Tag: Ridgewood Schools

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BOE MEETS MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

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BOE MEETS MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

The next Regular Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Board of Education will be held on Monday, March 17, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Ed Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3. The meeting will be aired live on FiOS channel 33 and Optimum channel 77. Or it may be viewed live via the district website atwww.ridgewood.k12.nj.us using the “Link in Live” tab.

Click here to view the agenda for the March 3, 2014 Regular Public Meeting.

Click here to view the webcast of the March 3, 2014 Regular Public Meeting.

2014-2015 Budget Information

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel Fishbein has announced three public presentations on the 2014-2015 school budget. The presentations will offer residents the opportunity to hear the budget details and ask questions of the superintendent, business administrator and Board of Education members.
The 2014-2015 school budget presentations will be offered as follows: Thursday, April 10 at 1 p.m. at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3; Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium, 335 North Van Dien Avenue; and Wednesday, April 23 at 7 p.m. at George Washington Middle School Auditorium, 155 Washington Place.
Taking effect this year, the Ridgewood Board of Education has opted to move the annual school board elections from April to November, thereby eliminating the public vote on the proposed general tax levy if it is at or below the statutory tax levy cap. Since next year’s proposed budget falls within the mandated cap, it will not be put to public vote.
The Board will continue to discuss the proposed budget at upcoming regular public meetings on March 17, April 7 and April 28. Residents are welcome to attend these meetings and speak at the public comment portion of the agenda. The Board is expected to approve the final budget at its Regular Public Meeting on Monday, April 28.

Click here to view the Preliminary 2014-2015 Budget Presentation presented at the March 3, 2014 Regular Public Meeting.

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‘Save Ridgewood’ group protests new apartments proposed for former commercial area

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‘Save Ridgewood’ group protests new apartments proposed for former commercial area

Originally published: March 11, 2014 8:06 PM
Updated: March 11, 2014 8:48 PM

RIDGEWOOD – Concerns over increased traffic and school overcrowding have sparked a battle over several new apartment complexes in Ridgewood.

Some residents in the upscale community have formed a grassroots movement called “Save Ridgewood,” which is fighting to block three proposed apartment complexes from going up.

The group says the three- and four-story buildings would change Ridgewood’s small town charm.  They are also concerned hundreds of new residents could create traffic and parking problems.

https://newjersey.news12.com/news/save-ridgewood-group-protests-new-apartments-proposed-for-former-commercial-area-1.7360992

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First draft of Ridgewood school budget keeps increase under 2 percent

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First draft of Ridgewood school budget keeps increase under 2 percent

MONDAY MARCH 10, 2014, 4:06 PM
BY  LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The school district’s spending plan for the 2014-2015 school year features a local tax hike of 1.9 percent, the lowest increase for a Ridgewood school budget in the past 10 years.

The budget features a $86,223,037 local tax levy – a $1,614,402 increase over last year, which required a 2 percent property tax increase, Business Administrator Michael Falkowski said. The proposed tax levy for 2014-2015 amounts to about $172.09 more in property taxes for a resident with the average assessed home value of $688,358, he said.

The preliminary budget, which Falkowski presented to the Board of Education (BOE) on Monday, is now available on the district website. The budget “maintains existing district staff, academic offerings, extra-curricular activities and transportation,” he said, and “improves upon instruction” while meeting “our contractual obligations.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/249330882_First_draft_of_Ridgewood_school_budget_keeps_increase_under_2_percent.html#sthash.vAMRbiDC.dpuf

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Readers debate School lunch delivery ban and Vender lawsuit

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Readers debate School lunch delivery ban and Vender lawsuit

Dr. Fishbein has been the voice of reason. The Village is lucky to have him working for it. Pick up the sammies on your way to school and bring them with you. There are lots of prepared luncheon items available at many delis, supermarkets or breakfast shops if you don’t want to make your own and don’t want to eat the school’s food. Why should the admin. staff have to be involved? The deliveries are disruptive and the staff has real work to do. Absolutely ridiculous on its own and allowing this could create a breach of security….
What an embarrassment these cry-baby plaintiffs are to Ridgewood. An absolute disgrace. You can still have your kids lunches made by these vendors, you just cannot use school resources in the delivery phase. Let’s hope this gets dismissed.

Hope they are proud of themselves using a tremendous amount of school funding defending their right to sit on their asses and negate their basic parental responsibility to provide food onto a business. Yeah for them!!!!

And to the businesses . . . you just lost my business and that of most of my neighbors. Good luck to you. This lawsuit has not basis; the BOE was willing to let you deliver but not if it used school resources. They asked you to come up with an acceptable plan. You could not. Cut your losses now….

