BOE Member Profiles

Pearl River School District Board of Education

The Pearl River School District Board of Education consists of five members - a president, vice president and three members. They are elected at large for three year terms. The Board functions as a unit and makes resolutions about the District's educational programs and financial matters. Their actions have the force of law in the District's schools, and the control and supervision of school district property. Within the framework of education law, the Board concerns itself with broad questions of policy, both their own and those recommended by its executive officer, the Superintendent of Schools. As the legislative and policy-making body of the district, the Board is firmly committed to provide the best education possible within the resources of the Pearl River School District, always striving for continuous improvement.

Two student representatives, a junior and senior in good standing at Pearl River High School, participate actively on the Board. Students are selected in their junior year to a two-year term through an application and interview process with the HS Administrators. They represent the student body and report to the board on district activities and accomplishments at each meeting.

Dr. Kathleen Ann Kelley

A 23-year district resident, Kathleen Ann Kelley was elected to the Board in 2020.  Currently living on Van Buren Street, Dr. Kelley has raised four children with her husband Michael. Their son, Michael, is a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas College; son Shaun is a graduate of SUNY Cortland, with a Masters degree from SUNY Utica; son Brian is a graduate of Rider University; and daughter Meghan currently attends a mid-size university in Connecticut studying nursing -- with all four graduating from Pearl River High School.  Dr. Kelley earned a BE from Stevens Institute of Technology, a Diploma RN from Holy Name Hospital School of Nursing and a BSN Bridge, MSN, and Doctor of Nursing, DNP,  from Loyola University.  She previously did consultant work at Anderson Consulting, before entering the nursing profession as a Registered Nurse providing ICU and Trauma nursing at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center.  Currently, Dr. Kelley is a Professor of Nursing and Director of Undergraduate Nursing Education at Caldwell University's School of Nursing & Public Health.  Locally, she was involved in the Stop Annelotech community movement, participated in many school-related programs: class parent at Lincoln Avenue, a Career Day presenter at PRMS, and a Honors Science guest lecturer at PRHS. She is a tri-lead for the American Cancer Society's Rockland Relay for Life and sits on the Winter Games Committee for the Special Olympics - NJ.  Dr. Kelley taught CCD at Saint Aedan's church for 7 years.  Her term with the school board expires in June 2023.  
 
 
 

Jackie Dubil Craig

A district resident for over 34 years, BOE President Jackie Dubil Craig was appointed to the Board of Education in July 2018.  Mrs. Dubil Craig has three children attending Pearl River High School — Jack, a junior, and freshman twins Riley and Ryan.  Mrs. Dubil Craig has three Advanced Certificates of Study in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis, and School District Administration and has completed several PhD courses at Fordham University.  As Behavioral Analyst and Director of Behavioral Services, she is currently employed at Bergen County Special Services overseeing public school programs for individuals with autism.  Mrs. Dubil Craig is also an adjunct professor for special education at Fordham University, Dominican College and St. Thomas Aquinas College.  Her involvement in PRSD includes having participated as a Curriculum Advisory Council member, as well as serving on several PRSD PTA executive boards including Lincoln Ave PTA president for two years, SEPTA past president/vice president, and PRMS PTA vice president for two years.  Mrs. Dubil Craig's community involvement includes Pearl River Little League Fall Ball coach, Rockland FC parent manager, St. Aedan’s CCD teacher for 1st Holy Communion students with autism, and Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop leader. Her term with the school board expires in June 2024.

Denise Caunitz

A lifelong district resident, Denise Caunitz was elected to the Board of Education in May 2022. Receiving the highest number of votes, she began her term immediately -- filling the vacated seat formerly held by Bruce Bond. Mrs. Caunitz has three children -- Ryan (a sixth-grader at Pearl River Middle School), Paige (a third-grader at Franklin Avenue Elementary School) and Dylan (a pre-K student at Tall Pines Nursery School). She holds a Masters in Education from Mercy College, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Manhattanville College, and is a graduate of Pearl River High School and St. Margaret's School. Mrs. Caunitz is currently employed as a teacher in the South Orangetown Central School District. She is an active member within the PRSD community -- serving as a Pearl River Little League board member, a St. Margaret's CYO board member, and a youth sports coach in baseball, softball and t-ball. Her term with the school board runs through June 30, 2025. 

Terrence Cortelli

As district resident for almost 18 years, Terrence Cortelli lives with his wife and two children, Thomas and Emily, both of whom attend Pearl River High School. A graduate of Clarkstown South High School, Mr. Cortelli holds a J.D. from Pace School of Law (cum laude) along with a B.A. in History/Philosophy from Fordham University.  Mr. Cortelli is a law firm partner at StolzenbergCortelli, LLP and previously served as partner/attorney at Lever & Stolzenberg, as a senior associate at Wilson Elser and as a staff attorney (clerkship) at NYS Court of Appeals. His community involvement includes: NYS Bar Association member; NYS Trial Lawyers Association member; Orangetown Lacrosse coach; and a former Palisades Predators Ice Hockey coach. His term with the school board expires June 30, 2025.

Thomas DePrisco

A district resident for 17 years, Thomas DePrisco served on the Board of Education for 12 years prior to his appointment in May 2021. Currently residing on Quake Lane with wife Lorraine, Mr. DePrisco graduated with a B.A. degree in Political Science and Elementary Education and an M.S. in Special Education, both from Hunter College.  He is a NYC JHS teacher and held several postions prior: retired NYPD Police Captain — precinct commander who conducted numerous sensitive investigations; retired NYC Office of Emergency Management Deputy Commissioner who coordinated multi-agency resources at all major emergencies/incidents occurring within NYC; and former manager of Pearl River Nauraushaun Swim Club.  Mr. DePrisco's involvement in the community includes: Pearl River Board of Education (2008-2020), including several years serving as president or vice president; an active member of the Rockland BOCES School Board, an active member Rockland County School Boards Association member; participant in the Rockland County Youth & Police Initiative; a Saint Aedan’s Parish CCD Teacher and Lector; and former active member of PRSD PTA’s. His term with the school board expires in June 2024.

Ryan Cowie

  • Student Representative to the Board of Education

Student Representatives to the Board

PRHS senior, Ryan Cowie, and PRHS junior, Jennifer Amaya Mazariego, are the 2022-23 Student Representatives to the Board of Education. 

Jennifer Amaya Mazariego

  • Student Representative to the Board of Education

District Clerk

Sandra Romano
districtclerk@pearlriver.org
(845) 620-3924

The District Clerk is the official secretary to the Board of Education.