Damn it. Okay, Barbara, are you ready? >> Yes. Thank you. >> Winnie, are we ready? Okay. The board met tonight in executive session. We're now ready to start the public portion of our meeting. Uh I'll
start with public correspondence of which we have a a bit. Uh and I'm just going to go in date order. So on and this is since our last meeting of June 10th on I'm sorry. Can you not hear? Okay.
Never close enough. Is that better? >> Okay. Um, on June 26th, we heard from Franchesca Roselli um on personnel related concerns. Uh, her email was reviewed and referred to the personnel
committee of the board. Uh, on the 2nd of July, we heard from Gabriella Pisak on a student matter. This has been handled by Mr. Arlington and Mr. Lawler. On the 30th of June, sorry to be out of order, uh, we heard from Jenny Bailey
Bitteroff, um, words of encouragement for the BOE. On the 16th of June, we heard from Feliz Bettinbender following up on public comments at the 610 board meeting regarding a student and personnel letter that was acknowledged. On 619, we heard
from Amanda McCabe, uh, words of encouragement for Mr. Arlington. On 617 and 18, we heard from Melissa Riley with personnel concerns which were addressed by Mr. Arlington. On 617, we heard from a number of parents on a personnel
matter and I I will just read out their names because the communications were substantially similar. Uh, we heard on the 17th from Anna Doyle, Anna Weider, Rosemary Gray, Christina Glands, Jillian
Suka, Stephanie Holler, Dedra Carlo, Kim Montenino, uh, Melissa Ludwig, and Matt Doyle. All of those um, personnel matters were addressed by Mr. Arlington uh, on the
17th. on six on um June 18th, we heard from Christina Cosma on a personnel and student matter that was noted and taken under consideration and that is the public com um public communications. So the president's report is a little
bit lengthy so um you will forgive me for the wordiness but first of all I wanted to bring to your attention that between our meeting on June 10th and now um our Glenidge public school community has lost several members. Uh the first
is Paul Baker who is the father of um Ridgewood Avenue faculty member Alice Baker Roberts and husband of former town council woman Elizabeth Baker. He was a distinguished NYU professor and author and longtime Glenidge resident and he
died Monday, June 16th. And then uh we lost Elaine Rosanello on July 2nd. Um she was a Glenidge pre preK teacher for 32 years including 31 at Forest and a final year at Central. She I remember her packing up a whole
classroom, probably about 31 years worth of stuff to come down to Central and she did it with great spirit and great heart. um generations of students and teachers and parents will remember her nurturing spirit and emphasis on character education. And finally on July
2nd also we lost Bonnie Rothenberger. She was a Glenidge resident employed as a bus aid for 25 years and um caring for some of our most vulnerable students and helping to ensure their safe transportation. So, I hope that you will
keep Paul and Elaine and Bonnie and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Clearly, tonight we have no Kyle Arlington with us, and that is because, as you know, he announced his um resignation. Um,
with his permission, I'm reading you his uh resignation letter, and this is a quote. After careful thought and reflection, I am submitting my resignation as superintendent of the Glenidge Public Schools. It has been an honor to serve this community and I am
deeply grateful for the trust the board, staff, and families have placed in me. I've been humbled by the support of a high functioning and thoughtful board of education, dedicated educators, and an engaged, caring community. I believe Glenidge is well positioned for continued success. I'm proud of the work
we've accomplished together over the past year and appreciate all who collaborated to move the district forward. I'll also read out the letter that we sent out along with our agenda last Friday. It is with great regret that the Glenidge Board of Education announces the resignation of
Superintendent Kyle Arlington effective Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025. From the beginning of his tenure in Glenidge in July 2024, Mr. Arlington has and continues to have the full support of the board. Now he has our gratitude and
best wishes as he changes the focus of his career in education. To be clear, this decision was solely Mr. Arlington's and not that of the board, which had full confidence in his ability to lead our district going forward. Ultimately, Mr. Arlington decided to resign for
personal and professional reasons. And while disappointed, we respect his choice. We celebrate the many contributions that Mr. Arlington has made to Glen Ridge, including building strong relationships with students, staff, parents, and the community at large. His communication and
interpersonal skills have made district administration more open and welcoming. He leaves a legacy of strong commitment to school climate and culture that will guide the board and district going forward. Mr. Arlington made a point of celebrating student achievement and cultivating student voice, seeking input
from student groups at Glenidge High School, and listening carefully to even the youngest of our students. his commitment to early literacy will have a lasting impact on our schools. As we bid fond farewell to Mr. Arlington, the board pledges to ensure the continued
smooth operation of the district as we go through the superintendent transition process. At our meeting today, we will appoint Mrs. Winnie Keevit, who currently serves as director of technology and curriculum, to the position of acting superintendent through June, excuse me, through
September 30th. Miss Kevit is fully certified and is a veteran of the Glenidge public schools, having served as teacher and administrator for over 30 years. We are grateful to Miss Kevit for stepping into this role, which will provide the board with the time to seek a qualified interim superintendent to
oversee the district while the board completes the process of searching for and selecting our next superintendent. We will provide more details about that process as we go forward. Right now, we offer our sincere thanks to Mr. Arlington for sharing his considerable personal and professional gifts with us.