There were no school resources used except to let the delivery people in…Fishbein is and always has been a nervous nellie who runs around crying safety every time he doesn’t like something.

Fishbein kept changing his story and the bottom line is that if a parent wants to have his kids lunch delivered, who the hell are you to mandate a wonder bread sandwich in a brown bag.

I am sure they can find a solution, but again there were precious little school resources used and that is a fact….

There were most certainly school resources used for lunch distribution. I witnessed it firsthand many times. Office areas piled high with delivered lunches, kids showing up to pick up their lunches only to find out they weren’t there or their order was wrong and turning to the office staff t straighten it out for them. Plenty of time and effort given by the office staff to these delivered lunches.

And the vendors were asked to come up with a plan but I guess they were too busy making money with their precious little resources.

Get off your ass, and either make/pack your kids lunch or buy/pack your kids lunch. You see, they can have their Parkwood anytime they want; it’s up to you if they get it or not. Oh, I’m sorry, is that too much responsibility for you to assume?….

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COFFEE, ANYONE? CASUAL CONVERSATION WITH THE BOE AND SUPERINTENDENT IS MARCH 12

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COFFEE, ANYONE? CASUAL CONVERSATION WITH THE BOE AND SUPERINTENDENT IS MARCH 12

Maybe you’re interested in learning about school security and safety. Perhaps you have concerns about iPads in the classroom. Possibly state testing results or the budget is on your mind. Superintendent Dan Fishbein and Board members Sheila Brogan, Christina Kraus, Michele Lenhard, Jim Morgan and Vince Loncto want to hear from you.  Residents are invited to drop in for Coffee and Conversation next Wednesday, March 12 at the Education Center at 49 Cottage Place, floor 3, any time between 7 and 8:30 p.m. It’s an evening designed for you to ask your questions, make suggestions and share concerns in a casual setting. Anything goes! Please come!

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The solution: Home lunch delivery

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The solution: Home lunch delivery
Dan Johnson

To the Editor:

When I lived in Ridgewood, I often proposed solutions to Ridgewood’s many problems.

They were all good ideas. They were mostly ignored.

After 40 years, I had to move because of the village’s high taxes, but I still follow news about Ridgewood and now there is an issue I really can solve.

Some 400-plus kids in the village can’t cope with lunch that is provided by the schools or in a home-fixed brown bag.

Maybe their parents don’t like bags or don’t want to be bothered. So these kids need personal lunches.

Understandably, school staffers don’t want their days disrupted delivering personalized lunches and worrying about an extra threat to school security. Not so understandably, some parents who want personalized lunches for their kids – and some delis – are suing the school system.

There is a solution so simple no one can oppose it: Let the delis deliver a lunch to each child at home, just before he or she leaves for school.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/248949241_Letter__Home_lunch_delivery_is_the_solution.html#sthash.lZ18YZXo.dpuf

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Super Science Saturday Comes to Ridgewood March 8

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Super Science Saturday Comes to Ridgewood March 8

Crowd Source a World’s Record Idea, See a 3-D Printer and more
At Super Science Saturday on March 8

Ridgewood NJ, Super Science Saturday 2014 returns to Ridgewood on March 8 and is inviting visitors to crowd-source ideas for a world’s record that could be set at next year’s event. This is just one of the many exciting activities at Super Science Saturday, which returns for its 26th year on Saturday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ridgewood High School, 627 East Ridgewood Avenue. Admission is free.

Visitors can select from a menu of world-record-setting ideas or submit a creative one of their own. The winning idea will be tested for feasibility of setting a world’s record at Super Science Saturday 2015.

Visitors to this year’s event also can see a 3-D printer at work, and meet special guests, such as America’s first scientist, “Benjamin Franklin,” and WABC-TV NY Meteorologist Amy Freeze.

The day includes a new favorite—a 26-foot egg drop contest—and ever-popular traditions, such as “The Great Paper Airplane Contest” and model rocket launches on the high school football field at 1:20 p.m.

Scientists from the famed Franklin Institute of Philadelphia will present the day’s featured shows—“How to Build a Storm: The Weather Show” at 9:30 a.m. Super Science Saturday also will have interactive exhibits from dozens of professional and amateur scientists, including solar telescopes, robotics, super-cold science, New Jersey’s special environment, health and medicine, chemistry, and the technology used by our police, fire and EMT professionals.

This event, the largest of its kind in Northern new Jersey, encourages students of all ages—from elementary through high school—to exhibit their experiments in the Hall of Science.  There is still room for students from any school district to sign up and exhibit at www.supersciencesaturday.org.

Super Science Saturday is underwritten for the sixth-consecutive year by The Valley Hospital, which provides state-of-the-art medical, emergency and preventive care in Northern New Jersey, and The Foundation, which supports innovative learning programs and enrichment activities for Ridgewood Public Schools.

