Category: Ridgewood Schools

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The Ridgewood Blog Endorses Cristopher Kaufman for Board of Education

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PJ blogger and the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, in April a reader aptly described the current situation in the Ridgewood School system ( https://theridgewoodblog.net/reader-suggest-its-time-for-new-leadership-at-ridgewood-schools/ )

“Ultimately Fishbein and Gorman are responsible. Their hefty salaries are funded by the taxpayers. If the rankings don’t improve in 2-3 years, then these two losers get FIRED. It’s that simple, folks.
What part of the budget (none?) is going towards improving the actual ACADEMIC QUALITY of Ridgewood schools?

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Reader says , ” There are still some dedicated teachers in the system but more often than not, tenure destroys motivation”

tradition of excellence

There are still some dedicated teachers in the system but more often than not, tenure destroys motivation. Ridgewood teachers are very, very lucky. They receive top teaching salaries and for the most part their students do receive support from homes where education is prized. The NJEA and its demands will continue to bankrupt the state. Nurses do not earn as much as teachers nor do they enjoy the same benefits packages. That is not to say that effective, caring teaching is not an extremely demanding job but all the complaints about their salaries/benefits are hard to entertain. Personally, I think those who teach in less desirable districts should be the high earners. That is where you find the dedication and what used to motivate those entering the profession – hoping to make a difference and inspire learning.

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Ridgewood Blog Poll : Ridgewood Schools Not a Good Value for the Money

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood blog poll is showing a significant amount  of voters do not feel Ridgewood Schools are providing a good education for the money .

Currently 55.02% voters answered NO to the question, “Do you think Ridgewood Schools are Providing a Good Education for the Money ” and 44.98% voted YES.

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Reader says , “Voting for Kaufman, no doubt about it. Loncto has to GO”

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photo courtesy of Saurabh Dani‎

Cris Kaufman’s only flaw is that he is not experienced at being a BOE member and he is not super polished in a venue like the “debate.” This is not a character flaw. Loncto is experienced because he has 7 years on the Board. I am sure Cris will know more in seven years. And Loncto had to READ answers after SEVEN YEARS of experience. Cris is natural, he is not scripted, he is enthusiastic, smart, involved, and he is a listener. I saw him at one of the coffees and he was aces in this less formal environment. Loncto, by the way, was appointed the first time and ran unopposed the second time so he never had to go through this debate scene EVER. Voting for Kaufman, no doubt about it. Loncto has to GO.

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Reader says , “Ridgewood schools are living off the fumes of reputation”

Ridgewood Police at RHS

file photo by Boyd Loving

$110 million budget and our schools not even ranked anymore in the top twenty in the state. Only four Ivy Leaguers amongst 2018 graduating class. Ridgewood schools are living off the fumes of reputation. Taxpayers not getting their money’s worth, but teachers certainly are, not upholding the Tradition of Excellence but profiting from it. Cha-ching!

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Ridgewood School Board Dismisses Racism Complaint Out of Hand

BOE

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, At the October 8 BOE meeting, during the public comment section, a resident made a remark that many residents considered to be both racist and vicious towards Asians. Other residents of Asian background who were at the meeting and those who saw the video or the text of the comment concurred.

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Reader says , “The Dark Side is busy preparing for Council elections in 2020 “

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I too was uncomfortable with Mr. Kaufman’s performance but all I had to do was to see who is supporting Loncto and hearing that Jeff Voigt was actually bullying a gentleman at the event to know that I am casting a vote for Kaufman. The Dark Side is busy preparing for Council elections in 2020. Some how this is all connected. Don’t understand them but I know I disagree with just about everything they are for. Please cast a vote for Kaufman. He deserves a chance.

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Reader says, “The dark side is supporting Loncto for BOE”

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The dark side is supporting Loncto for BOE. Signs are on the lawns of Voigt, Sonenfeld, Aronsohn, Jeanne Johnson, Willett. Are you going to endorse a candidate on The Blog? It has to be Kaufman. He is not strong, that is for sure.. But he is sincere. Loncto sucks. At the debate the other night he was watching Fishbien and Hutton for cues. And Fishbein and Hutton were all but laughing out loud and they were slapping their knees every time Kaufman spoke. Loncto was appointed once and then ran unopposed the next time. With seven years of experience he still had to read pre-scripted answers to questions.The thing is, ANYONE BUT LONCTO. He is part of that toxic soup of the BOE and we have to start cleaning them out.

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Please vote Cristopher Kaufman on November 6th

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Hi James,

This is Cristopher Kaufman and I’m running for a seat on the board of education. I wanted to reach out and send you statement that I was hoping to get on your blog.

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Another Questionable Hire by Phil Murphy

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

the staff of the Ridgewod blog

Trenton NJ, Another Murphy hire bites the dust . It seems the more past transgressions have been brought to light , according to Politico, Maryellen Cervenak, who was hired by the State Department of Education as the acting department director of the Professional Learning Network was fired after it was brought to their attention that she had been suspended when she was a teacher for, among other things, making fun of special education students.

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Ridgewood Public Schools Speaker Series : Struggling Learners: What’s a Parent to Do?

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Public Schools present the second program in the SP Speaker Series will be held on Wednesday, November 14 on the topic, Struggling Learners: What’s a Parent to Do? Director of Special Programs Dr. Kim Buxenbaum will lead the program on available interventions for Ridgewood students. The programs will be held at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place from 7-9 p.m. Plan on attending!

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The League of Women Voters will host a candidates night debate for the Ridgewood School Board Tonight

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Monday October 29, the League of Women Voters in Ridgewood will host a candidates night debate for the Ridgewood School Board .

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Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosts Service Academy Night at Ridgewood High School

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Yesterday, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted over one hundred attendees at his second of two Fifth District Service Academy Nights for high school students interested in attending one of our country’s five military academies.

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Big Changes to College Savings Plans

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by James D Brown CPA

Ridgewood NJ, Tax reform added some new taxpayer-advantageous changes to college savings plans. These plans are also known as qualified tuition programs (QTPs) or Sec. 529 plans, named after the part of the Internal Revenue Code that established them.

Background: Sec. 529 plans allow taxpayers to put away larger amounts of money than other tax-advantaged education savings plans do, limited only by the contributor’s gift tax concerns and the contribution limits of the intended plan. There are no limits on the number of contributors, and there are no income or age limitations. The maximum amount that can be contributed per beneficiary (the intended student) is based on the projected cost of college education and will vary between the states’ plans. Some states base their maximum on the projected costs of an in-state four-year education, but others use the cost of the most expensive schools in the U.S., including graduate studies. Most have limits in excess of $200,000, with some topping $370,000. Generally, additional contributions cannot be made once an account reaches the state’s maximum level, but that doesn’t prevent the account from continuing to grow.

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Ridgewood Board of Education Violated the Open Public Meetings Act ?

BOE

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Board of Education  appears to have violated the Open Public Meetings Act. On Thursday, October 25, 2018 a special public meeting was called with NO  notice appearing anywhere , not even a mass email was sent out to parents and guardians  . The Agenda appeared on the board web site 48 hours in advance, yet the BOE appeared to discuss non related items that were not listed on the agenda.

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