Cliffside Park school officials told the board Dec. 18 that interior work on the high school lobby renovation is progressing and that the district plans to commission a physical needs assessment to study school capacity and possible expansion options.

During committee reports Board member Mister Capano said the high school lobby renovation is advancing: interior sheetrock and drop ceilings are in place, temporary partitions have been installed for winter sports, and the district is awaiting delivery of the entrance glass doors, which have been delayed by supply-chain issues. Capano said the project could be completed in about six to eight weeks if materials arrive.

District officials described enrollment trends in the meeting: the high school enrollment was cited at about 1,320–1,325 students, up roughly 60 students from the previous year. The business administrator and superintendent said the district will hire an engineering firm or consultant to perform a physical needs assessment tied to state guidelines and the district’s enrollment forecasts. Board members said previous options to expand in partnership with private property (a synagogue) were explored but tabled as not feasible due to taxpayer cost.

Public commenter Mark Mueller raised specific concerns about cafeteria capacity, noting a posted occupancy load of 250 for the cafeteria and observing significant shortfalls during peak lunch periods given the school’s enrollment. District officials said alternatives — including block lunch scheduling and use of the renovated lobby and other spaces — are being considered, and the principal has proposed options.

No formal vote to authorize a capital project or construction funding was recorded in the provided excerpt; the discussion centered on commissioning a study to identify potential expansion options and the operational approaches to address lunchroom capacity in the near term.