by the staff of The Ridgewood Blog
The Ridgewood Blog has learned that Ridgewood resident Constance “Stacey” Loscalzo, author of a rather controversial “call to action” e-mail regarding the resignation of Ridgewood Schools Superintendent Daniel Fishbein, was horrified upon learning that her e-mail was posted on The Ridgewood Blog, and on several community Facebook pages. The e-mail, posted below in its entirety, requests specific actions be directed against the two (2) Trustees of the Ridgewood Board of Education who are minorities.
The Ridgewood Blog believes the e-mail’s intent speaks for itself and wonders why Ms. Loscalzo got cold feet once it was made public. The Ridgewood Blog also wonders whether Ms. Loscalzo will be present at her suggested Monday, September 14, 5:30 p.m. rally in front of Board of Education offices at 49 Cottage Place. The press will be there waiting for her.
From: Stacey Loscalzo
Date: September 11, 2020
To:
Subject: Dr. Fishbein’s Resignation: What To Do
Dear All,
Dr. Fishbein, Superintendent of Ridgewood Public Schools, will submit his resignation to the Board of Education (BOE) on Monday, September 14th. This is terrible news for the Ridgewood Public Schools (RPS), our families and our community.
I am writing to request two things.
1. E-mail Immediately- E-mail Dr. Fishbein and the BOE with your thoughts on Dr. Fishbein’s resignation. (email addresses below)
2. Rally on Monday September 14th at 5:30pm at 49 Cottage Place- Please wear Ridgewood colors. We will be there when the BOE enters for their executive session and can stay or return home to call in for public comment.
Dr. Fishbein has served as Ridgewood’s superintendent for the past twelve years. He is a longtime Ridgewood resident and his five children are Hawes, Benjamin Franklin and RHS graduates. Ridgewood principals, administrators and parents along with fellow superintendents hold Dr. Fishbein in high regard. Thanks to Dr. Fishbein’s stable and effective leadership, Ridgewood Public Schools have thrived even and especially during a global pandemic.
This spring, Ridgewood elected three new BOE representatives. Two of these representatives, Mr. Dani and Ms. Kwak, were frequent speakers at the BOE public comment podium for the past few years. At public comment and then in their official capacity following the election, Mr. Dani and Ms. Kwak consistently approached Dr. Fishbein and Ms. Kelley (the recently resigned RPS business administrator) with an assumption of negligence. They spoke consistently in an accusatory tone and their micromanagement made it impossible for these seasoned professionals to lead effectively.
On average, it takes eighteen months to replace a superintendent. Importantly, one of the first things that a candidate will do is view archived Board of Education meetings to better understand the community. Any candidate who views our recent BOE meetings, will see a hostile environment and board members who show disrespect, distrust and disregard of professional educators.
The damage done by these BOE representatives will have far reaching consequences to our schools and therefore to our community. I hope that you will email, come out on Monday and importantly, if you aren’t already, pay close attention to what is happening in our schools.
I will be sharing more information and details over the next few days but I wanted to get this message out as quickly as possible.
To email the BOE:
Dr. Daniel Fishbein, Superintendent of Schools, dfishbein@ridgewood.k12.nj.us
Mr. Michael Lembo, President, mlembo@ridgewood.k12.nj.us
Ms. Hyunju Kwak, Vice President, hkwak@ridgewood.k12.nj.us
Ms. Sheila Brogan, sbrogan@ridgewood.k12.nj.us
Mr. Saurabh Dani, sdani@ridgewood.k12.nj.us
Mr. Cristopher Kaufman, ckaufman@ridgewood.k12.nj.us
Thank you all for reading,
Stacey Loscalzo
Hahaha, Loscalzo thinks I am her friend. She is in a panic because she was exposed. Now she says she never mentioned two particular elected officials. Wow. Liar liar liar. See their names above????
Also, Stacey Loscalzo hates democracy and people being able to vote. In her own words: “The number of elections that currently take place within a calendar year in Ridgewood is too high” Please, Stacey- tell us how much democracy is ok for us peons in The Village.
