Delaying new standardized testing would benefit schools, students: Opinion
by Patrick J. Fletcher and Daniel Fishbein
Increases in academic rigor, use of technology in assessing student performance and professional accountability for teachers and administrators all represent a positive direction — but without expanding capacity in our state’s school districts, it may well be impossible to successfully implement these initiatives.
And since New Jersey’s schools, particularly those in Bergen County, are already among the finest anywhere, one unavoidable question arises. What’s the rush?
Beginning with the coming school year, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers standardized test series replaces current state testing. With 19 other states, New Jersey agreed to adopt PARCC to better assess students on the Common Core Standards. The test is designed to be administered online multiple times throughout the year, and data gathered also will be used to evaluate teachers and
principals.
MARCH 28, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014, 12:32 AM
Village should be accountable as well
Kira Semler
To the editor:
With regard to the article “1.8 million quarters to be paid back” (The Ridgewood News, March 21, page A1), what is most shocking and appalling about this entire caper is that the Village of Ridgewood takes no responsibility whatsoever for this theft.
Obviously, a person or persons on the staff in the financial department was equally as culpable for this missing money. What was that person or persons doing while this guy was pocketing quarters?
What are the taxpayers of the Village of Ridgewood supposed to think about this? Are they supposed to trust the financial department personnel to be doing their jobs? This is a flagrant miscarriage of professional and fiduciary duties by the staff of the financial department of the Village of Ridgewood.
Ridgewood administrator details Common Core standards
MARCH 27, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014, 3:32 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
Fresh off the heels of Indiana’s announcement on Monday that it would be the first state to formally drop the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for math and language arts, about 100 parents attended the district’s presentation on the standards on Tuesday night at Orchard School.
And in spite of all the looming national agitation, most parents appeared to leave feeling much less concerned about the initiative.
The presentation highlighted what the district believes are the many positive aspects of the CCSS, including its professed aim to improve the ability of U.S. students to compete globally.
Ridgewood father James Giordano stood up to leave at the tail end of the presentation and made an announcement.
“I came here to this meeting very pessimistic … This is very encouraging. I’m very pleasantly surprised,” he said.
Ridgewood police, fire departments present budget requests
MARCH 27, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014, 3:35 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
Ridgewood police officials attribute the department’s proposed 7 percent spending increase, in part, to a spike in mandatory officer training and the imminent replacement of aging administration vehicles.
During a Village Council budget work session last week, Chief John Ward detailed the police department’s anticipated 2014 expenses contained within its $6.6 million budget. The heads of the fire and information technology departments also presented their individual budgets.
Report: New Jersey’s autism rate is the highest in the U.S.
MARCH 27, 2014, 1:25 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014, 4:34 PM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
Autism rates continue to rise sharply across the nation, with New Jersey now reporting the highest rates in the country – one in 45 children here are diagnosed with some form of the developmental disability, though federal officials said they are unsure if that is due to better screening methods or an actual uptick in cases.
Nationally, autism rates have risen 30 percent since 2012, the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday. One in every 68 children in the United States – nearly 1.2 million children under 21 years old – are estimated to have the disorder.
Boys are hit especially hard with the condition — one in 28 boys in New Jersey and one in 42 nationally are on the autism spectrum, the report showed.
“The rate among boys in New Jersey is over 3 percent,” said Walter Zahorodny, the director of the New Jersey autism study and an assistant professor of pediatrics at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. “A population with 3 percent of the boys having this is frightening. Some children do improve but many, many CQ don’t have a typical life.”
For the CDC study, researchers looked at community records, and in most cases, the educational records, of 8-year-olds in 11 states, including those from four counties in New Jersey. Experts say eight is the age when autism is most prevalent.
Survey: More Than 1 In 4 Car Crashes Involve Cellphone Use
National Safety Council: 26 Percent Tied To Use, But Only 5 Percent To TextingMarch 27, 2014 11:34 AM
STAMFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) — Texting and driving is dangerous but a new survey finds talking on a cellphone while behind the wheel may be even worse.
As WCBS 880′s Paul Murnane reported from Stamford, the National Safety Council’s annual reportfound 26 percent of all crashes are tied to phone use, but noted just 5 percent involved texting.
Safety advocates are lobbying now for a total ban on driver phone use, pointing to studies that headsets do not reduce drive distraction.
Some motorists said they support the idea.
“Everybody’s on a telephone. If people do cut you off, you look and they’re talking on the telephone. I think they are a problem.” a driver told Murnane. “Hands-free or not.”
Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary: ‘The Wealth in America Doesn’t Come from Government’
Israel Ortega
March 25, 2014 at 5:30 pm
In this clip, successful investor Kevin O’Leary from ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank” eloquently and persuasively destroys many of the myths of the “1 percent” and describes in personal detail how many of the small businesses he works with have to spend nearly $20,000 to $30,000 a year complying with federal regulations.
