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Parents, students and residents urge transparency and protest cuts at Ridgefield board meeting
Summary
Multiple residents and students addressed the board during public comment, urging transparency in budget decisions, opposing proposed staff cuts, and defending or questioning employment decisions; several speakers specifically raised concerns about Dr. Nadler's employment and the budget process.
Dozens of Ridgefield residents, parents and students used the public comment period at the May 7 Ridgefield Board of Education meeting to press the board on proposed budget cuts and what several speakers described as a lack of transparency.
Speakers included residents Tawila Hoffman (823 Linden Avenue) and Noreen Bredhold (2 Douglas Court), multiple RMHS students (including Carlos Luciano of 956 Elm Avenue, Anthony Pantaleone of 560 Oakdene Avenue, Hannah Song of 740 Clark Avenue, Hassan Darwish, Anabella Maguire and Ankara Leon Rosas), and others from surrounding towns who said they were concerned about cutbacks and personnel decisions. Bredhold specifically raised concerns about the budget process's transparency and commented on the employment of Dr. Nadler; others similarly questioned or defended personnel choices. An officer read a statement from the Ridgefield Police Department on behalf of School Resource Officer Sergeant Greg Anastassatos about the employment of Dr. Nadler and Mr. Romeo.
Students spoke about the impact of cuts on clubs and academic programs, and community members warned of effects on departments such as math. Several speakers asked the board to consult state legislators for assistance and to consider ways to preserve extracurriculars. Board members responded in turn, answering questions about non‑renewals, support for non‑renewed staff, and clarifying what portions of the budget are submitted to the county.
Councilwoman Congalton‑Hali addressed the board later in the meeting and praised Curriculum Director Dr. DePass and administrators for district work, noting the district's recognition as a county exemplar and announcing athletic‑field lighting replacements and upcoming events.
The meeting record shows the board took no immediate personnel action in open session in response to public comment; an executive session to discuss employee matters was later proposed. The board asked administration to evaluate needs for potential program restorations and to present recommendations to committees if funding allows.
