Varley: Building a Legacy of Division and Decline
The Last Four Years Have Been Tragic for Berkeley Heights No matter what source of data you review, they all have the same theme; Berkeley Heights Public Schools are declining. The reason is simple… We are declining because Melissa Varley has our children and teachers as the District’s lowest priorities. When we get toward the end of the year, it’s...
05/11/2023 BOE Agenda- Laura’s Notes
What to look out for during this month’s BOE Meeting.. In the recent months it has been increasingly suspect about how our top Administration goes about handling the business of this district. It wouldn’t surprise me if Dr. Varley has a large spin-wheel in her office and, when she’s feeling so inclined, takes a spin to decide which person, department,...
The OPRA Custodian Position Isn’t Working Out
And That Shouldn’t Surprise Anyone Everyone familiar with OPRA thought naming Steve Hopkins as the new Records Custodian was a bad idea. Well, almost everyone. It was nothing about him personally; it was because of the lack of supporting reasoning behind the hire. And, for those paying close attention, Dr. Varley has made it abundantly clear that those in her...
It’s Time For A Vote Of No Confidence
The Berkeley Heights School District Needs to make a Decision I’ve concluded that no answers are provided at Board meetings because no one knows the answers. I run my household, and I run it pretty damn well. I care about the people in my home, and I care deeply for the decisions I make and the effect they will have...
This Administration Is A Disaster
Berkeley Heights Public Schools Rankings and Ratings Remain Problematic Perhaps we wouldn’t be on a fiscal cliff if the hands that rock the cradle put a little more focus on graduation rates and higher proficiency scores in math and science and a little less focus on stacking their offices with assistants and paying lawyers. Berkeley Heights projected cost per pupil...
The Price of Student Success
The Hidden Educational Costs Families Face It’s impossible to argue how much is “too much” to spend when it comes to your kids, especially when his or her success at school is on the table. And, let’s face it; raising kids is expensive. What has become troubling to me, over the years, are the costs parents are expected to absorb...
The Penna Bloc Shows A Crack
Laura’s Notes from the 03/30/2023 Budget Meeting The 3/30/23 Board meeting was a thing of beauty. People were passionate, and the Board majority voted in a way that reflected some glimmer of compassion for those who spoke. Okay, it had some embarrassing and dark moments. But we saw some resistance to the Administration, so I’ll take any movement in the...
We Got What We Voted For
Another Embarrassing Process And Budget Was this year’s tentative budget meeting better than last year’s? In short, yes. We had 3 Board members asking insightful and important questions. Deliberation and discussion are healthy, and how a successful Board should always operate. The issue, however, is the process. The Administration and the Board continue to fail to recognize that the more...
The Penna Magic Show Continues
Slight of Hand on Serious Issues Has A Real Consequence We are navigating a process that continues to fail and the public officials who aren’t keeping promises are driving the car. In the absence of accountability, we have seen the majority of the Board and Administration pivot into true politicians. Except, they are really bad in that role as well....
Misinformation is the name of the game, and Dr. Varley is an expert.
Email Received From OPRA Request Demonstrates the District is Determined to Hide Information from the Public We (at BHCW) received a gem of an OPRA, highlighting just how deep in the trenches Dr. Varley is and just how far she will go to protect herself and Ms. Kot. This email can be seen in its entirety below (sans the employee...
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