Park Ridge School Board Member Faces November Recall Vote After Petition Gains Enough Signatures

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

PARK RIDGE, NJ — A campaign to remove Park Ridge Board of Education member Robert Fisher Jr. from office has officially gained enough signatures to appear on the November 2025 ballot, according to the Bergen County Clerk’s Office.

Elections Division Supervisor Sabrina Taranto confirmed that the recall petition, organized by a group of local residents, collected 2,141 valid signatures — exceeding the minimum requirement of 1,864. Fisher has until August 22 to challenge the certification.

Background on Robert Fisher Jr.

Fisher, now a Vanderbilt University student in Nashville, Tennessee, made headlines in 2023 as one of the youngest school board members in New Jersey history, winning his seat just months after graduating from Park Ridge High School.

Since moving nearly 900 miles away, Fisher says he has spent “thousands of dollars” traveling back to attend meetings. However, the recall committee cites frequent absences, alleging that he has missed 30% of board meetings in 2025 — including a contentious budget meeting in May — and rarely attends community events.

Key Issues Driving the Recall

1. Meeting Attendance — The recall group claims Fisher’s out-of-state residency impacts his ability to serve effectively.

2. Committee Participation — Residents say he has not served on any board committees since early 2024, limiting his involvement in budgeting and contract negotiations.

3. Residency Concerns — Allegations arose regarding a $10 per month lease Fisher submitted to maintain local residency, which the borough zoning officer questioned. Fisher insists his housing arrangement complies with all state, county, and municipal laws.

Recall organizers Laura Clark, Mary McNamara, and Rebecca Anastos say dozens of residents joined their effort, citing frustration over what they call a “lack of transparency and commitment” from Fisher.

Fisher’s Response

Fisher defends his record, arguing he left committees in protest after the board refused to make them public or release meeting minutes. He also accuses the recall group of political motives, saying, “If they really believe I am not a legal resident, why didn’t they pursue a court ruling instead of harassing my landlord?”

Next Steps

If the recall succeeds in November, Fisher’s seat would be declared vacant, and the school board would follow state procedures to fill it. Until then, Fisher remains an active member of the Park Ridge Board of Education and says he plans to return to town after graduating from Vanderbilt.

Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: Onlyonesmallvoice@gmail.com