>72% Say Taxpayers Not Getting Their Money’s Worth from Public Schools Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Voters overwhelmingly believe that taxpayers are not getting a good return on what they spend on public education, and just one-in-three voters think spending more will make a difference.
Nationally, the United States spends an average of about $9,000 per student per year. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 11% of voters think the taxpayers are getting a good return on that investment. Seventy-two percent (72%) disagree and say taxpayers are not getting their money’s worth. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided.
>VOTE NO : What I did say, was that too much money is being spent on administrators and frivolous things like fancy fields with lights.
I was not intimating that Ridgewood should not move forward. In fact there is nothing in what I wrote that suggests that. What I did say, was that too much money is being spent on administrators and frivolous things like fancy fields with lights. My reference to ADHD meds was only made to show that there were disruptive kids in our large classes with no aides, and teachers TAUGHT.
There is no reason why (in 2011) teachers can’t teach classes of 25-30 students. Whatever decade it is is not relevant.
What are so different about “today’s realities”? The reality that sports have become more important than academics? The reality that the education is NOT as good as it was “back in the day”?
The SAT test was more difficult then, it has been dumbed-down twice since I graduated, yet we still managed to score in the 600-700 range, WITHOUT tutors. The current math program (and the ones that have been used for the past what, 8-10 years?),is terrible. But the decision maker is collecting an enormous salary for her ineptitude and our children are not learning math well enough to succeed without being tutored. That’s ridiculous. And costly.
I also have nothing against “newbies”, after all, I only moved back here 20 years ago so that my own children could get as good an education as I did. (not really sure that they did)
I am Peter Coti, a student at Ridgewood High School and I am being cyber bullied from RHS computers during school hours. I demand an inquiry be started into the matter.
My blog (PeterCoti.com) has been flooded with comments from the IP 69.74.172.194 (Ridgewood High School’s IP). Here are the comments that have been left from the school IP:
“You lube your butt hole”, is that a better euphamism? better break out the vassaline. – 2:01 PM
I actually never hear that “I am so gay” it must just be you. People must look at you and just know, Sorry bout that. -1:59 PM
you are a “weird idiot”. stop trying to be so damn politically correct! – 1:58 PM
i bet that my left ear lobe gets more chicks than your blog does – 1:57
you actuallly have NO IDEA what you are talking about. just shut up. 1:51
Its good that you are rationalizing what love is, so now you have a scientific reason for why you will never get laid. – 1:51
This page basically tells the whole world that you’re really freaking self conscious. Maybe it would help your sex life if you didn’t wear the same freaking clothes every day. Also, your grammar is absolutely atrocious. I’m guessing you’ll get a 380 on the writing portion of the SAT – 9:24
you actually have no idea what you are talking about so shut up. you will never get a girlfriend. – 9:21
If there is not an investigation open by Friday the 29th, 2011 I will have no choice to contact the Internet Service Provider, which has the power to terminate your internet service due to abuse.
Please do not be like the officials at Rutgers and ignore this please for help. To make sure you follow through with this inquiry I have sent a copy of this to The Ridgewood Blog as definitive proof that this inquiry was requested.
If you are reading this and you are the person reading this I want to let you know I am not mad and if you come and admit who you are to my face I will not yell or scream at you. All I want to know is why. Why would you write that.
>Sacrificed Survivors – Untold Stories of the Ground Zero Mega Mosque
On Thursday, April 28th at 7:00 PM, the NJ Tea Party Coalition will be hosting a viewing of the film, “Sacrificed Survivors – Untold Stories of the Ground Zero Mega Mosque” at the Teaneck Moose Lodge. Admission is Free.
The program will begin with a slide presentation. After the film, there’s a Q&A session with Andy Sullivan. Hard Hat Andy Sullivan is a 9/11 Survivor, First Responder and spent weeks on the Bucket Brigade as part of the 9/11 clean up. In response to the announced plans of the Ground Zero Victory Mosque, he founded the 9/11 Hard Hat Pledge. The pledge is simply to not work on the NYC Mega Mosque Center. To date he has gathered over 100,000 signatures.
Directions: The Moose Lodge is located at 201 West Englewood Ave in Teaneck. Parking is in the rear. Enter around the corner from Palisade Ave. The Lodge will be on the right (white stucco building with red Tudor trim. Enter on left side of building from Parking lot).
>Preserve Graydon Coalition has concerns about rafts Tuesday, April 26, 2011 BY BRYAN WASSEL THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS Special To The Ridgewood News
Despite the Village Council’s embrace of Wibits, inflatable playground rafts planned for Graydon Pool this summer, members of the Preserve Graydon Coalition (PGC) expressed concerns at a meeting last week.
