Category: Ridgewood Schools

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Reader says the teachers’ current contract is almost up. I would expect job actions to begin sometime next year in anticipation of a new round of negotiations

Ridgewood Teachers

This post is not appropriate for a public forum. We can disagree without name calling and snarky remarks about our neighbors. The level of anger and nastiness in all debates in Ridgewood is over the top. Our current council election is a disgrace. I feel terrible for Mayor Knudsen and will definitely not be voting for her opponents given the sleazy and dishonest statements that they are circulating about her.
As for the school board – newcomers to the school budget woes need to take a step back and educate themselves about how we got here. It is not the fault of the the 5 volunteers who have run unopposed for the last few elections because no one wants that thankless job. You should be thanking them – not abusing them.
If you really want to know how we got here go back 2 years to the last teacher contract negotiation. This board held the line against unreasonable teacher demands as long as they could. Over a year, and in the face of destructive job actions that impacted kids in the schools every day. In the end the dispute went to a state mediator who pretty much gave the teachers what they wanted.
So if you really want to stop this from happening again, stop wasting your time beating up on these people and educate yourself on the state contract resolution process. Take your concerns to your state legislators. Because the teachers’ current contract is almost up. I would expect job actions to begin sometime next year in anticipation of a new round of negotiations.

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Reader says Ridgewood Public Schools has gone down the toilet since I move in and yet, I pay more and more each year

RHSfieldflood2_theridgewood+blog

I moved in 30 years ago, years before I had kids. I’m still here after my kids have left RPS. My taxes have quadrupled but I’m still paying. I worked full time when my kids were young. and I paid good money for kindergarten enrichment. My kids are successful despite not having full day kindergarten . . . why did people think free kindergarten baby sitting was the way to go. There’s no reason to have full day K in our socioeconomic cohort. Just because I want to dump my brats and go to yoga and lunch is not a good reason for full day kindergarten (and no, I don’t hink our real estate value was in jeopardy because we didnt have full day K. No self respecting Mommy around here works). Lots of waste. at the BoE and I just want some form of reasonable increases directed at quality education (BTW . . . RPS has gone down the toilet since I move in and yet, I pay more and more each year) . I can well afford to live here but really don’t want to continue to allow the BoE to spend foolishly. Very little of the proposed increase are going toward classroom and education goals; have you looked at the budget or is your smarmy ass head stuck in the sand?

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Ridgewood School Board Meeting Tonight

cottageplaceBOE_theridgewoodblog

April 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, At all regular meetings, two opportunities are provided for citizens to make comments. The public comment periods will be scheduled after presentations and approximately 9:00 p.m. or just prior to the end of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The first opportunity may be limited by the presiding officer to conclude at about 8:00 p.m. in order for the Board to continue with its scheduled agenda. The second opportunity will occur at about 9:00 p.m. at the discretion of the presiding officer taking into consideration a break point in the agenda.

AGENDA: https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_207516/File/Our%20District/Board%20of%20Education/Board%20Business/04-23-18.pdf

At every opportunity for public comment, citizens are invited to comment on subjects on the agenda or general topics.
At the discretion of the presiding officer, public comments may be permitted at other times.

Persons wishing to speak must, upon being recognized, rise, sign in, and state their names and addresses. Each speaker shall be limited to four minutes. The Board Recorder will note the time. A speaker who has not finished in the allotted time will be directed by the presiding officer to summarize quickly and relinquish the floor within 30 seconds.

Comments shall be limited to issues. If personal remarks or discourteous statements are made, the presiding officer shall require the speaker to stop. No person will be recognized for a second time until all others asking to speak have been heard.

The public is invited to attend the meeting, or watch it live on Fios channel 33, Optimum channel 77, or on the “Link in Live” tab of the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us.
April 23 2018 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Location Board Room, 3rd Floor, Education Center

 

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Reader says All these comments on the Village Council and spending or saving money but not a word about the BOE

RHS_theridgewoodblog

All these comments on the Village Council and spending or saving money but not a word about the BOE. Remember 2/3 of your tax bill goes to them. I saw were a few post on the BOE budget. Nothing about the members of the BOED . They spend our money and run unopposed. I don’t understand it.

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Acting Commissioner of Education Lamont Repollet said he recognizes the need for modernizing the school funding formula

ridgewood schools

April 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, In his opening statement to the Senate Budget Committee, Acting Commissioner of Education Lamont Repollet said he recognizes the need for modernizing the school funding formula by addressing adjustment aid and growth caps. “I stand with the governor to work with this body to work on statutory adjustments to the school aid formula,” said Repollet.

But Senate Budget Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo (D-36) still wanted more detail.“Any reason why the [$37.4 billion] budget was introduced without a discussion of adjustment aid and growth caps?” A final budget will have to include reworking both, Sarlo said.
“Are you prepared to have these difficult conversations with these school districts that are receiving more than 100 percent in state aid?” the senator wanted to know.

