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2-minute read

HACKENSACK — Lidl, the German discount grocery store, is set to open a 23,250-square-foot store on River Street later this month, the latest addition to the chain as it continues its expansion across the East Coast.

The grand opening for the new Lidl at 150 River St. is set for July 25, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony starting at 7:40 a.m. Customers can arrive early for a freshly baked croissant and a cup of coffee.

After the opening, the store will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The German-based grocer, known for its specialty sauces and cured meats, easily navigable store layouts and fresh pastries and produce, at discount prices, has more than 12,000 stores in 31 countries. including about 150 across the U.S.

The company has been steadily expanding its presence along the East Coast, with new stores announced or recently opened in Totowa, Hackensack, Livingston, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Manhattan. The Hackensack store is the fourth Lidl to open in Bergen County, with others in Paramus, Bergenfield and Elmwood Park. There are more than 20 Lidl stores in New Jersey.

The company is competing with Aldi, another German-born discount grocer, as it expands in the Garden State.

“Shoppers experience a curated collection of private label picks, global imports, and everyday name brands,” the company said in a release announcing the Hackensack store. “From imported cheeses to fresh meats and seafood, you’ll get to experience the quality we’re famous for in Europe — without using your passport.”

The grocer recently launched a special guest bakery program in which it introduces one new baked product each month, leaning into seasonal trends and unique items, available while supplies last. For the Hackensack opening, there will be special items: a cinnamon raisin New York bagel and a banana nut muffin. The store’s “Midl of Lidl” aisle features new items that drop every Monday, with limited-time offers.

The store is part of the Print House development on River Street, a sprawling 20-acre development along the Hackensack River at the site of the former headquarters of The Record newspaper, with a total of 696 units and roughly 40,000 square feet of retail space. The grocer joins other retail tenants in the development, including a drive-thru Starbucks, a Hackensack Meridian Health medical clinic, Jersey Mike's, Blue Foundry Bank and, most recently, Azul, a high-end Mexican restaurant, and the collaborative food hall concept Wonder.

“With the addition of Azul and Wonder to the Print House community, we have a thoughtfully curated set of retail offerings designed to offer convenience and accessibility not only for Print House residents but also to members of the public,” said Adam Pasternack from Russo Development.

The residential units in phase one and two of the property are both fully leased, he said.

With Lidl opening later this month, the development "continues to establish itself as a center for luxury living but also a one-stop shop for fast-casual and sit-down dining, banking, grocery shopping, while also offering health care services through Hackensack Meridian Health,” he said.

HACKENSACK — The city Board of Education appointed Andrea Oates-Parchment on June 18 as acting superintendent, just shy of a week after the board suspended Superintendent Thomas McBryde.

Oates-Parchment had been Hackensack’s assistant superintendent and previously worked as a teacher and principal in the district.

Parents and community members packed the board meeting on June 18, which had been moved to the high school auditorium to accommodate the large crowd. Some questioned why the board suspended McBryde, others voiced their concerns about the impact of the change on students, and others spoke in support of the board and of their trust in Oates-Parchment to lead the district.

McBryde, who had previously worked as a deputy superintendent in Norwalk, Connecticut, assumed the role of Hackensack schools chief in January 2024 under a three-year contract with an annual salary of $263,000.

He was informed of his suspension June 12 after multiple conversations among board members, a representative of the state School Boards Association, and the board’s legal counsel, who reviewed McBryde’s contract, said Jennifer Harris, the school board president.

“While I understand there may be questions, I must emphasize that state law prohibits me from publicly discussing the reasons behind this decision. However, I can share that all non-conflicted board of education trustees unanimously supported this course of action,” Harris said. “The meeting with Dr. McBryde was brief and conducted professionally and in alignment with longstanding district precedent and best practices.”

McBryde was asked to return all district-issued items, including his keys, cellphone and laptop, and was given an opportunity to take any personal items from his office. He told them he had already packed his belongings in advance, Harris said.

The meeting took place at 4 p.m., after students and staff had left the building, and he was given the choice to come back later to get the rest of his things to protect his privacy, she said.

