State removes Ridgefield Park School District from state monitor status effective July 1, 2025

The New Jersey Department of Education notified the Ridgefield Park Board of Education that the district will be removed from state monitor status effective July 1, 2025, after the department reviewed an exit plan prepared by the state monitor.

The notice, read at the board meeting by Assistant Commissioner David Corso on behalf of Commissioner Kevin Damer, cited the district's sustained fiscal stability and remediation of the circumstances that led to the monitor's initial appointment under N.J.S.A. 18A:7-55. "I am removing the district from state monitor status effective 07/01/2025," Corso said as he read the signed letter from the commissioner.

The removal ends more than a decade of monitoring. The department's communication said the monitor's core responsibility had been to oversee fiscal recovery after serious fiscal-accountability concerns. Corso said the department reviewed the state monitor's exit plan and found that the district, "in collaboration with the monitor, has demonstrated a sustained and sufficient fiscal stability over the past few years." He added that the district "does not have a current balance of state aid advance."

County Executive Superintendent Patrick Fletcher attended the meeting and, according to the assistant commissioner, the Bergen County office will be available to assist the district during the transition and to support the district's obligations under the Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC).

Assistant Commissioner Corso praised the board and administration and pointed to the district's reserves as an indicator of improved fiscal health. "I think it's $6,000,000 in capital reserve, 400 or so thousand in maintenance reserve," he said, describing those numbers as his impression from reviewing the agenda. He added, "Well done. That's all I can say."

Board members and the superintendent responded with remarks of thanks and reflection at the meeting. Board President Martinez opened the floor for trustees' reflections; several trustees described the moment as a milestone after years of oversight and said the district must maintain best practices. Trustee comments emphasized continued attention to governance, a qualified school business administrator in the business office, and sustained progress in educational programs as conditions for long-term success.

During public comment, resident Leslie Gottlieb of Little Ferry congratulated the board and administration on the change in status and said the district now presents a calmer and more positive path forward than earlier years.

What happens next: the letter and Corso's remarks stressed that removal from monitorship does not end oversight responsibilities. The department recommended maintaining business-office best practices and ensuring the district retains qualified financial leadership; the Bergen County office will be available to assist during the transition.

Board and administration officials said they will continue work on governance and educational programs and noted that QSAC reporting and other state-required monitoring will continue as part of normal oversight.