the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Saurabh Dani v. Ridgewood Board of Education, earlier yesterday, a Judge granted order enforcing litigant’s rights. For the second time, Board of Education was found in violation and failed to do something ordered by the court. See complete order in comments, a stark contrast of what BOE (James Morgan) posted days ago.
Continue reading Judge Grants Order Enforcing Litigant’s Rights Against Ridgewood Board of Education
the staff of the Ridgewod blog
Ridgewood NJ, Senator Kristin Corrado is requesting that local high school graduates be able to walk at outdoor convocation ceremonies.
“Many high school graduations are a month away. We can and should start planning to ensure the Class of 2020 can walk together while practicing safe social distancing,” said Corrado (R-40). “Our high school seniors have been stripped of their final academic semester, proms, and precious memories with their classmates. The least we can do is allow them to commemorate this milestone in person, responsibly.
Continue reading Class of 2020 Should Be Allowed to Walk at Graduation
Mr. Morgan,
I read with interest your reply, and while your volunteer service is to be commended and appreciated, I believe, that based on your own words, you simply do not understand the purpose or value of the state’s Open Meeting Laws, why they even exist and to be frank you seem to thumb your nose at them.
In addition, your representation of the DANI lawsuit is factually incorrect, perhaps understandably influenced because Mr. Dani, regularly exerts his legal rights to speak and address questions to the board at public meetings, that you [in your own words] refer to as “harassment”.
“There is nothing happening at the BOE that is truly transparent because Board members do not see themselves as representatives of the people but as an agent (s)of the superintendent. Committee meeting reports are rarely heard . For years minutes were not kept. Until recently you never even heard real discussions. The last public comment session takes place before the last agenda items which often include important items relevant to those attending and those watching from home. Mr. Dani attends meetings and asks politely for information that should be readily available to the public but doesn’t receive it. This happens to others as well. He pursued his request and we found out that there is no policy that precludes Bof E members from conducting business on private email accounts. This must be corrected. Also, without the questions regarding the bond referendum , we would be looking at an additional vote this year on a 95 million dollar bond on top of the 115 million dollar budget vote.”
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, at the May 11th, 2020 Coronavirus Briefing Media after tanking considerable heat from parents of 2020 graduates the Governor and State Police Superintendent walked back police action against “Wave Parades”.
see below :
May 11, 2020
Dear Ridgewood School Community,
This weekend, all school districts in New Jersey were notified by the Department of Education, with a follow-up letter from the State Director of Emergency Management, that as per Executive Order No. 107, all high school graduations and other ceremonies, promotions, and events must be conducted virtually until the restrictions outlined in the order have been lifted. According to the directives we received on the evening of Friday, May 8, in-person activities are not permitted. The State Director of Emergency Management, Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, stated, “In light of the components of Executive Order No. 107, and in the best interest of the health and safety of the public, in-person ceremonies, including graduations, all parades, including “wave parades,” that invite people to gather at a certain location, proms, and other similar celebrations violate the enumerated conditions of the order, and should, therefore, be canceled or postponed until such time as these restrictions are lifted. Until such time, virtual celebrations and other remote forms of recognition should take the place of any in-person or public ceremonies.” Consequently, our plan for the Ridgewood High School graduation video, which involved individual students walking in front of RHS to be filmed for our virtual graduation video, is canceled. This is extremely disappointing, and I know how difficult this news will be for our seniors and their families. Our school administrators will do whatever they can within these rules to make our graduation and promotion ceremonies as special as possible under these unfortunate circumstances.
Continue reading Ridgewood Superintendent of Schools Dr. Fishbein Gets the Word , No “Wave Parades”
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Senate President Steve Sweeney says state would save hundreds of millions of dollars, while workers would make the same or even better pay because of expanded federal funding for unemployment benefits Sweeney called his furlough plan for state and local workers the “ultimate win-win.” Under the plan 100,000 N.J. public workers could be partially furloughed .