Repollet responded to Sarlo by saying he and the Governor are willing to rework and begin to modernize the formula now.

“The governor’s committed to working with this legislative body,” the acting commissioner said. “A conversation is going on right now with the legislative leaders.”

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Reader says we voted away our right to vote on the BOE budget

ridgewood schools

Last year our municipal tax increase was well below the cap at under 1%. This year, the BOE is proposing an end run around the 2% cap, asking for a 3.62% increase. That’s 2/3 thirds of our property tax bills right there. So if you’re worried about taxes, you need to attend more BOE meetings and make your complaints there. The Village Council has no jurisdiction over the BOE budget unless it gets voted down. And since we voted away our right to vote on the BOE budget, that cannot happen. How much do you want to bet you don’t remember that vote? But you do know how to complain.

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Readers Say Turf Fields Exacerbate Village Flooding

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Photo by Gail McLaughlin McCarthy yesterday 4/16/18

April 17,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood High School field flooded again , Readers Say Turf Fields Exacerbate Village Flooding, sounds familiar  and yes it is ,from August 2,2014 ,

Is seems ever time it rains now , significance damage is done to our playing fields and Village property .We were told the turf fie;ds would drain faster , well yes they sure do but the water still needs some place to go like the Village Hall , the Ridgewood library .Since the Village Hall Rebuilding Fiasco  , and the addition of turf fields along the Ho Ho Kus brook the 50 year flood has now become an almost yearly event .
 Is it time to recognize the damage to the environment all this turf is doing  ?The problem is not just the fields at Stevens ,Maple and the RHS Stadium but the many turf fields all along the banks of our rivers all over Bergen County . Again the water needs some place to go https://theridgewoodblog.net/readers-say-turf-fields-exacerbate-village-flooding/
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2018-2019 Ridgewood School Budget Information

ridgewood schools
2018-2019 Budget Information
April 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Click here to view the 2018-2019 Preliminary Budget presentation, given at the March 20 Board of Education meeting. The final proposed budget will have a Public Hearing and Board of Education vote on Monday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m., at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place.

The Board of Education has set up public presentations on the 2018-2019 budget, as follows:

Monday, April 16
Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium
7 p.m.

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The Best Jobs You Can Obtain With A Tech Education

Tech Education

April 14,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Everyone wants to get a great job after they get out of college. Just remember that you’ll first need to obtain the right education. You’ll also want to choose a job that will remain in high demand for the rest of your life. The good news is that there are plenty of good jobs that you can acquire with a tech education. Which jobs are the best? You’ll learn more about the best technology jobs of this year below.

Software Developer

First and foremost, you should understand that a tech education can get you a job as a software developer. This is undoubtedly one of the highest paying tech jobs in the industry. On average, software developers can make more than $100,000 each year. And, the unemployment rate among these professionals is immensely low. As a software developer, you’ll be able to create your own programs. You can work for a big corporation or go it alone. Either way, this is definitely one of the best jobs you can obtain.

Information Security Analyst

There is no doubt that cybersecurity is growing more and more important. After all, more companies are getting compromised each and every day. This is why it is absolutely pertinent for companies to have the most skilled security analysts on their team. As an information security analyst, you can make as much as $92,000 a year. The unemployment rate for these professions is just over 3%. Suffice to say, this is one of the best jobs you could ever acquire with a technology education.

IT Managers

As the name suggests, IT managers are responsible for managing the IT needs of a company. Being an IT manager is a tough job, but it is definitely profitable. With this type of career, you’ll be able to earn as much as $135,800. Plus, the unemployment rate for IT managers is below 3%. In this line of work, you’ll need to teach your colleagues how to get rid of advanced Mac cleaner pop up and troubleshoot other common problems. Your company will depend on you to keep their IT systems up and running efficiently.

Web Developer

Every website in the world was created by some type of web developer. Of course, some are more skilled than others. Being a website developer is great, because you’ll have the freedom to create your own masterpiece. This type of job has a slightly higher unemployment rate, but the salary is still good. Plus, the amount of schooling needed is far less than you might imagine. If you excel in this line of work, you can make as much as $66,000 a year.

Computer Programmer

Finally, there is the computer programmer. This is one of the most common reasons people acquire a tech education. When you become a computer programmer, you’ll have the ability to earn as much as $80,000 each and every year. The unemployment rate is pretty low too. Suffice to say, now is one of the best times to get a tech education. Just be sure to go into a career that will serve you well for the rest of your life.

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Village Council Pushes for School Resource Officer (SRO) to Secure Schools

Ridgewood Police RHS

file photo by Boyd Loving

April 11,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, in his recent news letter Councilmen Hache said , “Without question, tragic events like the one in Parkland FL, compel us to reevaluate the safety of our children. Many states have even begun to shift education funds to school safety. Councilmen  Hache  says that he has always been in favor of having a School Resource Officer in our schools. SROs are commissioned law enforcement officers assigned to schools. In addition to responding to incidents on school grounds, they also work closely with faculty and staff to prevent crime, bullying and violence. SROs receive special training and can be a vital component in community building by building trust and opening lines of communication with students. We need SROs in our schools. ”

It is nice to see that at lest the Village Council takes school security seriously and is willing to put forward some concrete steps in stead of organizing “student led ” protests and other feel good measures that have little to no impact on the treats the schools could be faced with.

