the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Tenafly NJ, growing online petition is urging school administrators to reverse their decision to remove a beloved guidance counselor at Tenafly High School, a move students say is deeply upsetting and harmful to the school community.
The petition, created on Change.org by Tenafly students, calls for the reinstatement of Natalie Kohan, a counselor who began her tenure at the start of the 2023-2024 school year. As of the afternoon of June 4, the petition had already received 57 signatures and continues to gain traction across social media platforms.
Budget Cuts Lead to Staff Shake-Up
According to students and reports in The Echo, the Tenafly High School student newspaper, Kohan’s removal stems from budget cuts within the district. However, students argue that the decision undermines their well-being, stability, and trust in the school system.
“To put it simply, she was a source of stability in a time when everything felt like chaos,” reads the petition. “Her office was a safe space, and her presence in this school made many of us feel seen, heard and valued.”
The students described Kohan as one of the most compassionate, dedicated, and impactful counselors in recent memory. Many say her loss will be especially difficult for the rising senior class, who are now on track to have three different guidance counselors in four years, disrupting the consistency needed for college and career planning.
Timing Sparks Frustration Amid $76M Referendum
The backlash comes just months after Tenafly voters approved a $76 million school referendum to fund upgrades to security, instructional spaces, and athletic facilities. For many students, Kohan’s removal sends a mixed message about the district’s priorities.
“While this project was meant to improve the student experience, this decision makes many of us feel like we’re being ignored,” the petition states.
Despite the growing public outcry, it’s unclear whether the move to dismiss Kohan is final. Terry Corallo, public relations manager for the Tenafly School District, told NorthJersey.com that the district “does not comment on personnel matters.”
Students Demand to Be Heard
In their appeal, students urge the Tenafly Board of Education to listen to the voices of those most impacted by the decision.
“Even if the decision is irreversible, we hope the board thinks deeply about the people they’re removing and the students they’re hurting,” the petition concludes. “And that next time, they choose more wisely.”
The petition is a clear example of student activism and highlights growing concern over how administrative decisions affect school culture and student mental health.
The word “beloved” is way overused.