Glen Ridge students perform at board meeting; Ridgewood Avenue earns Blue Ribbon as superintendent search draws 52 applicants

Student musicians opened the public portion of the Glen Ridge Public School District board meeting, performing a chorus set and a preview of the marching band's 2025 field show honoring Quincy Jones. Miss Kiebeth introduced the performers and highlighted competitive results: the marching band finished fourth among Group 1 New Jersey schools at the state championships and placed seventh at the National Championships in Allentown with a top national score of 87.4.

"Greetings, Glenridge musicians. Welcome to the board meeting," Miss Kiebeth said as she introduced the chorus and band. Drum major Manny Guardiola introduced the field-show selection, and Emma Rowe, the other drum major, said the show pays tribute to Quincy Jones as composer and producer.

The board also used the superintendent's report to announce several district achievements and administrative items. Miss Kiebeth said Ridgewood Avenue School received a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon award; she and Doctor Harris traveled to Trenton to accept it on behalf of the school staff and students. The board president noted the district's budget calendar has been posted online and that board and district goals were on the agenda for formal approval that evening.

On personnel and leadership planning, the board reported the superintendent search application period closed Nov. 10 with 52 applications in hand. The personnel and policy committee is narrowing candidates and planning first-round remote interviews.

The meeting also included local school updates: athletes advancing to postseason play, home-and-school association activities such as book fairs and fundraisers, and planned community events tied to school anniversaries and fundraisers.