Clifton Schools Meetings, Calendar, Registration & Parent Action Guide
Clifton Board of Education searches cover much more than a meeting calendar. Parents, residents, students and alumni may need the Board office, commissioners, agendas, 2026–27 district calendar, preschool or K–12 registration, Parent Portal, school meals, transcripts, special services, HIB reporting or an OPRA public-record request.
This independent guide explains those tasks first and places official Clifton Public Schools links only where a live confirmation or final action is useful. Current information was reviewed for August 14, 2026; changing dates, forms and district notices should still be rechecked before acting.
What should Clifton families know right now?
Board President
Judith A. Bassford.
Vice President
Anthony Santiago.
Meeting-date caution
Current Legal Notices include an August 20, 2026 public-meeting date-change notice.
2026 preschool
Current registration language covers Clifton children age 3 or 4 by October 1, 2026.
2026–27 meal application
The district says the new application will be available through Parent Portal.
Summer office hours
General Board office and Registration Welcome Center use different schedules.
Budget
The district provides a User Friendly Budget for 2026–27.
Parent Portal
Report cards, attendance and progress reports are available through the family portal.
Clifton Board of Education NJ quick facts
Avoid the wrong Clifton result: city-government pages cover municipal services and City Council matters. This guide concerns Clifton Public Schools and its Board of Education.
Who serves on the Clifton Board of Education?
The district currently lists nine commissioners. Officer roles and committee assignments can change after Board organization, elections or vacancies, so names should be rechecked before formal correspondence.
Judith A. Bassford
President
Anthony Santiago
Vice President
Mark Brunciak
Commissioner
Joe Canova
Commissioner
Eve Estrict-Barnes
Commissioner
Alan Paris
Commissioner
Alias Ragsdale
Commissioner
Joseph Siano
Commissioner
Tanya Suarez
Commissioner
Verify Board officers and commissioners before quoting a title, mailing formal correspondence or assigning a committee issue.
Verify current Clifton BOE commissioners →Which Clifton BOE committee matches the topic?
| Committee | Current chair | Best context |
|---|---|---|
| Athletics / HASA Liaison / Booster Clubs | Alias Ragsdale | Athletics and related organizations. |
| Education / Special Education | Alan Paris | Instructional and special-education Board work. |
| Facilities | Mark Brunciak | Buildings and facilities. |
| Finance | Mark Brunciak | District finance and budget matters. |
| Legislative | Anthony Santiago | Legislative matters affecting the district. |
| Policy / Personnel | Tanya Suarez | Board policy and personnel work. |
| Security / Technology / Residency | Joe Canova | Security, technology and residency. |
| Student Liaison / Judiciary / Diversity | Alan Paris | Student liaison and related issues. |
A committee assignment helps explain where Board work is organized, but a committee chair is not automatically the first contact for an individual student’s classroom, attendance, registration, disability or discipline issue.
The district Committee page publishes current membership and committee-meeting records.
Review Clifton BOE committees →How to find the correct Clifton BOE meeting date
The strongest way to answer “when is the next Clifton Board of Education meeting?” is not to permanently copy a date. Clifton posts a Meeting Calendar plus separate Legal Notices, and those notices can change an already scheduled meeting.
Check the live Meeting Calendar
Start with the current district meeting calendar instead of a cached search result or screenshot.
Check Legal Notices
Look for meeting cancellations, rescheduling, special meetings or changes to the public meeting date.
Open the current agenda
The agenda tells you what business is scheduled and may contain meeting-specific information not visible on the calendar.
Verify livestream or in-person access
Check current meeting-day communication rather than assuming every meeting uses exactly the same access method.
Current August 2026 warning: the Legal Notices page currently includes a notice titled “Notice of Public Meeting Date Change – 8.20.26.” That is exactly why a current legal notice should override an older schedule copied elsewhere.
Recent Clifton Board meeting reminders have used the Board of Education Administration Building at 745 Clifton Avenue and a 7:00 p.m. public meeting time. Always use the specific current notice as the final authority for a particular date.
Check the calendar first, then scan Legal Notices for a change before travelling.