We will miss his daily presence, but we will remember his example. And finally, via consensus of the board, I will read a statement with regard to recent events and the conversations about those events. Legal constraints prevent the board from
addressing speculation and rumors surrounding recent events. However, the board and the Glenidge Public School District have been as transparent as possible. The board recognizes that Kyle Arlington, the district's outgoing superintendent of schools, consistently demonstrated a commitment to our
students well-being and the overall climate of the district as a whole. We confirm that he acted swiftly and in accordance with district process and procedure, including contacting appropriate investigating units as set forth in the district's memorandum of
agreement with law enforcement. Those uh units include the New Jersey Division of Children and Families Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit and the Glenidge Police Department when a concern was brought to his attention. Continuing with this practice of being as transparent as allowable, the
information below was provided by the Glenidge Police Department. The board was advised by the GRPD that the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the ESC I'm sorry, the board was advised by the Glenidge PD and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office that neither the
GRPD nor the prosecutor's office are pursuing criminal charges against a former teacher in the district. The GRPD and the prosecutor's office further informed the board that they received text messages between the parent and a former teacher demonstrating that communications between the former
teacher and the family were consensual and contrary to parent claims. We the BOE reiterate that Mr. Arlington had our full support and that during his short tenure in Glenidge, he consistently acted with the best interests of students in mind and worked diligently within the fluid and everchanging nature
of student and personnel matters with honesty and integrity. As our community continues to navigate next steps with the culture and climate audit, we encourage everyone to engage respectfully and constructively as we work together. And now um we do not have um a
superintendent report clearly because at this moment we do not yet have our acting superintendent. So we will continue um with public comment. Uh and one moment before we start public comment I will review the protocols for
public comment which are on your agenda if you're following. During the course of the board meeting, the board of education offers members of the public an opportunity to address issues regarding the operation of the Glenidge public schools. The board reminds those
individuals who take this opportunity to come to the lectern one by one, identify themselves by name and residency, and to limit their comments to items listed on the agenda and or items directly related to the operation of the school district. Issues raised by members of the public
may or may not be responded to by the board. All comments will be considered and a response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. The board asks that members of the public be courteous and mindful of the rights of other individuals when speaking. Specifically, comments regarding students and employees of the board are discouraged
and will not be responded to by the board. Students and employees have specific legal rights afforded by the laws of New Jersey. The board bears no responsibility, nor will it be liable for any comments made by members of the public. members of the public should consider their comments in light of the
legal rights of those affected or identified in their comments and be aware that they are legally responsible and liable for their comments. And I hope that my friend Kristen will be our timer. Uh so now if in accordance with all of that, if you have questions or
comments, uh please come up to the lecturing. Um Marilyn Savio representing the Glen Ridge Education Association. Um on behalf of the GRE, which represents the teachers, par profofessionals, secretaries, and custodians in the district, we wanted to say how disheartened we were to hear
that Superintendent Kyle Arlington will not be with us as we move forward into the new school year. I have been with the district for 27 years and GREA president for the past seven years, and I can confidently say that this past year brought an unusual set of challenges. Throughout it all, Mr. Arlington led with grace, making
difficult decisions when necessary, and always keeping the well-being of the students at the forefront. It is discouraging to lose a leader who demonstrated such openness, someone who genuinely listened to and engaged with our members, recognized the critical importance of staff morale, and worked collaboratively with our union to
improve the district. We have shared our support with him personally, but also wanted to make the board and the community aware of our appreciation for Mr. Arlington's leadership and our disappointment in his departure. Many were optimistic about what we he we could achieve um he could help us
achieve ahead in a year with less turmoil now that he had a better understanding of the district's strengths and challenges. I would also like to take this opportunity to make clear that while our union provides guidance and resources to colleagues to ensure a fair treatment, we do not condone or make excuses for unethical behavior. We are committed to working
with administration to hold staff members to the highest standards and making sure all students can learn in a safe and appropriate environment. Any efforts to make that happen have been and will continue to be met with GREA's full cooperation. As we begin the new school year, our dedicated teachers and staff remain committed to ensuring that
every student feels welcomed and supported in as stable and positive an environment as possible. We look forward to partnering with the board in search for a new superintendent. And we hopeful that this individual will bring a forward-thinking vision for the future along with many of the leadership qualities we saw demonstrated and have come to especially value this past year.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Other questions or comments. Good evening. My name is Lisa Petrusi and I am a pre-K teacher at Farer School. Clearly, I have some big shoes to fill. I'm proud to be starting my 26th year here in Glenn Ridge. I truly
love my job in this community and I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent so many years in such a special place. That being said, I want to express how deeply saddened and disappointed I was to learn of Kyle's resignation. Over the years, I have worked under four different
superintendent, and I can say without hesitation that Kyle Arlington set the bar higher than any before him, despite the relatively short time that he was with us. Anyone who knows me, any of you are on the board, knows that I'm a
passionate person about many things, especially childhood, early childhood education. When Kyle arrived, one of his first initiatives was to start a monthly roundt discussion with staff members. As soon as I read his invitation, I knew that I wanted to be involved. These
meetings were designed for him to better understand Glen Ridge and the unique qualities of each school. Kyle didn't want problems to just go away. He listened, gathered information, asked thoughtful questions, and made intelligent, well-informed decisions. He
generally wanted to hear from us. Our thoughts, our concerns, our ideas for improvement. That kind of leadership has been sorely missing in our district for over a decade. That was the moment I realized we had someone truly special leading us. Someone who cared deeply
about the staff and our voices. His vision for improving our schools sparked a renewed energy in many of us, especially me. We felt heard, supported, and inspired. As the board begins this important and challenging process once
again, I ask that you seek a leader with the same qualities and values that Kyle brought to Glenn Ridge. We cannot afford to move backwards. The staff is ready to place our trust in you once more. And we sincerely hope that you can find a
candidate who matches the high standards that Kyle upheld and the standard we all deserve. Just me one more minute. You're going to like this. I wish Kyle the very best as he transitions into a new role and I wish all of you the strength and clarity as you begin this important search. Thank you so much.
