Sliding Grades and Proficiencies
The historical trend of Governor Livingston High schools Math proficiency scores shows a disturbing pattern, and Science also appears to be in troubled waters. Many parents in the community are questioning how we got here. The short answer – one reason we are here is that measurement, for whatever reason and for the longest time, has been incorrectly viewed as...
Goals, PerfoRmance, and Metrics
Metrics should be embraced, not feared There has been much discussion recently about goals, metrics, and student performance in the community as well as at the Board of Ed meetings. After reading through comments and listening to differing opinions, I wanted to clarify my view on the topic. I believe in the use of meaningful metrics because we need a way to...
THE QUORUM QUIZ
The last BOE meeting on 9/22 was unusual in many ways including how it concluded. Or did it conclude? Ms. Pamela Stanley continued to read her prepared speech even though the Board president and the Board attorney reminded her that the content of her speech did not follow the allowed agenda items. Two members of the board walked out when the...
A PLAN IS NOT A GOAL
The dictionary lists the definition of the word “goal” as “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.” “Budget” is “the amount of money needed or available for a purpose.” Let us focus on the first word for a moment. A school district defines the goals to set its ambition for the students and then...
THE HOW MANY GENDERS GAME
I need you you take a deep breath here and hear me out. I’m writing this after sitting back and not reacting to what has been a two day series of events that has become quite predictable in our community as the private messages rolled into my inbox: “why is he in your Facebook group” or “why didn’t you like...
BERKELEY HEIGHTS 2022 BOE ELECTION- CANDIDATE RESPONSES TO QUESTION 3
Since our last publication on responses to questions from BOE Candidates, several Candidates have dropped out of the race. Responses to our questions have gotten a good amount of traction and positive feedback from members of the community. Of the current field, we received responses from Natasha Joly, Dipti Khanna, Gale Bradford, Neil Herman, Sai Akiri and Doug Grober to our...
FAILING TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL
Let us talk about the busing challenges that our District faces this year. Busing children is among the essential services most school districts provide their students. Working parents rely on bus transportation by the school district to manage their schedules and have the peace of mind during pick-ups and drop-offs that their children are being transported safely. Children make new...
DR. VARLEY, HIGH PRICED ATTORNEYS AND THE ANGRY SIX vs. SAI AKIRI
Merely weeks after being elected, Ms. Akiri attempted to fulfill one of her primary campaign promises on accountability and transparency by encouraging the BOE to follow their policies on interviewing an attorney-something the District has failed to do in almost two decades. Many residents were disgusted by the actions of the current firm for the following reasons: 1) Their defense...
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.”...
PARENTS CONCERNED ABOUT BOE CANDIDATE ELECTIONEERING ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
A parent emailed the BOE requesting clarification on District Policy concerning electioneering on school grounds and forwarded the email to BHCW for publishing. The email concerns Ms. Angela Penna and asks 4 questions about the BOE Vice President (who is running for re-election): “1. What was Angela Penna, who is running for re-election, doing inside and outside of William Woodruff...
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