The school board’s decision to appoint Miss Diane Kazo as the new superintendent was a focal point of the meeting. With over two decades of experience in the district, Kazo’s journey from substitute teacher to superintendent was celebrated. The board members collectively expressed their support during the roll call vote. Kazo, in her acceptance speech, expressed gratitude and a deep commitment to the community, emphasizing her dedication to fostering a supportive educational environment. Her appointment was vetted and approved by the Bergen County Executive Superintendent of Schools.

While the appointment of Kazo was met with enthusiasm, the meeting also addressed contentious issues regarding the approval of student clubs. Public comments were dominated by discussions about the proposed Turning Point USA club at the high school. One community member, Kim Graham, openly opposed the club, citing concerns about its potential to foster divisiveness and negatively impact students, particularly those from marginalized communities. Graham’s opposition was supported by over 600 signatures from community members.

In contrast, another public participant, identified as Mike, expressed frustration over delays in approving a different club associated with his son. Despite raising $2,500 for the club’s advisor stipend, Mike questioned the board’s budgetary decisions and urged them to reconsider the club’s formation without further delays. This highlighted the broader issue of club funding and approval, emphasizing the need for transparency and consistency in the board’s decision-making process.

The discussions around club approvals were further complicated by previous accusations of dishonesty against the superintendent during a prior meeting. A participant, Justin Rivera, addressed these concerns, stressing the importance of a viewpoint-neutral policy in school club approvals. Rivera emphasized that public school administrators must evaluate club applications based on established criteria, such as student interest and faculty sponsorship, rather than personal or ideological preferences. He underscored the constitutional obligation of the school leadership to maintain transparency and fairness, asserting that procedural explanations should not be misconstrued as deception.

In other developments, the board announced a shift in its meeting format. This decision aims to encourage public participation within the auditorium, although streaming and viewing will still be available. The board also introduced a new calendar for the budget approval process for the 2026-2027 school year, with a specific change to the meeting date from March 18 to March 25.

Additionally, the board approved two resolutions permitting non-resident students to continue their enrollment in Fort Lee schools.