Students looking for ideas on science presentations can get help at The Ridgewood Public Library’s Youth Section, or go to the “Kid Zone” section of the Super Science Saturday Web site—www.supersciencesaturday.org. To sign up to as a student or professional exhibitor, or to learn more about the event, visit:www.supersciencesaturday.org

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Readers debate Urbanization of the Village

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Readers debate Urbanization of the Village

Editors note : History has shown us the problem is the Village simply has “ZERO” credibility in its ability to plan ,manage and implement large projects and too many seem to have their vision clouded by personal gain. 

No one wants to see empty lots in the CBD , nor do most want to live in the “next, next ” Hoboken .

Like the Train Station renovation before , there is a way for everyone to get something positive, add housing , improve infrastructure ,  take into account schools and of coarse parking.  

Whats lacking is a vision for the future of the Village. A vision uniquely by Ridewood ,for Ridgewood. Not about people getting elected or speculators getting rich off government connections . 

This Vision must include Valley Hospital, CBD housing ,retail and parking , traffic and the Ridgewood School district.

The Village with its excellent schools , parks ,CBD, cultural institutions and easy access to transportation  offers a very unique opportunity .

If we chose to destroy the character of the town , the very character that has attracted so many to the Village over the years , we will lose the very thing that makes us who we are….

 

The people advocating for high density buildings (and for Valley Hospital over expansion for that matter) do not care about our town. They care about making money. Once they make their money, if they don’t like what the town is like they will be able to leave. There is no middle ground we can get to right now because they want maximum $$. They will first try for maximum $$ via high density, and only if we defeat them will they come down a notch and try for slightly less (see Valley Hospital). Maybe after several defeats we might get to a middle ground, but even that will be temporary. People like this do not give up. 10 years after we reach a middle ground solution (if we do) they will be right back at it (or their children will take the helm) seeking to make $$ by ruining our Village…..

 

I think that is what has to be discussed. But to right away jump to conclusion and think over night or even years Ridgewood would turn into any of your examples is foolish and not forward thinking.

You think modernization and growth and you assume that means higher crime, noise, traffic and every negative thing you can imagine… But it doesn’t have to be that way if you develop a sustainable plan for growth through a thoughtful process.

The contextual makeup of Ridgewood is not sustainable. Look every town around us…. Minus glen rock… We are a old folks home… And it’s sad because we have an opportunity to be an example of a modern town that still remains true to its roots.

It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing deal. What i am really saying is that we are going to expand… No way around it it will happen eventually, just being honest. I rather the people that do care about this towns and it’s history be the ones making the plans and not the (as number one stated) money Hungary investors that can up and leave if it fails.

What rather you have?…..

We don’t want to follow the path of Hoboken, Paterson, Hackensack or NYC. Is there a suitable model out there?….

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WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER?

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WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER?

Ridgewood NJ, It is time once again for nominations for the annual Teacher Recognition program for the 2013-2014 school year. The Teacher Recognition Committee is soliciting nominations of teachers and educational services professionals from students, parents and guardians, staff and the community at large.

Full information and forms are found on the district website homepage at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us.

Nominations are due by Monday, March 10. They can either be emailed to [email protected] or returned to the Ridgewood Teacher Recognition Committee c/o Human Resources, Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Ridgewood, NJ 07450.

The Teacher Recognition ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Education Center.

Microsoft Store

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Fishbein: Why do I follow proposed legislation?

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Fishbein: Why do I follow proposed legislation?
Friday, February 28, 2014
By DANIEL FISHBEIN
COLUMNIST

Each week I monitor proposed, new and pending legislation. Why?

Generally, I do this because I find a significant amount of legislation interferes with the operation and efficiency of our district. When I determine legislation that is or will be problematic to the district, I both inform the Ridgewood Board of Education of the issue and I write a letter to the state officials explaining how this legislation will negatively impact our mission of excellence.

At times my letters result in formal Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE) resolutions — either supporting or opposing — that are officially passed by the BOE after public discussion. In addition, many resolutions come from individual BOE members themselves, who also monitor legislation on their own or through their active involvement in various school issue-based organizations such as the New Jersey School Boards Association and the Garden State Coalition of Schools.

Since our legislators are busy people who receive thousands of pieces of legislation, interact with other constituents and must deal with other distractions from within their own organization, my letters and BOE resolutions help keep our representatives informed as to our stance on the education bills that cross their desks on a regular basis.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/247718541_Fishbein__Why_do_I_follow_proposed_legislation_.html#sthash.wpxxr65d.dpuf

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New School Chief Returns at Tumultuous Time for Education in NJ

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David Hespe

New School Chief Returns at Tumultuous Time for Education in NJ

State-aid crunch, strife in Newark and debate over Christie’s policies greet former education commissioner upon return to Trenton.

