The Livingston Board of Education held its annual Retirement Ceremony during its public meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
Sue Burman, LPS Director of Human Resources, recognized all of the employees that retired from the district over the past school year. Those who were present at the meeting were individually introduced and received a commemorative engraved clock in honor of their years of service to the district.
This school year’s retirees included Robin Altomare, Amedeo Ciminnisi, Nancy Ciminnisi, Keith Chaudruc, Charles Downing, Paul Ehrenfeld, Dawn Elsasser, Ricky Fabrizzio, Wendy Gelman, Maria Lekhrajmal, Loraine Morgenroth, James Page, Leslie Paris, Laurence Seltzer, Gary Silverman, Susan Siniscal, Ellen Goldstein, and Randy Dulny.
Retirees present at the meeting were Paul Ehrenfeld, Keith Chaudruc, Amedeo Ciminnisi, Nancy Ciminnisi, Randy Dulny, Ellen Goldstein, Maria Lekhrajmal, Laurence Seltzer and Leslie Paris.
The following are the comments that were read by Mrs. Burman during the festivities:
Paul Ehrenfeld
I bet some of you were wondering who the Livingston Lancer was! Well, now you know! For 33 years, Paul Ehrenfeld has been an athletic trainer and the backbone of our athletic department, providing care, support, mentoring and guidance to countless athletes. Livingston HS has been fortunate to have him for the past 99 seasons! I had the pleasure of meeting with all of the retirees during the retirement process and what stood out to me was Paul’s incredible work ethos. He is retiring with nearly 500 accumulated sick and personal days. In retirement, Paul plans to spend time with his wife and visit family.
Keith Chaudruc
I had the pleasure of meeting with Keith Chaudruc this morning to finalize his retirement. He shared with me that he has immensely enjoyed working for the LBOE at every level from the PRIDE program to high school seniors, as well as teaching and coaching for the past 28 years. As much as he will miss Livingston, he is looking forward to the next chapter in his life which may include coaching at the collegiate level and spending more time with his family.
The next two retirees came as a pair to every appointment in my office! I just want to share that it was a coin toss we won in 1988 when there were openings here and in the district that Amedeo came from. Nancy, we have you to thank!
Amedeo Ciminnisi
Amedeo Ciminnisi is a professional trombonist and bassist, who played with South Side Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. He joined LPS 36 years ago! Amedeo was assistant band director and pit orchestra conductor for 10 years at LHS. He also developed, designed and taught the music technology courses at LHS! In retirement, he plans to pursue music performances, establish a guitar repair business, travel, and fish on Lake Hopatcong with his wife, Nancy.
Nancy Ciminnisi
From 1986-2024 Nancy Ciminnisi has taught orchestra in every school in the district. She is our talented HS orchestra director. Nancy is also a cantor at Our Lady of Mt.Carmel in Nutley where she directed the children's choir. She sang lead for Sweet Adeline for several years and sang in wedding bands. I do not think that I have ever seen Nancy without a smile on her face. As she retires, along with her husband, we hope that her days will be filled with just as much joy.
Randy Dulny
Randy Dunly has been in education for over 45 years! He holds a master’s degree in Physical Education and served the New York City school system as a Physical Education teacher, basketball and baseball coach, and Athletic Director. After leaving the NYC school system, he started as a 1:1 discrete trial aide at Burnet Hill elementary school 5 years ago. Randy shared with me during our recent meeting that this job changed his life and he absolutely loves working with the students at BHE. He has been married to his wife for 45 years, Melodye, is the father of two daughters, and the grandfather of two granddaughters. He looks forward to retirement, but will miss working with the students everyday.
Ellen Goldstein
Ellen Goldstein has taught Spanish for 25 years. She taught Spanish in the elementary schools for 11 years and at MPM for 14 years. Ellen created the elementary Spanish program with Ronnie Konner and Linda Weiss, both of whom preceded her in retirement. Ellen worked in commercial banking for 7 years after college, spending a few years with Argentinian and Brazilian clients, and left banking for motherhood. In retirement, she plans to spend time with her expanding family.
Maria Lekhrajmal
Throughout her years of service as an evening custodian at Riker Hill Elementary School, Maria Lekrajmal exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, consistently exceeding expectations and inspiring those around her to strive for greatness. LPS Manager of Buildings & Grounds, Mr. Jamie Perrette, noted, “We extend our deepest gratitude for her immeasurable contributions, unwavering dedication, and the countless memories we have shared together.” Even though she retired last fall, Maria will forever remain a cherished part of our LPS and Riker Hill families.
Laurence Seltzer
Laurence Seltzer has traveled all around the world, as a leader for the students’ Ambassadors Travel program for the past 5 years! She knows several languages and has lived in many countries. In her previous career, she was a French translator for Berlitz and a Spanish translator for the DEA! When she decided to join the education world, she began teaching Spanish in South Orange/Maplewood and was with them for 17 years. We were fortunate enough to woo her away, and she has been teaching French and Spanish at MPM for the past 8 years. Laurence’s plans for retirement include more traveling, exercising, volunteering and painting!
Leslie Paris
Leslie Paris has worked for LPS for the past 25 years. She began her career with us as a cafeteria and playground aide. In 2008, she transitioned over to a bus aide position and has served the students of Livingston, in transit, ever since. Her supervisors have always commented on how beneficial it is to have Leslie on the bus routes, as she is resident, and familiar with the town. She has shown many of our new drivers the way to go! I have had the pleasure of meeting with Leslie many times, as well as her husband, Dan, when he retired from LPS. I can honestly say that Leslie is one of the strongest women I have ever met. In retirement, she plans to spend more time with her family.
