The board is searching for a new superintendent, with Mrs. Winnie Kivet, former director of curriculum, serving as acting superintendent until June 30, 2026. The search process is underway, with the board opting to manage the search internally rather than engaging a search firm, citing their confidence in identifying a suitable candidate based on prior successful searches. The timeline set by the board includes a closing date for applications on November 10, with interviews scheduled for January 2026, and aims to have a new superintendent in place by July 1, 2025. The board is leveraging its diverse membership and experience to navigate the tight New Jersey educational market, emphasizing the unique qualifications needed for Glen Ridge’s small, high-performing district.

Parallel to the superintendent search, the board reviewed a comprehensive demographic study presented by Dr. Richard Grip from Statistical Forecasting. The study provided insights into the community’s changing demographics and projected school enrollments over the next five years. The data revealed a decline in school enrollment over the past seven years, with a loss of approximately 152 students since the 2015-2016 school year. Dr. Grip highlighted trends such as the stable birth rates and a disconnect between these rates and kindergarten enrollments. The study also noted a population growth projection of about 1,000 residents over the next 25 years, with the community predominantly comprising single-family homes and a high rate of educational attainment.

The demographic study underscored the challenges faced by the district, including a shortage of younger residents in their 20s and early 30s due to housing affordability issues. The presentation included visual data like graphs and age-sex pyramids, illustrating demographic distributions and shifts in the community’s age groups. The board discussed these findings in relation to school capacity, revealing that Ridgewood Avenue School currently faces and will likely continue to face seating shortages in five years.

The board also reported on the district’s strong performance in the Quality Assurance and Compliance (QAC) scores, with high marks across various categories, including 100% for governance and operations. Ridgewood Avenue School’s recognition as a Blue Ribbon School at an upcoming state board meeting was highlighted.

Public comments during the meeting brought attention to the high school baseball team’s coaching situation following the dismissal of Coach Dell. Community members urged the board to expedite the hiring process for a new coach, especially with winter training approaching. The administration assured that the position would be posted promptly and outlined a selection process involving stakeholder feedback and multiple interview rounds.

Concerns were also raised about the potential impact of previous events on the superintendent applicant pool and the importance of ensuring contract terms encourage longer tenures. The board acknowledged the average superintendent tenure in New Jersey is about three years, expressing hope to attract a candidate willing to commit to a longer period.

Further discussion during the meeting included updates on the district’s curricular goals for the 2025-2026 school year. These goals focused on enhancing postsecondary readiness, expanding course offerings in business and arts, and implementing a new English Language Arts curriculum for grades K-5. The board emphasized the importance of wellness initiatives, including the “Capturing Kids’ Hearts” program, which supports both student and staff wellness.