Ridgewood Schools Will Begin Superintendent Search Amid Turmoil
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Superintendent of Schools Daniel Fishbein announced his retirement Friday, and, in the process, created a firestorm in the district.
Gathered outside the Ed Center prior to the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting Monday, roughly 200 members of the school community rallied in support of the outgoing Fishbein, according to Northjersey.com.
His resignation comes after 12 years in the district, and shortly after the resignation of business administrator Antoinette Kelly. Both will leave their roles in December.
According to a letter to the district community from Fishbeing, his intention is simply to retire, but members of the community expressed greater concern.
"The past six months have tested all of us in extraordinary ways, and I am honored and proud to have been at the helm of this district as we navigated such a challenging time," he wrote.
During a four-hour meeting, community members, some of whom were gathered outside, called in to sing Fishbein's praises, while others chimed in with frustration over discord between the district and members of the Board of Education.
One of those to share comment was Ridgewood High School Principal Thomas Gorman.
Gorman began by praising the efforts of the district in creating a safe and effective learning environment for the 2020 school year as a global pandemic persists.
He quickly pivoted to what the Board of Education now faces after two key resignations, and the need for additional hires, as the country continues to battle the coronavirus.
"In addition to the education challenges presented this year, the Board of Ed. will be searching for an attorney, architect, business administrator and superintendent," said Gorman.
"These searches will be conducted with impending REA negotiations, and in the middle of a pandemic. The loss of leadership steering the district during this unprecedented time is of great concern."
On Monday, Board of Education President Michael W. Lembo issued a statement which thanked Fishbein, made a try for unity and explained what's expected to play out in the coming weeks and months.
"The next step in the process is finding an Interim Superintendent while the search for our new permanent Superintendent commences. This entire process will be lengthy, but it will be done with as much transparency and community involvement as possible," he wrote.
Watch the full Board of Education meeting below:
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This article originally appeared on the Ridgewood-Glen Rock Patch
