane Leopold, 34 years; Cheryl Minor-Williams, 20 years; Anthony Rodrigues, 32 years; Barbara Sullivan, 41 years.
Jefferson Elementary School: Susan Archer, 20 years.
New Rochelle High School: Maryann Capossela, 20 years; Bruce Daniele, 17 years; Vitoria Guarino, 27 years; Margaret Kinney, 20 years; Andrew Manning, 30 years; Charles Mascoll, 21 years; Tina McCullough, 14 years; Michael McKay, 33 years; Daniel McNamara, 36 years; Juan Mendez, 19 years; Deborah Minchin, 28 years; Richard Murphy, 35 years; Carol Nardone, 30 years; Karen Rose, 32 years; Joseph Starvaggi, 24 years; Ellen Wallace, 26 years.
Salesian High School: Susan Ramondelli, 13 years.
Trinity Elementary School: Jonathan Atlas, 26 years; Donna DiRusso, 22 years; Paula Katz, 31 years; Nora Klion-Wolloch, 18 years; Theresa Koehler, 18 years; Vicki Richardson, 10 years.
William B. Ward Elementary School: Mary Lou Basso, 19 years; Lorna Ferrara, 20 years; Veronica Lua, 20 years; Gail MacWhirter, 27 years; Cynthia Mancuso, 18 years; Lori Shuster, 29 years; Genevieve Vaccariello, 28 years.