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Reader takes Dim View on “Remote Learning”

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“Here’s the feedback.

– Spoiled ineffective RW parents can’t manage their privileged selfish children.

– Spineless RW school system won’t implement (let alone enforce) any mandatory structure nor enforce any substantive academic standards.

– Teachers whine about how hard they are working and what challenges they are overcoming

– NJEA/NEA are conflicted over whether it is more beneficial to the teachers (I mean students, wink, wink), to push for reopening schools in September or to push to keep schools closed in September.

– RW parents post teacher support signs on their lawns and publically espouse what heroes the teachers are while privately complaining about how the teachers are failing to address their kids needs (while never making sure their child attends virtual class or does his homework).”

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Ridgewood School District Working on Virtual Alternatives High School Graduation and Promotion Ceremonies

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  at the Monday night School Board meeting ,Dr. Fishbein began by stating that Governor Murphy has closed schools for students for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year and that students would finish the year via virtual home instruction. He expressed that no one wants to be back in the schools more than educators. Dr. Fishbein thanked the teachers for their hard work and commitment and expressed they have done an amazing job planning and executing virtual learning for our students. Acknowledging the challenges of remote instruction, he reiterated that educators would prefer to be in school with their students and to celebrate all of the end-of-year traditions that are being impacted by the current public health crisis.

Continue reading Ridgewood School District Working on Virtual Alternatives High School Graduation and Promotion Ceremonies

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NJEA commends decision to keep school buildings closed

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, NJEA released this statement following Gov. Murphy’s announcement today that school buildings will remain closed for the rest of the academic year.  Remote instruction will continue, and NJEA members will remain focused on meeting the needs of New Jersey’s students.

Continue reading NJEA commends decision to keep school buildings closed

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New Jersey Teachers’ Pension Fund Identified  as One of Eight Seriously Underfunded State and Local Pension systems that could soon Face a Crisis

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, , the New Jersey teacher pension system is paying out about $4.5 billion a year in retirement benefits and other kinds of payments to 104,000 beneficiaries. Yet contributions by active teachers and state government amount about $2.8 billion annually, leaving a $1.7 billion deficit. When the market is good, investment returns help make up the difference. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, for instance, a nearly 10 percent market gain generated $2 billion, which the fund largely used to pay retirees. This year, however, market gains have largely evaporated for everyone.

Continue reading New Jersey Teachers’ Pension Fund Identified  as One of Eight Seriously Underfunded State and Local Pension systems that could soon Face a Crisis

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Its Not Economic Benefits Over Human Life ,Economic Benefits are Human Life

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the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, a recent article on NJ Insider attempting to quell the push to get the economy going promoting the false dichotomy that some how “Ranking Economic Benefits Over Human Life is Offensive ” . Life  is a functioning economy end of story . Only someone who lives at the charity of others would  not understand this.

Funny but the politicians in Trenton see fit to simultaneously raise the fuel tax and tolls on the NJ Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway  so apparently “Ranking Economic Benefits Over Human Life ” is ok for them . So if we can raise taxes , we can go back to work.

Continue reading Its Not Economic Benefits Over Human Life ,Economic Benefits are Human Life

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NJEA makes Deal with Senate President Steve Sweeney to Cut health benefit costs

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) and Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) announced a deal they estimate will cut $1 billion in public employees’ health benefit costs.

Continue reading NJEA makes Deal with Senate President Steve Sweeney to Cut health benefit costs

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School support staff has grown 2.7 times as fast as students since 1990

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, according to Corey DeAngelis Director of School Choice, Reason Foundation; Adjunct Scholar, Cato Institute , School support staff has grown 2.7 times as fast as students since 1990 in public schools has grown 2.7 times as fast as students since 1990.
Students: + 23%
Support staff: + 61%
Per pupil spending: + 39%
Maybe this is why our schools are failing?

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Governor Murphy Vetoes Bill the Would Exempt Certain School Districts from 2% Property Tax Cap

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Governor Phil Murphy today absolute vetoed S4289, legislation that would have allowed for certain school districts to raise property taxes above the 2% cap without voter approval. If enacted, the bill would have further encumbered already over-burdened middle and working-class taxpayers.

Continue reading Governor Murphy Vetoes Bill the Would Exempt Certain School Districts from 2% Property Tax Cap

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Public Comments at Ridgewood BOE meeting from Jan 6th, regarding the Huge Proposed $95 Million bond Referendum

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 the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Form the Facebook group “Ridgewood Moms and Dads with Free Speech” Saurabh Dani commented asking readers to take a look at .” Pete and Susan’s comment in this video are REALLY important.” Its nice to see more taxpayers starting to recognize the fiscal mess the State of New Jersey is in and the enormous pension deficit, particularly with the teachers pension.

Continue reading Public Comments at Ridgewood BOE meeting from Jan 6th, regarding the Huge Proposed $95 Million bond Referendum

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New Jersey Students Lose Ground in Reading and Math

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Results from the semi-annual National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) were released this morning.  The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), first administered in 1969, is the largest continuing and nationally representative assessment of what our nation’s students know and can do in subjects such as mathematics, reading, science, and writing.  The results of NAEP are released as The Nation’s Report Card, and are available for the nation, states, and in some cases, urban districts.  Teachers, principals, parents, policymakers, and researchers all use NAEP results to assess progress and develop ways to improve education in the United States.

Continue reading New Jersey Students Lose Ground in Reading and Math
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What teachers should know about deducting out-of-pocket classroom expenses

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by Beata Savreski CPA, MST Individual and Business Tax

Upper Saddle River NJ, now that fall is here and school has started, many teachers are dipping into their own pockets to buy classroom supplies. Doing this throughout the year can add up fast. Fortunately, eligible educators may be able to defray qualified expenses they paid in 2019 when they file their tax return in 2020.

Continue reading What teachers should know about deducting out-of-pocket classroom expenses
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New Jersey Is 2019’s 2nd Best State for Teachers

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, With World Teachers’ Day around the corner and teaching among the lowest-paid professions that require a bachelor’s degree, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2019’s Best & Worst States for Teachers as well as accompanying videos.

Continue reading New Jersey Is 2019’s 2nd Best State for Teachers
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Reader claims , its “quid pro quo” for the Ridgewood School Board

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“Wilson was appointed, not elected, four years ago. Mary Micale fought hard in Wilson’s favor to have her appointed. At the time, Mary vouched for Wilson saying they worked together for years; YWCA and Foundation. That alone should recuse Wilson form interviewing and nominating this candidate. Instead, she lead the interview. It was so obvious that Mary was given information other candidates didn’t have. Clearly, her interview was coach and scripted.

Now it’s time to return the favor.”

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Reader says , “We deserve transparency on our board of education… independent thinkers, not predetermined allies”

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“Mary Micale was helped by a board member and therefore given an unfair advantage over the other nine applicants. I hope our BOE will not ignore that and and by doing so, allow this process to be tainted by one of the four current board members. We deserve transparency on our board of education… independent thinkers, not predetermined allies.”

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Reader says the Board majority needs to deliver (to special interest groups); commit to multi million dollar projects and move the election back to November

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” Let’s speak openly about the real reason this Board wants Mary Micale and the importance of this open position (which is only a 6 month position). In the next six months before a member can be elected, the Board majority needs to deliver on their promise (to special interest groups); commit to multi million dollar projects and move the election back to November so residents won’t be allowed to vote or change the school budget. None of what they are planing will directly impact the children’s programs, education or stop the decline in school ranking. Residents pockets will be tuned inside out and we will all be financially crippled by debt. WAKE UP RIDGEWOOD! “