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Reader says ,”people who oppose the PAC aren’t realizing is the massive need for this space”

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“As a former student of the music program, what people who oppose the PAC aren’t realizing is the massive need for this space. There is currently no quality performance space in Ridgewood High School that could support a full Band, Orchestra or Choir concert. Instead they use the campus center (a converted cafeteria) in the winter and West Side Pres. church in the spring. There is also currently limited rehearsal space which this plan would address. While this project requires a lot of money, this is a critical plan for the RHS music program to continue its level of success as well as staying competitive with other high schools, most of whom have a performing arts center exactly like the one proposed.. “

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Ridgewood Schools Facilities Plan: It’s one man’s ego and the board that is too meek

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by Steve Kim

Ridgewood NJ, In 2018, Ridgewood School made a facilities presentation in which the Performing Arts Center concept was added in at the end. Then the location, scale and cost estimates were different. That’s the first diagram.

At the facilities presentation last month, another plan emerged (surprise!). That’s the second diagram. Different locations, and it takes up a big part of the parking lot, and of course, costs more. $30 million is the estimate.

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Tale of Two Cities…

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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?)

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Senator Kristin Corrado to Ease Court Backlog of Special Education Cases Advances

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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.

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Ridgewood School System will become one of the most Indebted Districts in New Jersey by 2021

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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.

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Ridgewood Schools Want to build a 1000 seat Broadway style theater

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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.

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RIDGEWOOD SCHOOLS FACILITY TOUR LAST CHANCE

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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.

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Ridgewood Schools to Survey Parents on School Calendar Holidays

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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.

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We are a bunch lambs marching in front of hungry wolves

Werewolves Of London
by Steve Kim

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…

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Ridgewood School Board has an addiction to use private email for official business

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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.

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Ridgewood School facility Tours Continue

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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!

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If the $70 million referendum is passed, Ridgewood will then become one of the most indebted School Districts in NJ

RHS_theridgewoodblog

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