Steve Kim
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Student/Teacher Ratio has deteriorated over the past decade. Unlikely the trend reverses given all the $ being funneled to random facility projects like back up boilers, HVAC and performing arts center (which in the latest iteration is much bigger and costlier). The admins are not focusing on the right things… like education, teachers and teaching quality. (hello?)
Continue reading Tale of Two Cities…
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Backlogs in New Jersey’s often-criticized system for resolving special education disputes between families and school districts would be eased by legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado and advanced today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Continue reading Senator Kristin Corrado to Ease Court Backlog of Special Education Cases Advances
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Tonight’s BOE meeting is cancelled. The Executive Session scheduled for 1:00 p.m and the Regular Public Meeting scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 2, 2019 has been cancelled. It has been rescheduled for Monday, December 16 at 6:30 p.m.
by Steve Kim
Ridgewood NJ, If Ridgewood residents don’t look carefully at the $100 million school referendum in the works, the Ridgewood school system will become one of the most indebted in New Jersey by 2021. That is not how we want Ridgewood to be distinguished because excessive debt reduces future educational funds and therefore quality.
Continue reading Ridgewood School System will become one of the most Indebted Districts in New Jersey by 2021
artwork courtesy of Steve Kim
the satff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, according to Steve Kim ,”Net burden on debt is the present value of future obligations to service the debt. At present, that comes to the notional that is being borrowed, more or less.
Continue reading Ridgewood’s Debt Bomb
Steve Kim
Ridgewood NJ, If Ridgewood wants to build a 1000 seat Broadway style theater (Northwest End), it should examine the operating history of Paper Mill Playhouse, which seats about the same (1200).
Theaters are difficult and costly to operate and maintain. It’s a major ongoing fiscal drain. Only way it can be run sustainability over time is through donations and corporate and municipal involvement with a community buy in. I mean the whole community.
Continue reading Ridgewood Schools Want to build a 1000 seat Broadway style theater
the staff of the Ridggewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, according to Saurabh Dani the Referendum timeline is :
Continue reading Ridgewood Schools Referendum Timeline
IMPORTANT FACILITY TOUR – Glen School Tuesday , Nov 19, at 6:30 pm and Ridgewood High School Tuesday, Nov 19, at 7:30 pm
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Last week we received reports that only 5-7 residents at each tour. There were more board members at those tours, than interested residents.
All of our schools are being assessed for capital improvement projects. Once the board decides what projects to proceed with, Ridgewood will have a town $70 million referendum to vote on. Whether you have kids in the school system or not, I would encourage everyone to attend as this will impact all of us.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood schools are sending out a new survey to parents, guardians, and staff: The district will use the survey to evaluate the impact of holiday school closing on the student body. The district will send out the survey on Monday, November 18 to gather your feedback on our school calendar closings.
Mr.LAN says there is no plan drawn or spec’ed…
Yet LAN Associates can come up with estimates to the last dollar. What incentive does LAN have to quote a realistic estimate when the risk of underestimation is getting the ire of Dr.Fishbein? EI Associates is outside looking in for aiming for realism. Guess what contractors would use as an anchor point in their bidding for these projects. Guess what happens then with left over surplus because of encouraged overestimation.
We are a bunch lambs marching in front of hungry wolves…
I submitted an OPRA request to provide the last 30 days of emails, where either the board president OR the board vice president OR the longest-serving member on the board has used their PRIVATE email and copied someone/anyone within the school district. I got over 340 hits where these three board members have used their PRIVATE email accounts – and that’s just in a small 30 days period.
Continue reading Ridgewood School Board has an addiction to use private email for official business
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Residents, our facility needs tours continue next week on Monday and Wednesday, November 11 and 13. Monday we’ll be touring Ridge School at 6 p.m. and Willard School at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday we’ll be at Travell School at 6 p.m. and Ben Franklin Middle School at 7:30 p.m. Please join us!
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, according to Steve Kim ,”Ridgewood School’s debt limit is $256 million.”
Kim says, “If the $70 million referendum is passed, we will be nearly halfway there. Ridgewood will then become one of the most indebted in NJ, and there are many operating repercussions that come with excessive debt – none positive.
Continue reading If the $70 million referendum is passed, Ridgewood will then become one of the most indebted School Districts in NJ
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Stating it was “an excellent year,” RHS Assistant Principal Basil Pizzuto presented data for this past school year, as required by law. In addition to reporting the data, he spoke about the creation of a K-12 mental health department that meets monthly and includes the new guidance counselors at the elementary schools, signifying a unified approach to HIB issues. Following the presentation by and the opportunity for public comments, the Board formally accepted the report, summarized as follows:
Continue reading RIDGEWOOD STUDENT SAFETY DATA (INCLUDING HIB) REPORT
The Board of Education meets
Monday, November 4, 2019
49 Cottage Place
7:30 p.m.
The agenda is posted below
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold its next Regular Public Meeting on Monday, November 4, 2019. The Board meets at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3 at 6:30 p.m. (Executive Session), followed by the public meeting at 7:30 p.m.
