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Residents urge better accessibility and audio at board meetings; administration to follow up
Summary
Public commenters said the upstairs meeting location and poor sound make meetings inaccessible to people with disabilities; Interim Superintendent Giovanni Giancaspro said he would follow up and consider moving future meetings to the cafeteria.
Several residents raised accessibility concerns during public comment at the Rochelle Park Board meeting on Feb. 24, saying the upstairs meeting location and lack of clear audio make it difficult for people with mobility or hearing disabilities to participate.
Mr. Houghton, representing Access for All and the Environmental Committee, said the upstairs meeting location is not compliant for people with disabilities and described difficulties hearing the proceedings. A second commenter who did not give a name said she wears hearing aids and finds the meetings extremely hard to follow because sound is muffled unless she can directly face the speaker.
Interim Superintendent Giovanni Giancaspro acknowledged the concern and said he would follow up with the Supervisor of Special Education and consider moving future board meetings to the cafeteria — which has a ground‑floor entrance — to improve access. The administration also discussed providing an escort from the downstairs entrance on meeting nights.
Other public comments included a proposal for a community garden in partnership with SEPAC and the Environmental Committee and questions about ensuring every class has at least one field trip; Principal Dr. Courtney Carmichael said every grade has at least one trip scheduled and PTO is coordinating assemblies and family programs.
What’s next: Administration to contact commenters and explore accessible meeting locations and audio solutions before future meetings.