>> Thank you. Excuse me, Kristen. Are you timing? >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> Started yet? >> Hi, I'm Aaron Arian. I'm a Glen Ridge resident and the parent of a rising seventh grader. Um, I'm here to express
my dismay at Mr. Arlington's resignation and also to publicly express my thanks to him for his partnership with the Glen Ridge Association special for special education. Um he really worked with us early on to help us try and rebuild
reconnect this parent community that really had gotten disconnected um from COVID and had trouble sort of rebuilding that critical mass. Um Mr. Starington struck a wonderful tone with us of partnership and
for a group where we often have no choice but to be that parent to be that parent who has you know in advocating for our child is making those phone calls is sending those emails he made us feel like we weren't problem parents that we were parents with concerns that
he wanted to address and hear. Um, and so I'd ask the board to, you know, especially look for that in a future superintendent for someone who will validate and listen before before he judges. And I'm just really sad at this loss. I think there was tremendous
potential for all of our children in his emphasis on creativity and universal design. And it's a real loss for Glen Ridge. And I hope you can find us someone as good as as he was going to be. Thank you. >> Thank you. Other public comment.
Uh, my name is Kim Waldron. Kim Waldron. I am a special education teacher here. And >> if you can speak up just a little. >> Absolutely. Can you hear me now? >> That's better. Thank you. >> Okay. Good evening. Um, staff in this district are understandably cautious
about voicing their concerns as there is a well-known history of retribution that has been both experienced and observed. But our voices are too important to be silenced, especially at this moment. My name is Kim Waldron. I'm special
education teacher. I'm entering my 25th year here in Glen Ridge. I want to take this moment tonight to express my very deep disappointment and frankly my embarrassment to admit that the board was unable to retain Mr. Arlington as
our superintendent. From the beginning it was clear that he was a high caliber leader someone who was genuinely invested in this community in our schools and in the well-being of the staff and the students alike.
Um, in my two and a half decades here, I don't think I have ever observed more improvement of the culture of our district than in the past year. He brought professionalism, innovation, and a refreshing sense of leadership.
He regularly met with staff, listened to concerns, followed up about those concerns, and was deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive, and a respective environment for all. These are things that so many of us have
been missing from our work life. That kind of engagement made a real difference. Even in a very challenging year, Mr. Arlington didn't shy away. He looked on the hard work, you know, he took it. He worked on it. He made meaningful change, especially around
staff wellness and the emotional and the psychological safety for all staff in this district. People talk about smoking mirrors and I have finally observed that going away. I challenge each board member to ask yourselves, what will I do
to break down the invisible barriers that prevent meaningful engagement to the school staff this coming year? or will I allow us to go back to our old ways? As we move forward, I'm genuinely concerned that we don't lose the
progress that we've made. We need someone with the same values, the same strength of leadership, someone who is willing to continue the hard but necessary work that began this year and we need it to start now. I want to say how truly grateful I am that we had this
year with Mr. Arlington and for the time that we did his impact was real and it will be felt. Thank you. Other public comment Hi, Phil Johnson. Um, two questions if I may. Um, number one, I guess we're only
a little more than a year removed from the last superintendent search. Are you planning to revisit candidates that applied um, previously, potentially even a rapid um, appointment of a new superintendent or are you starting from square one and really probably don't expect the new superintendent permanent
to be appointed until next summer? And second question is related to the personnel appointments. Um like to understand what openings still remain to be filled for teachers this upcoming year. I know it's been challenging recruiting teachers in the past and like to understand where we're at with
recruitment of staff for this upcoming school year. >> Sure. >> Thank you. >> Um the board has not really had uh a chance yet to discuss the uh mechanics, timeline, etc. of the superintendent search process as um you know we as is
always the case with superintendent searches you post internally and externally um you know if candidates who applied here before apply again we will certainly give them consideration um but we will have more information available um when we've had a chance to have the personnel committee meet and start this
process first our first task is really to get a qualified interim in place um as we said earlier Miss Kevit will serve until um September 30th. At that time, we hope to have the interim superintendent in place. Uh once we get the interim superintendent, we will
begin the search process and we will provide information about how and when we will conduct that process. And with regard to hiring, um the last u uh discussion I had with Mr. Arlington about that, he thought we were just
about um fully staffed. Now, we live in an environment of volatility in in staffing as all districts do in New Jersey. So, um nothing is ever 100%. Um it used to be unheard of to have somebody um that you had hired then leave you for another position before
they actually start in September. Now, it happens more often. So, we will I think at the next meeting um which we are are going to uh the board will try to arrange an August meeting given our circumstances. We probably will have more an update on um
how how fully staffed or not we are, but Mr. Arlington's opinion was we were nearly there. >> Other uh public comment. >> Hi, my name is Michael. Can you hear me? Okay. >> Uh if you get a little closer to the microphone. Mostly the microphone is so
