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Parents and students press Rochelle Park board on G&T delays, Chromebooks and recess routines
Summary
During public comment, a parent said the gifted-and-talented program has not been fully executed; another parent reported long-standing Chromebook failures; several students raised concerns about recess length, cafeteria seating and the timing/location of the Pledge of Allegiance. Superintendent DeNobile proposed a student advisory council and said administrators would follow up.
Several community members and students addressed the board during the Jan. 28 public-comment period with operational and instructional concerns.
A parent identified as Mrs. Santiago told the board the district's gifted-and-talented program has not been fully executed this school year and said students were "missing out" on services. Superintendent Sue DeNobile said Mrs. Santiago had followed the chain of command and that the selection process had changed, causing delays; DeNobile said the district and the parent "conceded that going forward the district will work on moving the process along quicker." The board thanked Mrs. Santiago for following procedures.
Another parent (listed in the minutes as Mrs. DeFranco) raised problems with students' Chromebooks, saying one student's device "hasn’t worked in years" and asking permission for the child to use a personal laptop; Superintendent DeNobile said this was the first she had heard of the specific complaint and that technology staff (Mr. Cox) would be contacted when available. The parent said there appear to be insufficient spare devices.
Several students approached the dais to raise questions about inconsistent recess length, rules about sitting with other classes in the cafeteria (administrators said the practice relates to safety and emergency accounting) and when the Pledge of Allegiance is performed. Dr. DeNobile praised the students' demeanor and proposed creating a student advisory council to meet with Principal Dr. Courtney Carmichael to address these and other student issues.
The board did not take immediate action on the public-comment items; administration committed to follow up with parents, technology staff and the principal.
