Ceiling Collapse at Linden Avenue Prompts $170,000 in Emergency Repairs as Board Bids Farewell to Longtime Staff

The Board of Education approved a series of emergency contracts totaling nearly $170,000 to address a ceiling collapse affecting five classrooms, a restroom and a closet on the second floor of Linden Avenue School. The board approved $89,400 for BL Contracting Environmental Services to remove and dispose of the affected ceiling tiles, metal grid system and asbestos-containing plaster, up to $40,000 for Westchester Environmental to conduct emergency air sampling and asbestos testing, and up to $40,000 for Gianforcaro Architects & Engineers for emergency architectural services. A Home & School Association liaison reported that a recent Field Day at the school ran longer than planned because of the collapse, but said the situation is being handled over the summer.

The board accepted, with regret, the resignations or retirements of ten staff members effective June 30, including John DeWitt, the district's Director of Student Services; GRHS teacher Timothy Panebianco; Forest Avenue School teacher Kim Waldron; district occupational therapist James Robertello; Central School aide Nadia Melichar; and GRHS coaches Hannah Legotte (field hockey), Oscar Viteri (soccer), and aide Ira Ford; along with the retirements of GRHS paraprofessional Christopher Troyano and GRHS aide Teresa Sullivan. The board separately honored four retiring staff members -- Troyano, Sullivan, Laura Zepp and Stephanie Pollak -- for their years of service. Superintendent Winnie Kievit and Principal Kimberly O'Donnell Pickert praised Troyano's 24 years with the district, including coaching track and volunteering as the team's photographer, and Sullivan's 13 years running the attendance desk at Glen Ridge High School.

The board awarded a $1,632,505 contract to Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. for roof restorations at Glen Ridge High School and authorized transferring up to $1 million each into the district's capital and maintenance reserve accounts at year's end. The board also renewed a slate of professional services contracts for 2026-2027, including legal services with Methfessel & Werbel at $170 an hour and a $47,500 audit contract with Lerch, Vinci & Bliss.

Superintendent Kievit recognized the Glen Ridge High School math team, which took fourth place at a recent competition, and the chemistry team, which earned a bronze finish, honoring both teams and their advisors at the meeting.

The board accepted a $33,000 donation from the Forest Avenue Home & School Association toward a permanent shade structure for the school playground, to be matched by grant funding; $2,039.50 from the Ridgewood Avenue Home & School Association for gift cards and busing for a reading rewards trip; $1,983.23 from the same group for classroom signage; a $300 popcorn maker for Ridgewood Avenue School donated by Dave Campbell and Kristy Graves; and $500 from the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to cover event workers at a Glen Ridge High School state tournament lacrosse game.

The board appointed Caitlin Reilly as District Anti-Bullying Coordinator and Robert Gomes as AHERA Program Manager and Toxic Hazard Preparedness Officer for 2026-2027, and accepted the superintendent's finding that a Central School HIB investigation was not substantiated. Board President Elisabeth Ginsburg reported that the board's resolution urging state relief from rising health insurance costs has been forwarded to the governor's office, which has acknowledged receipt.

Action items

• Approved roughly $170,000 in emergency contracts to address the Linden Avenue School ceiling collapse
• Accepted the resignations or retirements of ten staff members, including Director of Student Services John DeWitt
• Awarded a $1,632,505 contract for Glen Ridge High School roof restorations
• Accepted a $33,000 donation toward a Forest Avenue School shade structure, to be matched by a grant
• Appointed Caitlin Reilly as District Anti-Bullying Coordinator

Watch key moments

• 27:35 — Superintendent Kievit reads a celebratory limerick for the math and chemistry teams before honoring their competition results
• 34:44 — Superintendent and principal honor retiring staffer Christopher Troyano's 24 years, including coaching track and serving as team photographer
• 41:09 — HSA liaison reveals Linden Avenue's Field Day ran extra long because of the school's ceiling collapse