Open Clifton BOE Meeting Calendar →Check Clifton BOE Legal Notices →
Which Clifton Board meeting resource should you use?
| Resource | Use it for | Do not confuse it with |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting Calendar | Scheduled meeting date. | A later Legal Notice can change it. |
| Legal Notices | Date changes, special meetings and formal notices. | A social-media reminder is not the same record. |
| Agenda | Business planned for consideration. | It is not final proof that an item passed. |
| Minutes | Formal meeting record after preparation/approval. | A video clip is not the approved written record. |
| Livestream | Watch public proceedings when streaming is available. | Use minutes/policies for record-level confirmation. |
| Policies & Regulations | Current policy language. | An article summary should not replace adopted policy. |
Public-comment privacy: avoid publicly disclosing a student’s health condition, disability, IEP details, custody information, discipline record, password or other protected information during a Board meeting.
The district maintains a dedicated meeting livestream page.
Open Clifton BOE Livestream →Board office hours vs Registration Welcome Center hours
Both services use 745 Clifton Avenue, but the schedules are not the same—especially during July and August.
| Office | School-year hours | Summer hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board / District Office | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | July & August, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | 973-470-2300 |
| Registration Welcome Center | Mon–Fri, 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Mon–Fri, 8:15 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | 973-458-6709 |
Walk-in detail: during the school year, Registration says non-appointment walk-ins are accepted from 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Preschool families are specifically told not to simply walk into the Welcome Center; use the preschool appointment route.
Map to Clifton Board of Education at 745 Clifton Avenue
The Board office and Registration Services list 745 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07013. Check the correct department hours before making the trip.
Which Clifton school calendar do you need?
The official District Calendar page contains a separate 2026–27 document. School-specific events and standardized testing use different resources, so one calendar should not be forced to answer every date question.
District Calendar
Use for systemwide school-year planning, district closings and general dates.
School-specific calendar
Use the child’s school page for local activities, concerts, orientations, athletics and building announcements.
Assessment Calendar
Testing dates are handled through the district’s Standardized Assessment Calendar.
Bell Schedule
Use the bell schedule for normal daily arrival/dismissal timing.
Emergency schedule
Delayed openings and emergency closures can override normal bell times.
Recheck before travel
Weather, Board action and emergency conditions can change plans after a calendar is saved.
Use the live district calendar rather than an old screenshot or search result.
Open Clifton 2026–27 District Calendar →What happens on a Clifton delayed opening or emergency closing?
Use the District Bell Schedule and then check current district alerts for the actual day.
Open Clifton District Bell Schedule →What documents does Clifton Public Schools require for registration?
Online registration is described by the district as the fastest method. Families without internet access can complete the electronic portion at the Welcome Center.
Examples of accepted residency evidence
Property / housing
Tax bill, deed, contract of sale, lease, mortgage or qualifying landlord documentation.
Identity / financial
Physical driver’s license or permit, bank statement, voter registration or other accepted records.
Household evidence
Utility bill, bills, receipts, insurance documents, employment records, benefit statements or other qualifying government-based documents.
Registration process
Prepare the documents
Do this before starting the electronic application so you know what must be supplied afterward.
Complete Student Registration
Use the online district-linked registration route or complete the electronic portion at the Welcome Center if internet access is unavailable.
Watch for the automated email
After completing the electronic registration, Clifton says an automated email requests supporting documents.
Upload or send the requested documents
Documents may be uploaded, emailed to the appropriate representative or handled at the Welcome Center as instructed.
Use the correct representative
Clifton assigns representatives based on preschool status or the student’s last-name range.
Which registration representative should you contact?
| Student group | Representative | |
|---|---|---|
| All Pre-K 3 / Pre-K 4 | Ashley Gaccione | asgaccione@cliftonschools.net |
| Last name A–K | Nancy Foster | nfoster@cliftonschools.net |
| Last name L–Z | Noelia Aviles | naviles@cliftonschools.net |
2026 kindergarten freshness warning: the current Registration page still states that kindergarten residents must turn five by October 1, 2025, while the same page’s preschool section is already written for October 1, 2026. This guide does not silently change that official text to a guessed 2026 kindergarten rule. Confirm current kindergarten eligibility with Registration at 973-458-6709.
Privacy warning: birth documents, health records and proof of residency contain sensitive information. Upload them only through a district-linked registration workflow or send them to the representative identified by Clifton Public Schools.
Use Registration Services for the current application, forms, representatives and Welcome Center instructions.
Start Clifton student registration →Who can register for Clifton free full-day preschool?
Age 3
Current registration language includes Clifton children who will be age three by October 1, 2026.
Age 4
Children who will be age four by October 1, 2026 are also included.
Special needs
The district states that preschool options are also available for students with special needs.
