Board delays bond counsel award over referendum questions
Board members put off the bond counsel contract while they sorted out fees, a not-to-exceed cap, and how the work fits a possible November 2027 referendum.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — bond counsel award tabled amid referendum, policy committee report, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The contract was not just about legal work now; board members treated it as an early step in a much larger facilities planning process.
A contract vote turned into a referendum preview. The Ridgewood Board of Education tabled an award for bond counsel after board members questioned the proposed fee structure, the not-to-exceed amount, and whether the contract matched the district’s current stage of planning.
The discussion did not stay narrow for long. Board members tied the legal services question directly to the facilities committee’s long-range capital planning work and to the possibility of a November 2027 referendum. That made the contract feel less like a routine professional-services award and more like an early decision in a much bigger timeline.
For now, the award is on hold while the board sorts out what kind of legal support it wants and when. The next step appears to be aligning any bond counsel work with the district’s broader facilities planning, so the board is not paying for a referendum process before it is ready to define one. The meeting did not produce a final contract or a final referendum decision, but it made one point clear: the board is already thinking about how long-range capital needs could reach voters in November 2027.
Policy Committee Report: Second Reading Policies and Ongoing Policy Updates
Old policies are getting a long-overdue rewrite. The policy committee told the board that items on the agenda were up for second reading and said members had already discussed them at the prior meeting.
The committee said it met again during the week and plans more sessions ahead, with longer meetings to keep the work moving. Members described the review as a large project that will take time, not a one-meeting cleanup.
Barto of the problem is age. The committee said many policies date to 2009, and even policies with that date may not reflect newer laws or newer issues schools now face. One example was e-bikes. The message from the report was simple: the board is working through a large backlog, and the policy agenda will stay active across multiple meetings as members update old language and review requests from board members.
Board closes meeting without final comments
The board opened a second public comment period near the end of the meeting, but no one spoke. With no hands raised and no speakers coming forward, the presiding officer closed public comment and moved on.
Second public comment period closed with no speakers.
Curriculum committee maps survey and summer work
The Curriculum Committee said teachers spent the summer on curriculum writing, pacing, and preparing course materials, while the district kept monitoring gifted and talented and school counseling. The committee is now exploring a social norms campaign tied to student survey results and whether opioid settlement money could help fund training or related projects.
litigation
Board affirms substantiated HIB finding at RHS
The board adopted a resolution affirming the superintendent’s finding that a reported Ridgewood High School incident met the definition of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. The resolution referenced incident identifiers 304722 and 02206 and the date February 18, 2026; one board member abstained and the rest voted yes.
leadership change
Parent presses for Travell kindergarten aides
A parent asked the board to place a full-time aide in each Travell kindergarten classroom, pointing to class sizes of 21 to 22 students, shared paraprofessional support, instruction, and safety. The superintendent said the district would review class sizes and comparison data, noted budget limits, and invited further discussion.
Kindergarten staffing directly affects class support, safety, and how much individual attention young students receive.
- Ridgewood Board of Education. In closing public comment, a speaker (stated as RHS Class of 1975) thanked the Board and expressed excitement that the clock tower repair donation was approved. The speaker said it was their first meeting in many years and praised the Board for handling complicated matters.
- Ridgewood Board of Education. A parent of an incoming kindergarten student at Travell Elementary raised concerns about kindergarten class sizes (21–22 students per class) and staffing (one teacher per class and a shared paraprofessional). The speaker requested a full-time aide in each kindergarten classroom, citing instructional quality and safety concerns.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Ridgewood had 44 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Submission to Establish Three Additional Special Education Classrooms at Glen School. The Board approved a submission request to establish three additional classrooms for a special education program at Glen School. The superintendent stated state approval was needed for the new use/certification, noting the space had previously been approved for daycare/infant-toddler use. The motion passed unanimously.
- GOVERNANCEBoard renews STEPS lease and seeks added space. The board renewed the 30-38 Oak Street lease for the STEPS program while describing difficult negotiations with a new landlord and the need to keep the space for students. It also approved a state submission to change use of educational space for additional STEPS space because of increased enrollment and staffing needs.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Capital Project Submissions to NJDOE (Including Willard Canopy and Lead Line Replacement Applications). The Board approved submission of capital projects to the New Jersey Department of Education, including a new canopy at Willard School funded by the Willard HSA and lead line replacement submissions for the Education Center, GW, and Willard. The Board discussed grant reimbursement and that identified lead line locations were being addressed. The motion passed with one member abstaining.
- GOVERNANCEBoard reviews grounds and snow contract terms. The finance committee previewed a Manilo grounds and snow contract with added services and revised snow-removal terms. Board members then questioned the contract maximum, snowfall assumptions, tiered payments, sidewalk work, and a hallway services cap before moving ahead.
- GOVERNANCESuperintendent Report: State of the Schools Address Timing, Summer Work, Aftercare Transition, and Administrative Reorganization. Dr. Schwarz announced the State of the Schools address was moved to the September 14 meeting. He reported on summer work (professional development, curriculum writing, cleaning, construction, and budget work), and said the district is transitioning the school-age program to be operated by the district rather than a private vendor. He also described a minor administrative reorganization involving HR leadership.
- GOVERNANCEBoard advances policy updates and remote instruction plan. The Policy Committee reported nine mostly minor policy updates, and the board later approved administration items including policies on second reading. The same administration vote also covered the fall sports schedule and a virtual or remote instruction plan, with discussion of technology needs during health-related closures.
- GOVERNANCEPomptonian renewal pulled after board questions contract. The finance committee heard a presentation on the Pomptonian food service contract, including program changes, pricing formulas, and annual renewal terms. Before the finance vote, board members said they lacked full contract access and backup documentation, and the superintendent withdrew the renewal to revisit terms and return with an updated agreement.
- GOVERNANCEFinance Discussion: School Tax Levy Timing and Village Collection of Deferred School Taxes. A board member raised concerns about the timing of the school tax increase being reflected on village tax bills and stated the village collects increased amounts starting in January, holding funds as “deferred school taxes” and earning interest. The administration explained the 3.78% calculation based on the school tax rate change (1.801 to 1.869) and noted the question was answered based on the information provided.
- GOVERNANCEAward Contract Bid #07-27: Fire Extinguisher and Fire Suppression Services. The Board awarded bid #07-27 for fire extinguisher and fire suppression services, with costs stated as exceeding $50,000 and including kitchen suppression systems across the district. The superintendent noted a significant difference among bids and that the district accepted the second bidder. The motion passed unanimously.
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