Tag: Ridgewood schools

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Do We Have to do everything….Readers Recomend New Superintendent…

>Taken from the BOE website (https://www.web2.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/www/edcenter/bdmeetings/bdagendas/aug28.html)

Changes of Assignment

ARILOTTA, Paul – from Principal, Travell School, to Interim Superintendent of Schools, effective September 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007

Dr. Arilotta’s background is as follows:
·NJDOE Standard Certificate, School Administrator
·BA in Sociology from St John’s University
·MA in Physical Education from Columbia University
·MS in Guidance and Counseling from St. John’s University ·Master of Education in Curriculum and Instructional Practices from Columbia University ·Doctorate in Administration and Supervision from Columbia University ·1995-present – Principal, Travell School ·1990-95 – Director of Human Resources, Ridgewood Public Schools ·1987-90 – Superintendent, Hasbrouck Heights School District ·1982-87 – Deputy Assistant Superintendent Manhattan Region ·1971-82 – Various positions for the New York City Board of Education (classroom teacher, guidance counselor, Assistant Project Director, Evaluation and Placement Unit, Supervisor, Assistant Administrative Director)

“I have heard nothing but good things about Dr. Arilotta from parents whose children have attended Travell. Looking at his background, I wonder why the district needs to search for a new Superintendent when it seems like we have a qualified candidate already working for the district. Also I must say he appears to be a lot more open and more of a people person than Dr. Porter was.”

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Highlights from 8/3/06 Village Council Work Session:

>The subject of creating a redevelopment district to facilitate rapid construction of a parking garage again surfaced. Council members seem intent on finding a legal method of distancing themselves from the word “condemnation.” Block 3806 (Oak/Walnut between Franklin & Maple) is the targeted redevelopment district

Although in agreement that NJ Transit’s plans for a $27 million ADA upgrade to Ridgewood’s train station make no fiscal sense whatsoever, Council members agreed that conceptual plan number three would be the lesser of three evils. An appropriate resolution is being drafted and will be forwarded to NJ Transit.

To appease taxpayers living near Linwood Avenue and Sollas Court, Council members agreed to formally request the County of Bergen not to bring their planned bike path extension onto Village of Ridgewood owned property north of the Wild Duck Pond area.

It was revealed that the Planning Board is estimated to overspend their 2006 budget allocation by $66K. Council members were less than amused at the news that legal & other professional services fees exceed plan. Note: Mayor Pfund and Councilwoman Ringler-Shagin sit on the Planning Board but seemed surprised by the news also. Duh?

Plans to expand the Village Hall parking lot by 13 spaces were approved. The additional parking area will be located near the northeast corner of the building.

Council Members grilled Building Department Director Tony Merlino for over 45 minutes regarding his progress, or lack thereof, in implanting recommendations made last year by an external auditor. Clearly, those on the dais were not happy with Mr. Merlino’s progress report.

The Village’s Health, Building, and Tax departments will be folded into a new “Department of Community Services.” A Director is will be recruited (most likely from within).

Plans to discontinue use of a water meter reading system based on use of telephone lines were approved. Replacement water meters will be read using a two way radio system.

A revised commercial filming ordinance will be introduced.

The 2007 Village Calendar theme will center around famous people from Ridgewood. “Pioneering Women” was originally suggested as a theme; it died a quick death at the suggestion of Councilwoman Kim Ringler-Shagin.

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Just around the Corner

>$7 Million Referendum to expand Ridge and Willard – The Ridgewood BOE has tentatively approved the development of a proposal to expand the Ridge and Willard schools if funding is authorized by a referendum in either September or December of 2006.

Ridgewood to Start RevaluationThe Village of Ridgewood has recently been ordered by the Bergen County Board of Taxation to perform a revaluation for the year 2008.