Jim Morgan
Ridgewood NJ, I read with rising dismay some of the comments concerning my recent posting about Saurabh Dani, a candidate for the Ridgewood Board of Education, and an attempt force the taxpayers to finance his crusade to uncover nothing. While a number of Villagers appear to understand how nonsensical his behavior has been, and I appreciate their comments, there also those that seem bent to position him as some kind of hero in this fight. It is my sincere hope the majority see his conduct for what it really is – a self-serving and unproductive threat to Ridgewood Schools.
the staff of the Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ, According to a recent letter from RHS Principal Tom Gorman, the school district has planned a graduation for the Class of 2020 that will take place at RHS.
The event, which all seniors are expected to attend, would take place on to-be-determined days between June 8-12. Seniors, following the rules of social distancing, will be asked to dress in graduation gowns and tuxedos. Parents or guardians will be asked to drive them to the school at pre-assigned times, where each senior will walk along the front lawn, have their name read, take a picture in front of the school with their immediate family, and return to their car.
Will people outside of immediate family members gather within line of sight to RHS in order to witness seniors dressed in gowns and tuxedos walk across the school’s front lawn on June 8-12, thus violating the Gov.’s ‘Stay at Home’ Order?
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Court Documents tell a very different story in,” Saurabh Dani vs. Ridgewood Board of Education “. In Dani vs. Ridgewood Board of Education pay special attention to the very last paragraph, “prevailing party, plaintiff is entitled to an award..attorneys’ fees…It does appear Mr Morgan and the BOE were attempting to spread misinformation! Mr Dani is not seeking any damages, even though he can, Mr Morgan is being told to pay attorney fees because he lost .
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Kieran Corcoran, a saxophonist from Ridgewood, New Jersey, has been named as the recipient of the 2020 Roland L. Meyer Scholarship Award by the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus (Orpheus).
Corcoran, a senior at Ridgewood High School, is the woodwind captain of the school’s marching band, and president of the band council. He has played in the concert band, wind ensemble, big band, saxophone ensemble, and pit orchestra at the school. He also has served as a music mentor and district band member.
Continue reading Saxophonist Kieran Corcoran, of Ridgewood, Awarded 2020 Roland L. Meyer Scholarship
by James Morgan
Ridgewood NJ, The BOE discussed a litigation item in Executive Session Thursday evening that concerns a settlement proposal of a lawsuit against the Board by Saurabh Dani, a candidate for the Board of Education in next week’s election.
This settlement proposal was not sought by the Board and originated with Mr. Dani’s attorney.
Continue reading Ridgewood Board of Education Takes No Action on OPRA Lawsuit Settlement Offer
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Ridgewood NJ, not the first time ,the Ridgewood School Board once caught but again continues to promote Ridgewood Walks despite the fact that taxpayer funded platforms and taxpayer funded employees should not be promoting private organizations and should not be used to promote election candidates.
Ridgewood Walks is not a registered non profit. Ridgewood Walks is not affiliated with the village. Ridgewood Walks is not promoted by the Mayor. Ridgewood Walks is actively promoting election candidates and the owner of Ridgewood Walks is a registered campaign manager for a council candidate as per the forms filed with NJ ELEC.
Continue reading Ridgewood School Board Continues to Promote Private Organizations Despite Warnings
the staff of the Ridgewood blog.
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold its next Regular Public Meeting on Monday, May 18, 2020. The Board meets at 7:00 p.m.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Just ahead of Ridgewood Schools going virtual on Friday, March 13, Ridgewood Crew (RC) distributed rowing machines known as “ergometers” to those rowers of the 2020 Crew Team, that did not have their own machines at home. Since then, RC Coaches have been issuing and tracking the practice and progress of the athletes virtually.
Despite most spring sports’ seasons being completely cancelled, the local rowing community has been participating in a dynamic series of virtual scrimmages where each athlete participates from their own home, competing for best time.
