Tag: BOE

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Increase State School Aid,Time for a Taxpayer Refund

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the group administrator of the Facebook group ,”it takes a Ridgewood Village”  Saurabh Dani  offered the following information , ” Ridgewood is going to get 654,822$ more in state aid this year compared to last year – this is an increase of 16.9%.

To pay for this increased aid, the state is going to increase tolls, corporate tax and other state taxes, including income tax on many of Ridgewood residents. The state’s goal is to reduce property taxes with this added “aid / state tax increase”.

Our BOE has decided to use up the increase in state aid in their operating budget and not adjust this 655K towards proposed 2% increase of property tax.
Should the BOE reconsider it’s decision and reduce property tax increase of 2% and change it to “2% – minus- 654K”? “

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Dr. Fishbein Updates the Orchard Soil Remediation

Orchard School

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Dr. Fishbein presented an update on the Orchard Elementary School soil remediation project. A letter was emailed to the district community on February 14, 2020, prior to the February recess. The Remedial Action Workplan (RAW) was submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and we received the NJDEP Alternative Remedy Approval. All of the documents associated with this project can be found on the Public Information page of the district website. To access this section of the website, please click here.

Dr. Fishbein shared that he has continued to make a weekly request to the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) for a date and time for the public meeting, but he was unable to secure a date yesterday. Dr. Fishbein hopes to schedule this meeting as soon as possible. This week, soil permits will be submitted to the Village of Ridgewood, Bergen County, and the NJDEP. Finally, the district is preparing to begin public bidding during March. Click here to view the presentation.

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Reader says,”All (BOE) candidates should be evaluated on their merits, their stances on the issues, not on whether they have children in the Ridgewood schools “

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“And for the record, at 1 hour 13 minutes into last night’s BOE meeting, Mr. Morgan stated his belief that candidates should have children in or about to graduate from the Ridgewood schools. In my opinion this is dead wrong, and it is absolutely not a requirement (which he does admit). Anyone who runs for this office is presumably deeply invested in doing the absolute best for the Ridgewood schools. Even if they never had children. Even if, like Jennie Smith Wilson, their children went to private school. Even if, like Jim Morgan, their children are long gone from the schools. In my opinion, someone who is willing to run and does not have children in the system must be remarkably dedicated. It could even be argued that those with children currently in the system are too personally involved. I think Morgan’s is a nonsensical statement and should be ignored. All candidates should be evaluated on their merits, their stances on the issues, not on whether they have children in the Ridgewood schools.”

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Trustees Morgan and Wilson Announced they are Quitting the Ridgewood School Board

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 the staff of the Ridgewoodd blog
Ridgewood NJ, Mr Morgan and Ms Wilson announced that they will not be seeking re-election in April at last night’s board of education meeting. The Ridgewood blog has been very disappointed with Mr. Morgan over the years and considers the two part of the rogue element that runs the school board ignoring the demands of taxpayers .
Reader says ,’Wow, what a meeting. Morgan and Wilson announced they are quitting and Wilson was very mean and bitter.So if Morgan and Wilson are not running again, then who are the candidates from the developers? They would not give up on the 95M bond easily, that’s designed to bring new tenants to their apartments.”

The other issue over the years is how the Ridgewood school board works and its ” culture of secrecy”  , which we would suggest it is well past time Ridgewood with an enormous school budget starts run itself in a far more professional open manner ,instead of a fiefdom for special interests .
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The Ridgewood Board of Education Meets Tonight Monday, February 24, 2020 49 Cottage Place 7:00 p.m.

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Board of Education will hold its next Regular Public Meeting on Monday, March 2, 2020. The Board meets at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3 at 7:00 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting or to watch from home on Fios channel 33 or Optimum channel 77. Meetings are also streamed via the “BOE Webcast” tab on the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us.

Meeting webcasts are immediately available on the district website.

Click here to view the agenda in PDF format.

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Reader says ,”The developers want a new library, Performing Arts Center and more parking garages”

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“The library and Board of Education will be our undoing. The debt that they will incur is irresponsible. It is not clear that anyone in power stands for fiscal responsibility.

The developers want a new library, Performing Arts Center and more parking garages. It makes their rentals more appealing and will attract the NYC and Hoboken renters.

The residents will be paying for everything.”

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Reader says ,”Property taxes in Ridgewood are out of control”

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“Property taxes in Ridgewood are out of control. See the late model tinted window SUVs and private firing range (for a force that has never discharged a weapon) fur the Ridgewood Police Department, or the three full-time professional firefighters redundantly stationed 24/7 at Engine 311 on West Glen when the main firehouse is less than a mile away. Don’t even get started on the teachers who scream ”impasse” the second the BOE proposes reducing their platinum healthcare benefits…”

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Ridgewood is Facing a School Board Election in April and Village Council Election in May

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re-posted from a Saurabh Dani Post in the It takes A Ridgewood Village Facebook Group
Ridgewood NJ, Two elections are coming up in April and May where you can exercise your right to vote. School Board in April and Village Council in May.

