Parents and students protest coaching hiring process as board advances personnel item; trustee resigns

Dozens of residents, student-athletes and program alumni packed the Glen Rock Board of Education meeting on Sept. 23 to oppose the administration's handling of a girls varsity basketball coaching appointment and to raise long‑running concerns about coaching stipends and hiring transparency.

Multiple speakers urged the board to postpone action on the personnel item they identified on the agenda as P20 and to consider internal candidates. "You can do the right thing and postpone and give Sarah Wallman the consideration she has earned," said a member of the public in a comment supporting Sarah Wallman, the longtime JV girls coach whom commenters said was not given meaningful consideration. Lane Feldman, who identified himself as an employment litigation attorney and longtime coach in town, said, "She is the most qualified candidate for the position." Students and former players described the coach as a mentor, with one student saying, "She's made us not only better players, but better people."

Speakers also raised a broader concern about stipend inequities and the staffing model for winter track and other programs. Parents and athletes described winter track rosters of "over 80" athletes and spring track rosters of "over 120," arguing that the workload and meet durations justify higher or more equitable compensation and more staffing. "These coaches are here for our student athletes for practices, training 80 plus athletes... sacrificing so much of their personal life and their own expenses to create meaningful experiences for our kids," one parent said.

The board debated P20 and related personnel items during the meeting. Trustee Sharon Scarpelli publicly stated she would vote no on P20 and abstain on other personnel items. The clerk recorded roll-call votes and noted several abstentions; the board chair said the motion on the personnel slate passed. After the vote a public commenter chastised the board, saying, "You all should be ashamed of yourselves."

Tensions at the meeting culminated when a trustee announced a resignation effective at the end of the session, citing a lack of trust and information as reasons. "It has become increasingly hard to do your job when you're misinformed and uninformed... I am submitting my resignation from the Board of Education effectively tonight," the trustee said.

What happens next: The personnel appointments on the agenda will proceed per the board's vote and the administration's hiring recommendations. Community members who addressed the board asked for clearer, transparent hiring timelines and for the board to reconsider the specific appointment; they also asked for a review of stipend structures for coaching and other extracurricular roles.

The meeting contained extended public testimony, several recorded abstentions and at least one explicit no vote on P20; the board did not reverse the hiring action during the session.