Responses to Constructive Feedback and Questions on BHCW’s Reporting on the Declines
During the 10/12/2023 BOE Meeting, I invited all BOE Members present and members of the Administration to a public debate on the declines. I am still waiting to hear from someone on my offer. Over the past month BOE Members and several community members on different forums provided BHCW feedback on our articles and I want to provide these concerns...
Latest Elementary and Middle School Rankings Not Encouraging For Berkeley Heights
The decline in rankings continues under Dr. Melissa Varley as Superintendent -Written by an Educator in the Community The following rankings are using the Berkeley Heights Community Watch (BHCW) seven-district data dashboard. These seven districts include Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Summit, Chatham, Madison, Millburn, and Westfield. The methodology from US News & World Report states: “State assessment data determines how...
My Notes on the Berkeley Heights BOE 11/16/2023 Meeting
-Natasha Joly Three main topics stood out for me at last night’s meeting. The elimination of Mr. Hopkins’ role as records custodian. I’m happy about this, as I’ve argued many times why this role, which costs an additional $12k per year, was not necessary based on the number of OPRA requests. Mr. Hopkins did not perform well in this role...
Cleary, Giacobbe, Alfieri, and Jacobs Has Over 86,000 Reasons to Be Thankful for Berkeley Heights
I should start out by acknowledging that our District has taken a small step in the right direction by publishing the Bill List and Transfer Report with this month’s Board Meeting Packet. However, considering all the claw-backs over the past three years, we are far from where we need to be. So yes – it is a good step- but...
Thank You
I’d like to say a heartfelt “thank you” to the Berkeley Heights community for your support. The fact that so many people turned out and voted in a contest that was seemingly a done deal means so much to me. The message of Education First! underpinned by transparency and accountability truly resonated with many. As a board member, I will...
BHCW 11/12/2023 Newsletter
What’s Important to Know About Berkeley Heights This Week… This week’s newsletter includes a parent exchange with Dr. Varley on class sizes and other issues. This exchange adds evidence to parental concerns about the direction of the District and the value the Superintendent places on feedback from parents outside of her small circle of support. A new board with two...
How Concerns over Present and Future Class Sizes & Increased Hiring of Administrators Turned into A Lesson On Parental Belittlement
-Michelle Phillippi My first inklings of something feels off this school year began in August. When my first two children began school in our district, I had felt a sense of ease and knew my children were supported in the classroom. Class sizes were smaller and there was much more teacher support in the classroom. But when my youngest entered...
A Small Step Forward
For the first time in a long time I am feeling hopeful. In my 15+ years as a BH resident, I was happy to experience the most civilized campaign season I can remember. There was no public mud-slinging, bashing, or trash-talking of the opposing candidates. The concession letter from Tom and Steve was classy, honorable, and heartfelt. This is Berkeley...
Illis/Machado Take Council, Joly/Akiri take BOE
It appears, based on the tickets we’ve seen, there was a “behind the scenes” write in campaign to take votes away from Sai (two names consistently came up). It doesn’t appear to amount to much at all so far but I guess just enough to give her a lower count and maybe float a behind the scenes network strategy for...
Sai and Natasha – The Informed, Assertive Leaders We Need on the Berkeley Heights Board of Education
-Amy Peterson I completely agree with many others who have written about the lack of civility many of our elected representatives on the BOE have shown to parents and other Board Members trying to correct the issues our District is facing. Sai and Natasha have a strong history of having direct discussions with the Board and community members that are...
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