people at home can hear, but it also helps if we can hear. Thank you. >> I'm going to swallow it if I get any closer. Can you hear me now? >> I think so. Yes. Yes. So, it's Mike Okconor, 18 Hamilton Road, Glenn Ridge. Um, heard from a number of supporters of Mr. Arlington. I'll reserve comment other than to say I think as evidence
comes out and we've asked some questions previously at the previous board meeting. Um, I think some opinions may change, but that's we'll leave it up. I do want to make a comment about your comments about an exchanges of text messages. Again, I think once um those text messages are in the context of a
trusting family with what we can what what was considered to be a mentor and a teacher in this in this district that everyone looked up to, not someone who was who was a predator. So, I think once the evidence comes out um and we we have a mountain of it, um that'll that'll be
determined. The question I have for the board, and we've asked this before, is um what is the process? If a family or child comes forward and reports some type of harass, sexual harassment, what is the process? That's not a personnel issue. It's a question around process. And I believe some other concerned
families have also asked this question in in a written doc written written statements to to the board. So, I would ask I would ask if you can comment on that. >> Okay. Thank you. I will refer to our legal counsel uh Jen Osborne. >> So just to be clear, I'm commenting or
responding to the general question of what is the process when a student or a family comes to the district with respect to a concern. The example was given with respect to sexual harassment. It would be the same with respect to any
safety concern. When an issue comes to the district, if it doesn't come directly to um uh the person in charge, to the superintendent, it would be to sort of report to your superior and then to get to a point where we are then
following the memorandum of agreement between the school district and law enforcement, which if we're talking about a matter that could potentially be considered criminal, there would be contact made with the appropriate law enforcement agency. ies
>> and how quickly how quickly would that happen? >> How quickly does that happen? >> It depends upon the situation in terms of what the facts are that the district is aware of at that time. A contact
would generally be made with law enforcement agencies and then typically if it's a situation that falls into my word sort of a criminal sphere the district is placed in what I would call a pause because the criminal sphere is sort of taking over and running an
investigation. >> So here's a question for you since you were commenting. Okay, you can you can comment on this. You can also refuse to comment. So a a an issue is brought to the attention from a teacher to the state. The state then contacts the parent and also the superintendent. How
quickly does the superintendent have to act? >> So I'm not going to respond to that question. >> Why not? >> I will res because we don't comment on confidential personnel or student matters. >> Personnel issue. It's a it's a process issue. >> I just answered the process issue. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thank you.
>> You need to do better job. Other uh public comment. >> Hi, I'm Rebecca Kim. I live at 348 Washington. Um I first just wanted to say that all the adults that came and spoke about Mr. Arlington and how
wonderful he was, nobody used students. Nobody spoke about how wonderful he made students feel. They spoke about how wonderful they made the adults and the grown-ups in this district feel. And I think that is exactly the issue that this town is having with our district,
which is our district has been operating to keep the grown-ups happy and feeling like we are doing an excellent job while our children are suffering and we are not attending to it. So, I would hope in the future there is more more focus on
our students and what they need and not the grown-ups sitting there and the grown-ups employed by the district and what they need. My question is what is the mandated reporter training that district employees up to the
administration is given in the case that uh any employee of the district feels that they have a suspicion of abuse of a child in any way at home at school what are how do they report it
you want to take that I don't know that can specifically answer your question with respect to the district. There are trainings that occur every school year um with respect to a whole host of things in the district um
including things with respect to um anytime you have a concern about anything you know whether it's something um that you I can't even give an example a concern about anything that you there's sort of an open door policy to go to your supervisor and then it sort
of works up uh the chain of command so to speak. Are district are district employees not mandated reporters legally if they suspect abuse or >> so statutoily um any any public employee would be
considered um a mandatory reporter according to >> so there's no training or manual in the district for how to report if you have a suspicion that's what I'm kind of wondering what >> there would be board policy with respect to that I thought you were asking about like trainings that occur
>> I am how do we train and our teachers. If you suspect a child is being hurt at home or if you suspect a child is >> how how are how are our employees in our district? >> We understand your question. You know, there have been specific trainings. I
don't have you know dates and times in front of me. Um we do I would invite you to take a look at our policy manual which is available online. Um if you go to our website it was in the top right hand corner. Not sure where it is now but take a look. Um, and >> so the district doesn't have a mandated
reporter training. I'm gobsmacked. I have friends in other districts that are trained that they need to >> Excuse me, ma'am. You're >> Yeah. >> What we said was >> is that there are a variety of trainings that occur every school year. Neither
myself nor the board president know what specific trainings have occurred here in Glenidge up to this point. >> How do you not know that? You're the lawyer. Don't you review what legal requirements are for our employees in our district in terms of reporting?
>> I don't understand. >> That's not the question. The question is about trainings. So the requirement for any trainings that occur in a school district, no, would not be reported to me as general counsel of the board. >> So the does not see how our employees in our district
>> training is overseen by our administration, not the board of ed. Uh the board of ed is a policymaking body. So again, I would invite you to look at our policies and then if you have a specific complaint or suggestion about the nature of those policies, then bring it back to us or you can bring it to us
in writing. But I think your two minutes are also long up. So we will um but I would invite you if put it in writing and we can try to respond after you've had a chance to take a look at our policies. other public comment. All right, we will now continue with the
public portion of our um meeting. It is the first and only uh meeting of the month, but board members, I know most of your liaison organizations have not met yet. Uh does anyone have any updates from organizations that are
time-sensitive? >> Yeah. No. >> None. >> Okay. All right. Um, you have in your packets minutes from the meeting of June 10th, executive session and regular session.
Does anyone have any additions or changes to the minutes? It does not appear. So, um, Jocelyn, would you move the minutes? May I have a second? Second. Second from Darius. Okay. Um,
it's been moved and seconded. Barbara, would you call the role? >> Miss Zakinwandi. >> I. >> Mr. Bonnet, >> abstain. >> Mr. Dinard, >> yes. >> Mr. Dorenzi, >> abstain.
>> Miss Miss Godleaf. >> Yes. >> Miss Graham. >> Yes. >> Miss O'Neal. >> Yes. >> Dr. Yaros Ramos. Hi, >> Miss Ginsburg. >> I motion carries. >> Okay, we have administrative items. Kristen, would you move the administrative items?
>> Yes. >> Okay. Uh, may I have a second? >> Second from Jocelyn. Any discussion, board members, on the administrative items? No. All right, Barbara, would you call the role? >> Miss Akenwandi, >> I.
>> Mr. Bonnet, >> I. >> Mr. Dad, >> yes. >> Mr. Dorenzi, >> yes. >> Miss Gotautle, >> yes. >> Miss Graham, >> yes. >> Miss O'Neal, >> yes. >> Dr. Yaris Ramos, >> Miss Ginsburg,
>> I. Motion carries. >> Okay. Uh, personnel items. Anthony, would you move the personnel items? Yes, I would move P1 through P18 in addition to the P1, P11, P19, and P20 on
the addendum. >> Okay, thank you. May I have a second? >> Uh, second. Jocelyn had the second. In keeping with the open public meetings act and our board members code of ethics, we do not disclose personnel
matters in public. That being the case, um, Mrs. Mrs. Murphy, would you call the role? Miss Akini, >> I. >> Mr. Bonnet, >> hi. >> Mr. Dinard, >> yes. M >> Oh, sorry. >> Oh, sorry.
>> Stand for P2 and P3. >> P2 and P3. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. Dorenzi. >> Yes. >> Miss Gotautle. >> Yes. >> Miss Graham. >> Yes. Miss O'Neal. >> Yes.
>> Dr. Yaris Ramos. >> Miss Ginsburg. >> I. Motion carries. All right. Heather, would you do the curriculum items? Move the curriculum items. >> Yeah, sure. I move C1 and C2. >> All right. May I have a second? >> Second, Trisha. >> Second from Trisha. Any discussion on
the curriculum items? All right. Barbara, would you call the role? Miss Akinwandi. >> I. >> Mr. Bonnet. >> I. Mr. Dinard, >> yes. >> Mr. Dorenzi, >> yes. >> Miss Gotautle, >> yes.
>> Miss Graham, >> yes. >> Miss O'Neal, >> yes. >> Dr. Yaris Ramos, >> I. >> Miss Ginsburg, >> I. Motion carries. All right. Um, before we move the business items, I draw your attention to the items under B4. Um,
monetary donations from the Glenriidge Education Foundation. The first one for 25 additional uh virtual high school seats and the second one for spring mini grants 2025. The first is for about $8,200. The second for about $3,900.
Many thanks go out to the foundation. I don't see Mrs. Wong here tonight, but many thanks go out Oh, there she is. Fran, you're lurking in the back. Thank you very much to the foundation um for their generosity. Uh, I know that the mini grants and the um virtual high
school seats benefit every student or have the potential to benefit every student. So, thank you. And now, Heather, would you move the business items? >> Sure. I'm going to move B1 through B8, including uh two items under B5 on the
addendum, uh, D and E. >> Okay. May I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Uh, who got there first, Javal? >> Okay. Thank you, Javal. Any discussion on the business items? All right, Barbara, would you call the
role? Miss Akinwandi? >> Hi. >> Mr. Bonnet, >> hi. >> Mr. Dinard, >> yes. >> Mr. Dorenzi, >> yes. >> Miss Gotautle, >> yes. >> Miss Graham, >> yes. >> Miss O'Neal, >> yes. >> Dr. Yaris Ramos, >> hi.
