Glen Ridge Schools Mourn Student Nathan Latifi as Board Reports Clean Audit, Staff Departures

The Glen Ridge Board of Education opened its Jan. 24, 2023 meeting with a moment of silence for Nathan Latifi, a Glen Ridge junior, and Max Renteria, a 2022 graduate, both of whom had recently died. Board President Elisabeth Ginsburg thanked administrators, staff and students for "their care and concern for each other" during what she called a very difficult time, and praised the "poise, maturity and grace" students showed at Latifi's memorial service. Superintendent Dirk Phillips sent his condolences to the Latifi family and credited the high school administration, student assistance counselor Heather Kobalinski, and the district's affiliation with the Traumatic Loss Coalition for providing counseling and support to students and staff. Student representative Colin Pennington, speaking for the student council and student body, said Latifi was "a star soccer player, a great friend to many, a son, a brother" and "truly an integral part of the Glen Ridge community," adding that students would try to "live in a way that honors his legacy."

The board accepted, with regret, the resignations or retirements of five staff members: permanent substitute Susan Chesnut at Forest Avenue School; school nurse Jennifer O'Connor at Glen Ridge High School; custodian Talib Rasheed at Forest Avenue School, who is retiring; and paraprofessionals Emily Cordero at Linden Avenue School and Amy Alonzo at Central School.

Kathi Mantell, CPA, of Nisivoccia LLP presented the district's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, reporting no audit recommendations across the financial, compliance and federal/state single-audit reviews. She said the district's fund balance rose $1.4 million for the year, its capital reserve ended the year at roughly $2.2 million, and its food service fund rebounded sharply from pandemic lows, with revenue climbing from about $2,400 to $500,000. She told the board "the tone in the district starts here at the top," crediting Business Administrator Barbara Murphy's oversight for the clean results. The board also accepted several donations: $150 gifts to both Ridgewood Avenue School and Central School from Michael and Christina Elliott, each matched by an additional $300 from the Blackbaud Giving Fund, and a $14,780 donation from the Glen Ridge Educational Foundation to underwrite the district's fall 2022 Innovation Mini-Grants.

The board also accepted the findings of four separate Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying investigations -- one at Glen Ridge High School and three at Ridgewood Avenue School -- each concluding that HIB was not substantiated. The fourth of those findings passed with board members Gottlieb and Graham abstaining.

During public comment, resident Darius Dehnad asked about a state grant that could bring up to $150,000 toward long-discussed upgrades to the Linden Avenue School playground; Murphy explained the district learned of the county-administered recreational-facilities grant only days earlier, submitted a quote and inspection report, but has no guarantee of an award or its final amount. Resident Phil Johnson asked about the status of ratifying the teachers' union contract; Ginsburg said a ratification vote had been scheduled but was postponed because of the tragedy, and that the district hoped to bring the contract to the board for approval at its next meeting. Later in the meeting, Dehnad returned to ask the board to weigh class sizes as it builds next year's budget, noting that while kindergarten sections were reduced this year to 16 students, first- and third-grade classes run 23 to 25 students, and that Linden's kindergarten classes each have a dedicated aide while one aide is shared across four first- and second-grade classrooms. He also asked the board to consider lengthening the second public comment period from two to three or four minutes to give more room to residents "who stutter or have trouble speaking."

Phillips also reviewed results from the state's Start Strong assessment, telling the board Glen Ridge students performed above 60% at the top level on most measures, with a dip in fourth-grade math and lower ninth-grade science scores the district plans to examine further; he cautioned that Start Strong provides far less data than the state's standard assessments. In liaison reports, Ginsburg told the board the Glen Ridge Diversity and Inclusion Association had asked about bullying prevention at Ridgewood Avenue School and the district's progress incorporating new AAPI curriculum, both still in process. Board member Anthony Bonnett relayed a Glen Ridge Athletic Association question about who should cover custodial costs when outside groups use school gyms after hours, which will go to the policy committee. Graham reported that the finance and facilities committee is on schedule with the 2023-2024 budget calendar but still awaiting state aid figures. Committee reports were otherwise brief, with the curriculum committee reporting it had not yet met.

The board also approved bills and claims totaling $1,032,836.03 for the month, along with two student field trips: the Robotics Club to a VEX Robotics competition in Millburn on Feb. 12, and ninth-graders to a production of "Romeo and Juliet" at the Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake on April 26.

Action items

• Accepted resignations/retirements of Susan Chesnut, Jennifer O'Connor, Talib Rasheed, Emily Cordero and Amy Alonzo
• Accepted findings that HIB was not substantiated in four separate investigations (one at the high school, three at Ridgewood Avenue School)
• Approved bills and claims of $1,032,836.03 and payroll of $1,067,478.41
• Accepted donations of $150 (plus $300 matching) each to Ridgewood Avenue and Central schools from Michael and Christina Elliott/Blackbaud Giving Fund, and $14,780 from the Glen Ridge Educational Foundation for Innovation Mini-Grants
• Approved field trips for the Robotics Club (Millburn, Feb. 12) and ninth-grade students (Budd Lake, April 26)

Watch key moments

• 16:46 — Board observes a moment of silence for student Nathan Latifi and 2022 graduate Max Renteria
• 47:56 — Student representative Colin Pennington's tribute to Latifi as "an integral part of the Glen Ridge community"
• 59:29 — Resident Darius Dehnad asks the board to lengthen public comment time to accommodate residents who stutter