Foundation fundraiser honors Superintendent Macerino

Vernon — The Vernon Education Foundation has chosen retiring School Superintendent Anthony Macerino as the very first recipient of a White Lights/Black Tie Award, honoring his 31-year career of public service. This year’s black tie charity ball will be held in the Emerald Ballroom at Crystal Springs Resort, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 28. According to a press release from the foundation, “Macerino brought Vernon from a rural, limited resource school system to the largest and most innovative in the county, while retaining one of the lowest costs per student expense ratios in the entire State of New Jersey. Balancing the ever-increasing costs of providing students with a quality education in these demanding times against the limitations of funding school budgets primarily through property taxes, he has done an excellent job in doing both.” “Vernon students have excelled in their post-secondary schools and professional careers, many returning to the area to repeat the process for another generation.” The ball is made possible through the financial support of regional businesses and professionals. Charter Gold Sponsors include Prudential Financial/James M. Lombardo, Prudential Highlands Realty, Langan Engineering, Highlands State Bank, TM Brennan Contractors, Bob Waldron/Jim Hughes at AXA Equitable, and HRH Metro Northeast. Joining as 2008 Gold sponsor was BOZ Electrical Contractors and the elevation of TM Brennan Contractors as the first Double Gold Sponsor, providing and donating an entire table for Vernon School System employees. Silver Sponsors have included Baldwin Transportation, Newton Memorial Hospital, and Appruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy. Bronze Sponsors have included Vernon Dental Associates/L. Covucci, Sodexho, Nisivoccia & Co, Sussex Bank, John & Kathy Paskey, Advanced Dental Care of Vernon, and Decker Transportation. Other key support has been through the many other donations of cash, products and services used in the silent auction items as well as the ticket purchases for the event itself. Any businesses or individuals looking to provide financial or other support should contact the foundation at 973-764-2900 ext. 4365. Tickets for the ball may be obtained through the foundation, the PAL, or from Gold Sponsors. Call 973-764-7555.