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Parents urge board to address nurse coverage, substitutes and classroom supplies
Summary
Parents at the Hackensack Board of Education meeting raised alarms about lunchtime nurse coverage for students with severe allergies, chronic substitute shortages that split classes, and missing classroom supplies such as white paper; district leaders said they would follow up.
Several parents used the board's public‑comment period on Feb. 11 to press for clearer health coverage and more classroom resources. Donna, who identified herself as a resident and a registered nurse, told trustees she was worried that "there's no nurse in the building for here in Washington" and urged the district to provide nurse coverage, especially during lunch periods.
Amanda Green, a parent of two students at Nellie K. Parker School, said both of her children have anaphylaxis to peanuts and called the lack of a consistent nurse during lunch "very concerning": "I have 2 children, both who have, anaphylaxis towards peanuts, and it is very concerning that there's no nurse in the school for, that lunch period." Board members acknowledged the concern, said HR and the superintendent were working to fill positions, and told parents the superintendent would follow up with answers.
Parents also raised operational problems: multiple speakers said some classrooms lacked white printing paper and that substitute shortages had required class splits. Riza Mendoza said her child with an IEP was frustrated by missing white paper and offered to donate supplies. District representatives said they were not aware of a formal budget freeze on supplies and asked parents to use the sign‑in sheet so staff could follow up.
