The meeting opened with a nod to Glen Rock School District’s athletic prowess. The acting athletic director, Mr. Paul Cusack, took the opportunity to recognize the boys’ tennis, lacrosse, and baseball teams for being honored as Bergen County Team of the Year. Each team’s success story was presented by their coach or representative, detailing their journey to league titles and state sectional championships, as well as celebrating individual athletes’ accomplishments. In addition to team accolades, the girls’ lacrosse coach, Kyle McCord, was distinguished as the Bergen County lacrosse coach of the year.

Shifting the focus from athletic to academic performance, the board delved into the district’s test scores and progress. A presentation by Mr. Benest on the NJPA graduation test results revealed a 100% participation rate and significant improvements in graduation readiness in both English and mathematics. The English graduation readiness has seen an increase from 73% to 97%, while mathematics scores have surpassed the state average by 37%. Despite these advances, the board recognized an existing achievement gap for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), particularly in math. To address this, the board discussed implementing intervention strategies, enhancing support for co-teaching initiatives, and providing professional development for high school teachers to better align courses with state standards.

During the agenda items discussion, several questions and comments from the board members were noted. The language instruction and educational program plan, a three-year plan submitted to the state for multilanguage learners, was among the topics raised. The chief school administrator provided explanations, emphasizing the importance of pre-meeting preparation to ensure efficient responses to board members’ inquiries during sessions. Additionally, the guides prepared by the business office were acknowledged for their helpfulness in streamlining administrative processes.

Public comments touched upon concerns related to communication, teacher retention, and hiring practices. One community member voiced the need for more parent and teacher input through surveys. They also questioned the salary levels for teachers and the hiring processes for teacher aides and substitute teachers, comparing Glen Rock’s situation with that of other districts.

Concluding the meeting on a logistical note, the board discussed the upcoming board retreat and goal-setting session. Members expressed a preference for setting aside a separate day for the retreat to ensure a productive and focused discussion on the district’s goals for the year. A proposal was made to use a survey or doodle poll to determine the most suitable date and time for this important event.