The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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Garfield NJ, a former Garfield Middle School teacher, Amy Dovidio, 47, of Pompton Plains, is facing serious sexual assault charges involving a student. However, her arraignment has been rescheduled and reassigned to a new judge in Bergen County’s criminal division.
Continue reading Former Garfield Teacher Faces Rescheduled Arraignment in Sexual Assault Case
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Belleville NJ, a group of Belleville High School employees are under investigation by district officials after reportedly wearing t-shirts with the phrase “Gulf of America”—a name change for the Gulf of Mexico suggested by President Donald Trump.
Continue reading Belleville High School Staff Under Investigation for “Gulf of America” T-Shirts
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Hackensack NJ, In a heartfelt and emotional decision, Hackensack Board of Education President Scott James-Vickery announced his resignation Wednesday, citing years of relentless bullying and harassment by teachers union surrogates targeting him and his family. The announcement came during the board’s final meeting of the year, marking an end to James-Vickery’s tenure that began in 2019.
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Ridgewood NJ, for New Jersey’s public school students, the NJEA convention in November means a couple of days off school. But for teachers, it’s a chance to gather in Atlantic City for seminars and professional development, and this year, it’s taking on a more political tone as Sean Spiller, the president of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), campaigns for the state’s top office.
Continue reading Politics and Professional Development at the NJEA Convention in Atlantic City
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Ridgewood NJ, the Sunlight Policy Center of New Jersey released their latest report today, entitled The NJEA vs. Local Unions: The Local Unions Make and the NJEA Takes. The report examines the relationship between the statewide New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) and the hundreds of affiliated local unions around the Garden State and finds that only 12 percent of New Jersey teachers’ dues return home.
Continue reading Only 12% of NJEA’s Highest-In-The-Nation Dues Are Reinvested at the Local Level
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Livingston NJ, the Livingston Public Schools (LPS) Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D., as interim superintendent for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
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Westwood NJ, the Westwood Regional School District board continued its efforts to reverse policies implemented by the previous parental rights majority, taking steps this week to dismantle a policy that restricted teachers’ opinions on “controversial issues.”
Continue reading Teachers Union Reasserts Control Over Westwood Regional School System
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Trenton NJ, to tackle the ongoing teacher shortage crisis, the New Jersey Education Association is actively advocating for the elimination of a basic skills test for teachers. In a statement released on Wednesday, the union outlined its goal to lower entry requirements for aspiring teachers, stating that such a move would help address the state’s urgent shortage of educators. The NJEA is encouraging supporters to express their endorsement of Bill S1553 by writing letters to Gov. Phil Murphy.
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Ridgewood NJ, in light of the recent misleading campaign initiated by Jeanne Johnson, Mary Micale, and the Teachers Union regarding administrative turnover in schools, it is imperative to set the record straight. Ms. Bender, a discerning reader on the Village Facebook groups, provided a clarifying response to Jeanne Johnson’s assertions.
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Westwood NJ, in an effort to reassert the rights of parents , the Westwood Regional School District board has voted to require superintendent approval for classroom discussions of any “controversial issues” not specified in the district curriculum, clamping down on teachers politicizing classrooms but drawing criticism from those who warned that the change will stifle conversations about real-world topics.
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Ridgewood NJ, Senator Holly Schepisi said the Murphy administration won’t admit it’s considering adopting new vaccine requirements for school children even after the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) sent proposed rule changes and a solicitation for comments to “stakeholders” on May 8.
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Ramsey NJ, the Ramsey school board has reached a three-year contract agreement with the teachers union the Ramsey Education Association that will lengthen the grade school day by 20 minutes and the high school day by 17 minutes.
Continue reading New Ramsey Teacher Contract will Lengthen Schools Day
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Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Board Education meets on February 13, 2023 for a Regular Public Meeting.
Continue reading Ridgewood Board of Education Regular Public Meeting on 02-13-23
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Ramsey NJ, Republican Congressional nominee Frank Pallotta today called on his opponent, career politician Democrat Josh Gottheimer to stand up for the tens of thousands of well-meaning, concerned parents in northern New Jersey and denounce the leadership of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) for calling them “extremists” in a vile ad that recently blanketed the airwaves. Even after public outrage forced the NJEA’s leadership to stop running the ad, Congressman Gottheimer remained silent while proudly accepting their endorsement.