Tensions Rise at Glen Rock School Board Meeting Over Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach Hiring

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, a heated Glen Rock Board of Education meeting on Monday saw a board member resign and community members rally behind Junior Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach, Sarah Wolman, as frustrations mounted over the hiring process for the varsity coaching position.

The controversy began when a new candidate was selected for the Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach role, leaving Wolman — a Glen Rock High School alum and long-time coach — sidelined. Parents and students, disappointed by the decision, claimed that the chosen candidate had ties to the superintendent’s former district, Pequannock, and was placed on the agenda at the last minute.

Board Member Resigns in Protest

Board member Elizabeth Carr announced her resignation during the meeting, citing a lack of transparency and trust within the district.

“It’s increasingly hard to do your job when you’re misinformed and uninformed, and there is a lack of trust,” Carr said, addressing the packed room. “The work that I’ve done for the district and the students since 2006 I feel I can no longer do, and I’m sorry. I want to thank everybody who voted for me. It’s been an honor and a pleasure, and my door is still going to be open and my phone is still going to be answered.”

Her resignation added fuel to the growing concerns about the school administration’s decision-making process.

Rallying for Coach Sarah Wolman

Support for Coach Wolman surged after the meeting. A petition advocating for her promotion to the Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach position gained significant traction, with over 531 signatures by Wednesday afternoon. The petition highlighted Wolman’s extensive involvement with the Glen Rock High School basketball program and her contributions to youth leagues for over a decade. It also criticized the hiring of a candidate with no prior ties to Glen Rock.

“We are a team of women and it would be empowering to be led by another, especially Coach Sara,” said one student during the meeting, to applause from the crowd.

Concerns Over Superintendent’s Hiring Practices

Parents also voiced frustrations about the superintendent’s staffing decisions, alleging that he had repeatedly hired individuals from his former district, Pequannock, without proper consideration for internal candidates. Parent Stephanie Kivett Ohnegian praised Wolman as “one of the best coaches my daughter’s ever had for both basketball and softball” and called out the pattern of hiring Pequannock staff members.

Despite the turmoil, there may be a silver lining for Wolman. The male candidate who was initially hired for the Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach position resigned after accepting the role, reopening the position. Wolman remains interested in the job, and her supporters are hopeful that she will finally be given the opportunity to lead the team.

As the Glen Rock community continues to voice its support for Wolman, the Board of Education is now tasked with addressing the concerns surrounding the hiring process and ensuring a fair resolution for all involved.

 

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