the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ – In a last-minute reversal that has energized the local community, the Ridgewood Board of Education has confirmed that popular gym teacher and wrestling coach Robert Franklin will no longer face a layoff.
The decision comes just days before the district’s high-stakes $134 million budget hearing scheduled for May 4, 2026.
photos courtesy of the Ridgewood High School Marching Band
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The pride of Ridgewood is headed to the birthplace of American independence! In a massive win for the local arts community, the Ridgewood High School (RHS) Marching Band has been officially selected to perform in the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade in Philadelphia.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood residents are facing a frustrating reality: school taxes are climbing, yet the classroom experience is being stretched thin. As the Board of Education (BoE) prepares for a pivotal vote this Monday, May 4th, many in the community are asking if the current 4% tax levy is truly necessary—or if it’s the result of a system that has lost its checks and balances.
Continue reading School Budget Crisis: Giving Up School Budget Vote Has Consequences
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, From the track dominance of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to the legendary status of Carl Lewis and Franco Harris, New Jersey is a verified “talent factory” for elite athletes. But producing professional-grade talent doesn’t happen by accident—it starts with the local high school sports culture.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Pennsauken, New Jersey – Ridgewood Crew showed why it is among the best rowing teams in the nation this past weekend with dominant, back-to-back performances on the Cooper River in southern New Jersey. In all, the team’s boats earned 15 total medals, three trophies, and two state titles, while qualifying 11 entries for the Scholastic Rowing national championships next month.
file photo courtesy of Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Every day, New Jersey’s crossing guards brave freezing temperatures, torrential rain, and heavy snow to ensure our children reach school safely. Now, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) is sounding the alarm to protect these vital community members from a rising threat: distracted driving.
Continue reading NJ Labor Dept. Launches ‘Protect Our Guards’ Safety Blitz
chart courtesy of NJ State Senator Holly Schepisi
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey has officially pulled back the curtain on the state’s massive $60 billion budget with a new “taxpayer report card.” While transparency is always a win, the numbers reveal a sobering reality for local homeowners—especially those in Bergen County.
Continue reading Why Your NJ Property Taxes Are Skyrocketing: The $4.4 Billion School Aid Secret
photo courtesy of Ridgewood Schools
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A fresh environmental movement is taking root across the Ridgewood Public School District, led by a generation of students committed to restoring the local ecosystem.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
West Windsor, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Ridgewood Crew split its squad into two this past weekend, and rowed its way to simultaneous success in regattas in central New Jersey and in Philadelphia.
Nine Ridgewood boats went to the Mercer Lake Sprints competition on both Saturday and Sunday, where more than 700 entries from five-dozen teams across the mid-Atlantic and northeast competed on a 2,000-meter course. On Sunday, seven different crews from Ridgewood competed amongst a field of 480 boats and nearly 80 clubs in 1,500-meter sprint races, as part of the final installment of the Philadelphia Scholastic Racing Association’s Manny Flick spring racing series.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , the Ridgewood Board of Education will hold its next public meeting on Monday, April 20th, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Education Center, located at 49 Cottage Place, Ridgewood.
Continue reading Ridgewood Board of Education Meeting Monday, April 20, 2026
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The tension in Ridgewood is reaching a boiling point. As the Ridgewood Board of Education prepares for its Monday night meeting, the community is rallying against a proposed $134 million budget that threatens both their wallets and their workforce.
Continue reading Ridgewood Schools at a Crossroads: Tax Hike and Teacher Layoffs Spark Outrage
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, In the Garden State, education isn’t just a priority—it’s a defining feature of the local landscape. According to the latest 2023 Census data, New Jersey continues to cement its reputation as a national leader in academic achievement, with approximately half of all residents now holding a college degree.
Ridgewood Crew claimed six first-place, five second-place, and three third-place finishes this past Sunday at the fourth regatta in the five-race Manny Flick / Horvat spring racing series
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Ridgewood Crew claimed six first-place, five second-place, and three third-place finishes this past Sunday at the fourth regatta in the five-race Manny Flick / Horvat spring racing series. The series, organized by the Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association, pits boats against one another down a 1,500-meter course on the Schuylkill River, with teams split up into separate flights or heats. Ridgewood had 17 entries at the regatta, the most of any school, and joined more than 420 boats from 80 different teams across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, In a state with over 116,000 classroom teachers, New Jersey maintains a standard for those entrusted with educating the next generation. While the vast majority of educators serve with distinction, a small fraction face the ultimate professional penalty: certificate revocation.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The Ridgewood school budget debate has moved from the boardroom to the wrestling mat. As the district grapples with a $134 million budget and the grim reality of staff reductions, the community is rising up to protect one of its own.
Continue reading Ridgewood Students Fight to Save a “Pillar” of the Community from Budget Cuts