Hache is the  Council liaison to the Board of Education and stated,”I continue to implore the Board to partner with the Village to bring SROs to our schools. The Village has offered to pay for half of the cost but allocate 70% of the SRO’s time to the Board of Education. When school is not in session (30% of the work year), the SRO will be on regular duty for the Village. I hope the Board will accept our generous offer.”

In the meantime, we have police officers rotating through our schools while we are working to install a full-time dedicated SRO.

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Ridgewood Board of Education Needs New Blood

RHS BEST theridgewoodblog.net 11

April 10,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood BOE seats in recent years have come up for re-election unopposed. While many have asserted that the Ridgewood Board of Education does its best to keep the public off the board and is only looking for more yes-men or yes-women.  With the Ridgewood School system in what appears to be rapid decline , an over zealous budget and huge tax increases on the horizon a call to action would seem necessary to preserve both the quality of life in the Village and property values.

Board seats are  three year terms and are up for re-election in the following order :

Mr. B. Vincent Loncto, President
[email protected]

Term Ends November 2018

Mr. James Morgan, Vice President
[email protected]

Term Ends November 2019

Ms. Jennie Smith Wilson
[email protected]​

Term Ends November 2019

Ms. Christina Krauss
[email protected] 

Term Ends November 2020

Ms. Sheila Brogan
[email protected]

Term Ends November 2020

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$110 Million Dollar Ridgewood School Budget Presentation at Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium April 16th

cottageplaceBOE_theridgewoodblog

April 9,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium will host the next addition of the 2018-19 preliminary budget presentation, with final vote by the Board of Education on May 7. Public presentations are set for April 16 and May 7.Click here to view the 2018-2019 Preliminary Budget presentation, given at the March 20 Board of Education meeting.  https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=13032001

Regular Public Meeting for the Ridgewood Board of Education will be May 7 2018 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM ,Board Room, 3rd Floor, Education Center.

 

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Reader says “the Bell Schedule”will change to accommodate the flood of incoming students

RHS

Anybody wondering why “the Bell Schedule” will change next year at the high school?
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To support the incoming flood of new students over the next 10 years.
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But don’t worry, they will be able to park their cars in the Ginormous eyesore of a Garage.
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Good luck living in the urban utopia formerly known as Ridgewood…

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Reader says The old saw that the SAT is a test that you can’t study for is still that: an old, false saw

standardized-testing

The old saw that the SAT is a test that you can’t study for is still that: an old, false saw. Perfect or near perfect scores were once a rarity, perhaps because students were (wrongly, as it turns out) warded away from preparing in a focused, methodical way. Now, however, admissions offices at the nation’s top-rated colleges are swimming in applications from students sporting such gaudy scores. Fully a quarter or more of freshmen matriculating at places like Yale or Princeton totally body-slammed the SAT. Hence, schools who informally market themselves the “Harvard of the South” or similar monikers that identify them as non-Ivy League, but striving for recognition and a healthy share of the rest of the best students, are competing heavily for students with those kinds of obscenely high scores by offering large merit-based scholarships. But, and this is a big but, those same schools are prone very quickly to lose interest in students who do not score perfectly or near-perfectly on the SAT. Respect for the SAT as a tool for admissions offices to make fine distinctions between and among good students has plummetted. Many detractors of the SAT see it merely as a narrowly-focused test of a certain raw academic-related skills, perhaps predictive of first year college performance, but of no real value beyond that. The ACT, by contrast, has a much different format. The ACT is broken down by subject matter and gives admissions offices a good idea how much of the pure substance of a given academic subject a student has ingested and comprehended. The ACT’s popularity among college-bound high school students is increasing as more and more people recognize the real weaknesses of the SAT.

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Reader says When the new apartments open, our schools are going to be overwhelmed with new students

high density housing Ridgewood

One family makes $50,000 or less and one family makes well over $300,000. The average of that is really quite high. So, don’t brag about all the millionaires who live here. Even a mean would be slanted to the higher end. Many of our residents live in small apartments so they can send their children to Ridgewood schools. They can’t afford that nice cheap $400,000 home. When the new apartments open, our schools are going to be overwhelmed with new students. So, yes, many of our teachers are paid much more than many of our residents. Even at starting salaries because they are getting thousands of dollars in free benefits that even our millionaires might find it tough to meet. Don’t forget, the salaries are not based on 12 months of education. Many teachers make a lot at their “summer jobs”. Ridgewood is fortunate to have very talented teachers who do inspire their students but we have almost as many who are sick of teaching and are just counting down to their very well padded retirements.