Ridgewood NJ, at Monday nights Ridgewood Board of Education meeting Ridgewood Board of Education President Mike Lembo provided a brief update on the superintendent search being conducted by R-Pat Solutions, LLC. The posting is currently available online, and it is printed in newspapers on Sundays. Mr. Lembo was told there are a large number of applicants including some from out-of-state. A survey to collect input from stakeholders is currently being formulated, and it will be going out to the community. Based on R-PAT’s timeline, the Board is anticipating that candidates will be narrowed down in January.
One of New Jersey’s Premier Public School Districts
Superintendent of Schools
A start date on or before 5/1/2021 is anticipated
The largest district in Bergen County and known throughout the state and nation for its academic excellence and high student achievement, we serve approximately 5,800 students in 10 schools supported by an $115M+ budget, and an outstanding staff and facilities.
Ridgewood NJ, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation ending the cap on school superintendent salaries in New Jersey. The Democratic governor signed the measure baring the state Department of Education from setting maximum salaries for superintendents and sets guidelines for school executive contracts to limit or standardize bonuses, golden parachutes and other fringe benefits.
Former Republican Gov. Chris Christie had implemented a $175,000 cap on superintendents in 2011, citing what he called high salaries and generous perks in superintendent contracts. The cap was raised to $191,584 in 2017, with incentives to earn more if school chiefs stay in the same district.
So who wants to guess how long it will take for the Ridgewood Board of Education to raise the salary of our schools superintendent?
Small classroom fire at Willard School is quickly contained:
July 25, 2018
Dear Ridgewood Public Schools community:
Today, Wednesday, July 25, a small electrical fire occurred in a classroom at Willard School. The Ridgewood Fire Department, Police and Office of Emergency Management responded and quickly extinguished the fire. Minor damage to the classroom and materials resulted. A professional service that specializes in fire and water damage has been engaged to properly clean the affected classroom.
Willard School will be open as usual on Thursday, July 26.
I would like to take this time to thank our first responders for their prompt response to today’s incident and great work always.
Ridgewood NJ, Dr. Fishbein pens letter on school bus safety .In light of the tragic Paramus school bus accident, Dr. Fishbein addresses safety concerns of parents and guardians in this letter dated May 29, 2018.
May 29, 2018
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff:
I know you share my thoughts of sympathy and prayers of healing for our neighbors in Paramus as they cope with the tragedy of the recent school bus accident. As student and staff safety is our top priority, I also would like to share some thoughts about school bus safety in Ridgewood.
Our district has a small fleet of three, 16-passenger buses. Bus transportation for our daily routes, both regular education and special education, and field trips and athletics, are handled by contracts with some of the largest school transportation companies in the state whose buses are designed to be highly visible and include protective seating and structural elements that make these vehicles safer in the event of an accident.
According to the National Highway Safety Administration, school buses are “the most regulated vehicles on the road.” New Jersey is among the 49 states in the nation that require seat belts on all school buses. Each bus is inspected by the state twice a year and also by each driver before every trip. Additionally, school bus drivers must follow road safety rules that are not required of drivers of regular passenger cars.
All school bus drivers undergo a criminal history review when hired, and each year thereafter the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) requires a review of their driving history to be provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles. (These driver abstracts are not public documents and can only be viewed by the driver, government, and employer.) Bus company owners are required to submit driver credentials to the DOE County Office in which their company is located.
Individuals who incur violations while employed as drivers are required to notify their employer immediately. Our drivers, as well as contracted drivers, go through additional yearly training such as defensive driving, city driving and overall transportation safety, along with regular safety meetings. Likewise, students and staff perform emergency drills on a yearly basis. Drivers must also pass periodic medical exams and drug screenings. In Ridgewood, even before the Paramus tragic accident, we developed a process whereby our Coordinator of Transportation will conduct morning spot checks of contracted drivers to make sure they have the proper credentials.
I understand everyone’s concern about their child’s safety. I also understand any reluctance that our parents and guardians might have at this time about their child riding on school buses. The district respects the decision of parents and guardians who choose not to send their child on field trips or to athletic events that require bus transportation even though their child will miss the activity. It is the responsibility of parents and guardians who choose not to send their child on the daily bus to coordinate their transportation.
Below are links that might be of interest to you and contain additional information regarding bus safety and driver qualifications:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety#2331
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/…/legal-notice-motorcoach-operati…
https://www.state.nj.us/…/inspection/schoolbus/noflash/endor…
https://www.nj.gov/…/transportation/training/requirements.pdf
Again, I understand everyone’s concerns. I am sure there will be bus industry follow up to the many questions raised by the Paramus tragedy. While we wait for answers, Ridgewood will continue to explore opportunities to further enhance our bus safety protocols.
Sincerely,
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Ridgewood Public Schools