Just a little democracy and taxpayer’s voice is too much for Stacey and the voter suppression crowd.
Tried to organize a lynch mob and got busted. Next time wear you white hood and robe Stacey.
Boy that race card gets played awful fast in the headline.
Where does she mention the race of the school board members?
Unknowingly, Ms. Loscalzo has made it difficult for Dr. Fishbein to find a new job because no school district would want to hire a super who has any sort of controversy associated with him/her. Thanks Stacey!
Wow…racist much???
Shady white guy folds under the pressure of inquiring minorities, so let’s scorch the earth on his behalf…what could possibly go wrong with that line of reasoning???
Taxpayer – she doesn’t have to mention race. Don’t you understand racism? You single out the people who do not look like you.
If superintendent resigned, he must have done not because 2 members lost trust on him, it must be because he felt that 3 members lost trust on him.
Stacey’s email mentions only 2 of them, tell me again what were you saying about Race?
It may be not be a “racist” email but there is definitely a bias against only these two BOE members.
Mrs. Loscalzo serves as a committee member of RAG – an anti-racism organization that had to be formed when the current mayor disbanded the previous anti-racism group. This is a smear campaign against Mrs. Loscalzo, who is an active private citizen. Ms. Kwak and Mr. Dani are public servants who have driven out a Jewish superintendent. Now who’s racist?
I gotta say, I’ve attended exactly one board meeting in my life. I couldn’t agree more about the email’s representation of Mr. Dani and Ms. Kwak. I was rolling my eyes at their questions and comments and desire to micromanage every. little. detail. Talk about preventing work from getting done. With that said, I don’t know them, their agenda or their goals for our school, so I will give the the benefit of the doubt that they have our best interest at heart. But man oh man were they super annoying.
“she doesn’t have to mention race” LOL
The thought police are all over the place.
RAG maybe as RAG as CRAB was, these people want no real diversity but deliberately control the boards and other groups where they can control minority voices, provide them leadership, so that they don’t lead themselves.
Did you check with RAG, how many CRAB members got a chance to join RAG, was anyone dropped, were they Minority – Or don’t check, the answer is YES!
James,
As always, I am impressed with the brave views of “Anonymous” and “Ridgewood Taxpayer” in your Blog. I applaud their courage in speaking out in public matters in such a transparent manner. As I have done on several occasions in the past, I urge you to stop taking these posts from folks that are afraid that knowing their identity will attract exactly the type of scorn that they freely heap on more admirable citizens who do not lurk in the shadows. As always, permission to post my comment is conditional on the inclusion of my name as the author.
Jim Morgan
I am sure they are flattered
What is RAG, and what have they done to promote diversity?
This is standard practice to form a sham group to prevent progress.
Clearly Dr. Fishbein did not resign because he lost the confidence of 2/5 board members.
Yet Ms. Loscalzo chose to single only those two out? Why?
She is merely calling out individuals who are the most vocal in the meetings and challenging Dr. Fishbein. Agree with their approach or not, but I don’t see at all what race has to do with it.
Here’s my question, how does Ms Kwak ( who is Steve Kim’s wife) get to serve on the Board of Education when she doesn’t send her kids through the Ridgewood education system???? That seems strange to me. She and her know it all husband are the type of people who are ruining this village.
where are Brogan’s Kids ???
Where did she mention they were minorities?
Whether you choose to send your children to the public school system or not, a huge portion of your property tax bill is still used to support the school system. She has every right to serve on the board.
Where does it say that you have to have children in the school system in order to serve on the board?
By having their children in the school system the Kims would have a vested interest in providing the best that the schools could offer. As Steve Kim has stated many times, he’s looking to lower the school budget so in turn his taxes will be lowered. I wish that the Kim family would just leave this town, and make a lot of people happy.
bigot much?
Stacy Loscalzo is on an anti racist committee. And this proves she is not racist. Seriously? Like my gay male friend who is married to a woman proves he is not gay. Loscalzo is a bigoted white self entitled bitch.
