Glen Ridge Board Confirms Two Bullying Complaints at High School, Faces Teacher Rally Over Contract Impasse

At its meeting on November 18, 2019, the Glen Ridge Board of Education voted unanimously to accept findings that two separate complaints of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) at the high school were substantiated. In two other cases, the board unanimously found that HIB was not substantiated, while a motion on a third, older complaint from the 2018-19 school year was tabled and not acted on.

The meeting also drew a large turnout of teachers and residents over stalled contract talks between the district and the Glen Ridge Education Association (GREA), the teachers' union. Board President Ginsburg reported that negotiations, underway since the prior November, have reached an impasse, though he said the board expects further meetings toward a settlement. Teachers including Kostas Barkouras and GREA co-presidents MaryLynn Savio and Alice Roberts addressed the board about wages, pension contributions, and job duties, with Savio reading a statement on pay and pension issues. Several residents, including Shefali Kalra, Beth Low, Lauren Johnson, and Charlie Breslin, spoke in support of the teachers, with Breslin saying he believed the real problem lay with state and federal government rather than the local board. Resident Harris Teran said teachers are "stretched too thin."

The board also accepted, with regret, the resignation of longtime English teacher Melissa Bridge, who was recognized earlier in the meeting for 17 years of service and whose departure takes effect January 2, 2020. Aide Grace Behrens also resigned, effective November 25, 2019. Resident Harris Teran called Bridge's departure "a great loss for the district" and separately asked about the number of HIB cases and codes of conduct. Superintendent Phillips also gave the board a staff diversity update, and residents Lauren Johnson and Greta Sawa asked follow-up questions about HIB trainings and overall staff diversity goals. Sawa also raised concerns about a heating problem at Ridgewood Avenue School and said she would email Superintendent Phillips the room number of a classroom she felt was inadequately heated.

On finances, the board approved nearly $4 million in combined bills, payroll, and purchase orders, along with a $31,029.20 change order for structural work to relocate a chiller roof unit at Forest Avenue School, among other smaller construction change orders. Members also approved a $44,165.80 out-of-district placement for one student at Holmstead School and accepted an $18,000 donation from the Glen Ridge Educational Foundation to fund a literacy consultant for grades K-6. The board recognized the Marching Band for placing sixth at Nationals, the Girls Soccer Team for a sixth straight Sectional title, and the Boys Soccer Team for winning the Group 1 State Championship. Other routine personnel and program items included a year-long leave for speech therapist Heather Goss, winter cheer coach hires, a stipend for a Forest Avenue custodian's certification, approval of nine student field trips, a confidential settlement addendum for one student, and the hiring of a contract nurse through an outside agency. Residents Shari Dreier and Lauren Johnson also asked the board to consider more support for the high school's Drama Club productions.

What to watch

• Whether the Board of Education and the GREA teachers' union reach a settlement following the reported impasse in contract negotiations.
• Whether the tabled HIB complaint (Report #18-19 HS#17) is brought back for a board vote.
• Whether the board responds to resident concerns about heating problems at Ridgewood Avenue School.