Public raises HIB concerns at Weehawken High; board accepts superintendent's September HIB findings and holds closed session

Several members of the public used the Nov. 26 public-comment period to raise student climate and aftercare concerns, and the board later accepted the superintendent's HIB determinations for September 2024 and entered closed session to discuss HIB.

During public comment, Kathleen Clancy said she "liked the kind phrases" placed in Weehawken High School stairways but expressed concern that an HIB incident undermined those messages and asked that the alleged incident be known to the public and that the school environment be reviewed. Mimi Marcus, speaking for the PTA, thanked the district for support and noted the PTA received a STEM grant. Edrea Sousa asked the district to consider lowering Apollo aftercare fees and to restore afternoon WISE offerings.

Later in the meeting the board accepted the superintendent's HIB report for September 2024, which listed incidents by school and date and indicated whether the HIB specialist found the accused student(s) did commit (#2) or did not commit (#1) HIB. The minutes record multiple findings including several #2 findings (example: WHS 9/24/2024 #2). The board noted no requests for a board hearing had been filed. The roll-call vote recorded six ayes and one abstention: Mr. Ahmad abstained with respect to the DWS 9/11/2024 #1 finding; two members were absent.

The board moved into executive caucus at 8:15 p.m. to discuss personnel, collective bargaining and litigation matters and the record states that HIB was discussed in closed session. The public meeting resumed at 8:58 p.m., and the meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m.