BOE Meets on June 28 at 5 p.m.: Please note change of date, time.
June 27,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 5 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Board Room at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place. The public is invited to attend the meeting or view it live via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us using the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website, or on Fios tv channel 33 or Optimum 77.
Click here to view the agenda for the June 28, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the 2016-2017 Budget presented at the May 2, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the Full Day Kindergarten Recommendation presented to the Board at their March 7, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
BOE-REA Negotiations
Click here to view the powerpoint presentation regarding the Fact Finder’s report and recommendations, presented at the June 6, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.Click here to view the presentation by Ms. Brogan and Mr. Morgan.
In accordance with New Jersey P.L. 2003, c. 126, the Board has made the May 16th Fact-finding Report and Recommendations public and has posted it to the District’s website. At the June 6th Board of Education Public Meeting, the Board will discuss the report and the recommendations. The Board will accept or reject the Fact-finder’s recommendations at that time. Click here to read the Fact Finders Report and Recommendations dated May 16, 2016.
2% CAP. I repeat 2% CAP.
What is so difficult to understand about that?
Cap can be exceeded (and has been by many towns in NJ), without taxpayer approval, for several things: debt payments, employee pension and health-benefit costs, and response to large-scale emergencies. So 2% cap doesn’t mean 2% cap. Also town can use cap banking allowance for up to three years and raise taxes above the 2% cap by the % it was below the 2% cap for three previous years. REA proposed contract that didn’t exceed 2% cap but was shot down by BOE.
What’s the matter, $102,000,000 not enough spending?
Want to keep your $10 co-pays?
Want to be insulated from healthcare costs?
just say NO
One had to read a summary of the ‘Fact finder’s’ recommendation (link below) to figure out how utterly insane it is!
• Salary increases of:
• 2.2% for July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 (retroactive)
• 2.8% for July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017
• 2.8% for July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018
• No change in the current healthcare insurance plan.
• No change in employee contributions to healthcare insurance premiums.
• The highest paid teachers and secretaries receive additional payments.
RETROACTIVE salary increases? NO change in health insurance Cadillac plan? I definitely want some of whatever the teachers are ingesting.
https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/923620/File/negotiations/Ridgewood%20Public%20Schools%20-%20fact%20finder%20Presentation%2006-06.pdf?2c42be&90bb08&03dff5&9c292e&c7d197&eee5f6&5b44e7&5b44e7&sessionid=fbfe38ecf9b0ef6fc7b12540bab9c61a
2:44 as this is what is being typically offered by other BOE’s across NJ why is it not appropriate for Ridgewood?
Hold the line, BOE! What;s really troubling is that many of these school employees probably have spouses or children working in the private sector, so they know exactly whats going on in the real world.
I propose NJ CPI linked wage increases or 2%, whichever is less. Downgrade to “bronze” level health plan benefits and $50 copays for all BOE employees. Also “use it or lose it” sick leave, defined contribution 403(b) pension plan, and harder to get tenure. Why should we give 2.8% annual wage increases to the highest paid teachers in Bergen County when inflation is less than 2% and property tax cap is 2%? Enough. We’re being taxed to death. Say no to the unreasonable REA/NJEA demands. Offer them a contract including the proposals above. If they don’t like it, well replace them.
The teachers seem to think that because they work for a school district with a “tradition of excellence” that they are excellent. That takes hard work, not this constant whining and complaining about health benefit contributions and wage increases from this current bunch of greed mongers.
10:53 you apparently don’t understand how the annual % increase works. The BOE gives a % above the total current salary for the entire district. This amount is applied to a formula that determines where, if any, increases are placed on the guide. Some teachers might see as much as a $1,000. salary increase, others remain static and others actually receive less than the previously contracted year. It all depends on what step and level they are on the guide. The increase is not an automatic 2% increase on each and every teachers salary.
Villagers don’t care about the formula 12:29, maybe you’ve noticed the lack of lawn signs? They care about their excessive municipal and state taxes. Time to diminish teacher benefits to “bronze” level health care, no carrying over sick leave, and defined contribution pensions. In addition to CPI-linked wage growth, these should form the basis of any new contract offer. Tell the REA – and their full-time lawyers and lobbyists behind the curtain from the NJEA – that we’ve had it with your greedy petulance and demands.
