Ridgewood NJ, here is a case of Financial Alchemy . Alchemy is the medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter. It was concerned particularly with attempts to convert base metals into gold or to find a universal elixir.
Exhibit #1 Notice $162,650 appear out of nowhere (unbudgeted) for health benefits, and yes we all know they get health benefits with makes this particular interesting and pensions were budgeted for $36,950 and the actual $88,408 . The actual was more than double the budget , we call that a big miss. Its no Enron, and there maybe a good reason for all this but these charges need to be footnoted and explained .
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood village council and Board of Ed members don’t run as Democrats or Republicans. We don’t need Muller report affecting our local elections for representatives who are making decisions which affect our affordability of our primary residence, I.e. our property taxes which pay for local roads, police, fire, leaves and garbage pickup, schools and education. We need to keep these elections and representatives independent / detached from national politics.
Please remember this fundamental reason for April/May vs November elections. it’s not just about timing or consolidation. It’s about our fundamental right to vote on the budget and to keep local elections independent from national influence.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Football has a new head coach . In May, the school officially removed the “interim” tag and made Dave Cord its sixth full-time coach since 1943. He served as defensive coordinator on Johnson’s staff for five seasons and has been in touch with his predecessor frequently. Cord has now coached seven football games at Ridgewood High School .
Last fall Cord, took over a 5-0 team, after health issues forced longtime coach Chuck Johnson out of action. Ridgewood went on to defend its sectional title, then upset Union in a wild North Group 5 final to claim its first NJSIAA regional championship.
Ridgewood NJ, clearly there is no accountability for an infant toddler program ( ITDC ) at the Glen School site. It appears, Superintendent Fishbein and Business Administrator Kelley gave account on March 2019 and August 2020. However, statements seem to be a stark contradiction of each other.
Ridgewood NJ, The Blog has learned from several sources that newly elected councilwoman Pamela Perron is spreading misinformation about the initiative to consolidate local elections to November. When questioned at meetings as well as in emails with various residents, she is unequivocal that residents will still get to vote on the School Board budget proposals . . . sometimes. When called to task on this, she spews various legalese, but does not amend her hard-line stand.
Ridgewood NJ, close to $500,000 of tax dollars that had been earmarked for the K to 12 program subsidized an enterprise program (nonmandated). Another $250k of losses are projected for the coming year in that program. Moreover, there were accounting irregularities found that needed to be restated.
Ridgewood NJ, The big question mark hanging over parents heads this summer is dreadful: will schools re-open in the fall? So far, it doesn’t look good. Which is why moms and dads are searching furiously for programs and activities to fill the gaps. Just as important as tutoring and online education, numerous studies have found, is physical and mental fitness. And a new program based in NJ is here to help. Elite Method, created by NJ residents Michael and Rachel Dube, is a concierge-like service that matches kids up with private coaches for activities that range from sports, exercises, challenges, games and other activities to keep kids outside and away from distractions. This combination of both “mind and body” coaching has been proven to improve physical and mental health, cognitive abilities, self-esteem and social skills.
Ridgewood NJ, Stacie Poelstra Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment gave a presentation on Graduation Pathways for the Class of 2020. The state requires that school districts report graduation statistics at a public meeting. Ms. Poelstra shared that 434 students graduated from Ridgewood High School, and 23 of those students graduated under the substitute competency test process by which a test such as the SAT or ACT can be used in place of the NJSLA.
Ridgewood NJ, in other Board of Education news, Dr. Fishbein presented the 2020 Opening of School Report, beginning with remarks about the success of the reopening of schools. He shared enrollment figures, which reflect a decrease in enrollment as compared to June 2020. Dr. Fishbein explained that some families of children who were beginning kindergarten opted to send their children to a private school for this school year with the intention of returning to the district the following school year. Over the summer, teachers worked on revisions to 34 courses. Additionally, five new courses were written: Soundology (grade 7), Theatre History, Algebra I Advanced, AP Capstone RAHP, and Global Citizen. There were 41 new hires, of which three are new positions (two school psychologists and one special education (STEPSS) teacher).
Ridgewood NJ, according to the NJ School Board Association , School Board members play an essential role in ensuring the financial integrity of the school district or charter school. Your vigilance on financial matters can translate into student achievement when public funds are spent prudently and effectively. Good policies can play an important role in ensuring financial integrity, and keep your schools running smoothly.
Ridgewood NJ, It’s somewhat paradoxical that Siobhan Crann Winograd, an organizer of “One Village One Vote,” was recently seen sporting a face mask with the word “Vote” prominently displayed, when the primary objective of “One Village One Vote” is to eliminate Ridgewood taxpayer’s opportunity to vote on the annual public schools budget.
” 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.”
“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.”
“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?”