Placement is not guaranteed by starting an application. Clifton describes preschool availability as first come, first serve after completion of the entire registration process.
Preschool in-person rule: the district specifically tells preschool families not to simply visit the Welcome Center. Contact Ashley Gaccione for an appointment.
Use the current district registration page and follow the preschool-specific appointment instructions.
Review Clifton preschool registration →Moving within Clifton or transferring to another district
Moving within Clifton
Current Clifton students use the Change of Address process. The district also says the process applies to Clifton residents attending PCTI or a charter school.
Transferring out
Clifton instructs families to complete the Student Transfer Verification Form and Records Release Form before the transfer proceeds.
Transfer-form rule: the district says both required transfer forms must be completed in their entirety.
What can parents see in Clifton Parent Portal?
Report cards
Parent Portal is an official family route for student report-card information.
Attendance
Families can review student attendance information.
Progress reports
The district also identifies progress reports as information available through the portal.
If your login does not work
Use the Clifton Parent Portal route
Avoid login pages reached through advertisements or unrelated districts.
Enter the username/password created for the account
The Parent Portal instructions refer to the credentials created when the child’s account was set up.
Use Forgot Password if necessary
Try account recovery before creating duplicate family accounts.
Contact Data Processing
Use district support if account recovery does not solve the issue.
Password safety: Clifton support may need identifying information to help locate an account, but you should never publish your password or send it to an unofficial support website.
Use the Clifton Parent Portal page for the district-linked login and recovery route.
Open Clifton Parent Portal →Do you need a new free or reduced meal application?
| Situation | Current Clifton guidance | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Qualified in June 2026 | A new 2026–27 application is still required. | Complete the new application when available. |
| Received Direct Certification Letter in August | Do not complete another meal application. | Keep the Direct Certification information. |
| Household receives SNAP benefits | The current district page says a meal application should still be completed. | Follow the live 2026–27 application instructions. |
| No application / not income eligible | The district says meals will be charged. | Review eligibility and account balance. |
Online payment
Clifton links families to PaySchoolsCentral for online meal-account payments.
Cash / check
The district also accepts prepaid deposits by cash or check through the cafeteria or school office.
Summer EBT 2027
The district says qualifying federal free/reduced-meal or Direct Certification families will receive Summer EBT in 2027 and warns families not to opt out when applicable.
Use Clifton Food & Nutrition Services for the live 2026–27 meal information.
Open Clifton Food & Nutrition Services →Which schools are part of Clifton Public Schools?
| Level | Schools | Best reason to use school page |
|---|---|---|
| High School | Clifton High School | Counseling, transcripts, academies, athletics and school calendar. |
| Middle Schools | Christopher Columbus, Maple Valley, Woodrow Wilson | Counseling, athletics, activities and building notices. |
| Elementary Schools | Schools 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 | Teacher/building communication, family resources and local schedules. |
| Early Learning | Clifton Early Learner Academy | Preschool, support services and early-learning resources. |
Student-specific problem? Attendance, classroom, pickup, nurse, teacher and building-event questions should generally begin at the child’s school rather than with an individual Board commissioner.
The official directory connects families to leadership, calendars, counseling, HIB, family resources and handbooks for each school.
Open Clifton school directory →What if you think your child may need special education services?
Clifton’s Special Services Department says its Child Find responsibility includes serving school-aged children with disabilities who reside in Clifton and identifying students whose disabilities may not yet have been recognized.
Suspected disability
Contact the district office or local school if you suspect physical, sensory, emotional, communication, cognitive or social difficulties.
Preschool special needs
Clifton provides a free preschool program for eligible resident children ages 3–5 with special needs.
Transition services
The Special Services page describes transition services for eligible students age 16 and older preparing for post-school life.
Board vs Child Study Team: an individual disability evaluation or IEP issue should normally follow the student’s school/Special Services process rather than beginning as a public Board comment.
Use the district Special Services page for current contacts, program information and Child Study Team resources.
Open Clifton Special Services →How to report bullying or a school-safety concern
HIB report
The district provides a dedicated reporting route for harassment, intimidation and bullying.
District Anti-Bullying Coordinator
Mike Doktor • mdoktor@cliftonschools.net • 973-458-6709
Safety reporting
Safety & Security provides a See Something, Say Something portal for anonymous threat or suspicious-activity reporting.
Immediate threat: the district’s Safety & Security page says to call 911 for an immediate threat or emergency rather than relying on an online reporting portal.