After the meeting with McBryde, Oates-Parchment was asked to assume the role of acting superintendent and the next morning, she and Harris met with staff members to inform them of the situation.

“The board of education recognizes that this situation may create uncertainty, but we want to assure you that the day-to-day operations of our schools will continue without interruption,” Harris said. “Our primary focus remains unchanged, providing excellence in education for every student in our district. With just a few days remaining in the academic year, I encourage all staff members to continue their outstanding work.”

Harris also addressed public statements from former board members criticizing the board’s decision, while knowing current trustees cannot discuss details about personnel matters.

“Instead of using whatever platform they believe they still have to support the district, they have instead chosen to traffic in innuendos, rumors, gossip and social media posts for their own personal agenda and satisfaction,” she said. “One has to wonder why would people who quit this board, and voluntarily gave up on being a voice for our students, suddenly be so loud about matters they know nothing about.”

The board then voted to appoint Oates-Parchment as acting superintendent, effective immediately.

“My calling is to ensure that our kids receive what they need to have prosperity in life. I am here to collaborate with every one of you,” Oates-Parchment said. “We're all willing to work together because we're here for the children, and we're also here to support all of our staff and the community. We can only move ahead, united.”

Some parents asked for more transparency from the board. They said they were blindsided by the suspension of McBryde, and the recent decision not to renew the contracts of several well-liked school administrators and employees.

“There are too many inconsistencies, too many disruptions. and frankly, too many unanswered questions,” said Abby Martinez-Bojos, the PTA president of Fairmount Elementary School. “This environment is not healthy for our children, and it certainly isn't beneficial for their education or their future. There have been sudden changes, with no explanation. We are left to fill in the blanks.”

But other community members told the board they trusted they made the right decision and that they had faith in Oates-Parchment’s leadership.

“Nobody wants to see our first Black superintendent suspended, or any of the other staff fired. But do you really think that there is some nefarious reason behind these actions?” said Deborah Keeling-Geddis, a former City Council member. “I do not think that this board that is 99% minority has taken these actions lightly but unfortunately and legally, they cannot discuss personnel issues. So at this time we must trust their decisions.”

Earlier on June 18, the board also filled the seat left vacant by former Trustee Lissette Cordero-Outen, who resigned in May after the board declined to renew the contracts of the five employees. All had been recommended for renewal by McBryde.

Mike Jones, the owner of Hackensack Brewing Co., who serves on the city Zoning Board and has children in Hackensack schools, was appointed to fill the remainder of the term, which runs through January 2026.

The Hackensack school board suspended its superintendent last week without issuing a public statement explaining their actions.

The Hackensack Board of Education met June 11 in an executive session to discuss personnel matters away from public view. The next day, recently resigned board member Lissette Cordero-Outen posted on Facebook that Superintendent Thomas McBryde had been suspended.

McBryde has two years left on his contract in the Bergen County district. He earned $263,000 in the job last year, according to state data.

Neither McBryde nor school officials responded to a request to comment left with the superintendent’s office Tuesday.

The school board is scheduled to vote Wednesday on replacing McBryde and appointing current assistant superintendent Andrea Oates-Parchment as acting superintendent.

The 6:15 p.m. meeting has been moved to a larger venue within Hackensack High School in anticipation of a large crowd, the school district said.

McBryde is the district’s first Black superintendent, the Bergen Record reported after his 2023 appointment.

The Bergen County Black Caucus’s Facebook page posted a statement calling news of McBryde’s suspension “troubling.”

“When politics and personal agendas take over, our students lose. Constant turnover hurts stability, and students pay the price,” the statement said.

Hackensack enrolls about 5,300 students in six schools.

In May, the board voted to not renew Hackensack Middle School Principal Daniel Sass’s contract, against the wishes of McBryde, according to a report on The Ridgewood Blog, a local news site.

In a letter to the community this week, Sass said he was shocked by this decision.

“I will miss this community dearly,” he said. “It has been a pleasure to lead the future generation of Hackensack.”

