In April I was presented with a plan which proved to have many gaping holes.  This plan is affecting all families with elementary students in the entire Berkeley Heights community. So many questions arose from the presentation and many still remain to be answered.

Below is the second of two email replies I received from Superintendent Varley, both with the same tone and both stating that the district can no longer spend time answering questions until all hiring is complete.  

When did the doors on providing details and answering parent questions close? 

To have a district motto that boasts including, inspiring and empowering our community while certain Board of Education members and our Superintendent exclude, discourage and forbid an open and honest line of communication is deplorable. 

The big question I asked was in regard to equity.  Apparently the 19 students who were grandfathered to stay at Hughes (that were originally slated to attend Mountain Park) will, in 2 years, make everything equitable.  Not sure how the math physically makes this one a reality.  Next year there will be a 100+ student difference between student enrollment at Mountain Park and Hughes. Will 19 kids who “phase out” over time give the district the equity and balance this plan promised to provide?

Waiting for a Match: Andrea's Need for a Lifeline

Andrea Is Searching for a Living Kidney Donor

Andrea is a young EMT facing a high-stakes search for a living donor. NJ21st spoke with Andrea and her family about her story, what living with kidney disease looks like and how the community can help her story reach the right person.

Visit Andrea's Page

NJ21st is sharing Andrea's story as a community service feature. Donor screening information, the full interview, financial support links and contact information are available on Andrea's page.

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