Glen Ridge School Board Names New Central School Principal, Hears Push to Restore Librarian Position

At its meeting on June 14, 2021, the Glen Ridge Board of Education approved a motion appointing Dr. Keisha Harris as the new principal of Central School, effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, at a salary of $154,500 (made up of a $149,000 base salary, $3,000 in longevity pay, and a $2,500 stipend for her degree). Superintendent Phillips announced the appointment during the meeting.

A significant portion of public comment centered on staffing cuts to library positions. Residents Erin Ackerman, Brian Arbour, Robert Fardon, and Maggie Reed urged the board to use federal American Rescue Plan funds to bring back the high school media specialist (librarian) job that had been eliminated. Separately, teacher Megan Connolly raised concerns about the district losing its elementary librarian to another district and said it was unfair that Central School lacks team leaders, an equity concern also echoed by resident Carol Florczak. Resident Greta Sawa asked the superintendent directly whether he plans to include the librarian position in his recommendations for how to spend the American Rescue Plan money, and Maggie Reed asked whether he needed more information to bring the position back. Superintendent Phillips said the community advisory group weighing in on use of those funds includes three students, two board members, two union leaders, two administrators, and five parents from various organizations, and that the community would receive an email before any final funding decisions are made. Resident Kristyn Karl asked what chances the public would have to weigh in before that decision, and board member Ms. Ginsburg said residents can offer feedback at public meetings or beforehand.

Other public comments touched on a range of topics. Residents Kylie Krabbe, Felice Bettenbender, and Lyenda Simpson emailed the board with questions about district guidelines on offensive language in books used in the curriculum. Resident Eric Goldman read a letter on behalf of a special education student's parent raising concerns about parents' ability to meet with the board. Elementary science teacher Lizbeth Ellersick spoke about her request to move her classroom, which was denied. Resident Harris Teran asked about the district's legal and auditing costs. The board also received emails from Pamela Kahl and Jacob Schwam opposing the district's mask-wearing rules, an email from Felice Bettenbender introducing the newly formed Glen Ridge Pan Asian American Association, and a note relayed by Ms. Ginsburg questioning whether a community survey had drawn responses from people with no real connection to the district.

On personnel and business matters, the board reappointed Anthony Sciarrillo as general board attorney at $170 per hour for the coming school year; that vote was not unanimous, with Ms. Ginsburg abstaining, as she routinely does on matters involving the board's law firm. The board also reappointed Nisivoccia LLP as district auditor for a combined estimated cost of nearly $70,000, renewed its School Alliance Insurance Fund coverage at $216,747, and approved a three-year renewal of its membership in the New Jersey Schools Insurance Group running from July 1, 2021 through July 1, 2024. Business Administrator Barbara Murphy received a new one-year contract with a 2.5% raise, pending county approval, and Treasurer of School Monies John Calavano was reappointed at $5,880.38. The board accepted, with regret, the resignations of two teachers, Jessica Gill and Kelly McFadzean, and rescinded a previously approved stipend appointment for Maria Dessipris as a club and honor society advisor. A new high school teacher, Edward Salaski, was hired at $87,209, and John DeWitt was named to four compliance roles for the district, including Affirmative Action Officer and Anti-Bullying Coordinator.

The board also approved its Safe Return to School Plan, accepted a federal special-education grant worth $375,338, approved several out-of-district student tuition placements including one exceeding $56,000 and another at $76,677, and authorized seeking bids for a partial roof replacement at Ridgewood Avenue School. Additional routine business included renewed food service and insurance contracts, updated substitute pay rates, a copier system purchase, and ratification of May bills and claims totaling over $1.9 million. Superintendent Phillips also recognized Jack Bronstein and Alexander Dreier as Co-Valedictorians for the Class of 2021. The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

What to watch

• Whether Superintendent Phillips' forthcoming recommendation on American Rescue Plan fund spending will include restoring the librarian positions, a decision not yet finalized.
• The timeline for bidding and construction on the Ridgewood Avenue School roof project, which the board has authorized but not yet scheduled.