No Names, No Budgets: Transparency Continues to Erode Under Feltre
When people ask for answers from their local government, they have a right to get them—clearly, directly, and without delay. That’s the whole idea behind New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA). But in Berkeley Heights, trying to get even basic information from the public school district has turned into an exercise in frustration: dodged questions, generic email replies, and...
New Superintendent, Same Misinformation Problem at BHPSNJ- John’s Notes on the 06/05/2025 BOE Meeting
I’ll start by saying: Shauna should really be writing this. But she’s off at some scouting thing doing good deeds or something, so you’re stuck with me. We can both be annoyed about this together. Last month, district leadership told the community that a new state bill might bring an end to cooperative purchasing. That claim became the backdrop for...
The BHPSNJ Business Office is Over-Redacting Public Records & It is Hurting our Students
It has been a recurring theme in an ongoing narrative, “the onerous nature of OPRA requests for the District”. Yet, a compelling revelation came to light yesterday, further substantiating a strategy that is clearly intended to provoke and agitate those seeking public records, thereby dissuading the public from making such requests. – a gamble that continues to cost the District...
2024 U.S. News and World Report High School Rankings Released
Governor Livingston High School in top quarter of N.J. High Schools but last in seven-district dashboard -Written by an Educator in the Community Earlier this week, U.S. News and World Report released their public high school rankings. The specific link to New Jersey public high school rankings can be found here. Now, it is time to see how Governor Livingston...
Zoom Participation Added to 04/15/2024 BOE Special Meeting
The Special Notice for the 04/15/2024 BOE Meeting has been updated to include a discussion of allowing community participation in meetings through Zoom. Ms. Joly and Ms. Akiri have been the most vocal advocates of this change, and this is consistent with Mr. Nixon’s and Ms. Bradford’s pledge to improve transparency and family involvement in the District. During COVID, families...
BHPSNJ Announces Special Board Meeting for 04/15/2024
Interim Superintendents To Be Interviewed and Attorney RFP’s To Be Discussed on 4/15/2024 BHPSNJ announced a special BOE Meeting on 04/15/2024 to interview Interim Superintendents. We hope that candidates will also present to the public. Interim Superintendents are typically retired, so there should be no concern about their employers finding out about seeking a new position. One resident asked us...
4/10/24 Board Meeting Recap, Series On Superintendent Search Firms
The first in a Series on Superintendent Search Firms that Presented during the 04/10/2024 Berkeley Heights BOE Meeting McPherson & Jacobsen Fee for services are $18,500 BHPS team will be comprised of Dr. Ralph Ferrie (former BHPS middle school Principal) not present) and Dr. Karen D’Avino (who presented an overview on the firm). Dr. D’Avino did tell the group that...
Parent Expresses Concerns About BHPSNJ Superintendent’s Social Media Post
The following is an email provided to BHCW from Berkeley Heights Resident and Parent Ekin Najarian to Dr. Varley and the Berkeley Heights Board of Education. Dr. Varley / Whitfield: Just as your approval for your extended leave before your resignation was approved, you posted a unique image and caption on your Facebook page which was shared with me. I...
Questions the Berkeley Heights Board of Education Can Answer in Connection to Dr. Varley’s 2023 Salary Increase
Background: On June 5th, 2023, Dr. Varley received the maximum salary increase allowed in a process divorced from past practice and policy. The increase was not announced to the public, and her salary change slipped into a cluster of positions it had never historically been a part of during the 06/05/2023 BOE Meeting. This was the same year the public...
Correcting Dr. Varley’s Resignation Email
A More Accurate Record of Superintendent Varley’s Four Year Tenure at BHPSNJ Written by an Educator in the District At exactly 10:00am on December 26, 2023 (the day after Christmas), Dr. Melissa Varley resigned as Superintendent of Berkeley Heights Public Schools. Her email covers a list of accomplishments, according to her, during her 4.5 years thus far as Superintendent. Angela...
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