Board Confirms Bias-Related Bullying Findings as Eight Residents Vie for Short-Term Seat
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Director of Student Services Jack DeWitt presented the district's twice-yearly school safety data report, showing that during the second half of the last school year Ridgewood Avenue School had four confirmed Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying incidents, all involving physical, verbal or cyber bullying found to be intentional and tied to race or a disability, plus three additional HIB allegations that were investigated and not substantiated. Glen Ridge High School had two confirmed HIB incidents involving gender identity and expression, along with eight other violence incidents, one vandalism incident and one substance incident, for 11 total incidents; Forest Avenue School had one HIB allegation that was not substantiated, while Central and Linden Avenue schools reported no incidents. Separately, the board formally accepted the superintendent's finding that a specific HIB investigation at the high school, Report 22-23 GRHS #1, was not substantiated.
The board accepted the resignation of teacher Vienna Bonato, effective December 18, and the retirements of longtime Forest Avenue School nurse Charlene Reilly, board office accounts payable staffer Cynthia "Cindy" Short, and Linden Avenue School paraprofessional Carol Ann Mayer, all effective June 30, 2023; Superintendent Dirk Phillips and Board President Elisabeth Ginsburg both praised the three retirees' long service to the district. The board also welcomed Damein Phoenix as the new high school assistant principal, and Phillips congratulated teachers Lindsey Deptula and Cluny Mendez for completing the New York City Marathon.
Eight residents interviewed for a short-term board vacancy created by Heather Yaros-Ramos's resignation, a seat that will last only a matter of weeks before a newly elected member is seated: Laura Budnick, Chris Luzine, Beth Bernasconi, Ryan Doyle, Raymond Donnelly, Phil Johnson, Erica Spayd and Ali Lang, a former two-term board member who helped hire Superintendent Phillips and worked on the referendum that reopened Central School. Candidates cited reasons ranging from wanting a "sounding board" role for younger parents to concern over teacher pay and retention; Donnelly, a U.S. Merchant Mariner and Navy officer, said he got involved partly out of concern about material a teacher had posted online and on cable news that he worried might reach students. Board members said they would notify candidates of a decision by email.
The board approved bills and claims of $866,057.10 and ratified payroll of $1,141,399.82. It also accepted three donations: $1,630 from the Glen Ridge Educational Foundation for 10 Advanced Placement courses through Virtual High School, $10,080 from the Boys Basketball Booster Club to cover the freshman basketball program's coaching salary, official fees and equipment, and $350 from Andrea Lawn for art supplies for the district's makerspace.
Phillips recognized the boys soccer team for winning the North Jersey 2 Group 1 Sectional Championship and the marching band for earning a national bronze medal in Group 1 at the Meadowlands Championships; the football team beat Roswell Park 35-20 to advance to a regional invitational championship, and the girls soccer team reached the finals of both the Essex County tournament and the North 2 Group 1 state tournament. High School Principal John Lawlor marked the fifth anniversary of the AP Capstone program, and junior Elizabeth Newman described her AP Research project studying how TikTok affects public perception of Tourette syndrome. Phillips also thanked the Home & School executive council for a Kitchen Tour that drew more than 340 guests across 10 volunteered homes and raised more than $38,000 for outdoor learning spaces and student enrichment.
The board approved the first reading of a new Athletic Competition policy and a revised Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying policy reflecting recent changes to state anti-bullying law, and finalized this year's board and district goals, including a commitment to report on progress quarterly. Board members also confirmed that starting in 2023, regular meetings will move from Mondays to Tuesdays to stop conflicting with Town Council's schedule. Negotiations Committee members reported continued progress in contract talks with the Glen Ridge Education Association after two additional mediation sessions.
During public comment, resident Heather Yaros-Ramos asked whether "upstander" bystander training against bullying extends to the middle and high school; Phillips said guidance counselors provide such lessons throughout the district. Resident Phil Johnson asked why proposed policy revisions, including the new HIB and athletic competition policies, aren't posted online before meetings; Phillips said the district would begin including exhibits when agendas go out. Resident Raymond Donnelly used a later comment period to bluntly reject the influence of the borough's civic committee on the race for the seat, telling the board that its endorsement "means nothing" to him and that any resident is free to run regardless of who backs them.
Action items
- Found a High School HIB investigation, Report 22-23 GRHS #1, was not substantiated
- Accepted the resignation of teacher Vienna Bonato, effective December 18, and the retirements of nurse Charlene Reilly, accounts payable staffer Cynthia Short, and paraprofessional Carol Ann Mayer, all effective June 30, 2023
- Approved bills and claims of $866,057.10 and ratified payroll of $1,141,399.82
- Accepted donations of $1,630, $10,080 and $350 from the Educational Foundation, the Boys Basketball Booster Club and resident Andrea Lawn
- Approved first reading of a new Athletic Competition policy and a revised Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying policy
- Approved moving 2023 board meetings from Mondays to Tuesdays