O’Leary is spot on, confirming Heritage research finding that “during President Obama’s first four years in office, the annual regulatory burdens on Americans increased by nearly $70 billion.”
O’Leary challenges President Obama to hear for himself the adverse impact of federal regulations on America’s small businesses. These are the hard-working men and women, O’Leary says, who will create jobs.
State’s Deal with Verizon on High-Speed Internet Services Finds Few Friends in NJ
Cities, towns, rural communities — as well as Division of Rate Counsel — all argue that telecom company reneged on agreement to provide broadband to entire state.
The so-called stipulation settlement will not take effect unless approved by the BPU commissioners, w
State’s Deal with Verizon on High-Speed Internet Services Finds Few Friends in NJ
Cities, towns, rural communities — as well as Division of Rate Counsel — all argue that telecom company reneged on agreement to provide broadband to entire state.
The so-called stipulation settlement will not take effect unless approved by the BPU commissioners, who have not decided yet when to take up the issue, a source of controversy for years.
Opponents argue Verizon has not complied with a 1993 law, requiring 100 percent of its territory to be upgraded to high-speed broadband service by 2010. That failure has left some rural towns and poorer communities without access to meaningful broadband service, according to critics.
Verizon responds that New Jersey is the most wired state in the nation, with 99 percent of it having access to broadband service. New Jersey is one of only five states where 81 percent to 97 percent of the rural population has access to high-speed Internet service, the company argued in briefs filed in the case.
“Verizon has satisfied its regulatory commitment under Opportunity New Jersey,’’ said Lee Gierczynski, a spokesman for Verizon New Jersey, referring to the 1993 law.
Division of Rate Counsel Stefanie Brand contested that view, acknowledging a substantial part of the state has been wired, but more remains to be done to meet the 100 percent commitment made 21 years ago.
“The last part of it is less profitable,’’ Brand said, adding “A deal is a deal. The board should not accept anything less that what was bargained for and paid for by New Jersey ratepayers.’’
Under Opportunity New Jersey, Verizon won approval to deregulate many of the phone services it offers to its customers in exchange for providing 100 percent of its customers access to fast broadband service. Just what form that service would entail remains a big source of dispute. (Johnson/NJSpotlight)
ho have not decided yet when to take up the issue, a source of controversy for years.
Opponents argue Verizon has not complied with a 1993 law, requiring 100 percent of its territory to be upgraded to high-speed broadband service by 2010. That failure has left some rural towns and poorer communities without access to meaningful broadband service, according to critics.
Verizon responds that New Jersey is the most wired state in the nation, with 99 percent of it having access to broadband service. New Jersey is one of only five states where 81 percent to 97 percent of the rural population has access to high-speed Internet service, the company argued in briefs filed in the case.
“Verizon has satisfied its regulatory commitment under Opportunity New Jersey,’’ said Lee Gierczynski, a spokesman for Verizon New Jersey, referring to the 1993 law.
Division of Rate Counsel Stefanie Brand contested that view, acknowledging a substantial part of the state has been wired, but more remains to be done to meet the 100 percent commitment made 21 years ago.
“The last part of it is less profitable,’’ Brand said, adding “A deal is a deal. The board should not accept anything less that what was bargained for and paid for by New Jersey ratepayers.’’
Under Opportunity New Jersey, Verizon won approval to deregulate many of the phone services it offers to its customers in exchange for providing 100 percent of its customers access to fast broadband service. Just what form that service would entail remains a big source of dispute. (Johnson/NJSpotlight)
Bergen freeholder candidates play to local strengths in county-wide battle
By Mark Bonamo | March 26th, 2014 – 12:12pm
HACKENSACK – The nomination last week of Ridgewood Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh and Ridgefield attorney Robert Avery to run for two freeholder seats this year on the Bergen County Republican Organization line helped set up the chessboard pieces for the county-wide battle for control in November.
Walsh and Avery will go up against freeholder incumbents David Ganz, of Fair Lawn, who has been on the freeholder board since 2003, and Joan Voss, of Fort Lee, who has been on the board since 2012.
The freeholder electoral struggle will play out against the bigger battle for Bergen County Executive to be waged between Republican incumbent Kathleen Donovan, of Rutherford, and Freeholder Jim Tedesco, the former mayor of Paramus.
Bergen County Republican Chairman Bob Yudin felt that the GOP freeholder candidate picks from Ridgewood and Ridgefield “can only help” the Republicans’ chances in the fall.
