A notable portion of the meeting was dedicated to addressing parental concerns about the school environment and resources. A parent voiced substantial worries about bullying and the behavior of faculty, highlighting that their fourth-grade child experienced distress and felt overwhelmed in the classroom. The parent recounted their child saying, “my teacher screams at me all day,” pointing to a stressful school environment and criticizing the lack of adult supervision on the playground. The parent expressed frustration over the faculty’s handling of profanity incidents and underscored their commitment to active participation in resolving these issues, stating, “I come with an army of mamas wherever I go.” In response, a board member acknowledged these concerns as “absolutely very concerning” and extended an invitation for a private meeting to discuss existing policies on student behavior and bullying, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with parents to address these serious issues.

Another resident brought attention to the reduction in gym availability at Walter T. Bergen Middle School, which was reportedly cut by 40%, affecting the basketball program managed by the Bloomingdale Recreation Department. They lamented the reduction, stating, “it’s unfortunate that the time… we took over the last year and a half… go down the drain,” stressing the impact on fourth to eighth grade students who now have decreased opportunities for sports participation. A board member responded by pledging to ensure that the recreation program would not face additional costs due to the cut in gym time, showing a commitment to mitigate the adverse effects on the program.

In other developments, the board approved the curriculum instruction technology committee’s decision to partner with Connect for Freedom, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing human trafficking and online safety. This partnership will integrate essential topics into the health curriculum, with an option for parents to opt out. The decision aligns with the New Jersey Department of Education’s new standards introduced in 2022.

The finance committee reported progress on infrastructure projects, notably the HVAC installation at Morth Day, where three new units were placed on the roof, and the opening of the new playground for student use. However, the committee also noted that TRC would not be providing the final portion of a clean energy grant, impacting the school’s funding strategy.

Additionally, the board adopted a series of resolutions related to human resources, academic programming, and student services. A resolution concerning the New Jersey Department of Education project application submission was revised, as the district seeks debt service aid for a proposed referendum in March 2025. This includes previously approved plans for Gian Forar Architects to work on educational specifications and project applications for Walter T. Bergen School.

The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude for a generous PTA donation of $4,410.67, which will benefit the school community significantly. Liaison reports highlighted upcoming events, such as the “The Great Gatsby” fall play and a successful football season, with the team maintaining a 6-0 record. Additionally, community engagement efforts continue with a trunk-or-treat fundraising event scheduled for October 27.