>> Miss Ginsburg, >> I. Motion carries. >> All right. We've now arrived at the second public comment period. The same protocols apply. Uh the same time limits apply. Does anyone have a public comment? >> Good evening. I'm Megan Connelly, prek
teacher at Central School. Um, I just wanted to set the se the record straight that all district staff members are required to do mandatory training in the following areas. Um, annually, no matter how many years, 26, 24, 2, whatever, we
do them every year. Affirmative action, health training for asthma, allergic reactions, bloodborne pathogens, child abuse, neglect, harassment, intimidation, bullying, suicide prevention, epilepsy, and seizure management, as well as diabetes care. So
the staff is trained annually. >> Thank you. I think that every time I go to the legislature, they mandate additional training for faculty. Uh any other public comments? I just wanted to clarify again. It's Kim Waldron. I'm special education teacher
here. um that I did say in my statement that um Mr. Arlington was invested in the community, our schools, in the well-being of the staff and students alike. I would also like to call your
attention to um I I am a a special education teacher. I have a small class of wonderful children and Mr. Arlington was a very frequent visitor in my classroom and had some very special relationships with those children. He
made um a particular uh impression on one young student and uh he would write to him actually in his journal. So uh the he was absolutely invested and cared for the children in this district as
much as he cared for the adults and that was shown many many times in the many many visits only in one year that he was able to make to my classroom and the children will be asking where he is. >> Thank you.
Other comments? Hi. Um, my name is Christina Cosma. I am I live on Lincoln Street in Glenn Ridge. Um, I had a question. I'm just asking for a little bit of clarity. Earlier, you read a statement um that said that the uh the district attorney and the Glenidge police are not pursuing charges
against the teacher and the principal. Um, I'm wondering when you received that information, if that's possible to discuss. >> We can't comment on that. >> Okay. Thank you. other uh public comment. >> I just want to clarify something as well
since there seems to be clarification. Can you hear me? Okay. I'll make sure you >> um if you speak up just a little. Thank you. >> Okay. I don't know understand what this. So again, Michael Oconor, 18 Hamilton Road. I want to clarify something that um I've been living in this town for almost 15 years. Both my children, my daughter will no longer be educated
here, but both my children, my son just graduated and my my daughter is going into the ninth grade. So, we've got a lot of experience and to the nice parent back here who mentioned that should be Moorc was focused on the students, I couldn't agree more. But I want to clarify again that addressing your comments to kick this meeting off that
you made mention to a text exchanges between the parent and Mr. White, those text exchanges were made based on the idea that this man was a mentor and some a teacher to be looked up to in this community, not a predator. Okay. Since the evidence has been met brought
brought to the attention of the community, obviously that exchange would change. And I'm again asking this this this board, do you have a process that you're able to relay in any shape, way, shape, or form that if a family is concerned about sexual harassment, sexual harassment, nothing else? Okay.
All the other harassment that you covered, Miss Miss attorney, is is irrelevant for this. But do you have a comment that you can make about what are the steps that a family takes if if there if there's sexual harassment? There's a case of sexual harassment. Okay. And again, I I could
not agree with the parent previously that just commented on the fact that we need there there's a lot of students and also families in this community that would have different opinions that are expressed this evening. >> I think that um Miss Osborne gave you
the information we are able to disclose. Uh, I don't think parents should report anything that they think is criminal to the Glenidge public to the Glenidge police. >> You don't or you do? >> I'm sorry. >> You said you don't think people should
report that? >> No, I said if a parent thinks that a criminal activity has taken place, harassment, whatever, they should report to the Glenidge police. >> Okay. Well, well, if a parent receives a call from the superintendent and from the state about about an issue at the
school regarding sexual harassment and then and follows up, what is what is the process for the for the for the for the experts, the people that are hired and paid by this community and the taxes we pay to to to respond to respond to the
parent to the families? >> I'll let Miss Osborne take that. this board, whether it's through a written statement or any kind of statement that's been made from this table, has responded to general questions, which is all it is able to
respond to multiple times. >> So, so give me the responses. You have it multiple. Again, when the district receives a complaint about anything that would raise a safety concern that could potentially cross over into the criminal
sphere, the district follows the requirements of the memorandum of agreement between the district and law enforcement. >> What is the memorandum of agreement? The >> the say what does it say? It says that if there is a potential criminal
question that you are to contact law enforcement authorities and then based upon that contact, excuse me, one at a time, please. >> One at a time from the podium. >> One at a time, please. >> I'm not holding my finger at anyone. I'm
pausing >> at one at a time. One at a time, please. >> The memorandum of agreement is a public document. It's available on the Department of Education website. >> Don't don't pin it on me about that. Okay, that you're This is a board
meeting. You're the attorney. So, pres and I'm a concerned parent. Have the decency to respond to me and don't point to some website. So, that's number one. Number two, I it's going to it's going to be shown, okay, that it wasn't until the Glenidge Police Department contacted the school that evidence was turned
over. Mr. >> Ok, we can't comment. We can't comment on personnel. Thank you for your comment. >> Yeah. Thank you. other comments? So, I just wanted to follow up that now we know there is training, does the board not approve the training that the
teachers have or the policy of training? Why does the board not know about the training? >> The training that um Miss Connelly referred to is statemandated training. There is a great deal of statemandated training and in fact every piece of legislation that comes down usually
mandates training. So much of the training our teachers receive is statemandated and they do um receive hip training HIV uh training on harassment, intimidation and bullying. Um that is by statute. Uh there are many many others.
So could I opra the training documents? Um, I'll let our lawyer. >> How does a parent access what is supposed to happen when there's an issue in the schools? Because the last meeting, Miss Ginsburg told me when there's an issue, it works it through its way up through the district, but it
rarely gets to her because it doesn't get to that point. So, as a parent, I would like to know what what is supposed to happen. And in other districts, I am told by my teacher friends that they are instructed that they need to report to the state, to school leadership, and to
the family immediately same day. So again, I can't speak to exactly what the policy says in this district, but I know that there's a policy online that will be in accordance with the statute. >> Sure. But I'm asking about the training.
