Tag: BOE

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Parking kunundrum upcoming in Cottage Place lot

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Parking kunundrum upcoming in Cottage Place lot
November 6,2014
Boyd A. Loving
9:48 AM 

Ridgewood NJ, Based on discussions held during 11/05’s Village Council Work Session, beginning in early 2015, the Cottage Place municipal parking lot may become an authorized destination for the following “all day” parkers (in addition to retaining its role as a lot open to all who want to “pay as you go” using coins):1) Vehicles displaying “unlimited parking – resident” hang tags – available for $750 per calendar year to Ridgewood residents (this hang tag will entitle Ridgewood residents to park all day in any municipal parking lot, including Cottage Place – additional sticker required for parking at train station lot, but the sticker is free).

2) Vehicles displaying “unlimited parking – non-resident” hang tags – available for $1500 per calendar year to non-Ridgewood residents (non-Ridgewood residents may park all day only in the Cottage Place lot).

3) Vehicles displaying “unlimited parking – employee” hang tags – available for $80 per month (non-resident employees of Ridgewood businesses may park all day only at the Cottage Place municipal lot, or at the Ken Smith Motors lot).

Coincident with the introduction of the new hang tag offerings, time limits will be reduced to three (3) hours on all parking lot meters and the hourly rate will be changed.

I am wrong to think that some, not all, of the those who should be paying $1500 per year to park in the Cottage Place lot will try to find someone who can get them either a $750 per year resident tag, or an $80 per month employee tag?

What technology, if any, will be used to ensure that the Resident and Employee hang tags are actually being displayed on vehicles being used by those who were entitled to purchase the tags?

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Ridgewood High School Learning Commons , Whats in a Name?

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Ridgewood High School Learning Commons , Whats in a Name?

October 24,2014

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In September 2012 The Ridgewood High School (RHS) Home and School Association (HSA) launched an aggressive fall fundraising campaign to pay for the transformation of the RHS library into a space better suited for 21st century learners. At the time it was thought that the renovation would potentially cost $850,000.The new RHS Learning Commons was needed to replace a library that has not been renovated since it was originally designed in 1963. After a little debate the Village embraced the idea and the needed funds were raised .

The Learning Commons is an attempt to bring the modern world of technology in to the library for all students to enjoy and use . The idea was originally the brain child of former Ridgewood High School principle Principle John (Jack) Lorenz. Jack had a stormy tenure as principle often clashing with the BOE . A reader summed it up best by saying ,”Jack Lorenz is one of the most highly regarded persons in Ridgewood. The educats at Cottage Place and the BOE fear and are jealous the public’s regard for him.”

Sources have confirmed to this blog that the BOE had promised to name the Learning Commons after Jack but has since reneged on the idea . While recent years have witnessed a decisive turnaround at the BOE with the reintroduction of the idea of the pursuit of excellence ,some things sadly have not changed.

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Reader asks have we received signed assurances that our children would not be tracked?

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Reader asks have we received signed assurances that our children would not be tracked?

Why do we have an online system that is a hodgepodge? Multiple signons. Skyward, blackboard, Google groups and that awful system to pay fees.

Do we have any assurance from Google that they will not be tracking our children? Teachers use Google class management. Is Google tracking the student’s grades and progress in school?

In California parents pushed for and received signed assurances that their children would not be tracked. Do we have the same guarantees?

Microsoft Store

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Panelists debate Common Core at forum in Ridgewood

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Panelists debate Common Core at forum in Ridgewood

OCTOBER 9, 2014    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2014, 5:01 PM
BY BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

It’s not likely that a two-hour panel of experts both for and against the Common Core state standards and the standardized testing it’s linked to changed any minds of the hundreds of parents who watched the debate at the Ridgewood Library last Thursday.

Early in the event the fire department was brought in to handle the massive outpouring of interest, which significantly exceeded the 212-person capacity of the room. Some went home after being urged to do so by library staff, but most stayed packed tightly next to each other, leaning against the walls or sitting on the floor.

