Parents, staff press Roselle Park board for answers after summer camp uncertainty
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Summary
Multiple parents and staff urged the Roselle Park Board of Education to keep the district summer camp after what speakers described as a sudden, poorly communicated decision; a motion to approve the camp for 2026 was made but withdrawn and referred to the superintendent for review.
At the Roselle Park Board of Education reorganization meeting, parents and former staff pressed the board to clarify the future of the district summer camp after what several speakers called a "sneaky" decision to dissolve or alter the program.
Laura Bundy told the board the program employs more than 100 seasonal staff members and provides affordable childcare and continuity for many Roselle Park families. Parent Brianne McDermott called the program an asset that is "affordable, inclusive and well regarded," and urged the district to explore expansion rather than reduction. Nikki Kelly, citing district accounting moves, said the camp account had been reset to about $57,000 in May 2024 and that the 2025 camp produced a net surplus of approximately $214,000, arguing that "the issue is neither financial sustainability nor enrollment demand." These figures were presented to the board by Kelly as context for asking why the program was in limbo.
A board member moved to approve the summer camp for 2026 "in full" as it had run in 2025; the motion was seconded and placed on the floor for roll call. Lester Taylor, representing the Taylor Law Group as the board's labor counsel, reminded members that reorganization meetings are generally for governance matters and that the superintendent and administration should be consulted before making operational commitments. Taylor cited the New Jersey code of ethics for school board members (NJSA 18A:12-24.1) and recommended the board refer the question to the superintendent so administration could assess budgetary, personnel and programmatic feasibility for the next budget cycle.
Board members discussed the timing and legal/ethical considerations; another motion was made to go into closed session to discuss matters exempt from public disclosure, and the board voted to enter executive session. After reconvening in public session, the member who moved to approve the camp said she would withdraw the motion and requested the issue be discussed at the board's Jan. 20 regular meeting. The superintendent said the administration had "never" made a decision to close the summer program.
The board did not adopt a final action on the camp at the reorganization meeting; members directed the matter for administrative review and possible placement on the Jan. 20 agenda for further discussion or formal action.