Glen Ridge School Board Awards Roof Contract, Rescinds Two Coaching Appointments as Parents Push for Full Reopening

At its meeting on February 22, 2021, the Glen Ridge Board of Education awarded a roofing contract to VMG Group for a partial roof replacement at Ridgewood Avenue School. The company's $189,000 bid, which does not include a $49,000 optional add-on, was the lowest of seven bids received, some of which ran as high as $397,758. This vote, along with several other business items on the agenda, was not unanimous — board members Ms. Boyle-Vellucci and Ms. Gottlieb abstained rather than voting yes each time, including on a related $3,680.16 change order for caulking work on the school's auditorium roof.

Those same two members also abstained on votes approving $558,574.12 in bills and claims, ratifying $3,551,855.56 in payroll and materials bills, accepting a $166,147.24 open purchase order report, accepting a $1,000 donation from the Parke Sickler Family Trust for the high school's Athletic Hall of Fame, and approving a request to seek a waiver exempting the district from a Medicaid participation program for the 2021-2022 school year.

In personnel matters, the board rescinded two co-curricular appointments: Jessica Glover as Middle School Assistant Drama Director and Heather Crawford as Middle School Choreographer. Separately, teacher Nelson Mendez withdrew his previously announced retirement, which had been set to take effect January 31, 2021, while secretary Kay Scheren's retirement date was pushed back to May 31, 2021. The district also confirmed that nine clubs and sports — including Weightlifting, Winter Cheerleading, Cupcakes for Cancer, Jazz Band, Robotics Club, Talent Show, Science Honor Society, Science League, Bowling, and Homework Club — will not run during the 2020-2021 school year.

Mr. DeWitt presented a required safety report on violence, vandalism, and harassment/intimidation/bullying incidents covering July 1 through December 31, 2020, though specific numbers were not detailed. On the state and federal funding front, Ms. Ginsburg relayed that Governor Murphy has proposed a $578,000 increase in state formula aid along with $25 million more statewide for extraordinary special education aid, with district-specific figures expected shortly after his budget address. The state is also seeking a federal waiver from standardized testing requirements for the current school year, and New Jersey plans to distribute roughly $2.1 billion in federal emergency education funds for academic recovery and mental health support, usable through September 2023.

The board approved a $9,200 agreement with the Borough of Caldwell allowing the Glen Ridge Swim Team to use the Caldwell Community Center pool for practices and virtual meets during the 2021 season. Board members and the Home & School Executive Council have also drafted a joint letter urging Governor Murphy to prioritize teachers for vaccine access.

Residents Michael Hurley, Jacob Schwam, Jennifer Pine, and Yasamine Viehland pressed the board on plans for full-time in-person schooling, with Superintendent Phillips outlining hybrid scheduling, possible extended-day options, and current social-distancing limits. Ms. Gottlieb also reported that a recent GRASE meeting touched on a special education audit and extending the school day for students with IEPs, while resident Bernice Clark asked about the timeline for the district's equity audit; Mr. Phillips confirmed plans to move ahead with it.

What to watch

• The letter urging Governor Murphy to prioritize teachers for vaccination has not yet been submitted.
• District-specific state aid figures are expected once Governor Murphy delivers his budget address.
• The district's planned equity audit has not yet been scheduled.