Ridgewood Village School District

The meeting included an executive session to discuss student personnel and personnel matters. Key discussions and approvals covered retirement recognitions, the 2024-2025 Audit Report, school safety data correction, and board committee reports. Consent items involved approving attendance at conferences, receipt and approval of suspensions and HIB reports, the first reading of a revised regulation (P7513), approval of field trips, the 2025-2026 High School Sports Schedule, and numerous human resources actions including appointments, changes of assignments, terminations, resignations for retirement, resignations, and various leaves of absence. The board approved supplemental pay for AP Proctors, numerous clubs/activities, before and after school supervision, clock operators, pitch counts, site managers, and chaperones for various events. Finance items included accepting restricted donations, approving budget appropriation transfers for December 2025, certifying line items, accepting the Secretary and Treasurer reports for December 2025, and approving the disposal of assets, the 2026 Summer Adventure Program, and various special education agreements and placements. Non-consent resolutions addressed the acceptance of the Annual Audit, ACFR, AMR for 2024-2025, and the Corrective Action Plan for 2024-2025, as well as submission of the SEMI Corrective Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2027. The agenda also noted a discussion on Regulation 9170 regarding Home Schooling and a Policy Revision Proposal concerning the Athletic Fields and Facilities Policy.

The meeting commenced with an executive session to discuss student personnel matters, reconvening for the public meeting thereafter. Key discussions included student representative reports on high school activities. Public comments primarily focused on the ongoing issue of inadequate classroom heating at Ridge school and concerns regarding the criteria and implementation of the new Ridgewood Enrichment Program, particularly concerning twice-exceptional students and assessment reliance on testing. Other agenda items covered updates on district goals, the Superintendent's report including the recent QSAC visit and budget process, and committee reports. The board approved numerous consent items, including conference attendance, adoption of revised policies (Policy 5710 and Regulation 8810), field trips, personnel actions such as appointments, changes of assignment, retirements, resignations, and leaves of absence. The Finance Committee reported on the preliminary budget, and the board accepted several restricted donations for various school needs. A resolution was passed to withhold an employee's salary increment due to poor performance.

The agenda for the Regular Public Meeting covered several items including an Executive Session to discuss student personnel and personnel matters. Key discussions and approvals included the Student Representative Report, the Ridgewood Enrichment Program Presentation, and the Superintendent's Report. Consent items involved approving attendance at conferences, receipt and findings of Suspension and HIB reports, adoption of revised policies (Policy 5710 and Regulation 8810), approval of field trips, and numerous Human Resources actions such as appointments, changes of assignments for teachers and support staff, and handling resignations for retirement and regular resignations, as well as approving leaves of absence and supplemental pay for various roles including coaching, clubs/activities, chaperones, and academic intervention services. Finance matters included acceptance of restricted donations, approval of budget appropriation transfers, Secretary's Line Item Certification, acceptance of Board Secretary and Treasurer reports, and approval of out-of-district placements and summer programs. The board also awarded the contract for Commercial Realtor of Record to Tarvin Realtors.

The meeting commenced with acknowledgment of an executive session and details regarding advanced public notice. Student representatives provided updates on various activities. The first student noted a congratulations to a student selected for the US Senate Youth Panel and discussed upcoming travel to Washington D.C. The second student provided a comprehensive report on high school activities including orchestra, band, acapella, and drama performances, the Maroon Awards for kindness, college counseling meetings, and updates on winter sports like swimming and ice hockey, noting strong performance in county competitions. The third student detailed successes of the Ridgewood Crew program, emphasizing its inclusivity, academic achievements of its members, international and national competition successes in 2025, and the structure of its parent-run nonprofit funding, while requesting clarity from the Board on middle school engagement and funding processes. A representative for the Ridgewood Crew then spoke about the significant personal development, discipline, and leadership skills gained through the sport, noting its physical and mental health benefits, and the mentorship structure between high school and middle school participants. The board also discussed implementing three public comment periods throughout the meeting, including one following the special education report.

The meeting commenced with the swearing-in ceremony for a newly elected board member, Sheila Broen, who affirmed support for the US and New Jersey Constitutions and the qualifications for the office of board education member. Following this, the board discussed and adopted the New Jersey School Boards Association Board Member Code of Ethics, which was read aloud and signed by members. Significant time was spent discussing the schedule of board meetings, including potential conflicts with the September 14th date, and the general timeline for budget discussions, with concerns raised about budget presentation and adoption timing in February/March and the length of meetings when presentations occur before core business. The board then proceeded with the reorganization process, resulting in the election of Sheila Broen as President and Mohammad Mu as Vice President.