@10:08 (i am not 2:44) but Ridgewood teachers already make more than other districts and we have been decreasing in rankings. Should they get the same increases as districts that are passing us? or do you think performance is not relevant?
@9:20 performance is most definitely relevant; however, how can you qualify the performance ratings when so many parents choose to have their children opt out of the standardized PARCC testing which determines ranking? The results are not a clear picture of student performance but rather a tiny snapshot of those few students who sit for the tests. If performance testing as well as number of students participating was consistent and then there was a drop in performance you might have a point but as it stands your observation is moot.
It might also be wise of the BOE to refrain from making yearly changes to curriculums and mode of delivery as students and teachers alike are forced to deal with ever-changing modalities which is not always conducive to success.
@8:55 perhaps they should care about the “formula” since they espouse erroneous comments regarding teacher wage increases. If the BOE approves a 2% salary increase this does not mean, as many taxpayers seem to believe, that each teacher receives a 2% salary increase. That is far from the truth and understanding how the 2% increase is allocated would be beneficial to all parties. As for carry over sick leave, Ridgewood teachers who happen to retire with remaining sick days only receive a small per day reimbursement and not the actual dollar value. Would you prefer they take all of their allowed sick days each year requiring the BOE to pay a substitute teacher for each day they are absent? I’m sure the former is more equitable. Can you explain why you are so bitter toward teacher compensation? Is it too late for you to join the profession and enjoy all the wealth and accolades?
4:27 You are insulting and disrespectful to the people posting on this Board and a perfect example of why there is so little support for Ridgewood teachers who feel they deserve the same as districts who rate higher. Shame on you. BOE – please stand your ground and do not cave.
8:41 how can you possibly say that it is I who is disrespectful and insulting? The comments on this thread are as follows: I definitely want some of whatever the teachers are ingesting, if they don’t like it we’ll replace them, had it with your greedy petulance and demands, whining and complaining greed mongers. This is respectful?
The common complaint is that teachers are overpaid and receive too many benefits, if this is truly the case why aren’t more people clamoring to join their ranks? I presented the facts about salary disbursement and was told people don’t care about it. The minute there is an honest rebuttal to the drivel that is posted one is accused of being insulting and disrespectful. If you can’t hash it, don’t sling it.
10:06 It is obvious that many residents are not happy with the teachers demands and the descriptions of the behavior of some. Many of us parents have seen the behaviors described … professional – not. Taxpayers are angry.
10:06 Teachers are unhappy as well … but more than angry, heartsick. To be attacked for trying to earn a living, called uncaring, unprofessional, and greedy, when 99% have always committed their all to making the learning experience as successful as possible for all students is very defeating.
The teachers are attempting to bring to the attention of the public the circumstances they are working under with the least amount of disruption to the students. They are honoring the conditions of their contract down to the letter. None of the contractual obligations have been shorted.They have always been dedicated professionals who have gone the extra mile for their students; arriving early, staying late, attending sports and performance events, participating in off hour events, chaperoning field trips on their own time, always giving more than what is required of them. The problem now is that these extra gestures are being expected rather than appreciated and acknowledged.
We teach our children to stand up for themselves, make their worth known, work as a team to accomplish a goal. Why now, when the teachers employ the very same tactics, are they considered to be behaving badly? How would you suggest they make the public aware of just how much of themselves they devote to their students that is uncompensated and above and beyond what is contractually required?
@4:!4 I agree with your point re: constant changes to curriculum, but standardized tests are only one measure of performance. IF you look at any of the other statewide comparisons, Ridgewood is falling behind peers year after year. There are lots of publications (NJ Magzine, NJ Monthly, Us News, etc) and while I don’t consider any of those particularly more meaningful then the next, the overall trend is obvious.
IF I were the union, I would be trying to halt this full day k vote. If that passes, there truly will be very little appetite and support for any wage increases for our current teachers.
The union isn’t able to negotiate a new contract…. they don’t have the clout to undue the BOE’s decision for full day K. It’s up to the voters to show up and make their choice known.