Administrators address loss of middle school teacher

Aug. 12 board of education meeting

Hudson City School District was set to get the 2024-2025 school year underway with excitement and “some sadness,” according to Superintendent Dana Addis. The sadness related to the loss of eighth-grade teacher Deborah Mancuso who died on Aug. 8. She had taught science at Hudson Middle School for 20 years.

“Today at the middle school, we had our clinical counselors there. Her team was there. Administrative members were there. It was a chance for people to talk, cry, spend some time together,” Addis told the board and community. “Deb was a loved teacher by staff and by students.”

Fighting back tears, Human Resources Director Lisa Hunt credited Mancuso with a “quirky” and “direct” approach that helped her relate to and communicate effectively with students during the “challenging age” of middle school.

“She really knew how to say what she needed to say,” Hunt added, noting one of her own daughter’s friends was inspired to become a science and math teacher because of Mancuso. “We’re going to carry on, but a piece of our heart is gone.”

Administrative raises

As part of its legislative agenda, the board approved a 3% raise for both district administrators and non-represented staff. Hunt said the non-represented personnel includes about 25 staff members that are not part of a union, such as executive assistants utilized by administrators and district departments.

The board also approved a 3% increase to the salary of Mary Jane Stanchina, executive director of the Six District Educational Compact. Hunt said Hudson is responsible for one-sixth of Stanchina’s salary, which is currently $114,666. ∞