“Ridgefield is in the heart of a Democratic area, yet the delegates picked somebody from that area, a former council president, who we believe can win,” Yudin said. “Ridgewood is not necessarily a Democratic town, but lately has voted Democratic. So running a candidate from Ridgewood is a good thing for us. Bernadette Walsh is an incumbent councilwoman, and she is a proven vote-getter.”
Become Part of the YWCA Team as a Summer Camp Counselor or Lifeguard WCA Bergen County will be holding a job fair in search of individuals who want to join our team as Summer Camp Counselors and Lifeguards.
Positions available for three of our Summer Camps throughout Bergen County as well as Lifeguarding opportunities at our camps and Englewood swim programs.
Job fair will be held from 6:30 – 9:30 pm on March 27, 2014 in the Salamone Room at YWCA Bergen County, 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood.
There will be information regarding summer camps, applications available, raffles and giveaways as well as on-site interviews with camp directors. For those interested in lifeguarding, there will be a FREE prerequisite water skills test occurring that night. Camp Counselors must be at least 18 years of age and available to work June 23 – August 22, 2014. Lifeguards must be at least 15 years of age and able to work May 24 – August 31, 2014. For more information, please contact Kerry Jannicelli at 201-345-1906 or visit www.ywcabergencounty.org
Deadline Nears for Residents Seeking to Volunteer to Serve on the PLANNING BOARD AND FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Deadline for submissions is March 28, 2014.
The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Planning Board and the Financial Advisory Committee.
The Planning Board reviews site plans and subdivision applications; prepares, adopts, and amends the Master Plan; makes recommendations to the Village Council regarding amendments to developmental regulations and the official map.
The Financial Advisory Committee assists in the review and understanding of the financial considerations necessary to the operation of the Village and the Village’s preparation of the Annual and Capital Budgets; provides review, advice and recommendations to the Village Council on Village financial and budgetary matters; and prepares an annual report for the Village Council to assist the Councilmembers in their budget preparation. Members will preferably have strong finance, accounting, government and/or business backgrounds.
All interested residents should fill out a Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website under “Forms”), and send it along with a cover letter indicating on which board/committee the resident wishes to serve, and a biography or resume to:
Heather Mailander
Village Clerk
Village of Ridgewood
131 North Maple Ave.
Ridgewood, NJ 07451
N.J. legislature to vote on extension of arbitration cap for police, fire pay hikes
Top Democratic lawmakers are rushing to extend the cap on police and firefighter pay raises that some say has helped keep property tax bills in check. But local officials say the bill expected to be voted on today in both the Assembly and state Senate includes too many loopholes to be effective.
Since 2011, raises for local police and firefighters have been limited to 2 percent if contract disputes were settled, as many are, through the state’s binding arbitration process. Statewide, the average property tax bill rose to a record $7,988 in 2013, but that rate of growth has slowed while this cap and another that limits overall increases in the local tax have been in place.
The salary cap expires on Tuesday, a deadline written into the original law as a compromise between the Democrats who control the Legislature and Governor Christie, a Republican.
Before the cap was in place, unions were often given raises of around 4.5 percent. That figure is now 1.9 percent after the cap, according to a recent report issued by a task force set up to study the cap’s effectiveness.
Without a full extension of the current cap, the local officials warn, cuts in services are likely. (Reitmeyer and Phillis/The Record)
Reader says Quit complaining about the criticism and tell this Council to get to work.
You call the Valley expansion and building high density housing “perceived ills?”
Nice job placing blame on the previous Council for everything that’s wrong with this one. Are you saying that inherited problems are not this Council’s problem? These democratically elected Council members chose to run – that means when you win, you get ALL the problems, not just the ones you cause yourself.
Quit complaining about the criticism yourself and tell whomever on this Council you are defending to get to work.
As for showing up at meetings and expressing opinions – look at what that got people that spoke up at the Valley hearings. Gail Price allowed Valley’s attorney to shout them down then told the Planning Board to ignore public comment when making their decision. Only the “expert testimony” paid for by Valley is to be considered.
Is it that hard to figure out why people are so angry?
Reader says “Chronic complainers” is the label they put on you if you disagree with their ideas of what they think is right.
If you dont give the “in crowd” , the “connected few” ,the “cool people” exactly what the want when they want it then you are branded “Chronic complainers”
NIMBY , “Chronic complainers” is it too much to ask for even a smidgin of originality
Be careful not to confuse expressing an opposing point of view with “complaining”. Most of the people you label that way are very involved in the community and have done their homework by attending meetings and volunteering their time.
As for issues with “this Council” I need only refer you to the series of embarrassing episodes that are well documented on this blog as well as in the mainstream media. I realize that the current Council and their apologists wish that these would all just go away. Those that seek public office are subject to public scrutiny.
