Teachers' Contract Settled, Asbestos Removal Approved as Board Bids Farewell to 12-Year Member de Leeuw

The board accepted the superintendent's finding that a Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying investigation at Central School, Report 22-23 Central #1, was not substantiated. Board members also awarded a $137,535 contract to Spes Contracting LLC for asbestos removal at Glen Ridge High School, the lowest of ten bids that ranged as high as $262,200.

Board member Michael de Leeuw announced that the district and the Glen Ridge Education Association signed a Memorandum of Agreement that afternoon settling the long-disputed teachers' contract, pending ratification by union membership; Board President Elisabeth Ginsburg thanked the teachers and the negotiating team. The meeting doubled as de Leeuw's send-off after 12 years on the board, during which he chaired the curriculum and negotiations committees and helped hire Superintendent Dirk Phillips; Ginsburg and fellow board members praised his wisdom, humor and fairness, and Phillips presented him with a plaque. The board also thanked outgoing short-term member Erica Spayd for her service and accepted the retirement of math teacher Dr. Cluny Mendez, effective June 30, 2023. Six staff members were recognized for 25 years of service: Lisa Jacobson, Alice Roberts, Heather Kobylinski, Laura Zepp, Cindy Short and Rose Marie Cancelliere. Ginsburg also offered condolences on the recent death of longtime Ambulance Squad captain Bob Hayes, calling him an enormous supporter of the schools.

The board approved bills and claims of $1,054,686.15 and ratified payroll of $2,975,435.14. It also accepted several donations: a baby grand piano valued at about $10,000 from a Glen Ridge resident, roughly $15,300 in cleaning supplies, nitrile gloves and hand sanitizer from the Essex County Sheriff's Office, $37,144.39 in proceeds from this year's Kitchen Tour, and $1,353 from the Linden Avenue Home & School Association for replacement speakers in its multipurpose room.

The marching band, which performed live at the meeting, was honored for winning the bronze medal at the U.S. Bands Group 1 Nationals Open Class at MetLife Stadium while defending its 2021 national title, including a visual performance score that ranked second in the country. At Central School, Dr. Keisha Harris announced that STEAM teacher Ms. Wujak was named the New Jersey Governor's Teacher of the Year and reading specialist Paula Horton was named the state's Governor's Educational Services Professional. Phillips also recognized ten new Math Honor Society inductees, new members of the volunteer EMT squad, junior Mia Bressler for a Youth Leadership Award from the New Jersey Chinese Teachers Association, and Chinese II students who became finalists at the National Chinese Expo of Student Works. Colin Pennington reported that wrestler Stacy Bloomfield won the Garfield Girls Tournament with four first-period pins and finished 9-1 on the weekend, and that the team took first place at the Irvington Holiday Tournament, with Josh Shuman winning the fastest-pin award in the heavyweight final.

The board approved the first reading of new policies on Board Member Election and Appointment and the district's Organizational Chart.

Action items

• Found HIB Report 22-23 Central #1 not substantiated
• Signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Glen Ridge Education Association settling the teachers' contract, pending ratification by union membership
• Awarded a $137,535 contract to Spes Contracting LLC for asbestos removal at Glen Ridge High School
• Accepted the retirement of math teacher Dr. Cluny Mendez, effective June 30, 2023
• Approved bills and claims of $1,054,686.15 and ratified payroll of $2,975,435.14
• Accepted donations including a $10,000 baby grand piano, about $15,300 in supplies from the Essex County Sheriff's Office, $37,144.39 in Kitchen Tour proceeds, and $1,353 for multipurpose room speakers

Watch key moments

• 3:22 — The marching band performs live at the meeting after being honored for its national bronze medal and a visual-performance score that ranked second in the country.
• 13:28 — Board members give an emotional send-off to Michael de Leeuw after 12 years of service, on the same night the district finally settles its teachers' contract.
• 26:09 — Central School announces that its STEAM teacher, Ms. Wujak, has been named the New Jersey Governor's Teacher of the Year.