Gov. Chris Christie picked quite a day yesterday to announce David Hespe would be returning as his next education commissioner, a post he held more than a decade ago.

The governor’s school-aid numbers for next year were released yesterday afternoon to a less-than-enthusiastic reception. Earlier in the day, legislators argued over how to deal with the growing turmoil over the state’s ongoing control of Newark schools. And, throughout the day, advocates were gearing up for protests over the administration’s overall education policies. (Mooney/NJSpotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/02/28/new-schools-chief-returns-at-tumultuous-time-for-education-in-nj/

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Bid awarded for Learning Commons at Ridgewood High School

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Bid awarded for Learning Commons at Ridgewood High School

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2014, 4:33 PM
BY  LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

A long-awaited bid has been awarded for renovations to the Ridgewood High School (RHS) library, which has not been updated since the 1960s.

According to the Board of Education’s (BOE) Feb. 24 meeting agenda, the $803,790 bid was awarded to “the lowest responsible bidder,” the North Arlington-based Delta Interior Construction. The other bidders, Construction Contractors and Accurate Construction, put in total bids of $835,900 and $837,555, respectively. The architect, LAN Associates, and the board’s attorney have reviewed the bids, according to the BOE.

The awarding of the bid should enable the renovations to commence this June. The work should be finished by the start of the 2014-2015 school year, according to BOE President Sheila Brogan.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/247627541_Bid_awarded__for_Learning_Commons_at_Ridgewood_High_School.html

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Readers comment on Parking Problems Near Ridge and other Ridgewood Schools

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Readers comment on Parking Problems Near Ridge and other Ridgewood Schools

Parking near any school is out of control in the village and just seems to get worse while on the rare occasion that a police officer is there he or she does nothing.

It is about driving and safety. Buying near a school does not mean that parents can ignore parking/standing rules, blocking driveways and oncoming traffic. They are clogging the road because they are the laziest and most selfish pack of parents in the area. The council had an opportunity to address this last year and they did nothing. We need Midland Park to step in and enforce the law.

Many could benefit from a brisk WALK to Ridge. Try setting an example for the kids.

I just noticed today for the first time that Somerville parents are now parking on Spring Avenue, east and west of South Pleasant, making that street a nightmare to drive on during afternoon dismissal time.

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Food Fight: Lunch vendors file claim agains Ridgewood school board

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Food Fight: Lunch vendors file claim agains Ridgewood school board

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014
BY  LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

A claim has been filed against the Board of Education (BOE) that challenges its recent decision to ban outside vendors from delivering lunch to Ridgewood students at school.

In the claim, attorney Victor Herlinsky, of the law firm Sills Cummis and Gross, notes that “Ridgewood has acted in an arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable manner by relying on an ever-changing set of rationales for the cancellation and continually refusing to engage with plaintiffs to reach a resolution that would reverse the cancellation and benefit all parties.”

Herlinsky believes his clients have a solid case.

“The only problem is this case is going to take months, if not years, to litigate,” he said. “It’s going to take a tremendous amount of school board resources.”

The three outside vendors who have taken issue with the ban are Parkwood Delicatessen & Catering in Midland Park; Westside Bagel & Deli in Ridgewood; and No Fuss Lunch, a school lunch delivery business run by Ridgewood mother Gabriella Wilday. Ridgewood parents Oliver and Alla Train, Maya Scanlon, Leigh Warren and Wilday’s husband James are also plaintiffs.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/247718361_Lunch_vendors_file_claim_agains_Ridgewood_school_board_schools.html#sthash.zESG2cHE.dpuf

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Reader says the school resource officer is a great idea.

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Reader says the school resource officer is a great idea.

BUT let’s be perfectly TRANSPARENT here. The three amigos were dead set against hiring the two young men who are sons of cops, one of whom they detest. Then there was a HUGE backlash for them, at the meeting and on the blog. So, they figured out they could save their asses by saying it would be OK to change the ordinance IF a school resource officer was added to the mix. Voila, they all changed their votes one week later.

it is not because Aronsohn, Pucciarelli and Hauck want a school resource officer. This was just a convenient way for them to “save face” after such a widespread outrage at their votes the week before.

So they think they look like thoughtful, reasonable people who can change their minds for all the right reasons. In fact, they changed their minds ONLY because people were so pissed at them. They are despicable people, the three of them.

In any case, I hope the ordinance goes forward, because it should, and I hope those two young men are at the academy in a couple of weeks, as they should have been all along.

RECALL.

All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.