Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Childhood topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents, staff press board to preserve Infant‑Toddler Development Center amid budget squeeze
Summary
Families and staff told the board the Infant‑Toddler Development Center (ITDC) is an essential 43‑year program and said notifications of potential classroom closures were poorly handled. Administrators said they are exploring alternatives to preserve the program while meeting preschool‑special‑education needs.
At the May 4 board hearing, multiple parents and staff urged the Ridgewood Board of Education to preserve the Infant‑Toddler Development Center (ITDC) after hearing that infant classroom space might be reduced as part of budget balancing.
"It has been 50 days since Dr. Schwarz first presented ITDC's classroom closures as a bullet point on the district budget presentation," parent Esther Kim told the board. She said parents and staff learned about possible closures through informal channels rather than formal district communication and urged the board to step in to preserve the 43‑year‑old program for at least one more school year while alternatives are explored.
Speakers lauded ITDC staff and listed teachers and aides by name, saying the program provides essential early childhood services and steady revenue for the district. Parents cited petitions and community advocacy intended to demonstrate the program's importance and asked the board for transparent timelines and objective data about projected enrollment and classroom revenue.
Administration acknowledged communication mistakes and said it is working to find a third‑way solution: maintain or expand Glen School services for preschool‑disabled students while preserving ITDC where possible through repurposing or off‑site options. "We are working to see what we can do to preserve the program," Superintendent Dr. Schwarz said, without committing to a final plan at the hearing.
Next steps: The district said it will continue site vetting and will report back to the board as options develop. Parents asked for clear timelines so families can plan for fall enrollment and staffing decisions.
