Glen Ridge School Board Approves 2020-2021 Calendar Over Parent Objections

The Glen Ridge Board of Education voted on January 15, 2020 to approve the school calendar for the 2020-2021 year, despite pushback from residents who raised concerns about a start date before Labor Day, the impact on family vacations, and a lack of parent input in the planning process. Board members Bonnett, Boyle-Vellucci, Campbell, Romano, Yaros-Ramos, and Ginsburg all voted in favor; members de Leeuw, Lang, and St. Auburn were not present for the vote.

During public comment, resident Angela Higgins asked whether the board could plan school calendars three to four years in advance instead of one year at a time. Superintendent Phillips responded that even calendars planned further ahead would still need to be revised later as testing dates and school events change. Resident Tiana Stanic spoke about how the proposed calendar would affect her family's vacation plans, while resident Tom Johnson thanked the board for taking extra time to review the calendar and praised the landscaping at Forest Avenue School.

The meeting also saw a tense moment when resident Greta Sawa made comments about a specific board member during public comment. Board attorney Jeff Merlino cautioned her that the meeting was intended for board business only.

What to watch

• Whether the board revisits the idea of multi-year school calendar planning raised by Angela Higgins, though no timeline for such a discussion has been set.