Board Finds High School Harassment Complaint Substantiated as New Member Erica Spayd Sworn In

The board reviewed five Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying investigations at Glen Ridge High School and found that one, Report 22-23 GRHS #3, was substantiated, while three others, Reports GRHS #2, #4 and #5, were not.

Erica Spayd was sworn in as the newest Board of Education member, filling the short-term vacancy the board had been interviewing candidates for; Board President Elisabeth Ginsburg welcomed her back to a full nine-member board.

Superintendent Dirk Phillips presented results from the new New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment, a field test given to the current senior class: about 87% of Glen Ridge High School students were rated graduation-ready in math and about 70% in language arts, both well above state averages, though the results won't count as a graduation requirement until the Class of 2024. Phillips also reviewed fall MAP testing results across the district's elementary schools, which he said showed building averages consistently above national norms, with a couple of areas flagged for extra attention, including first-grade math at Central School and Linden Avenue School, where the district plans to lean on homework clubs, academic interventionists and phonics-focused training to address any gaps.

The board approved bills and claims of $25,008.48, ratified payroll of $1,161,899.41, and approved an open purchase order report of $292,666.64 for the 2022-2023 school year. Representatives of the Glen Ridge Home & School executive council presented the board with a check for $37,144.39, the proceeds of this year's Kitchen Tour. Dr. Joseph Caravello introduced a new Glen Ridge Educational Foundation-funded program at Linden Avenue School called Rigamajig, a large-scale wooden building kit now in use in a converted maker-space classroom, where students in small groups have built cars, pulleys, catapults and, in one case, an impromptu pirate ship. The board also approved several field trips, including an 8-night National Art Honor Society trip to Venice, Rome and Florence in April 2024, a Community Service Club volunteer trip to St. Ann's Soup Kitchen in Newark, and a 5th grade tour of the Sterling Hill Mining Museum.

The board gave final approval to a new Athletic Competition policy and a revised Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying policy.

During public comment, resident Tricia Akinwande asked for an update on teacher contract negotiations; Michael de Leeuw said the sides have made significant progress and hope to reach an agreement soon. She also asked about two business items: the purchase of a district van and a joint transportation agreement with the Bloomfield School District. Phillips and Business Administrator Barbara Murphy explained the van would serve as a backup to the district's existing vehicles and could reduce reliance on costly outside transportation vendors for after-school activities, while the Bloomfield agreement allows the two districts to split the cost of transporting out-of-district placement students they send to the same locations.

Action items

• Found HIB Report 22-23 GRHS #3 substantiated; found Reports GRHS #2, #4 and #5 not substantiated
• Swore in Erica Spayd as the newest Board of Education member
• Gave final approval to a new Athletic Competition policy and a revised Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying policy
• Approved bills and claims of $25,008.48, ratified payroll of $1,161,899.41, and approved an open purchase order report of $292,666.64
• Approved field trips including an 8-night National Art Honor Society trip to Venice, Rome and Florence, and a Community Service Club trip to St. Ann's Soup Kitchen in Newark

Watch key moments

• 25:46 — Dr. Joseph Caravello recalls students exclaiming "this is the best day of my life" during Linden Avenue's new Rigamajig maker-space sessions.
• 34:48 — In a bundled vote, the board finds one high school HIB complaint substantiated while clearing three others.
• 43:50 — Kitchen Tour organizers surprise the board with a check for $37,144.39 raised from this year's event.