Board affirms superintendent’s HIB recommendations; custodial staffing and a parent grading complaint raised during public comment

The Roselle Park Public School District board affirmed the superintendent’s recommendations on harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) incidents during the meeting, part of a group of personnel and discipline items the board approved by roll call.

Speaker 6 introduced the HIB agenda item, noting the superintendent’s recommendation and parental appellate rights afforded under New Jersey law. The board voted to affirm the recommendations; roll-call statements recorded multiple board members saying "yes to all." The motion was presented as an affirmation of the superintendent’s determinations and did not include additional public detail on individual cases during open session.

During the public-participation portion, custodial representative Andrew Speranza, who identified himself as a custodian with more than 12 years’ service and the shop steward for custodial maintenance, said custodians were negotiating a contract and asked the board to allow more time for members to review the language. He also raised staffing concerns, noting that several custodial employees have left and that night-shift and part-time help are needed at elementary schools.

A parent, Edward Gate of Hamilton Place, praised a third-grade teacher but accused a first-grade teacher (Ms. Longo) of unfair grading of his daughter and said he had documentation to support his claim. The chair interrupted to remind the speaker that individual personnel concerns should be handled via email to the superintendent and not discussed in public session. The board directed the parent to follow that process.

The HIB affirmation and the public comments are separate outcomes: the board took formal action on the HIB incident recommendations and received public input on staffing and a parental grievance that administration will handle according to personnel and complaint processes.