A message McBryde wrote after he was hired a superintendent is still on the district’s website.

“My foremost aspiration is to establish an enduring legacy within our educational community, one that blazes trails and paves the way for success for every student and family,” he wrote.

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HACKENSACK

2-minute read

NorthJersey.com

HACKENSACK — The city Board of Education has suspended the superintendent, Dr. Thomas McBryde, just halfway through a three-year contract to lead the school district that began in January 2024.

Jennifer Harris, the school board president, referred questions to Jason Nunnermacker, the school board attorney, who confirmed that McBryde was suspended, but said he could not comment further on the decision.

The board will vote Wednesday on whether to appoint Andrea Oates-Parchment as acting superintendent, Nunnermacker said. Parchment is currently an assistant superintendent and has also held roles as a teacher and principal in the district.

McBryde, who was previously the deputy superintendent of excellence, equity and inclusion for Norwalk Public Schools in Connecticut, was the city’s first black superintendent. He did not respond to requests for comment.

He grew up in Elizabeth and worked in New York City public schools in Brooklyn and Manhattan as a principal and deputy superintendent, after beginning his career in education through the Teach for America program.

McBryde’s suspension comes several weeks after the board declined to renew the contracts of several school administrators and employees he had recommended continue with the district.

Among them were Fairmount Elementary School Principal Eric Boateng, Daniel Sass, principal of the 7^th and 8^th grade academy of Hackensack Middle School, the communications director, human resources director and school business administrator.

McBryde was told Thursday to pack his belongings and leave the building, according to Scott James-Vickery, the former school board president who voted to hire McBryde in December 2023.

When he abruptly resigned from the board late last year, James-Vickery said he was concerned about the shifting dynamics of the school board. In November, trustees Lancelot Powell and Marlene Somerville lost their bids for reelection, along with their running mate Khadija Pollard, to Harris, Leila Amirhamzeh and Eugina "Gina" Gilmore. At the time, he warned the public to "keep your eyes open" and hold the board accountable.

“Removing a superintendent is not a simple process,” James-Vickery said Monday. “Dr. McBryde has a multi-year contract that will likely end up having to be paid out. They’re going to have to fight it out in court.”

People who are merely suspended “aren’t made to clean out their offices,” he said. “When he was given five minutes to clean out his office, that spoke volumes about what’s to come. Treating such a highly qualified instructional leader with such unprofessionalism really casts doubt on the ability of this board to lead this district.”

Abby Martinez-Bojos, the PTA president of Fairmount, said she and others in the school community were shocked when Boateng’s contract was not renewed.

“He’s very well-loved in the community by parents and students. There are so many rumors going on and nobody knows what’s happening. Things are changing left and right and nobody knows,” she said of the principal. “There’s been no explanation. It’s been too many disruptions into the children’s lives.”

After the vote last month not to renew the employees’ contracts, Trustee Lissette Cordero-Outen resigned from the school board, saying she was blindsided by the decision.

“Unfortunately, I felt that continuing to be on a board where I had no voice was doing a huge disservice to the community and the district,” she said. “I’m not seeing transparency; I’m seeing deliberate deception. I do worry that they will be costing this district and its children. At the end of the day, all our kids are going to lose.”

The board held special meetings on June 5 and June 11 to discuss personnel matters in closed session, according to meeting agendas, but there was no public vote taken on the superintendent’s employment.

On Friday, the Bergen County Black Caucus posted on its Facebook page that it was “troubling to see people of color being removed from key positions in the Hackensack School District that only recently began reflecting the diversity of its students.”

“This is exactly why school boards are non-partisan,” the caucus wrote. “When politics and personal agendas take over, our students lose. Constant turnover hurts stability, and students pay the price. If every new board just fires everyone, what future are you building? All concerned citizens need to attend the next Board of Education meeting to hear what’s really going on.”

The school board plans to appoint a new member to fill the board vacancy that runs through January 2026 at Wednesday's meeting. The board intends for the new member to take office at the July 23 board meeting, according to a notice on the district website.

This story may be updated as more information is made available.