BHPSNJ Driver Stands Up: Raises Red Flags About Contracts, Scheduling, and Outsourcing
In the clip below, Tamar Their — a district bus driver — shares her concerns about inconsistencies between contract terms and BHPSNJ’s union agreement. Hired in March 2024 as a driver, she points to a strong safety record, consistent availability, and great relationships with students and staff. According to Tamar, the role she was hired for was never clearly defined....
Transparency Tested: Berkeley Heights BOE’s Long Agenda Ends in a Familiar Clash
Editors Note: We received the following feedback: “One small correction on your article policy 132 will now allow the superintendent to promulgate regulations to the policy book without board approval. Currently all regulations need to go through committee and be voted on. In your article I think you said policy instead of regulation.” We are currently checking this and will...
Laura’s Notes on the 05/15/2025 BHPSNJ BOE Meeting Agenda
Overview Appointment of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Crystal Marr has been appointed Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Achievement, with a salary of $183,500 effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Marr hasn’t been with the District long, but like Dr. Feltre and Dr. Cordero, she’s already made an impression by showing up—at our schools, at student events, and in the community....
BHPSNJ District Opens Search for Business Administrator Ahead of July Transition
On Friday, May 2, Applitrack—the platform used by Berkeley Heights Public Schools to manage job postings—listed an opening for the position of “Business Administrator/Board Secretary,” effective July 1, 2025. The listing follows recent Board of Education meetings during which some residents noted that the current Business Administrator’s contract was not among the recent renewals—making the posting anticipated by many. The...
The 05/01/2025 BHPSNJ BOE Meeting: Strategic Planning or Strategic Posturing?
Last night, I watched the BHPSNJ BOE meeting on the strategic plan, and before sharing my thoughts, I want to clearly state my bias upfront. I’ve worked extensively on strategic plans, even leading the process several times in my career. This experience has taught me that, more often than not, strategic plans serve primarily as tools for high-level leadership to...
2025-2026 BHPSNJ Budget – Full Detail and Snapshots
We received a version of the 2025-2026 BHPSNJ Detailed budget from the District yesterday. We cleaned up the formatting and added a tab menu. You can download it here. Some quick snapshots from the spreadsheet are below but before we get started on that it might be good to point out a slide from the New Providence BOE Budget Meeting....
More Notes on Security Spending – 25-26 BHPSNJ Budget
Over the last three school years, security spending in the Berkeley Heights Public Schools has ballooned — far exceeding original budget estimates while state aid has remained flat. What the Numbers Show 2023–2024: The District budgeted $214,000 for school security but ended up spending $260,396, according to the official ACFR (Annual Comprehensive Financial Report). That’s a 22% overrun in a...
Parent Expresses Concerns on BHPSNJ Raptor System
The Following email to the Superintendent and the Board was received from Michael Leblond who is a resident of Berkeley Heights and a parent with children in our School District. Dear Dr. Feltre and members of the School Board, Last week, Dr. Feltre sent an email to parents regarding the Raptor Visitor Management System. A quick google of the Raptor...
Private Tour, Public Questions: Does Recreation Department Invite Lead Council & BOE to Violate OPMA?
The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) 10:4-7 clearly states: Legislative Findings and Declaration: “The Legislature finds and declares that the right of the public to be present at all meetings of public bodies, and to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision-making processes of public bodies, is vital to the enhancement and...
BOE Representative Joly’s Comments on CMS Lease Agreement During the 03/25/2025 Town Council Meeting
The majority of residents who attended and spoke at the 03/25/2025 Town Council Meeting expressed concerns about the project, the information published by corporate media and/or the process surrounding the agreement. Most residents were not aware that the meeting was zoom-only. As predicted the measure passed with Foster and Poage abstaining due to their employment with BHPSNJ – though both...
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