Cliffside Park School Board Honors Teacher for Life-Saving Heroics and Approves Renovations

In the recent Cliffside Park School Board meeting, attendees celebrated English teacher and coach James Liry for his life-saving actions in October, when he performed the Heimlich maneuver on a student in distress. Additionally, the board approved a renovation project for the multi-purpose room at the number six school, awarded to Blackstone Construction for $1.392 million.

10:03One item at the meeting was the recognition of James Liry, who was commended for his quick thinking and bravery that saved a student’s life. Liry, described as energetic and dedicated, was praised for his positive influence on students both in the classroom and on the sports field. A board member expressed gratitude for his actions, emphasizing the importance of having such committed educators within the district. Liry was presented with an award as a token of appreciation for his actions and contribution to the school community.

19:58Following the commendation, the board discussed the approved renovation project for the number six school’s multi-purpose room. The project, awarded to Blackstone, will include a complete overhaul to make the facility ADA compliant, with updates such as new flooring, windows, and a chair lift. The decision came after a previous contractor withdrew their bid, and Blackstone, already active in the community on other projects, was selected. The renovations aim to enhance the functionality and accessibility of the school facility, although it will temporarily affect local recreation programs. Coordination meetings have been held to minimize disruption.

15:19During the superintendent’s report, it was noted there were 18 personnel resolutions addressed, along with updates on three HIB investigations, one of which resulted in confirmed action with appropriate follow-ups. The assistant superintendent also highlighted the success of a recent professional development day for teachers and outlined ongoing plans for the upcoming school year.

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.

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