N.J. schools evaluate cafeteria tables after tragedy

SOUTH BERGEN, N.J. — In light of the tragic incident that occurred last week in New Milford, South Bergen school districts are taking precautions to ensure student safety and to prevent any fatal injuries.

Last week, 7-year-old Brendan Jordan was struck in the head and killed by a wall-stored cafeteria table and bench system that fell when he went to retrieve a ball during a soccer practice at Berkley Street Elementary School. Most schools in South Bergen do not have wall-stored collapsible cafeteria tables but all the districts have collapsible, free-standing cafeteria tables.

"The general rule is if you're breaking down or setting up the cafeteria it's the custodians that do it," Rutherford Public Schools Superintendent Jack Hurley said. Hurley said Rutherford does have regular free-standing cafeteria tables but said the tables are folded when not needed and put away. Washington, Lincoln and the Kindergarten Center on Sylvan Street do have the gymnasium double as the cafeteria but Hurley said activities like basketball and soccer practice do not typically take place there. The gymnasium instead is used for stretching and aerobic activity during the school day.

According to Carlstadt Public Schools Superintendent Steve Kollinok, students are never in the cafeteria when the custodians are cleaning the space, during which they will fold the tables up. Only the custodians are permitted to set up these tables. Furthermore, the Carlstadt Public School has a separate gymnasium and cafeteria.