Continue reading Ridgewood is Facing a School Board Election in April and Village Council Election in May

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Ridgewood Board of Education Election is on Tuesday, April 21

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The April School Board Election is on Tuesday, April 21. The 2020-2021 Budget and three Board seats will be on the ballot. Two seats are three-year terms, and one seat is an unexpired one-year term. Petitions are available at the front desk in the lobby of the Education Center, and they are also available on the district website.  Petitions must be completed and returned to Board Secretary by 4:00 p.m. on March 2, 2020. Newly elected Board members will be sworn-in to begin their terms on Monday, April 27, 2020. Click here for more information.

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Reader says ,”Dr. Fishbein’s relationship with LAN has to be more heavily scrutinized”

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“Dr. Fishbein’s relationship with LAN has to be more heavily scrutinized. The mere fact that only one firm was awarded or sought to submit bids for these projects screams conflict of interest. Our Village resources are both limited and sacred. Formal RFP’s should be sought from numerous accredited firms demonstrating the wherewithal required to both execute and provide warranties for these critical projects, which should then be collectively vetted and selected by the board. Given the magnitude of dollars, and the associated impact on the Village’s fiscal health and on resident tax bills, anything short of a thorough and transparent process is a grossly negligent fulfillment of their fiduciary responsibilities to the residents.

This referendum should be a hard “NO” until these matters are fully vetted and cross checked.”

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The Continuing Saga of the Ridgewood Schools $95 Million Referendum

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Saurabh Dani in the Facebook Group Ridgewood Moms and Dads with Free Speech

“The board of education was scheduled to vote on the 95M referendum question in Feb/March. They were working towards this goal for last couple of years while denying it as”rumors”.

Last night the board decided to push this vote by a few weeks, without providing exact timeline, probably pushing it out beyond the April 21 election date.

Continue reading The Continuing Saga of the Ridgewood Schools $95 Million Referendum

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Ridgewood Schools Rolls Out the 2020-2021 Preliminary $115 Million School Budget

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Antoinette Kelly presented the 2020-2021 Preliminary Assumption Budget to give an overview of the first draft of the budget.  Governor Phil Murphy will deliver his Budget Address on February 25; then, we will have 48 hours to get our State Aid numbers. The final preliminary budget needs to be accepted and approved by the Board by March 2 and submitted to the County Superintendent by March 4.

Continue reading Ridgewood Schools Rolls Out the 2020-2021 Preliminary $115 Million School Budget

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Dr. Fishbein Provided an Update on the Soil Remediation Project at Orchard School

Orchard School

 

the staff of the Ridgewood bog

Ridgewood NJ, Dr. Fishbein provided an update on the soil remediation project. A letter was sent on February 7, 2020 to update the community on steps that have been taken since the last communication.  Dr. Fishbein shared that NJDEP signage has been installed in three locations on the Orchard property.  As a precautionary measure and to alleviate some concerns, additional mulch was installed on the playground.

Historic soil testing reports and other documentation was added to the dedicated page on the website. Dr. Fishbein has requested an earlier meeting date from the New Jersey Department of Health; however, at this time, he doesn’t have confirmation of the exact date and time of that public meeting. The district has consulted with an LSRP from LAN Associates, as well as a third recommended LSRP. The NJDEP deadline for completion of the remediation project is February 2021; however, the work must be done during the summer months.  Click here to view the presentation.

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Ridgewood Board of Education Presents $95 million Referendum

RHS

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Dr. Fishbein presented a Facility Improvement Recommendation Proposal, which outlined the facility needs assessments conducted over the past several years. He provided a breakdown of high priority projects by school, as well as information about other identified facility needs, including the replacement of ceiling tiles and built-in cabinetry. The final items discussed were renovations and additions to the performing and practical arts instructional spaces at the high school and the addition of an auditorium.

While Dr. Fishbein wants to recommend moving forward with all of the projects mentioned, he is not ready to do so until all questions and concerns of the Ridgewood Board of Education have been addressed. He summarized the outstanding issues and asked Board members if they had additional questions. Click here to view the presentation

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Ridgewood Board of Education will hold its next Regular Public Meeting on Monday, February 10, 2020

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

 

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold its next Regular Public Meeting on Monday, February 10, 2020. The Board meets at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3 at 7:00 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting or to watch from home on Fios channel 33 or Optimum channel 77. Meetings are also streamed via the “BOE Webcast” tab on the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us.

Meeting webcasts are immediately available on the district website.