17:58The primary focus of the meeting was the issue surrounding the eligibility of student athletes in the district, particularly in relation to an investigation by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). A guardian of two students raised concerns about how allegations of recruitment violations were handled, leading to the ineligibility of certain student athletes. The guardian expressed frustration, stating, “The bullying got so intense…three police reports, four HIB things,” and criticized the lack of communication from the athletic director. They noted, “The only one that communicates with me is Dr. Hayes,” highlighting a perceived breakdown in communication.

A board member stated, “After consulting with counsel regarding their likelihood of a success of appeal, the administration determined not to pursue the further appeal,” citing the risk of probation for the athletic program as a determining factor. Despite the board’s rationale, the guardian remained unconvinced and questioned, “If you put the documentation in that I didn’t recruit the kids… why is it that two kids have a problem?”

32:47The board’s decision was met with criticism from another parent who highlighted the impact on student athletes’ academic performance and team dynamics. “You guys legitimately took kids getting straight A’s and B’s to straight us,” the parent asserted, questioning the inconsistency in treatment that allowed participation in the previous year. The board maintained their position, emphasizing compliance with NJSIAA requirements and the need to protect the overall athletic program. They assured that decisions were made based on professional legal guidance.

17:58The meeting also addressed safety concerns, with a guardian emphasizing the need for better handling of bullying incidents, which had reportedly escalated to the point of involving multiple police reports. The guardian’s plea for attention to student safety resonated with board members, who acknowledged the importance of addressing these issues comprehensively.

0:00In addition to the athletic eligibility crisis, the meeting included personnel discussions. The board considered several resolutions, notably the appointment of Anav Vasquez as the high school vice principal, replacing Mr. Schmidt. The Superintendent expressed gratitude to Mr. Pinto and his committee for their role in the selection process and wished Mrs. Vasquez success in her new role. Stephanie Brennan was appointed to replace Vasquez as the multi-language learner supervisor, a position she had already been fulfilling since the summer.

The board also accepted the retirement notifications of Mrs. Park, an ESL teacher at the Middle School, and Dr. Edwood Meyer, who had served the Cliffside Park Public Schools for 42 years. Dr. Meyer’s retirement was accompanied by a letter of gratitude, wherein he expressed his dedication to the students and a desire to continue assisting them in the future. Plans were discussed to honor Dr. Meyer with a plaque at the upcoming April meeting.

Financial matters were also on the agenda, with the board addressing resolutions related to security projects and renovations across several schools. The Business Administrator highlighted the successful completion of the fiscal year-end audit and the need for approval of resolutions for financial reports to be sent to the county. Noteworthy projects included renovations of the multipurpose room at School Number 6 and HVAC upgrades for gyms and auditoriums at Schools Number 3 and 4.

The meeting concluded with public comments, where individuals expressed both sadness over retirements and concerns about ongoing renovation timelines. Dr. Hayes provided assurances that exterior work would likely resume in early spring.