The reconfiguration of the River Edge Public School District has been a topic of considerable interest and debate within the community. Acting Superintendent Cathy Danahy advised the board to reconsider moving forward with the reconfiguration plans. Danahy proposed a strategic planning process to establish clear goals for the district and outline the steps necessary to achieve them. This process is intended to engage the school community and consider the impact of decisions on students, staff, and the community at large.

During her remarks, Danahy stated, “At the forefront of all decisions that I make will be how the decisions will impact the students academically, physically, and socially and emotionally. The challenges of meeting the needs of both general education and special education students were also highlighted as significant factors in the reconfiguration discussion.

The board members expressed their appreciation for the Acting Superintendent’s review and the diligent consideration she brought to the matter. The upcoming board retreat was identified as an opportunity for team building among board members and for setting collective goals for the year ahead.

Aside from the reconfiguration topic, the meeting saw the announcement of the certified election results from November 7th, 2023. Elizabeth Brown and Joshua Cohen secured three-year terms on the board, while Lauren D’Alessandro won a one-year term. Following the election results, the newly elected trustees, including Cohen and D’Alessandro, were administered the oath of office. However, Elizabeth Brown was noted as absent during the roll call.

The board then proceeded to elect its new leadership, resulting in Eun Kang being named the president and Eric Langley assuming the role of vice president.

During the meeting, the board addressed various reorganization items, such as the approval of the notice of meetings, the school code of ethics, official newspapers, and depositories and signature authorization. All these items were individually voted on and approved. Despite the opportunity for public comments, no members of the public chose to speak.

In addition to the reconfiguration and election topics, the board addressed routine district matters. Principal Mr. Hensel provided updates on school activities, including mid-year assessments and upcoming events such as spelling bees and performances. The board approved several items, including the resignation of a staff member and the receipt of a donation made in memory of a former superintendent.

The public comment portion of the meeting featured expressions of gratitude from a newly elected board member for the support received during the election process. As the meeting drew to a close, the board members and public demonstrated support for the Acting Superintendent’s approach, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing students’ well-being in any decisions made.