Roger, nowadays if the Liberals don’t get their way they cry racism. Look at what’s going on in the country, and even this town. A criminal gets killed for resisting arrest or going after a cop and these idiots riot and have protests defending the dead criminals!!!! It’s just crazy. I can only wish that it happens to someone in their family.
Stacey LoWscalzo has undoubtedly singled out two board members to scapegoat Fishbiens departure. Pointing the blame. It wouldn’t help her narrative to suggest Dan’s ego and need for control created issues with four BOE members. Too obvious the problem is Dan. So yes, let’s not single out the policeman. Better to isolate the two people of color. Racist much, Stacy?
Lets not forget another blame game LoWscalzo and company sued the village clerk because of One Village one Vote made mistakes on their own petition.. The judge ignored all jersey laws for taking away our voting rights. Hope appealed.
LoWscalzo moved here just a few years ago. Looks like lindenberg also recently moved here. Village clerk serving Ridgewood for more than thirty years.
Nasty bunch led by Siobhan Winograd (soccer mom lawsuit and the sports groups still despise her) and screw the kids safety “no sidewalks for me” Bob Furhman.
Loscalzo appears to be a “B” player, at best. Wrong side of the tracks and mediocre educational credentials (U Richmond, etc.). Moves to Ridgewood and causes all sorts of chaos.
Stacey, please leave Ridgewood. You and your low rent antics aren’t wanted here! Your latest e-mail maneuver blew up spectacularly (some people just never learn!). You and your ilk are better suited to Fair Lawn.
Winograd, same goes for you…
Bye bye.
I weep for Stacey 😂😂
I don’t know who she is, but his whole thing is cracking me up! Next time, maybe she will think before she speaks – in this case type
I don’t live in Ridgewood but one of my children as well as my grandchildren do and they attend the public schools. As a concerned citizen, I have watched most of the Ridgewood BOE webcasts since the virus began. Tonight, I am watching the Sept 14th BOE meeting after Mr. Fishbein said he was going to resign. This is contrary to what he said during a late August BOE meeting in which he said he did not want to revisit “the past” but wanted to concentrate on opening the schools with the voters in the future to weigh in on the decisions of his and the BOE. Today, with hundreds of people “rallying” for him to remain and since I personally have not witnessed any sign of disrespect to him from any of the new BOE members in the 4 months that I have watched the webcasts, I wonder why he did indeed resign. I sincerely hope this is not some dramatic power play on his part to show the new members who the real boss is. After listening to those who have called in tonight to plead with him to stay, I can only conclude that he has acted not in the best interests of the community he serves, but has either wittingly or unwittingly contributed to the chaos in the streets of Ridgewood tonight. As a leader, he should either decide to work with the duly elected board members or just leave without this BS sham rally, Mr Fishbein, shame on you, for not stopping this spectacle before it began. Unless I am missing something, I don’t think that the new board members are demanding you to resign.
“Where are Brogans kids?” You obviously don’t know the woman. Her kids are adults, long gone from the Ridgewood school system. And, by the way. very successful in their fields. Do your homework.
thanks for confirming she has no kids in Ridgewood schools
Well Well a 3 to 2 vote not to accept his resignation. Again, the purpose of this process is looking more and more like want I surmised it to be, a shame and a waste of time. The reality is the entire educational system in Ridgewood is caught in a quandary of attempting to maintain an educational status quo while newly elected officials attempt to learn and improve on what came before. Someone that called in tonight mentioned before Mr Fishbein there were 5 temporary superintendents before his 12 year tenure. I have lived in Bergen County for 55 years and Ridgewood has ALWAYS been viewed consistently in terms of educational quality, independent of temp or permanent superintendent. So, Fishbein man up and either officially resign or find the courage to work with the elected officials that the voters of your town selected. I am not a supporter of either approach but to set the record straight, one caller tonight praised Fishbein for quickly acting on all day kindergarten. The fact is that Ridgewood was one of the last Bergen County districts to enact an all day K program. Let alone the sexing scandel and the bulling last year in the high school that never really was properly dealt with. The more I think of it, there is a lot of improvement that the citizens of Ridgewood need to be addressing regarding the schooling of its children.
