
Pamela Stanley, Ethics and the Gift that Keeps on Giving
On January 31, 2023 the School Ethics Commission denied Pamela Stanley’s Motion to Dismiss allegations of ethical violations against her stemming from her use of the District’s attorney to file a complaint against a fellow BOE Member. The Commission found 7 of the 8 allegations against Pamela to be substantial. Additionally, the Commission adopted a decision finding the Complaint against...

Loud Voice Against Police In Schools
I will remain one of the “loud voices” against additional police in schools. One can support more police in schools, but to wonder out loud why anyone would be against it demonstrates a concerning lack of research on the topic. So here is going to be an unusual article coming from me. I support Dr. Varley’s decision not to make...

This Is What Community Looks Like
Jean Marquis Those of us who were able to attend the Berkeley Heights Town meeting spoke out letting Berkeley Heights residents and the town council know that we need and support Liza to continue the work that she has done during the past years. The room was packed with residents who showed up in support of Liza Porteus fighting to...

BHCW Night Watch – Episode 2 – 01/29/2023: Apocalyptic Waffle Math Bad Wifi Mashup Edition
In this episode we talk about The Apocalypse, Pancakes v Waffles, HIB, School Safety, Math, Building Thinking Classrooms, Wawa and Liza’s Reappointment. Related Content: OUR FIRST EPISODE OF BHCW NIGHT WATCH

The BOE Blame Game is the Greatest Security Threat
BOE and Administration are too confused and angry to bring the community together on a complex issue. John Leo Jr. Mid January, a student brought an airsoft gun to Columbia Middle school. Students reported it, and the school and PD responded in kind. But some parts of the responses reveal an uncomfortable truth that demands some scrutiny. Does our public...

Dr. Varley’s Nepotism Settlement and Concerning Questions for the Board Attorney
BHCW received an email from Natasha Joly sent to the BOE to be published. For reference, links to the Settlement Agreement and Video Clip Referenced are available at the end of the article. BOE Members, You are likely aware of an existing settlement agreement regarding the nepotism ethics complaint filed against the administration. If you recall, this all goes back...

OUR History Should Teach Us Not to Rush To Judgement on Wawa
Sai Akiri I might be in the minority here, but I am a little confused with this outrage against the proposed Wawa. I am still undecided. Having lived in cities around the globe and seeing my beautiful hometown turn into something unrecognizable in the name of development, I am sorry to say we don’t have a walkable downtown. That ship...

Incident at CMS Continues to Prompt More Questions
If you have a child who attends CMS then you received a letter addressing the incident that occurred on Friday. And, unless you live under a rock, by now you have seen this letter and heard the shockwaves by parents in this community. As adults, it’s not easy to speak up and even we struggle with making the right choices. ...

Peeling the Spin: A Condensed Look at OPRA Requests
There are currently 118 individual screenshots of OPRA (Open Public Records Act) requests, from June 2022 to the present, on the district website. In an effort to parse this out and make it easier to get to the meat of the issue surrounding the appointment of a School Records Custodian, here is a breakdown. Of the 118 posted screenshots, five...

Our First Episode of BHCW Night Watch
We discuss:-The District’s Security Mess/Theatre-Newly obtained settlement agreement @ Dr. Varley’s Nepotism Case-The first two Berkeley Heights BOE Meetings of the Year