New Superintendent Kyle Arlington Welcomes 18 Staff, Rolls Out Cellphone-Use Guidelines for 2024-2025

At its August 20, 2024 meeting, Glen Ridge Board of Education member Tricia Akinwande abstained from six consecutive votes: approval of the July 23 meeting minutes, four harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) investigation findings (two of which found HIB substantiated at Glen Ridge High School, in Reports #268046 and #267751), and a professional services contract with Language Learning Network for $45,540 in annual language services. Board members Anthony Bonnett and Duvall Graham also abstained, but only from the minutes vote. Later in the meeting, board president Elisabeth Ginsburg abstained from a portion of the financial reports covering bills and claims for the period ending July 31, 2024. All of these items otherwise passed with the remaining board members voting aye.

New Superintendent Kyle Arlington reported that the district was welcoming 18 new staff members for the 2024-2025 school year and introduced new cellphone-use guidelines set to take effect that year; the teachers' welcome-back event was scheduled for August 28, 2024, with the first day of school on September 3, 2024. During a board retreat held the same evening, members took turns naming an "unsung hero" of Glen Ridge, citing the Bloomfield Avenue crossing guards, music teacher Teresa Tarabocchia, guidance counselor Lyndsay Deptula, Child Study Team member Arlene Non, Educational Foundation president Fran Wong, ambulance squad student volunteers, Business Administrator Barbara Murphy, and Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Bob Gomes.