Bud P. nailed it on the head. Fishbein was in cahoots with Sheila, and Mike is an emotional wreck. Fishbein knew that Sheila and Chris would vote no, and that Dani and Kwak would vote yes, and Mike would be the swing vote, Fishbein and Sheila lined up the public comments *(shame, knowing that Kwak and Dani were being thrown under the bus)* and they got Mike to vote with his emotions, unless he’s gone rogue and broke rank and had discussions with Fishbein/Sheila/Chris on the side, in total violation of open meeting laws. I cant for the life of me understand this, the man submitted his resignation, wrote a nice letter on the web site, and now the Board (speaks with one voice) tells him, no you can’t leave you MUST fulfill your contract, otherwise we will hold you in breech of contract, because that is what they did. Mike obviously did not understand this, otherwise why did he move to start a discussion on an interim superintendent, Mike, the Bd Chair did not understand what his vote even meant, he must’ve thought this was a vote of confidence, and that the resignation was still going to happen, No Mike! you voted to force Fishbein to stay, although he wanted to leave. Unless, that was the plan all along. Like Ricky said often to Lucy, you have some ‘splaining’ to do! Mike with your vote you impeded the progress of the district. The tell tale sign to all of this is simple, if Fishbein goes back to the Bd. and says hey Bd members, I really wanted to resign, I have plans, I’m taking the kids to Disney World, whatever, please reconsider and re-cast your vote so I can move on, then this was not a grand scheme, on the other-hand if Fishbein just goes back to work, and doesnt do that, then you know that he never intended on resigning and the whole resignation was a sham to try and stick it to the new Bd. It’s either one or the other.
There was no chaos in the streets. Store front were boarded up anticipating another night of looting!
Are you actually saying Fishbein did not know the procedure that by resigning and then taking it to the board for vote and having them vote to keep him wasn’t the plan at all??????????????? Oh, boy. You Fishbein naysayers are so dumb. The man is 20 steps ahead of you. Obviously. Perhaps move or send you kids to the private school where Kwak/Kim send their kids. Kwak and Dani make fools of themselves at every meeting. They don’t understand how the system works and it shows. Total amateurs.
Ridgewood, a village in turmoil.
Fishbein/Brogan 1- Dani/Kwak/Kim/Knudsen 0
It appears the 2 new board members were the most vocal in pushing back on Dr Fishbein so it seems natural a supporter would point to both. Calling this racist is complete nonsense.
If Fishbein doesn’t have the stones to handle a few difficult questions or criticism from board members then its time to move on. If he stays because of 3-2 vote in favor, then its a scam. Can’t force him to stay .
and all the town bigots were there
““Where are Brogans kids?” You obviously don’t know the woman. Her kids are adults, long gone from the Ridgewood school system. And, by the way. very successful in their fields. Do your homework.”
.
You MUST be a Ridgewood graduate to not understand that the original poster KNOWS that Brogan has not had children in the school system for MANY, MANY years but is making the point that by YOUR standards, Brogan also has no right to be on the board.
.
Very tiresonme to keep explaining everything to you, but I’m happy to do it as we are Stigma Free in Ridgewood.
.
‘ Brogan has no right to be in the Board’?
Oh please! Sheila Brogan has served this Village as a volunteer in so many capacities. No one on that Board can match her knowledge. She’s not a showboat, she works hard and knows her stuff. Ridgewood is lucky to have Sheila Brogan living amongst us.
Sheila Brogan is a driving force in the decline of Ridgewood schools.
She works hard and knows her stuff… the problem is that her goals and objectives are detrimental to Ridgewood students.
Ridgewood is cursed to have Sheila Brogan working amongst us on the BOE.