Tenafly School Board Advances $2M Flood Mitigation Project

In a recent session, the Tenafly School Board grappled with pressing infrastructural issues and the poignant remembrances of lives lost during the September 11 attacks. Topping the priority list was the contentious topic of a vital $2 million flood mitigation project at the Smith School, which experienced exacerbated flooding issues during recent storms, including Hurricane Ida. The board is considering boosting the forthcoming referendum amount by $2 million to facilitate the project, aiming for state approval ahead of the decisive March 12, 2024 vote.

Financial deliberations largely centered on the proposed flood mitigation plan, which has become a matter of urgency in light of more frequent weather-related incidents. A tentative agreement was reached to augment the total referendum cost by $2 million to finance the necessary work, with the possibility of utilizing FEMA aid of around $400,000 as a fallback option. The board exhibited a united front, resolved to tackle the frequent flooding issues plaguing the Smith School, while ensuring ethical financial decisions, including a potential reimbursement of excess funds to the taxpayers.

Discussion on the retention of Bishop Communications for referendum publicity formed a significant portion of the meeting, with the PR firm slated to initiate a comprehensive outreach strategy in November, leveraging a referendum-specific website and a communications committee. The blueprint envisions an efficient future with modernized heating and cooling systems and addresses the recent mold issue resulting from a malfunctioned air conditioner, signaling a proactive stance in dealing with infrastructural challenges.

Board President Michelle Harris led the room in recalling the tragic event of 9/11, and highlighting its deep impact on the community which lost four residents on that day. Superintendent Dr. Michael Ben-David continued in this vein, sharing touching personal memories and invoking a quote from Hemingway, emphasizing the need to nurture future generations to “fight the good fight.”

Dr. Ben-David introduced student representative Ayla who detailed the school’s 9/11 remembrances and a host of forthcoming events and activities. The initiatives, including a mentorship program pairing seniors with freshmen and a spirit week, signify a determined march towards normalcy and the fostering of community spirit post the pandemic slowdown.

A report on educational advancements heralded the full distribution of Chromebooks at the high school and updates to the Genesis platform. Furthermore, the committee supported a middle school student and their Mandarin teacher’s participation in a competition in China, promising to devise a sanctioned list of competitions for future references.

The session engaged with various community concerns, including a substantial focus on the urgent requirement to replace the outdated pump system servicing the boilers at the high school. Aimed for completion by the onset of the 2024 academic year, the project aspires to enhance safety and comfort levels for both students and staff. An accompanying concern was the shortage of bus drivers, exacerbated by the pandemic, setting a platform for detailed discussions in the forthcoming October meeting.

Towards the end, the public comment section witnessed concerns raised over flooding preventive measures, especially at the Smith Elementary School. The board assured a holistic approach to prevent water logging, showcasing a collaborative spirit with the borough to develop comprehensive solutions, while waiting for increased funding through the referendum.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Not avaliable:

School Board Officials:

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording