Update to the Controversy Surrounding Dr. Varley’s Salary Increase
Answers Lead to More Questions I am still waiting for a response from the Board on what should be simple questions about the Superintendent’s Salary Increase. The Board did approve the 2% raise with a vote on June 5th 2023- so let me set the record straight on that issue. So to answer the question I asked in a prior article: Did...
Did Dr. Varley Get a Raise Without a Board Vote?
And why weren’t Berkeley Heights Residents Aware of it? Update on 01/14/2023: The BOE DID Vote on this Increase but there is more to the Story. It appears Dr. Varley got a 2% raise without a vote by the Board of Education. To walk through this, we need to first walk through her contract. If you recall, Dr. Varley...
Potential Superintendent Candidates for Berkeley Heights Public Schools
Berkeley Heights Board of Education should look at familiar names nearby in searching for their next full-time Superintendent -Written by an Educator in The Community On December 26, 2023, Dr. Melissa Varley resigned as Superintendent of Berkeley Heights Public Schools (BHPS) effective June 30, 2024, if not sooner. Having said this, a search for a new Superintendent of Berkeley Heights...
Melissa Varley’s Spin on the BOE Reorganization Meeting Highlights How This All Got Started
In the email below, sent to BHPS Staff, Dr. Varley ignores the machinations of her own office in setting up last night’s meeting for failure. She ignores the fact that if ANY member of the Penna bloc (a phrase that I don’t like, but is all too fitting) were honestly interested in working toward solutions, a consensus could have been reached last night....
Dr. Varley Resigns
In an email this morning, Dr. Melssa Varley resigned as Superintendent of Berkeley Heights Public Schools. We will not use the phony and false tactic of positively spinning her tenure simply because she is leaving – this is a welcome announcement for the families and students of this community. We wish her the best in her future endeavors and hope...
Letter From the Berkeley Heights Education Association To Dr. Varley and the BOE
Another Factor Impacting the BHPSNJ Teacher Retention Issues Under Dr. Varley While Schools across NJ are having issues keeping staff, BHPSNJ’s issue are a level above in yet another lottery no one wants to win. As BHCW has demonstrated in prior articles, we can make hard, straight lines on this issue to the many decisions made by this Superintendent and...
Dr. Varley’s “School is Opening in One Week!” Email
Oh man.. where do we even start with this? Dr. Varley sent an email today that residents should pay attention to carefully. The item we want to focus on right now connects to goals. On a positive note (depending on how you look at it), there are finally numbers and percentages people can look at in evaluating how well our...
Parent Questions to Dr. Varley on Cuts to Subscription Busing
Decision on cuts made by BOE Finance Committee –Margit Pedraza On August 3, 2023, I, along with other parents, received an email informing us that subscription busing is being cancelled for CMS, MKM and MP for the upcoming school year. I was truly disappointed and frustrated by this decision given the added hardship it places on parents especially me as...
The BOE President is Not Answering Questions in Connection To Alleged Affirmative Action Investigation Involving the Superintendent
Over two weeks and still no response from the Board President on allegations involving an Affirmative Action Investigation In June, BHCW received verbal reports from various reliable sources within the District indicating that an Affirmative Action investigation involving the Superintendent was underway. All of these individuals denied being a party to the action connected to the investigation. On June 23,...
Do the Rules Even Matter?
In the clip below, Ms. Akiri points to the BOE’s continued policy violations under Angela Penna and Joy Young. These violations include interfering with a resident’s right to free speech (Angela Penna has consistently interrupted residents improperly while speaking about issues that are strictly related to District business and BOE actions), the Budget process, social media policy, and the continued...
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