Parent at Roselle Park meeting alleges blocked communications and unfair grading, asks board to restore access

During public comment, Edward Gate (transcript shows variations of his last name: Gate/Gayet/Geid) addressed the board with an extended complaint about communication and grading issues involving his children. He said district staff had blocked his email and ParentSquare account and that the superintendent's office and a district lawyer (identified in the comment as "Mr. Colin") had used harassing or discriminatory language in email exchanges.

The parent cited specific grading concerns, saying his first grader scored "19 out of 20" but had been given a marking of '3' and questioned grade-level conversions and the handling of scores. He said the third-grade situation was worse and that he had been changed from 'supportive' to 'non-supportive' in district records. He asked the board to restore his ParentSquare access, to designate a professional (he suggested a counselor) to communicate with him, and to conduct a survey on the superintendent's office performance because he believes other parents and staff are afraid to come forward.

Board leadership acknowledged the comment and told him they would follow up on the questions he raised; there was no immediate formal remedy recorded in the public session. The transcript shows the board thanked him for the comment and indicated staff would follow up. No vote or directive restoring ParentSquare access was recorded in the public portion of the meeting.

Other public commenters during the meeting also raised staffing and contract concerns (custodial staffing and contract negotiations), and several attendees offered thanks and event reminders to the board and community.

The board did not announce a timeline for responding publicly to the allegations raised by the parent; the superintendent and business office are listed in meeting materials as points of follow-up for financial and communications questions.