Use the district HIB page for the current reporting form, Board policies and school Anti-Bullying Specialists.
Open Clifton HIB resources →Open Clifton Safety & Security →
How to request a Clifton High School transcript or graduation verification
Clifton High School uses Parchment for alumni transcript requests and graduation verification. The service can deliver records to the former student, colleges and potential employers.
Alumni transcript
Start from Clifton High School’s district-linked Parchment instructions.
Employer verification
The same service can be used for graduation-verification requests.
Identity protection
Do not upload ID or academic records to an unrelated transcript-ordering website.
Start from the Clifton High School page so the Parchment destination is district linked.
Open Clifton Transcript & Verification Services →How does a Clifton Board of Education OPRA request work?
OPRA is for public district records. It should not be confused with a private student’s transcript or other education record.
Identify the public records
Describe the records sufficiently for the district to understand what you seek.
Make the request in writing
Use the official Clifton BOE OPRA form or a written request that specifically mentions “OPRA.”
Watch for district communication
The district says the requester is contacted after documents are prepared.
Arrange pickup if necessary
Coordinate with the Business Office when document pickup is required.
Do not use OPRA for everything. A Clifton High School alumni transcript belongs in the transcript/verification workflow, and private student records can be subject to different privacy rules.
Use the current Clifton Board of Education OPRA instructions and request form.
Open Clifton BOE OPRA instructions →Where can residents review Clifton’s 2026–27 school budget?
Clifton Public Schools publishes a dedicated User Friendly Budget 2026–2027 page. Residents researching school spending should review the official budget document rather than relying on a single number from a meeting clip or social post.
2026–27 budget
Official User Friendly Budget document.
Finance Committee
Mark Brunciak is currently listed as Finance Committee Chair.
Need another public finance record?
Use the public Budget resources first; OPRA may be appropriate for other identifiable public records.
Use the current district budget document before quoting a figure.
Open Clifton User Friendly Budget 2026–27 →Which Clifton school information should be free to check?
| Task | Expected situation | Before paying |
|---|---|---|
| District calendar / meeting calendar | Free public information | Do not pay a third party. |
| Board agendas / minutes / policies | Public Board resources | Start with Clifton BOE / BoardDocs. |
| Registration instructions | District publishes the workflow | Verify the service is officially linked. |
| Meal account | Meal charges/account funding can apply | Use the district-linked PaySchoolsCentral route. |
| Alumni transcript / verification | Vendor processing may involve fees | Enter Parchment through Clifton High School’s page. |
| Facility use | Rules or charges may apply | Use the Board’s official Use of Facilities process. |
Board office, school, Registration or another department?
| Your issue | Best first route | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Board meeting / policy / governance | Board resources | Meeting date, agenda item or policy question. |
| Teacher / attendance / pickup | Student’s school | Student name, grade and concise issue. |
| New student registration | Registration Services | Birth, health, residency and transfer documents. |
| Preschool | Preschool representative | Child’s DOB and registration status. |
| Parent Portal | Data Processing | Account/student information; never send your password publicly. |
| Meal application | Food & Nutrition | Parent Portal / Direct Certification status. |
| Suspected disability | School / Special Services | Specific developmental, educational or functional concern. |
| HIB concern | HIB report / school Anti-Bullying Specialist | Dates, events and relevant facts. |
| Alumni transcript | CHS Parchment | Alumni identity and recipient details. |
| Public district record | OPRA | Clear description of identifiable records. |
Simple call script: “I’m calling about a Clifton Public Schools student / Board matter. I need help with [specific task]. I have already completed [relevant step]. Which office should handle the next action?”
Common Clifton Board of Education problems and the fastest fix
🗓️ Old meeting date appears in Google
Fix: check the live Meeting Calendar and current Legal Notices before attending.
📅 You saved an old calendar screenshot
Fix: reopen the current District Calendar and school page before making fixed plans.
🏢 You arrived at 3 p.m. in August
Fix: Board summer hours end at 3:00 p.m.; Registration Welcome Center summer hours end at 2:30 p.m.
🎒 Kindergarten page still says 2025
Fix: do not guess a corrected cutoff. Verify the current eligibility rule with Registration.
🧒 Preschool family plans to walk in
Fix: contact the preschool representative for an appointment.
🔐 Parent Portal password is forgotten
Fix: use the official password-recovery route or Data Processing support.
🍎 Child had free meals last year
Fix: a new 2026–27 application is generally required unless another current eligibility route applies.