What is going on in the district with student? I'm asking about the training in the schools, not the statute. Because the statute isn't what teachers, aids, paras, what their I want to know what the district is telling them their responsibility is to our students and
how it is supposed to be reported, what the threshold for report is. As our attorney said, um we don't have documents in front of us that describe all the training our teachers have had. we can um do some research and try to get back to you.
>> I would love that. And also, is this are these documents public? Is it operable? >> If it's part of our policy manual, um yes. If it's if there um if the training is through um training opportunities that involve expenditures by the board,
then yes, it's part of the board's records and the rest I will I will have to get back to you. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Other comments? Lisa Petrusi again. Maybe I can shed some clarity on some of these things.
>> Clarity is always appreciated. >> Thank you. If a teacher suspects that a child is being abused sexually, physically, they have an obligation to report it to I'm going to call it DIY. They know that it has changed but they
have an obligation to report it. They can go to their supervisor. The first person would be the principal. You go to your principal, you can go to a colleague and it is all anonymous. No, there is no threat to the teacher of having any repercussions of it. And then
the state takes over. The state will call the school. The state will call the parents and then they will start an investigation. I personally have knowledge of this because I had to do it once. So, um, and then the teacher steps
back, that's it. You make a phone call, it's over. And if the the, um, I'm going to say Dyus again cuz I just can't remember that new name. Um, if they find that there is substantial evidence, then
the teacher might be um, questioned. But we do have a policy and we do follow the policy. As a matter of fact, in the beginning of the year, we all get a hotline number that we keep in our desks just in case. And like I said, you can
do it anonymously. You can tell your school nurse, that's always a very good person to go to in confidentiality, and your administrator, and then it gets handled. So, I hope I hope that gives you some clarity. >> Thank you. >> I just want to thank you since you've
stood up. Um, we really, this is not a public, excuse me, sir. Public forum. >> This is not an opportunity to to stand at the podium and speak to other members of the audience. >> Call the police on me. >> Sir, sir, this is a business meeting and
we would ask you to respect the procedure in the meeting. >> You should respect the concern that parents have. >> Sir, we respect the concern. Thank you. I just want to thank you because we've gotten more information from you. >> Sir, sir, thank you. We would ask you to
please take a seat. >> Okay. But I just want to thank you. Okay. And the issue that we have, okay, is not >> We will have to close public comment if we cannot control the meeting. Can you please take a seat? >> Yeah. >> Can you please take a seat, sir? >> No, I'm not sitting down.
>> Can you please step back from the podium? Tom, thank you for your patience. >> Hi, Phil Johnson. Um, I should have asked the question before, but in regards to um item V8, the agreement with the Glenidge for the burrow fields, $75,000 payable to the
>> Yes. each year. Talk about the scope of the fields. Is that for mostly Herell Field? Does that include fields that may lie outside of of the town like Watessing Field, Cody Field, George Washington field and will that increase over time? >> I believe that is for the town fields um
since they can't control I I believe so. I don't know Mr. Yes. Mr. Hill who uh is responsible for these things said it is town fields. >> Okay. >> And secondly, I think there's a lot of questions about what is the right procedure. I understand there's a policy
you can dig into on the website, but in matters of important matters over time, you guys have taken key policies and pin them to the front page of the Glenidge public school website. Is there any reason why we c in this particular instance since the safety of our
students is of paramount importance? Why can't the memorandum of understanding and the appropriate board policy that should be followed for any parent? Why can't that be pinned on the front page of the home of the uh website so that we all have a clear understanding of the policy?
>> It's certainly something we will take into consideration. There are a certain number of things that the law requires us to put on the website. Um but we will certainly take that into consideration. Thank you. other comments. I just wanted to clarify since we know
now that there is training and I wanted to clarify who the teacher who calls the state. Who calls the state? Does the teacher call the state or does the administrator that they or the nurse that they have reported their concern to call the
state? As we have said several times throughout this meeting, when an issue comes to a staff member, it gets reported up. So, could So, they're going to alert their
supervisor. Okay. And there's going to be a call that's placed by whom I I can't tell you specifically who's going to do that because it depends upon the situation. Okay. What I what I can tell you and and and
what the board president has also addressed and several members of the public have addressed at the podium as well is that there is a process that is followed. There's a policy. >> I want to know what it is. Not that it I want to know what the process is. >> We what we've said >> calls the state
>> what we've said multiple time. It could be >> or is it the person who has the concern in other districts? It's the person who has the concern in this district. Does it need to go through administration? >> No, this no the that we would follow the
same procedure. Okay. Under the law. So meaning if a person if an individual in the district, a staff member receives a concern, they're going to speak to their supervisor. They could also depending upon it, they could go to the school
nurse and a call will be placed. Sometimes more than one person places a call. But who has the responsibility to place the call? That's what I'm wondering. Is it the individual? Whose responsibility is it to place the call?
