Superintendent reports one serious incident and four confirmed HIB cases; public questions raised about sign, test-score review and mental-health staffing

Superintendent Dr. Paul Casarico presented the biannual Student Safety Information covering Sept. 1–Dec. 31, 2024. He reported one incident categorized as violence, vandalism, weapons or substance abuse at Waldwick High School and no such incidents at the district’s other three schools. Traphagen School recorded twenty incidents of student restraints during the period; no restraints were reported at the other schools. The superintendent also said there were four confirmed incidents of harassment, intimidation or bullying (HIB) and that ten investigations were conducted in total during the reporting period.

During the public-comment portion of the meeting a parent asked about the sign in front of the High School/Middle School and requested the date when the Director of Curriculum will review recently released scores. A resident asked whether board committees are listed on the district website and inquired about the number of mental-health professionals serving students. The board did not provide numeric staffing details during the meeting; the resident’s question therefore remained unanswered on the record.

Board President Marro additionally noted, during consent-agenda discussion, that the Crescent intercom project is scheduled to be performed during spring break but may not be 100% complete at that time. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. on a motion by Trustee Seifert, seconded by Trustee Nappi.

Next steps: follow-up on public requests (curriculum score review date, mental-health staffing detail) were not specified in the meeting minutes and would require a future board response or staff report to provide those details.