Glen Ridge student tells board repeated swastikas and slurs persist, urges action
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Summary
A recent graduate, Griffin Kim, told the Glen Ridge board he has repeatedly seen swastikas and slurs in school and said reporting produced no meaningful discipline; he urged the board to rebuild student trust and take "substantial" steps to stop harassment of Jewish and queer students.
Griffin Kim, a recent Glen Ridge High School graduate, told the Glen Ridge Public School District Board of Education during public comment that students have repeatedly encountered swastikas and slurs in school buildings and that formal reports produced no significant disciplinary response.
"I've seen swastikas drawn here, there and everywhere," Griffin said, listing graffiti on music stands, desks and chairs and recounting that a student who used a slur in class continued to repeat the language despite reports. "Inaction is, in my opinion, a massive reason why a lot of the problems in this town are able to propagate," he said, urging the board to "do your jobs, please."
Griffin asked the board to take "something actually substantial" to address harassment and to build trust so students will report incidents. During a second comment period later in the meeting he added that adults must be "upstanders, not bystanders" and said students believe current reporting systems will not bring meaningful change.
Board leadership acknowledged the comment and reminded the public of meeting comment protocols; no formal policy change or disciplinary action was announced at the meeting. The public portion concluded and the board moved briefly into executive session to complete unfinished business.
Why it matters: Students' accounts of repeated hate symbols and slurs raise questions about school climate, reporting systems and whether disciplinary or restorative programs are being applied effectively. The concern was raised publicly but the board did not adopt any immediate new policy or directive during this meeting.
What the board said: The president opened public comment and thanked speakers for their remarks; later the board noted the matter and proceeded with the agenda. The transcript does not record any formal motion, referral to staff, or vote tied specifically to Griffin Kim's comments.
