Paramus High School - Delphian Yearbook (Paramus, NJ)

Page 10 text:

Mr. Paul A. Shelly ... Chief of Changes Mr. Paul A. Shelly Superintendent of Schools Superintendent of Schools Paul A. Shelly is a man devoted to children and dedicated to the American system of public education. Throughout his thirty-six year career, he has been uncompromising in his pursuit of educational excellence. Guided by his personal philosophy and belief that ... free public education is the cornerstone of our democratic society and public schools have the responsibility of providing educational programs that develop the full potential of each child, he has served the commu¬ nity of Paramus as its educational leader for the past fourteen years. Paul Shelly began his professional career as an elementary school teacher in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. His leadership ability was quickly recognized when he assumed the responsibilities of elementary school principal. Since that time he has served as a middle school principal, Director of Instruction, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, and Board Secretary — all prior to becoming our Superintendent. His leadership qualities, experience, and keen insight into educational issues have frequently caused others to seek his assistance. As an active member and leader of numerous professional organizations, he has devoted endless hours to improving the American education system. He recently served as President of the Horace Mann League of the U.S.A., President of the New Jersey Association of School Administra¬ tors, and as a member of the Board of Governors of the Middle States Accrediting Association. Under his leadership the Paramus School District has flourished. He has implemented numerous programs that have been in keeping with his philosophy of developing the full potential of each child. Among these are pre-school education, programs for special need students, computer literacy, writing laboratories, career counseling, and the Community School. Paul Shelly has maintained a profile of strength, creativity, and compassion while managing the schools during a time of declining enrollment. Paul Shelly has been a source of comfort, support, and pride to the educational community. Paul Shelly has been a gentleman, educational leader, and friend. Paul Shelly has made Paramus a better place to live and to learn. He will be missed by all those who had the good fortune of working alongside him. Paramus wishes him well in his new endeavors.

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11 fflUMMMR Ralph J. Mele Assistant Superintendent of Schools Our school district was stunned last January by the untimely death of our friend and colleague, Ralph J. Mele. This page of the yearbook is dedicated to him and to the lifetime of service he gave to the Paramus Public Schools and, more specifically, to the children of Paramus. Mr. Mele started his career in Paramus as a fourth grade teacher in the Spring Valley School. After serving as a classroom teacher for only six months, he was called into active military service during the Korean War. Upon his return to Paramus, he held teaching positions at Parkway School and at Paramus High School until 1960 when he was named Administrative Assistant to George W. Hod- gins who was then Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Mele served in this capacity for over ten years, during which time he was actively involved in budget development, transportation, public relations, enrollment projections and student teaching assignments. Shortly after the arrival of Superintendent Paul A. Shelly in September 1971, Mr. Mele was promoted to Director of Personnel, a position for which he was eminently well qualified. In this capacity he organized the district personnel office into the fine- tuned operation it is today. In 1982, upon the resignation of Harry A. Galinsky, Mr. Mele was promoted to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Schools. Over the years, Mr. Mele ' s fine personal qualities, his ready smile, his unassuming manner and his dedication and competence gained him the love and admiration of all of those with whom he worked and of the parents, students and community. As Joan Walters, President of the Paramus Board of Education commented, He was a gentle man and a gentleman. Mr. Mele was a virtual walking encyclopedia of infor¬ mation on the Paramus Public Schools — he knew every teacher by name, he knew the enrollments of every school and class, he knew the inner workings of the bud¬ get, he knew the history of the school district. He was able to keep all of this information at his command and bring it forth at critical points in the decision-making processes. Mr. Mele was active professionally and in the life of the community. He was an active member of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, of the Mid-Atlantic Association for School, College and University Staffing, of the Bergen County Superintendents Association, of the New Jersey Schoolmasters Club and of the Horace Mann League of U.S.A. Locally he served as a member of the Kiwanis Club, served five years as a member of the Param¬ us Library Board, and in 1967 was awarded the Paramus Junior Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year Award. Mr. Mele was a graduate of Jersey City State Col¬ lege and Seton Hall University. In commenting on Mr. Mele ' s loss, Paul Shelly, Superin¬ tendent of Schools, stated, No single person gave more to this school district in terms of dedication, competence, commitment or loyalty than Ralph Mele. No single person was more committed to the belief in public education as a cornerstone of our democracy. We shall miss him sorely, but he shall forever have a place in our hearts. 5

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Board of Education .. . Change Makers Paramus Board of Education Back Row: Joseph P. Lupo, Administrative Assistant; Ralph J. Mele, Assistant Superintendent of Schools; Paul A. Shelly, Superintendent of Schools; Joseph P. Cardella, Board Member; Edward R. Seidler, Board Member; Richard Davis, Past Assistant Business Administrator-Secretary; Jane Melada, Board Member; Vincent T. Dispenza, Board Member; Ann P. Funicelli, Board Member; Bruce Weber, Board Member. Front Row: Seymour Handel, Board Member; Anthony Del Sordi, Business Administration-Secretary; Joan Walters, Board President; Peter F. Jonas, Board Vice-President; Robert Jacobs, Board Attorney. Joan Walters President of the Paramus Board of Education Elected by their fellow citizens, the nine dedicated residents of Paramus make up the Board of Education. These loyal individuals, with their diverse backgrounds and experiences, work hard to assure the academic excellence of the Paramus school system. In an ever-changing world, the Board members must keep aware of the shifting trends in the field of education. To assist them in their policy making responsibilities, the Board members often meet with parents, faculty, students, and interested citizens. Efforts by the Board of Education result in decisions that fulfill the educational needs of our students and help to make for the smooth running of our schools. Anthony Del Sordi Business Administrator-Secretary Business-Administrator-Secretary, Mr. Anthony Del Sordi, serves as the coordin¬ ator of all general affairs concerning the budget of the Paramus School system. Mr. James Verbist, his assistant, is responsible for all purchases of equipment and mate¬ rials necessary for the smooth operation of the Paramus school system. In addition, Mr. Verbist is the director of the comput¬ er operations of the payroll and budget control. Administrative Assistant to the Superin¬ tendent, Mr. Joseph P. Lupo, has the re¬ sponsibility of collecting data, conducting special studies, filing state and federal re¬ ports as determined by the Superinten¬ dent, and developing press releases, spe¬ cial publications, and newsletters. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade, Mrs. Adele Stern is responsible for the development, coordination, correlation, and evaluation of all aspects of the in¬ structional program. James P. Lupo Administrative Assistant 11 James P. Verbist Assistant Business Administrator Secretary Adele H. Stern Director of Curriculum and Instruction K-12