
Laura’s Notes on the 11/14/2024 Berkeley Heights BOE Meeting
The meeting covered numerous topics, with significant discussions and public input. Here’s a breakdown of the essential points: Guidance Program Presentation Dr. Ashley Janosko delivered a comprehensive presentation on the guidance program at BHPS. While the presentation emphasized support for college-bound students, concerns remain about equitable resources for students pursuing alternative career paths. Many feel that career readiness deserves...

Laura’s Notes on the 11/14/2024 Berkeley Heights BOE Meeting Agenda
Report of the Acting Superintendent Recognition of National Merit Scholars Honoring our National Merit Scholars for their outstanding academic achievements. Presentation on School Counseling Program Dr. Janosko will present updates and highlights on our School Counseling program. Education High Impact Tutoring Grant The district has received a $10,200 grant, which will fund afterschool enrichment programs for students requiring additional support,...

Laura’s Notes on the 10/17/2024 Berkeley Heights BOE Meeting Agenda
The Superintendent Report will include the NJSLA results (from Spring), a Special Education Presentation, and HIB/SSDS (Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying)/(I have no clue what the second acronym means). The Board will start the meeting by approving the meeting minutes from August 15 to the present, followed by the first reading of several revised policies. EDUCATION F. Shout out to the...

The OPRA “Opera”
An analysis of BHPSNJ OPRA Requests Over a Six Month Period OPRA, the Opera (or what feels like a never-ending charade) in which those who “abuse” OPRA, because of the strain it puts on staff are made out to be public enemy #1 while others file voluminous requests, ad nauseum, for what some could speculate to be political or personal...

Laura’s Notes on the 09/12/2024 BOE Meeting
District Goals, Cell Phone Policy, Inaccurate TAP-Into Article, Visitor Scans, Superintendent Drama & More Mr. Nixon provided a presentation on District Goals. I will summarize, but watch the presentation for yourself, please – I am not going to do it much justice here: Goal #1 Student Achievement in grades 6-12 with a strong emphasis on improving the Math program. Goal...

Laura’s Notes on the 08/15/2024 BOE Meeting
Following a near 2-hour executive session the meeting opened up with a senior class representative making a formal request to the Board for Open Campus for seniors at Governor Livingston High School. Mr. Nixon then conducted his Superintendents report with an update on the 2024 NJ GPA (Graduation Proficiency Assessment) scores. The majority of our students are “graduation ready” with...

Fact Checking the Politically Funded “News” Account of the 07/25/2024 BOE Meeting
TapInto is at it Again…. I am truly and personally honored that so many people think I or anyone associated with BHCW have control over “the four” Board members. But, for arguments sake – let’s roll with that rumor…” Berkeley Heights Community Watch is dictating votes” – a remark from a vocal member of Berkeley Heights Community. CMS Prism Club...

Laura’s Notes on the 07/24/2024 BOE Agenda
Personnel, CMS Lease Agreement, OPRA, Prism and More… Things have been pretty quiet on the business side of BHPS. No news is not always good news, and this agenda is pretty jam packed for a mid-July “Special Meeting.” One of the most interesting, if not THE most interesting, agenda item is the resolution to appoint Michael Roof as GL Girls...

Summer Briefing on BHPS
New Director, Athletics Shake Up, Business Office Hiring & More…. New Director Appointed As we reported at the June 20 board meeting, Dr. Joseph Cordero was appointed as the director of elementary education and intervention. Dr. Cordero comes from Summit, where he spent time as an Elementary Principal and was appointed as the District’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction in...

Laura’s Notes on the Berkeley Heights 06/25/2024 Town Council Meeting
There was no one who presented during the public hearing on agenda items. The announcement was that the Senate President awarded the Township $250,000, which will go towards the lower Columbia repairs. A shared service agreement with Springfield Township for the CFO and Qualified Purchasing Agent was discussed. Donnelly raised that the hours listed are 15, but the individual being...