The meeting began with a detailed presentation on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) testing data. Dr. Damali Robinson announced an achievement for the district: Alexander Hamilton Elementary was honored as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The presentation covered the district’s impressive performance in both English language arts and mathematics, with Miss Sher and Miss Mella providing detailed data. The district’s students consistently outperformed state averages, with a 100% participation rate in the NJSLA. Miss Sher noted that the district’s English language arts performance exceeded the state average by an average of 27%, with strong results particularly in fifth grade. In mathematics, the district’s scores were at least 40% above the state average for grades 3-5 and 30% above average for grades 6-7, highlighting the effective implementation of a new curriculum.

The public comment session shifted the focus to the contentious issue of the girls’ basketball head coach position. Numerous community members, including parents, students, and alumni, expressed their support for Sarah Walman. One speaker emphasized the perceived lack of respect shown to Walman. Lane Feldman, a local youth basketball coach, highlighted Walman’s extensive experience and her role as a mentor to over 1,000 children during her 14-year tenure. Feldman and other speakers criticized the sudden appearance of another candidate’s name on the agenda, calling it a “complete sham.”

Margie Rivera, a former player, presented a letter of recommendation praising Walman’s dedication and technical expertise. Current players, like Emily McKegney and Anna Heis, shared personal anecdotes illustrating Walman’s profound impact on their lives, both on and off the court. They emphasized her unwavering support and dedication, stating that she was more than just a coach but a figure in their development.

The discussion about the coaching position continued with Stephanie Carosella expressing her disappointment over the board’s decision not to promote Walman. She emphasized the importance of promoting qualified women to leadership positions in sports. Despite the emotional appeals, the motion to table the hiring decision did not receive enough support, leading to a vote against it.

In addition to the coaching controversy, the meeting addressed other topics. Public comments included concerns about the quality of drinking water in schools, with parents stressing the importance of ensuring safe water for students. Mr. Canellas reported on the installation of water filtration systems, which the district had ordered to address contaminants in the Ridgewood water supply.

The board also discussed a pilot program aimed at assisting parents in supporting their children’s mathematics education. This initiative was well-received. The need for tools that facilitate parental involvement was highlighted by several attendees.

Another notable moment occurred when a board member announced their resignation, citing difficulties in fulfilling their role due to a lack of trust and misinformation. The member expressed feelings of failure and thanked constituents for their support during their tenure, emphasizing the challenges of navigating community sentiment and individual board responsibilities.

The meeting concluded with a focus on infrastructure and compensation issues. Several speakers advocated for equitable compensation for coaches, particularly highlighting the dedication of coaches like Coach Gallow in the track and field program. Testimonies from students and parents underscored the significant impact these coaches have on athletes’ lives, both on and off the field.