✉️ Direct Certification Letter received
Fix: Clifton says another meal application is not required.
⏰ Delayed opening announced
Fix: buses are expected approximately 90 minutes later than normal; check current district communication too.
🎓 Alumni transcript needed
Fix: use Clifton High School’s Parchment route—not OPRA.
🗂️ Public budget document needed
Fix: check the User Friendly Budget before creating an OPRA request.
🧩 Concern about possible disability
Fix: contact the school or Special Services/Child Find rather than waiting for a Board meeting.
🛡️ Bullying concern
Fix: use the HIB reporting process and the school’s Anti-Bullying Specialist.
🚨 Immediate safety threat
Fix: follow emergency response; the district says to call 911 for an immediate threat.
Nearby school-board guides if the district is not Clifton
Passaic Board of Education
Useful when the student belongs to Passaic Public Schools rather than Clifton Public Schools.
Wayne NJ Board of Education
Useful for Wayne Township Public Schools calendar, BoardDocs, registration, parent portal and transportation.
Jersey City Board of Education
Useful for another major New Jersey district’s Board meetings, registration, Parent Portal and OPRA/student-record routes.
Clifton Board of Education FAQs
What is the official Clifton Board of Education website?
The official district is Clifton Public Schools at clifton.k12.nj.us. Its Board of Education section provides commissioners, committees, meetings, legal notices, livestream access, agendas, minutes, policies and public-record resources.
What is the Clifton Board of Education address and phone number?
The Board of Education Office is listed at 745 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07013. The main district phone is 973-470-2300.
Who is the current Clifton Board of Education President?
As reviewed in August 2026, Clifton Public Schools lists Judith A. Bassford as President and Anthony Santiago as Vice President. Recheck the Commissioners page before formal correspondence because Board officer roles can change.
How do I find the next Clifton BOE meeting?
Use the official Meeting Calendar and then check Legal Notices for a change. Current Legal Notices include an August 20, 2026 public-meeting date-change notice, showing why an old static schedule should not be treated as final.
What are the Clifton Board of Education office hours?
The general Board office lists Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with July and August summer hours of 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Registration Welcome Center hours are different: 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. during the school year and 8:15 a.m.–2:30 p.m. in summer.
What documents do I need to register a child in Clifton Public Schools?
The current Registration page lists proof of birth, original immunization records, a current Universal Child Health Record/physical, school-transfer records when applicable, and proof of Clifton residency. The district says families should submit no more than three residency documents unless additional documentation is requested.
Who qualifies for Clifton preschool in 2026?
Clifton’s current Registration page describes free full-day preschool for Clifton children who will be three or four years old by October 1, 2026. Preschool options are also available for students with special needs, and placement is described as first come, first serve after the entire registration process is complete.
How do I get help with Clifton Parent Portal?
Use the district Parent Portal for report cards, attendance and progress reports. For additional assistance, Clifton lists Data Processing at 973-470-2279 and portal@cliftonschools.net.
Do I need a new Clifton school meal application for 2026–27?
The district says families whose children qualified for free or reduced meals as of June 2026 still need a new 2026–27 application. Families who receive a Direct Certification Letter in August do not need another application. The current district page also tells SNAP recipients to complete a meal application.
How long does a Clifton BOE OPRA request take?
Clifton Public Schools says most public-record submissions are processed within seven business days unless an extension is required. OPRA requests must be made in writing using the official form or another written request that specifically mentions OPRA.
Before using a Clifton meeting date, form, portal or school record
Correct district?
Confirm Clifton Public Schools in Clifton, New Jersey and the clifton.k12.nj.us domain.
Current information?
Recheck Board meetings, Legal Notices, school calendars and application instructions when timing matters.
Official submission?
Verify the district-linked destination before uploading birth, medical, residency, transcript or identity documents.
Source review: this update reviewed the current Clifton Public Schools Board section, Commissioners, Committees, Legal Notices, District Leadership Team, District Calendar, District Bell Schedule, Registration Services, Parent Portal, Food & Nutrition Services, school directory, Special Services, HIB, Safety & Security, Transcript & Verification Services, Public Records Request and 2026–27 User Friendly Budget pages.
Independent-site notice: BoardofEducations.org is not Clifton Public Schools, the Clifton Board of Education, the New Jersey Department of Education or the New Jersey State Board of Education. Current official notices, policies, records and forms take priority when information changes.