Glen Ridge Board Faces Backlash Over Elimination of High School Librarian Position

At its May 24, 2021 meeting, the Glen Ridge Board of Education heard sustained public pushback over a proposal to eliminate the Glen Ridge High School library media specialist position. Nearly 20 speakers, including teachers, residents, and Beth Thomas, president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, urged the board to reconsider, with several suggesting the district use American Rescue Plan (ARP) federal relief funds to keep the role funded. Mary Lynn Savio, the library media specialist herself and president of the Glen Ridge Education Association, read a statement opposing the elimination of her own job, and separately said she had not been consulted about changes planned at Ridgewood Avenue School, while also raising concerns about stipends tied to sixth-period teaching assignments. Ms. Cornell, addressing the legal concerns raised, clarified that districts are required to provide library media services under a library media specialist's direction but are not required to employ one in every building. Assistant Superintendent Mr. Phillips said the high school's research cycle classes will instead be taught by certified language arts teachers.

In personnel and program news, the board accepted, with regret, the resignation of Alejandra Carreira, the high school's school psychologist, effective June 30, 2021. The board also approved a $16,400 outside review of the district's special education program for the 2021-2022 school year, to be conducted by The Ricerca Group. Separately, the board approved five out-of-district special education placements for next school year, with tuition costs including $76,677 for Chancellor Academy, $70,477.20 for The Phoenix Center, $64,620 for Banyan School, and $61,498.80 for The Newmark School, along with additional summer program and one-on-one paraprofessional costs. A further placement was approved at Search Learning Group for summer extended school year services at $18,750, plus paraprofessional costs of $31,320 for the school year and $3,654 for summer.

On finances and facilities, the board approved a payment of $100,269.41 to VMG Group for a partial roof replacement at Ridgewood Avenue School, and ratified nearly $2 million in bills, payroll, and purchase orders for April. The board also approved agreements with the Essex Regional Educational Services Commission to coordinate pupil transportation applications and to provide evaluation and home instruction services for the coming school year, plus a separate contract with LearnWell to provide home instruction at $43 an hour for a period in May. Minutes from the board's May 10 meeting were approved, though board member Ms. Boyle-Vellucci abstained from that vote.

During public comment, the board also heard from resident Nihal Bhujle, who asked that board meetings continue to be held over Zoom and suggested coordinating meeting scheduling with the Borough, and from resident Harris Teran, who asked what percentage of teachers in each department teach a sixth period and how ARP funds could be used, questions addressed respectively by Mr. Phillips and Ms. Ginsburg. Separately, following an email from resident Felice Yeh Bettenbender raising concerns about bias against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, AP Chinese teacher Shihong Zhang introduced two students who presented a slideshow marking Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

What to watch

• Whether the board reverses or modifies its plan to eliminate the high school library media specialist position amid continued public opposition.
• Whether ARP funds will be directed toward restoring the librarian role, as urged by multiple speakers.