Buy this photo “The irony of protesting both a swift decision by the council and the village’s willingness to invest in Graydon does not elude us,” said PGC co-chair Marcia Ringel. “However, we believe that for many reasons, this item should not be installed until a long list of concerns has been allayed.”
Perceived problems include the effect that the giant rafts would have on the visual impact of the pool; in an informal poll, the devices were called “a monstrosity,” “an enemy of open space” and “LEGOs on steroids,” according to Ringel.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 1:30:56 PM – by Nate Lew
In an effort to encourage a greater number of solar power development projects, the city of Ridgewood, New Jersey, recently approved two more arrays to be built in the near future.
The city’s planning board recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of a large solar power generation system to be built on the roof of Ridgewood Racquet Club, according to a report from the Ridgewood News. The company that owns the club will take advantage of rebates from the state that are set to run out on May 20, and will save nearly $40,000 on the cost of building the system.
Another system, to be built at an office building, was also approved – and, like the one at the Racquet Club, fast-tracked – for the purposes of qualifying for the rebates, the report said.
>State Supreme Court has politicized itself over more Abbott funding
When Gov. Chris Christie says there must be changes on the state Supreme Court, he is accused of attempting to politicize the body, a laughable contention for people who know in the near past the court has been made up of too many political hacks. (Ingle, Gannett)
>April 27, 2011 (Wednesday) – NJ School Board Elections
Today Wednesday, April 27, across the State of New Jersey, voters will act on more than $13 billion in proposed locally funded school expenditures. More than 1,500 local school board positions will be filled. This is an opportunity that will directly affect your local community. You will be able to vote on your school district’s individual budget proposal, while choosing the men and women who will represent you on your school district’s board of education. Voting in your local school election is a civic duty.
Make your voice heard! Please Remember to Vote! Polls Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
>Doherty urges action on bills that would bar private organization members from state pension participation
Sen. Michael Doherty, (R-23), Warren/Hunterdon, renewed his call Tuesday for legislation that would bar members of private organizations from enrolling in the state pension system. (Staff, State Street Wire)
Gov. Christie ripped into New Jersey’s judicial and legislative branches at a town hall meeting in Mercer County on Tuesday, saying that if the state Supreme Court ordered him to spend an additional $1.6 billion on education, the Democratic-controlled Legislature might raise taxes to pay for it. (Rao, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
>World Trade Center transportation hub cost spiral upward
Costs of Calatrava’s Bird Keep on Soaring at Ground Zero Tuesday, April 26, 2011, by Joey Arak
What’s the priciest part of the new World Trade Center? Nope, not 1 WTC, which will be America’s tallest building. The answer is a train station that will be used by New Jersey commuters and Red Bulls soccer fans, at a price tag of $3.4 billion—and climbing! That’s according to the Bergen Record, which obtained a federal report that says the final cost of architect Santiago Calatrava’s WTC transportation hub—the PATH train station and underground connections to the Fulton Street Transit Center and World Financial Center—might be $3.8 billion. Officials dispute that, but here’s a sentence that won’t instill confidence: “An official at the Federal Transit Administration, which is paying a majority of the hub expenses, stressed that the authority could still hit its current spending target if it manages the project properly.”
>Baseball/Softball Parade will coincide with big game Tuesday, April 26, 2011 THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
There is an interesting twist to the annual Ridgewood Baseball and Softball Association (RBSA) Opening Day Parade and Family Fair being held this Saturday, April 30.
In past years, the parade was the traditional starting point of the village’s youth baseball and softball seasons. However, because of calendar issues with school break, as well as the Easter and Passover holidays, fields have been opened and play already has begun.
The new, later Opening Day Parade date not only increases the chances for ideal weather but also opens up other opportunities to celebrate the game.
>N.J. comptroller reviews county college chiefs’ pay Tuesday, April 26, 2011 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY APRIL 26, 2011, 1:17 PM BY PATRICIA ALEX THE RECORD STAFF WRITER
State Comptroller Matthew Boxer will review the compensation packages of community college presidents throughout the state following allegations of misspending that led to the resignations of the leaders of two of the schools.
>SUPPORT RHS ORCHESTRAS: BUY SPRING PLANTS AT GOFFLE BROOK FARMS
The RHS Orchestra Parents Association (OPA) is working with Goffle Brook Farms on a spring plant sale fund raiser. From May 1-21, the farm will donate 10% of pre-tax purchases to the RHS Orchestras. Goffle Brook Farm is located at 425 Goffle Road, Ridgewood. The OPA provides supplemental support to the Chamber, Concert, and Symphonic orchestras at RHS in the form of funds for scholarships, performance and educational opportunities, instruments and supplies as well as extra hands at concerts and other events. For more information, contact Nancy Cole at 201-913-5754 or e-mail her at [email protected]
