During the public comments section of the meeting, two parents voiced concerns about their children’s experiences at the high school. They highlighted a lack of teachers for certain classes and inadequate preparation for standardized tests, such as the SATs. Moreover, they raised alarm over instances of assault and bullying, seeking intervention from the superintendent and the board to address these issues.

Another community member inquired about the state of water fountains in the school, emphasizing the importance of maintenance for these facilities. The board president, while urging the meeting to stay focused on agenda items, later acknowledged that recognition for the school’s support staff had been omitted and expressed appreciation for their dedication and hard work.

In a separate matter, Joanne Pavano expressed disappointment that her daughter Allison had been left off the agenda for two consecutive months, despite prior approval for her to volunteer as a coach for the Middle School girls’ softball team. The board recognized the oversight and committed to rectifying the situation.

The superintendent acknowledged the retirements of educators Kathleen Hughes and Margaret Zukowski, praising their invaluable contributions to the district. She also covered a range of topics, including staff absences, pre-K enrollment, the upcoming high school graduation, and the first annual October breast cancer awareness 5k run. The district’s fine arts department received commendations for earning an award, and upcoming events like state assessments, Nurses Week, Special Education Week, and Teacher Appreciation Week were mentioned.

A celebration of the “It Takes a Village” award was held, recognizing a nutritious recipe created by the Pomptonian Food Services Program. School Number Eight’s new vertical garden, which promotes health and strength, was also commended. Various educators and educational service professionals from different schools were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the district’s education system.

Derek Stash and his mother came forward in support of basketball coach Michael Campo, whose recent termination had caused a stir. They highlighted Campo’s positive impact on the team and the community’s desire to retain him, prompting discussions about the search for a new coach and the possibility of Campo’s reinstatement.

Questions about plans for a new school or upgrades to existing facilities, particularly regarding the trailers at School Number Six, were addressed by the superintendent. She assured those present that a meeting would be scheduled to provide detailed information about ongoing projects and improvements to the school buildings.

A concerned parent raised the issue of the superintendent potentially missing the graduation ceremony, to which the superintendent assured her attendance at all graduations. Additionally, the director of Multilingual Learners in the district expressed gratitude for the support in hosting the district’s first Multilingual Night, which had been a positive experience for the children involved.

The Linden School Board meeting also covered the success of a recent math competition where all participants received medals and mentioned the Second Annual Color Run, which supports fundraising for scholarships and Project Graduation. Plans for an intake center to support the growing number of multilingual learners and unaccompanied minors were discussed with enthusiasm by the Multilingual Department.

A new PTA president introduced herself and outlined her objectives to enhance communication between parents and teachers, increase membership, host community events, and raise funds. The president of the Linden Education Association reflected on his tenure, emphasizing the importance of advocating for staff to support student learning conditions.