The primary responsibility. Who is that? Any staff member in the district is is a required reporter. But so long as the information is getting over. I can't tell you specifically who's going to be on that call, >> but it makes a big difference because if
they need to go to their supervisor who could be complicit in it and the supervisor doesn't report it and then they're not allowed to report it or they >> why why would they not be allowed >> asking from the district? What is the training of who calls the state and >> but again you're asking about training
and we've already said that we will follow up on that to get you more specific information and get that back to you. There's nothing further that I that I can respond to that at this moment. >> Thank you. Other comment Hi.
I'm sitting in front of the fan so I know how important this is to arrange. Um, my name is Fran Wong and I've lived in town for 48 years, I believe, and seen many
boards of education and a great many superintendent, the majority of whom I've worked with rather closely. I would say probably in the range of 14 over those years. At one point in time, I myself had to
report a situation that one of my children brought to me. I called a staff member who I knew. I reported it. I was thanked for reporting it and assured that it would be handled, but that I
would never have any further information about it. Fortunately, I did learn later from my child that it had been handled and everything w was fine. I think it was basically a misunderstanding,
but uh so be it. It was solved. Okay. Now, I hope this is the last comment for tonight because I it's positive. Um I too am very sorry that Mr. Arlington has decided that his life has to take a
different path from that which we would all like him to be on. I was a little reticent when he first came, but I quickly changed my mind and I enjoyed working with him immensely um
in my role as chair of the Glenidge Educational Foundation. He was supportive of all of the creative initiatives that previous administrations had brought to us and which we were implementing and are
currently implementing. And the good news is we have no plans to drop anything because of his uh departure and in fact we are considering some new ones. So that's the good news and I want
to thank all of you for your dedication and your sacrifice in sitting up there and trying to do the best that you are humanly possible. I appreciate it. Great deal. >> Thanks Fran. Other comments.
>> Hello. My name is Kisun Griffin Kim. I was a student here since kindergarten. So like 12, 13 years. That's my mother over there. >> Yes. >> I'm sure she was causing you grief. The question I have to ask um is tangential
to that, but I think still related. In my six years in the high school, including middle school, I've seen several instances of students to not name names. I'm not going to name names. I know I can't. Um saying derogatory language. Some were even recorded and
then reported to uh teachers and faculty and then they did not receive any consequence like um notable slurs I've seen stated several times are the f slur. I'm not going to say it obviously.
Um the n-word, I think you all know what that one is. Those are the two big ones I've heard. Um in many classes I've heard slurs said by students who I will not name. um just stated freely and loudly without the teacher interfering.
I'm going to ask in light of our this situation, not the one I'm talking about now, but the one that you all know about, bringing light to a lot of our district's failures in terms of protecting our students. What will be done differently to protect our students
from not even necessarily from their faculty because they better be protected from the faculty. What will be done to protect them from other students with harmful intent saying derogatory things to them that has gone unpunished for years upon years upon years despite how
publicly obviously and documented documentedly it was done what's going to change or what is in the process how are my students going to be protected >> okay thank you um I think that's a big question when um an incident of what
you're describing using derogatory language is harassment and intimidation and bullying offense. When that is reported to uh a faculty member, an employee of the district, it starts a whole process that is governed by statute, the harassment, intimidation,
and bullying statute that requires levels of investigation. It requires testimony of witnesses and then a determination is made that ends with a recommendation by the superintendent to the board as to whether that offense,
whatever the specific offense is, is meets the statutory um definition of a harassment, intimidation, and bullying offense. If it does not, it still is probably a code of conduct offense and there are consequences.
We are not um none of our employees or the board can disclose what those consequences are in a specific case. And the consequence may not be obvious to another person, but if it is reported and investigated, it is um there are
consequences. We have consequences for using derogatory language and those are set in statute. So um if you have if any student hears derogatory language of the kind that you've described, they should
report it to a teacher, an employee, the principal so that we can start that procedure. In terms of change, what we do with um these kinds of offenses is depends on the age of the student,
whether they've done it before, all kinds of factors. But if it is reported, it is investigated and it is documented. And that documentation isn't just in Glenidge, it's uploaded to the state. >> All right. May I one more statement, please? >> If you can make it brief. Thank you.
>> I'll try. Um, all I want to say is that whether or not there are consequences, because I'll admit I may have missed them. I'm just a student. I'm not faculty. They're clearly not significant enough or not being enforced enough. Somewhere along the process, there is an absolute failure because these incidents
are repeated constantly, publicly, and openly. And the fact that that's happening is a demonstrable failure of our consequences. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Other comments? Ma'am, you've been up at the lectern several times. Um, I would ask that if
you have further comments, excuse me. If you have further comments, please address them to us in writing. >> Thank you. >> Um, if you have further comments, >> excuse me, ma'am. >> If you have further comments, please address them to us in writing.
>> Thank you. >> Mr. Okconor, you have also been up at the lectern several times. Please take a seat. >> This is a business meeting. If everyone can please respect that respect.
>> Please, Mr. Okconor, please respect that process. If you have something to address to us in writing, I would welcome that as well. >> Any other comments? All right, that being the case, uh the board will now the board has finished with our business meeting. We will now
adjourn to our board retreat which um will not involve issues discussed here tonight or any board resolutions, any actions by the board. Uh so I thank you all for coming and um board members we will uh start our retreat unless board
members you want to adjourn into a second public um p uh executive session. >> Okay. >> Any consensus on that? >> Second. No. Okay. Thank you all.