>Guadagno blasts Council on the Arts for awarding $300K in no-bid contracts
Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno took another slap at the New Jersey State Council on the Arts last week, telling lawmakers that the council needed better oversight after a routine audit discovered it awarded more than $300,000 in no-bid contracts. (McGlone, The Star-Ledger)
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/guadagno_blasts_council_on_the.html
>Math Wars: Why not hire scientist and engineers to give us input on math programs instead of bogus “math educators” out of Monclair State?
Why not hire scientist and engineers to give us input on math programs instead of bogus “math educators” out of Monclair State? I have no idea what grade your kids are in or how much your kids teachers are supplementing the crappy math program (CMP) but I can tell you that my youngest child is struggling with CMP and his teacher is incapable and unwilling to stray from the “it teaches itself” “constructivist” curriculum (she graduated Monclair with an “education” degree). I have tried to supplement with Singapore but he finds it too confusing. My older son was subjected to CMP as it was coming on line and his teachers supplemented heavily in middle school as most of them were old school and not fond of CMP. I was also supplementing with Singapore Math. He’s doing okay in high school but I have hired a tutor to make up for the gaps left by CMP.
IF you don’t think curriculum is an issue for a BOE candidate, you’re dead wrong. The “curriculum experts” work for us, not vice-versa. I need a BOE member who is informed, inquisitive and who can sythesize information to deliver the best outcome for our students (remember the fireman didn’t know that we had constructivist math in our schools when the selection of math programs was ongoing? And so we go the Crappy Math Program).
>But there are advantages to being elected President. The day after I was elected, I had my high school grades classified Top Secret.
Ronald Reagan
Read more: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/r/ronald_reagan.html#ixzz1Jo7ZclVd
>White House draft bill expands DHS cyber responsibilities
By Jason Miller
Executive Editor
Federal News Radio
Under a White House plan, the Homeland Security Department will have far-reaching oversight over all civilian agency computer networks.
The proposal would codify much of the administration’s memo from July 2010 expanding DHS’s cyber responsibilities for civilian networks.
The White House, however, is taking those responsibilities further, according to a source familiar with the document. The administration drafted a legislative proposal to give DHS many, if not all, of the same authorities for the .gov networks that the Defense Department has for the .mil networks.
https://federalnewsradio.com/index.php?nid=35&sid=2345684
>Newcomer Christina Krauss has lived in Ridgewood since 1994 and said her 20-plus years as a small business owner can translate well to the BOE because she has dealt with payroll issues, difficult customers and restrictions that are similar to issues concerning BOE budgets, resident concerns, a property tax cap and deficits.
“A small business perspective helps with problem solving, providing a fiscally responsible approach to almost anything,” Krauss said.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/119898359_Candidates_have_the_floor.html
>Incumbent Laurie Goodman has been on the board for nearly three years and has worked for more than 30 years as a reporter, copywriter and in advertising. Public education should be “managed on the local level,” she said, adding that she listens more than speaks about issues.
“I’m not a politician,” Goodman said. “But I don’t give up.” She said she wants to improve communication between board members and residents because “it’s only going to get harder to find efficiencies and balance programs with sensitivity to the tax burden on the community.”
https://www.northjersey.com/news/119898359_Candidates_have_the_floor.html
>
For the uninitiated Atlas Shrugged, the movie is the adaptation of Ayn Rand’s 1957 classic novel. The novel, which centers around railroad executive Dagny Taggart as she fights to keep her business a float as American society crumbles around her, and descends into deeper and deeper recession .
In the novel Rand dramatized her unique philosophy in an intellectual mystery story that integrated ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, politics, economics and sex. She considered herself primarily a fiction writer, but realized that in order to create heroic fictional characters, she had to identify the philosophic principles which make such individuals possible.
https://www.manhattanstyle.com/arts-entertainment/movies/who-is-john-gault/
>Scott Garrett’s balanced-budget proposal is the right prescription
By Rick Manning – 04/15/11 08:11 AM ET
Now that the dust has settled on the continuing resolution skirmish, and President Obama has laid down heavy cannon fire in opposition to ever balancing the budget of the United States government, the House of Representatives will be considering different budget alternatives today.
While most of the attention is focused upon Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) proposal, there is an alternative being offered by Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.), which would, unlike Ryan’s bill, bring the budget into balance within the next 10 years.
>TSA security looks at people who complain about … TSA security
By Mike M. Ahlers and Jeanne Meserve, CNN
Washington (CNN) — Don’t like the way airport screeners are doing their job? You might not want to complain too much while standing in line.
Arrogant complaining about airport security is one indicator Transportation Security Administration officers consider when looking for possible criminals and terrorists, CNN has learned exclusively. And, when combined with other behavioral indicators, it could result in a traveler facing additional scrutiny.
CNN has obtained a list of roughly 70 “behavioral indicators” that TSA behavior detection officers use to identify potentially “high risk” passengers at the nation’s airports.
https://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/04/15/tsa.screeners.complain/
>Ridgewood Preschool Wins National Competition
Ridgewood, NJ teacher Sara Bauer can now add ‘green champion’ to her resume! Representing Sara’s Preschool in Ridgewood, she competed as a finalist in a national “reality game show inspired” green competition, and with the help of her young but ambitious Kindergarten Enrichment class, beat out four other schools in the contest aimed at greening communities around the country.
Run entirely on Facebook, “The EarthCare Challenge” followed five regional school groups embarking on 31-day green makeovers in their communities. Youth teams from California to Wyoming to New Jersey faced off for chance to win a grant and eco-friendly furnishings for their school. Leading green experts and Facebook and Twitter users nationwide voted on their favorite, and now Sara’s Preschool has a new challenge – how to spend $1,000 to continue a tradition of eco-education!
>Ridgewood school board candidates have the floor
Friday, April 15, 2011
LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY APRIL 15, 2011, 9:58 AM
BY KAREN KLEIMANN
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
For The Ridgewood News
Two Board of Education (BOE) incumbents and one newcomer running for two open three-year seats answered questions and offered opinions on teacher evaluations, tenure, property taxes, budgets, field lights, expenses and other resident concerns at a Candidate’s Night on April 7.
Sheila Brogan, Laurie Goodman and Christina Krauss are running for two open seats on the Ridgewood Board of Education.
A fourth candidate, Gerry Clark, withdrew his candidacy just before the event.
The evening event at the Education Center, sponsored and moderated by the Ridgewood League of Women Voters, started with introductions and three topical questions, followed by questions from the public.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/119898359_Candidates_have_the_floor.html
>Christie courts Big Pharma, cites recent Bayer win
Gov. Chris Christie told executives of the pharmaceutical industry today he intends to forge “collaborative partnerships’’ with companies as part of his effort to nurture a more business-friendly environment in the state. (Todd, The Star-Ledger)
https://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2011/04/christie_courts_big_pharma_cit.html
>Tea Party steeps itself in N.J. legislative races
William Eames, co-founder of the Hanover-based Morris Patriots, a Tea Party group with more than 350 members, hadn’t planned on running for state Senate last week. (Penton, Gannett)
>Union refuses to vote on job concession package meant to keep Meadowlands Racetrack open
A key union representing tellers at the Meadowlands Racetrack tonight refused to vote on a package of job concessions aimed at keeping the financially troubled facility open, a leader of the state’s harness racing industry said. (Spoto, The Star-Ledger)
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/union_refuses_to_vote_on_job_c.html
>New school choices give students more room to roam
New Jersey’s modest start in opening up public school boundaries a decade ago is about to see a major expansion, with the state yesterday adding 56 more districts that can accept students outside their borders. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0414/1626/