“It reinforced my positive view of the Common Core,” said Sara Erwin following the debate. “Knowing the teachers at the high school in Ridgewood, they’ll make it work.”

Kim Barron, of Mahwah, said “nothing changed my mind in my opposition.”

“I don’t think that the ‘pro’ people made their case,” Barron contended.

Resident-led advocacy group Ridgewood Cares About Schools (RCAS) joined with the Ridgewood League of Women Voters to host the panel of six experts representing both local, state and national voices on the topic.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/panelists-debate-common-core-at-forum-in-ridgewood-1.1106337#sthash.9h7kVRqP.dpuf

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RIDGEWOOD BOARD OF ED MEETS ON OCTOBER 20

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RIDGEWOOD BOARD OF ED MEETS ON OCTOBER 20

The next Regular Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Board of Education will be held on Monday, October 20, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
 
The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Ed Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3. The meeting will be aired live on FiOS channel 33 and Optimum channel 77. Or it may be viewed live via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us using the “Link in Live” tab.

Click here to view the agenda for the September 22, 2014 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the webcast of the September 22, 2014 Regular Public Meeting.


Board of Education Regular Public Meeting CANCELLED
Date:10/6/2014 (7:30 PM)
Calendar:Ridgewood Public Schools (Board of Ed Meetings)
Description: This meeting has been cancelled.

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Community pitches in on Ridgewood schools planning

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Community pitches in on Ridgewood schools planning

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 9:29 AM
BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Like excited learners, adults invited to the Board of Education’s (BOE) community planning session readily shared their hopes and dreams for the Ridgewood school district, collaborating with officials and administrators in a way that’s rarely possible at 49 Cottage Place.

The first task as part of the four-hour strategy session on Sept. 13 split the group of 50 or so individuals into smaller clusters to draw a representation of their goals for the schools.

Under the direction of former state school board members Cathie Sousa and Nancy Stern, of Sousa and Stern Educational Consultants LLC, the groups got to work literally coloring their vision of the future.

In the casual atmosphere, enhanced from the standard public BOE meetings by a cheese plate and other snacks, everyone had equal input alongside the school board members, principals and administrators, public safety officials, clergy persons, parents, and other community leaders.

“Some strategic planning processes can take months,” said Superintendent Daniel Fishbein. “This really works.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/public-pitches-in-on-planning-1.1094194#sthash.nnNQjGzF.dpuf

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Ridgewood Board of Education honors record-setting swimmer Charlotte Samuels

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Ridgewood Board of Education honors record-setting swimmer Charlotte Samuels

SEPTEMBER 22, 2014, 9:49 PM    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2014, 9:50 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Open water swimming sensation Charlotte Samuels smiled widely Monday evening as the Board of Education recognized the 16-year-old athlete’s record-setting feat.

Charlotte — who recently returned from Britain, where she swam the English Channel to become the youngest person to complete open water swimming’s Triple Crown — thanked all the members of Ridgewood’s school board for the honor.

“This is the first time in my career I get to honor someone for breaking a world record,” said Superintendent of Schools Daniel Fishbein, before reading a resolution noting Charlotte’s swimming prowess.

The resolution expressed the board’s congratulations while extending to Charlotte “their best wishes for success in all future endeavors.”

Charlotte received a standing ovation from the 15-member audience, which also included her parents, Steven and Suzanne Samuels.

Sheila Brogan, the school board president, said she was both proud of the Ridgewood High School student, and “in awe” of her.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-board-of-education-honors-record-setting-swimmer-charlotte-samuels-1.1093974#sthash.NHxGxm9p.dpuf

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Why are we moving to Common Core?

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Why are we moving to Common Core?

September 12, 2014    Last updated: Friday, September 12, 2014, 9:28 AM
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Why are we moving to Common Core?

Marlene Burton
Marlene Burton

Marlene Burton

To the Editor:

I have spent some time looking at the Common Core ELA standards, as well as the math. A couple in particular caught my eye:

The first, and I quote: “With guidance and support from adults, explore a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.”

