Glen Ridge Schools Push High School Reopening to Oct. 26 as HVAC Repairs, Budget Strain Continue

The Glen Ridge Board of Education met virtually on October 5, first convening in closed session to discuss personnel, negotiations and possible litigation matters before opening the public portion of the meeting. Superintendent Dirk Phillips told the board that the reopening of Glen Ridge High School for in-person instruction has been pushed back to October 26, as contractor Binsky continues HVAC repair and maintenance work. Phillips said the company is fully staffed on the project and meeting with the district weekly, but that the delay stems from parts that have not arrived on schedule, a shortage he attributed to school districts across the region competing for the same components. He also outlined the district's developing Phase 2 plan, which would extend the school day for students already in the building rather than bring back the full student body at once, given concerns about social distancing as flu and cold season approaches.

The board set aside personnel business to recognize longtime custodian Billy D'Amato, who is retiring after 32 years with the district. Board President Elisabeth Ginsburg and Phillips, who said he has known D'Amato for 25 years working alongside him at Ridgewood Avenue School and the high school, both credited him with a quiet but consistent impact on the district and said a proper tribute would be held later in the year. The board voted unanimously, with regret, to accept D'Amato's retirement effective May 31, 2021, along with the resignation of Linden Avenue School aide Christine Kelly and the hiring of Christine Denninger as a leave replacement at Ridgewood Avenue School.

Members also ratified $175,196.38 in bills and claims and $1,079,559.32 in payroll and other disbursements. Phillips warned that pandemic-related costs are straining district finances, pointing to unbudgeted spending on personal protective equipment, a rise in staff leave requests, lost revenue from the switch to half-day Pre-K, and sharply lower enrollment in the before- and after-care programs; administrators said they are looking at ways to restructure that program to limit further losses.

On a brighter note, Phillips reported that 99.2 percent of the Class of 2020 graduated despite a delayed ceremony, and that 245 Glen Ridge High School students sat for 636 Advanced Placement exams last spring — the first year the tests were administered virtually — with 84 percent scoring a 3 or higher across 27 subject areas. Students were also recently inducted into the National Honor Society and National Hispanic Honor Society. The Glen Ridge Educational Foundation was credited with funding a new program that will train nine teachers in the Orton-Gillingham reading approach through Fairleigh Dickinson University, in addition to its continued support for the district's Virtual High School courses and the Literably reading program. Home & School Associations reported a run of pandemic-adapted fundraisers, including a brick sale and spirit wear sale at Ridgewood Avenue School, a Chromebook case sale that netted nearly $400, and a wrapping-paper fundraiser and Angelo's Pizza night at Forest Avenue School. Board members also gave their first report on the newly formed Glen Ridge Black Diversity and Inclusion Association, which discussed the district's equity committee, linking the group's website to the district's homepage, and training staff to better recognize microaggressions. Separately, the Glen Ridge Athletic Association is exploring restoring outdoor basketball rims at borough schoolyards and eventually resuming intramural play once the state permits it.

Ginsburg said the board is finalizing both district and board goals for the year. The three potential district goals under discussion are developing a Glen Ridge Public Schools equity plan, continuing to build out the district's pandemic response strategy, and launching the strategic planning process the district undertakes every five to seven years.

During public comment, resident Greta Sawa asked whether the Phase 2 plan would still include an all-virtual option; Phillips confirmed it would, as required by the state. Resident Jocelyn Gottlieb asked when the district and board goals would be shared publicly; Ginsburg said the board is still finalizing them and expects them to be adopted at the next meeting.

Action items

• Accepted, with regret, three personnel changes: the resignation of Linden Avenue School aide Christine Kelly, the retirement of Glen Ridge High School custodian Billy D'Amato effective May 31, 2021, and the appointment of Christine Denninger as a leave replacement at Ridgewood Avenue School — approved unanimously.
• Approved $175,196.38 in bills and claims and ratified $1,079,559.32 in payroll and other disbursements — approved unanimously.

Watch key moments

• 15:16 — Resident Greta Sawa presses the superintendent on whether the district's Phase 2 reopening plan will keep an all-virtual option.
• 24:41 — Board gives its first-ever report on the newly formed Glen Ridge Black Diversity and Inclusion Association, including plans to train staff on microaggressions.
• 32:16 — A board member's repeated muting mishaps ("three times a charm") underscore the board's first meeting adjusting to masks and virtual technology together.