the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, a recent Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE) decision has sparked controversy among residents and board members. The BOE has agreed to allocate $80,000 from its budget for softball field lighting at Veteran’s Field, a facility owned by the Village of Ridgewood. This funding, in exchange for 20 years of access to the field, has drawn criticism due to concerns over transparency and unmet priorities within the school district.
Softball Lighting Allocation Sparks Backlash
At a January 14 BOE meeting, members voted on a resolution to provide $80,000 for lighting upgrades at Veteran’s Field. While the agreement secures field access for the district, critics argue the funding should be redirected toward more urgent needs, such as PFAS filters for school water fountains, heating systems, and window replacements.
This type of request from the Village is unprecedented in over 20 years, according to former BOE member Kwak. Board member Dani abstained from the vote, citing a lack of transparency and prioritization, and detailed his concerns during the meeting.
Key Concerns Raised by BOE Member Dani
- Timing and Lack of Transparency
- The contract was presented late, leaving insufficient time for review.
- The public did not have access to the agreement before the vote.
- The Village’s agenda suggested the funds had been earmarked without full BOE approval.
- Misaligned Budget Priorities
- PFAS filters, critical for safe drinking water, remain unfunded.
- Single-pane windows in elementary schools and funding for extracurricular activities like hockey are still unresolved.
- Concerns Over Process
- The agreement bypassed the BOE’s established facilities and capital project processes.
- Discussions about prioritization occurred outside BOE oversight.
- Fiscal Responsibility
- BOE funding is capped at a 2% increase, while the Village faces no such restrictions.
- Redirecting funds for non-district projects could undermine long-term fiscal plans.
- Setting a Troubling Precedent
- Approving this project could open the door for future requests that divert BOE funds to Village initiatives.
Community Reaction: Lighting vs. Filters
Public comments during the meeting highlighted frustration over the decision to prioritize field lighting over critical needs like PFAS water filters. These filters, which reduce harmful chemicals in drinking water, are currently installed in only one fountain per school due to cost concerns.
“This benefits a handful of kids playing softball at night. PFAS filters would benefit every child,” one commenter noted.
What’s Next?
The BOE’s decision, coupled with concerns over process and priorities, has left residents questioning how funds are being allocated. Meanwhile, Ridgewood schools continue to face pressing infrastructure and health-related challenges.
Time to sue the BOE
Thank you for standing your ground, Mr.Dani. The rest of you should be ashamed of yourselves.
how did he stand his ground, you sycophant? he abstained. he preserved his neutrality. that’s not courage – that’s cowardice.
The sports moms & dads are big money contributors to those running for local political office.
Money talks, nobody walks.
Didn’t Vets field just get an expensive lighting upgrade?
This benefits the Ridgewood travel softball program. The RBSA should pay
So the RBSA contributed $17k for the boys baseball field lighting but $0 for the girls softball field?
Not surprising at all
The new one Mary Lou HANDY is an absolute yes man for the sports groups. You do know who her husband is right?
No, do tell.
Jack Handy?
He is the guy who allegedly drives around town telling his passengers that Ridgewood does not have enough fields and needs more. Now coincidentally his wife, Mary Lou who is on the BOE just happens to now be the fields committee liaison for village of Ridgewood.
Women’s sports deserve equity.
sports fields offer better kick backs
no one cares about your snot-nosed kid
what does the union hack, ethically challenged scarf women say?
The scarf women said at the BOE meeting that both of them don’t support turf fields.. while providing backdoor funding to the village so they can install turf field.
Artificial turf for Vets comes next.
Vets already has artifical turf?
Classic example of pigs and backroom deal making.
I don’t like Vagianos and his puppets, but at least they have the courage to debate the issue at the council meeting and allow public discussions before they spend tax payer dollars. These cowards are spending taxpayers dollars using backroom deals as if it’s their own money.
Are. you kidding. Vagianos willing to listen to others opinions? They have to listen and they do what they want anyway regardless of public input? Are living under a rock or maybe never watched a council. meeting. Mr. PFAS is everywhere.
Mr. Dani is 100% correct!
As they say down on the farm, “jerking the dog to feed the cat”. Two pots of money, one taxpayer. Rather have lights than more overpaid union teachers complaining that they are “not respected”.
“A tradition of $ucking up to the $port$ parent$.”
Friggin’ nauseating.
Only one board member had the intelligence and courage to act impartially and to call into question that the materials were not presented to the BOE with enough time to review and make an informed vote on the $80k was Dani, because ML Handy is anything pro field enhancement and her husband Chuck is a pro field, pro sports guy at all costs and I am guessing so is Michalel (pals with around with Winograd). Priorities are always sports over anything else.