For what age child is this intended? You might think a 6th grader, but perhaps too ambitious and too grandiose for an 11-year-old – certainly a diversion from more fundamental activities.

But no, it is a kindergarten standard. The proponents of the Common Core want 5-year-olds on computers exploring digital tools to publish their own writings and the writing they have done in collaboration with their peers.

Here is another one: “Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them).” Also a kindergarten standard.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-why-are-we-moving-to-common-core-1.1086863#sthash.xIGhCobY.dpuf

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Concerns on Common Core presented to Ridgewood school board

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Concerns on Common Core presented to Ridgewood school board

SEPTEMBER 2, 2014    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2014, 11:09 AM
BY BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER

An apple core that has become the sign for the opposition to new state standards for school curriculum was featured prominently on buttons of many of the two dozen parents who came to speak at the Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE) meeting Aug. 25.

The public outcry against the Common Core and standardized testing is growing in Ridgewood with the help of a group named Ridgewood Cares About Schools, which has formed online on Facebook and drawn many to in-person meetings this summer.

The parents (and many grandparents) raised issues of concern during the public comment portion of the meeting, including that the testing is done on computers, the lack of transparency of where and what test data is shared, and that there are too many instructional hours devoted to testing. They also said that the Common Core standards for math and other subjects are confusing and urged the BOE to reject them in fear that the standards and focus on test preparation will create bad curricula.

Anne Burton Walsh, one of the founders of Ridgewood Cares About Schools, said the increase in the use of technology in the younger grades is “unnecessarily expensive and potentially harmful.” Ridgewood is currently implementing its one-to-one initiative with Google Chromebooks at the high school and plans to give one to every student in Grades K-8 in the coming years, with one reason being that the students must take the new standardized tests on computers.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/concerns-on-common-core-presented-to-ridgewood-school-board-1.1079350#sthash.H53Rbqmb.dpuf

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Ridgweood school board names new business administrators

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Ridgweood school board names new business administrators

AUGUST 29, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER

A former school district employee will return to the Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE) as its business administrator in the coming months.

On Aug. 25, the BOE approved the hire of Alfredo Aguilar as the district’s business administrator, with a contract lasting through June 30, 2015. Aguilar will be paid an annual salary of $168,000.

Although Aguilar was unanimously approved to hire, he will remain in his current position, as the business administrator for the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, for 90 days or until a replacement is found.

In the interim, assistant business administrator Gertrude Engle has been named acting business administrator and will receive a stipend of $250 per day.

Aguilar previously served as the business administrator for the Oradell Board of Education and from 2009 to 2012 was the assistant business administrator in Ridgewood.

From 2004 to 2009, Aguilar was a middle school math teacher in Paterson Public Schools and from 2001 to 2004 was a financial services officer in the U.S. Air Force.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/board-names-new-business-administrator-schools-1.1077823#sthash.oZjujw36.dpuf

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4 Charts Every Mom With Kids Going Back to School Should See

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4 Charts Every Mom With Kids Going Back to School Should See

Kelsey Harris / @KelsRenHar / August 25, 2014

Many kids are heading back to public school this week, and so begins fall and spring semesters. You have entrusted the government to give your child a good curriculum and a teaching staff you can count on. But what happens when the school staff is equipped with a big list of employees, but not necessarily a big crop of teachers focused on your child?

Tax dollars in places you don’t know about.

Even though the Obama Administration proposes spending $25 billion specifically to “provide support for hundreds of thousands of education jobs” in order to “keep teachers in the classroom,” research by both Heritage and The Fordham Institute reveal alarming numbers: only half of education jobs belong to teachers.

Heritage’s education policy expert Lindsey Burke says “school districts should trim bureaucracy and work on long-term reform options for better targeting taxpayer resources,” instead of putting taxpayers on the hook for more federal spending.

Check out the numbers in the four charts below.

