Board Trustees Biographies

Albert J. Graef - President

Al has happily lived in Oradell with his wife Kathy for the past twenty years.Al started serving on the River Dell Regional School Board of Education during July 2014 filling an unexpired term. He has been Board President for the past two years which has allowed him to oversee all sub-committees.

In the community, he served as a Trustee of the Oradell Swim Club and also served as the President.

Al operates his own sales representative company, AJG Sales LLC, where he services the eyewear industry.

"The role of the BOE is to provide all students in the district the best opportunities to succeed both in and outside the classroom while being fiscally responsible."

Al's term will expire December 2023.


Stephanie Hartman - Vice President

Stephanie has lived in River Edge since 1998. She has served as a Board of Education member since first being elected in 2010. As a Board member she has served on the Curriculum Committee, the Policy & Governance Committee, the Community Relations committee, as well as several negotiations committees for different bargaining units. Stephanie served as Board President for 2013.

Currently, Stephanie is employed by the County of Bergen in the Department of Health Services – Division of Mental Health.

In the community, she currently serves as a member of the River Edge Municipal Alliance Against Drugs. During her time as a resident of River Edge, Stephanie has served the community as a Roosevelt School PTO President, a Chairperson of the RE Municipal Alliance Against Drugs, the Superintendent's Representative on the Library Board as well as volunteer positions for various recreation programs.

Stephanie's current term is scheduled to expire in December 2025.


Tracey-Ellen Ehalt

Tracey-Ellen has lived in River Edge since 2005. She has served as a Board of Education member since first being appointed in 2018. As a Board member she has served on the Curriculum Committee, the Policy & Governance Committee, the Community Relations Committee, and the Finance Committee.

Currently, Tracey-Ellen is employed by the Wayne Township Board of Education as an elementary school teacher.

Tracey-Ellen has always had a passion for children and education. She has volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, cheer coach, and countless PTO events in the community.

Tracey-Ellen's current term is scheduled to expire in December 2023.


Annette Farelli

Annette has lived in River Edge with her family since 1999, with her two sons having the opportunity to be students at RDMS and RDHS.

Throughout the years she has been a member of the River Edge Traffic and Safety Committee, The River Edge Library Board, an active member of the RiverEdge and RiverDell PTO, as well as a CCD teacher at St. Peter’s Parish, where she continues to be a parishioner. 

After retiring from a career as a school teacher after 33 years, she is excited to have begun her next chapter with Seton Hall University as a clinical field supervisor, mentoring student teachers in the field and working as a liaison between the host district and the university. 

"Schools are the backbone of our towns, entrusted with the herculean task of providing a balanced educational experience that empowers all students to reach their truest potential while being fiscally responsible for all our citizens in the community. I look forward to working alongside all stakeholders to assist the River Dell school system in its ever evolving drive to maintain a school district of the highest caliber".

Currently Annette sits on the Policy and Governance as well as Budget and Finance Committees.

Annette's term will expire in December of 2024. 


Alan Feigenson

Alan has lived in Oradell since 1982. He has served as a Board of Education member for River Dell Regional since first being appointed in 2007. Before that he served on the Oradell Public School Board of Ed, May 2000 to May 2006, 5 of those years he served as President. As a Board Member at River Dell he has served on the Budget & Finance Committee, Facilities & Security Committee, as well as several negotiation committees for different bargaining units. Alan served as Board Vice President for the 2014 and 2015 Board. In 2011 he became a Certified Board Member by New Jersey School Boards Association.

Currently, Alan is employed by ASHLEY TAYLOR & CO, LLC, as a kids shoe designer and importer suppling companies like Camper and Victoria.

Alan's current term is scheduled to expire in December 2025.


Barbara Kuchar

Barbara grew up in Oradell and graduated from River Dell High School. After leaving town for a brief period of time, she has resided there with her husband and four children since returning to town in 1992. She has served as a Board of Education member since first being elected in 2014. As a Board member she has served on the Finance Committee, the Facilities Committee, the Community Relations committee, as well as several negotiations committees for different bargaining units.

Barbara has been employed by JPMorgan Chase for the past 30 years.

As a mother of four, Barbara has participated in various school and community activities, including the Oradell PTA, the RiverDell PTO, boy and girl scouting, has been a religious education teacher, and participated in various capacities in boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, swimming, baseball, softball, and boys and girls lacrosse. She fundamentally believes in putting children first, and is an advocate for all kids, and particularly those with special needs. She is a firm believer in "what is within us is stronger than what is in our way" and looks to find ways for all students to achieve their highest potential.

Barbara's current term is scheduled to expire in December 2025.


Douglas Kupfer

Doug has lived in River Edge since 2007. He has served as a Board of Education member since being elected in 2014. As a Board member, he has served on the Facilities & Security Committee, the Finance Committee, the Policy & Governance Committee, the Community Relations & Technology Committee, as well as the Negotiations committees.

Currently, Doug is employed by the retail company Capri Holdings Limited, in the role of Sr. Director of Store Development. He is also a registered Architect in the State of New Jersey.

In the community, he has been on the Board of River Edge Little League as well as held volunteer coaching positions for the River Edge Little League and River Edge Basketball. Before living in River Edge, he served for seven years on the board of The Teaneck Community Charter School. He also oversaw the construction of a new school building for the Charter School.

Doug's current term is scheduled to expire in December 2023.


Claudia O'Neill

Claudia has lived in River Edge since 1999. She has served as a Board of Education member since first being elected in 2009. As a Board member she has served on the Curriculum Committee, the Policy & Governance Committee, the Community Relations Committee, Budget and Finance, Buildings and Grounds as well as several negotiations committees for different bargaining units.

Currently, Claudia is employed by Vantage Health Care as their Residential Nurse.

In the community, she currently serves as a member of the River Edge Municipal Alliance Against Drugs. During her time as a resident of River Edge, Claudia has served the community as a Roosevelt School PTO President, a member of the RE Municipal Alliance Against Drugs, as Pack 95 Committee Chair, a CCD teacher for St. Peters, as well as volunteer positions for various recreation programs.

Claudia's current term is scheduled to expire in December 2024.


John Samuel

John has lived in Oradell since 1998. He has served as a Board of Education member on the Oradell Board of Education from 2008-2015 and was the Finance chair during most of his tenure. As a Board of Education member has served on the Finance and Technology, Policy, Buildings and Grounds, Personnel, and Negotiations committees.

He currently serves on the River Dell Board of Education since first being elected in 2019. He is a member of the Facilities and Security committee and is the chair of the Community Relations and Technology committee.

John has served on the Oradell Zoning, Oradell council and actively serves on several boards. John has held various executive roles and is currently the Executive Vice President for a multinational services company.

John's current term is scheduled to expire in December 2024.

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