Co-Teaching 2 different sections of Italian to 28 students IS acceptable…according to the district!
I received a response to my email regarding the unfavorable conditions being endured by 8th grade students (and single teacher) in Italian. You can read it in full below. Reasons provided why this practice IS reasonable and acceptable are: It’s been happening like this for over 23 years; It’s the only way to keep Italian (like French, or, it seems,...
Advocating for Equitable Education for ALL
We’ve heard the word ‘equity’ used in at least a dozen different contexts over the last few years. I’m not quite sure what the district defines as equitable because it seems to be the “go to” phrase to support any new initiative – who can argue with equity? I would define ‘equity’ as being synonymous with ‘fairness.’ When it comes...
People Before Politics
After reading the recent responses by Jeff Varnerin and Manny Couto on TAPinto, it is clear that politics takes precedent over people during election time. Both candidates also took the opportunity to disparage our Township Administrator, an employee and resident of the township – not an elected representative. Using the power of holding an elected office, with multiple outlets to...
SILENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES
The quest for a response to emails continues….. Over the last few weeks (and for the BOE, months) I have had my emails and requests for answers to questions not only go unanswered but completely ignored. This behavior is rude but also unacceptable, for elected officials and top school administrators to ignore parents. The administration holds its staff to a...
Bills, Bills, bills; Not the song from Destiny’s child
In late August, I received legal bills from the district for May 2021-June 2022. I found the statements overly redacted and nearly impossible to decipher or begin to understand the mounting legal bills the district incurred. My original request was to find evidence to support Dr. Varley’s statements, under oath, that she consulted with a lawyer before hiring her daughter...
Hot Topics and noteworthy Board agenda items for 9/22/22
Here are the highlights to the agenda and attachments for the BOE Meeting tomorrow night. There are 199 pages of attachments in addition to the lengthy agenda – it’s a lot, so here’s the good stuff: ADMINISTRATION: Resolution A – District Policies – Study and First Reading P0163: Quorum; policy was updated in February 2021, as part of a settlement...
Laura’s TEN Things
Of all the content I’ve researched and published over the last few years, this has, by far, been the most difficult. Let’s do this… Gina’s Tennis World This is my second home and Gina, Wendy and Phil are MY people. I have been playing at Gina’s for the last 15+ years (but don’t be fooled, I had 4 kids in...
STATE AMENDS ANTI-BULLYING BILL OF RIGHTS ACT
In August 2022 the state amended the NJ Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act. I am not a lawyer so I am not going to even attempt to decipher the amendments to the act for you. But, it is my general feeling, as a parent and taxpayer, that when significant changes are being made that will affect my child(ren) and yours...
7 months + 22 questions
I know the majority of the Board would rather I lose internet access indefinitely. Instead, their tactic is just to pretend my emails don’t exist (yes, this literally happened with an OPRA request – “oh no, it WAS in spam, can you believe that?” No, i don’t believe anything anymore). I like to ask hard questions, like Sai and Tom...
PAMELA STANLEY APPEARS TO CONFIRM THAT ANGELA PENNA VIOLATED ETHICAL STANDARDS
In an incredible turn of events, Ms. Stanley appears to confirm that Ms. Penna may have in fact, violated Ethical standards in connection to allegations that Ms. Penna was electioneering at Woodruff. N.J.S.A 18A:12-24.1(d) states: “I will carry out my responsibility, not to administer the schools, but, together with my fellow board members, to see that they are well run.”...
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