1. The charts proving only half of education jobs are teachers:
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https://dailysignal.com/2014/08/25/4-charts-every-mom-kids-going-back-school-see/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morningbell&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonvqvIZKXonjHpfsX56eUoX6C0lMI%2F0E

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BOE MEETS TONIGHT MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

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BOE MEETS TONIGHT MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

The next Regular Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Board of Education will be held on Monday, August 25, 2014 at 5 p.m. 
 
The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Ed Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3. The meeting will be aired live on FiOS channel 33 and Optimum channel 77. Or it may be viewed live via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us using the “Link in Live” tab.

Click here to view the agenda for the August 25, 2014 Regular Public Meeting.

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Ridgewood Schools start on September 4!

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Ridgewood Schools start on September 4!

8.19.14: REVISED Back-To-School Night Schedule: The Willard School Back-To-School Night for Grades K-2 has been changed from September 18 to September 23.

Please click here for the newly revised schedule. Please note that this change is an update from that which is printed in the Newsline newsletter coming to Ridgewood homes this week.

BOE MEETS MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

The next Regular Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Board of Education will be held on Monday, August 25, 2014 at 5 p.m.

The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Ed Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3. The meeting will be aired live on FiOS channel 33 and Optimum channel 77. Or it may be viewed live via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us  using the “Link in Live” tab.

Click here  to view the agenda and addendum for the July 21, 2014 Regular Public Meeting.

Click here  to view the webcast of the July 21, 2014 Regular Public Meeting.

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Reader asks Was there any publication that the BOE elections were coming up and any potential candidate packets were available ?

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BOARD BIDS AMERICA A HAPPY BIRTHDAY: (from left): Board members Jim Morgan, Sheila Brogan, Christina Krauss and Vince Loncto join Superintendent Dan Fishbein (center) for the Ridgewood Fourth of July Parade.

Reader asks Was there any publication that the BOE elections were coming up and any potential candidate packets were available ? 

Any Notification ? Any Publication ? Candidate Packets ? 

Well two BOED trustees are running unopposed. So its the same old song. Was there even any publication that the elections were coming up and any potential candidate can pick their packets up at the BOED. Snuck that one through.

BOE MEETS MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

The next Regular Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Board of Education will be held on Monday, August 25, 2014 at 5 p.m.
 
The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Ed Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3. The meeting will be aired live on FiOS channel 33 and Optimum channel 77. Or it may be viewed live via the district website atwww.ridgewood.k12.nj.us using the “Link in Live” tab.

Click here to view the agenda and addendum for the July 21, 2014 Regular Public Meeting.

Click here to view the webcast of the July 21, 2014 Regular Public Meeting.

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Ridgewood incurs costly damage from recent flash flooding

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photo by Boyd Loving

Reader says Predictable, predicted, horrendous

This will be the LAST storm ever, though…right?

Another $119,865 to repair 2 turfed fields + $48,000 for turf on Maple Field (no longer Park, so let’s admit it and change the name). Plus who-knows-what in change orders.

Deductible is $25,000! That must have been somebody’s great idea to save money on the insurance.

We are going to go broke over this fiasco. It even failed a referendum but it happened anyway. Sickening waste. Meanwhile people are literally starving all over the world.

The turf MUST GO. It’s either now or later. Now is better. But nobody can admit to making a mistake. Well, this was a huge one.

Ridgewood incurs costly damage from recent flash flooding
August 7, 2014
BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER

Bubbles pop up on the Ridgewood High School field after a quick but powerful rainstorm led to flash flooding throughout the village last Friday.

Last Friday’s flash flood is costing the school district and municipality hundreds of thousands of dollars in cleanup costs.

The Board of Education (BOE) received authorization from the Bergen County Department of Education this week to award a bid to LandTek for $119,865 for “emergency repair” of two district-owned artificial turf fields.

Business Administrator Michael Falkowski said there was “extensive” damage at Ridgewood High School and Stevens fields following the Aug. 1 storm and that the playing grounds are “not useable” in their current state.

The money will come out of the 2015 district budget and possibly an emergency reserve fund, he said.

“This is just for the fields,” Falkowski said. “There’s other work that needs to be done,” including general cleanup of the area.