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UPDATE :BOE Set To Name Russ Titus As Interim Superintendent On Monday, 6/19

>Titus0022
it is being reported that the Interim Superintendent will be Russell C. TITUS, effective July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007. $180,000

At its June 19, 2006, meeting, the Board named C. Russell Titus the interim superintendent of schools for the 2006-2007 school year. He replaces John R. Porter Jr., who is leaving to become superintendent of schools in the Franklin-McKinley school district in San Jose CA. Porter is leaving June 30. The Board intends to spend the next year conducting a nationwide search for Porter’s replacement.Until his retirement from Ridgewood Public Schools in June 2005, Titus was most recently assistant superintendent of schools. He also spent 20 years as principal of Somerville School. He briefly retired from that position but returned to the district to become interim assistant superintendent when former superintendent Fred Stokley retired. A recipient of several awards and recognitions, including the 1999 Lloyd Ashby Award, the highest honor bestowed on a staff member of the Ridgewood Public Schools, Titus spent all but one decade of his 40-year career in education in the district. From 1972 to 1982, he was principal of elementary schools in Summit and Cresskill. Titus begins his assignment on July 3, 2006.

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Up Coming Events around the Village

>May 25 2006 – Ridgewood Tax Payers Association meeting at the Stable on Maple Ave. 7:30 to 9:30. Guest Speaker US Senate Candidate and Ridgewood Taxpayer’s Association member John Ginty. All are welcome!

Ridgewood to Start RevaluationThe Village of Ridgewood has recently been ordered by the Bergen County Board of Taxation to perform a revaluation for the year 2008.

$7 Million Referendum to expand Ridge and Willard – The Ridgewood BOE has tentatively approved the development of a proposal to expand the Ridge and Willard schools if funding is authorized by a referendum in either September or December of 2006.

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Not as Much Praise as you are lead to believe…

>Because of storm water regulations recently enacted by the NJ Department of
Environmental Protection, the Village is no longer able to legally dispose
of grass clippings at the Village of Ridgewood owned and operated compost
facility on Lakeview Drive.

The Village will still continue to collect grass clippings from homeowners
on a weekly basis at curbside. However, disposing of these clippings
outside of the Village will cost taxpayers $80k in dumping fees for calendar
year 2006. Additional expense above and beyond the $80k will be incurred
for employee travel time to and from the dumping location, and diesel fuel.
Should the Village encourage mulching by discontinuing the pickup of grass
clipping, thus saving $80k? Or perhaps charge those who want their
clippings picked up curbside instead of burdening the taxpayer base as a
whole?

What do you think? Please sound off with a comment. Thanks.

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Anti Goverment Grumblings ,Who me?

>Anti Government Grumblings, Who me…

As some of you know the Ridgewood blog has made the Ridgewood News. In this piece the Ridgewood News has accused the blog of “anti government grumblings” . Well, if that means that some people in town are a little annoyed by the seeming lack of accountability of elected and appointed officials, then yes it is antigovernment it is. There was also an accusation made that people should stop complaining and get involved. Funny I don’t recall anyone asking me if II know who the posters are? I can assure you that many of the posters do attend meetings, run for office, work for the village or just pay taxes here. Many are old time residents that are getting a bit disturbed by the direction our Village has been going in the last dozen years or so. Many residents are starting to feel they are being made a fool of. Many think the town is run by a group of insiders that no longer has the Village’s best interests at heart. And finally and most importantly it’s about respect. Do you think the town is getting the respect it deserves? There was a time when Ridgewood had the best of everything and there was no town more admired than ours. If we did it everyone wanted to be like us .Yes that’s right everyone wanted to be like Ridgewood. We didn’t live in New Jersey we lived in Ridgewood. We had the best schools, the most active and interested residents, and the cleanest and safest streets. But alas I am not so sure that the same can still be said. Well as I have said before everyone is invited to participate by sending us your thoughts, comments or complaints. The blog is trying to give voice to local issues that often go unnoticed in out busy lives.

James Foytlin