Laura’s Notes on the Berkeley Heights 05/20/2024 BOE Meeting Agenda
Superintendent Search, Social Media Policy, OPMA and Recognition The Board of Education’s special meeting is tonight with the public session expected to begin at 6:30 PM. Unlike other meetings, the Board will meet to discuss the one and only business item before adjourning into Executive session. The NJSBA Superintendent Search Discussion is the main attraction for this special meeting. This is the first meeting surrounding the process of hiring...
Resident Writes To Board On Traffic & Safety at Woodruff
-Cathy Marshott In the last BOE meeting much focus came from the feedback of about 10 parents in connection to courtesy busing and high school students. What many parents don’t realize is that there is a severe need for enhanced bussing in our middle, elementary and K-2 schools. The decision to lower subscription busing costs for families will help everyone....
Laura’s Notes on the 05/07/2024 BOE Meeting Part 2: Budget, Staff and Contracts
What should have been a focused Budget adoption meeting of the Board of Education turned into another marathon, with tensions boiling over. We have published content on the transportation and bussing issue ad nauseam, so this meeting recap will not address any of those concerns or discussions. The budget was passed with all members voting in support of the 2024-25 proposal. Dipti Khanna,...
Laura’s Notes on the 05/07/2024 BOE Meeting Part 1: Transportation & Bussing
Ms. Bradford introduced a motion to reverse the decision from the last meeting in which the Board approved only Mandated and Subscription bussing. Ms. Akiri called her out as she had not provided 48-hour notice of this motion before the meeting, per Board policy. The Board attorney allowed the vote to happen. The motion failed with a 4-2 vote. (Mr....
Laura’s Notes on the 05/07/2024 Berkeley Heights BOE Agenda
2024 Budget, Busing, Administrative Positions on the Agenda for Tuesday SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT The resignation of Angela Penna from the Board of Education BUDGET The final presentation and adoption of the BHPS budget will occur. The total 2024-25 budget is $61,658,566. Following the presentation, a public hearing on budget items only will occur. ADMINISTRATION* F. Approve Appointment of Interim Superintendent of...
Laura’s Notes on the 04/24/2024 BOE Meeting
4/24/24 BOE Meeting Recap Mr. Nixon is proving to the community what many already knew – he is an effective, mindful and respectable leader. It was a productive, albeit long, meeting with healthy civil discourse that, for the most part, stayed on topic. Jordan Hyman and Angela Penna were absent from the meeting. Budget Presentation and Discussion The BA, Asst....
Follow Up on Teacher Concerns Regarding Summer Curriculum Writing Rates
I published an article before the 4/18/24 Board meeting regarding a sidebar agreement with the BHEA proposing a flat $50/hour rate for summer curriculum writing. (Sidebar Agreement Article) Several teachers had contacted BHCW unhappy with this sidebar agreement noting that curriculum writing has always been paid a per diem rate – a rate based upon a simple equation based upon...
Special BOE MEETING TOMORROW – 4/24/24 Budget Presentation
Please be aware, per the district website, under “events” there is a Special Board Meeting on the schedule for tomorrow, April 24 at 7:30 pm (public session). The main purpose is the Budget presentation and public discussion. Here is the Meeting Agenda BHCW was made aware of this meeting from inside sources then verified this information on the district website....
CMS Students Want the Tiger Back
Helen Gabara Without many in the community realizing it, the school they graduated from, Columbia Middle School had its mascot changed from the Tiger to the Highlander. It was done late last school year by the new principal, Mr. Kobliska, who was handed a survey done by the previous principal, under the former Superintendent Melissa Varley. At the announcement of...
Berkeley Heights Educators Express Concerns About Sidebar Agreement
Laura’s Notes on the 04/18/2024 Berkeley Heights BOE Meeting Education: B. Approve Sidebar Agreements (Attachment H). This resolution is for the pay rate of $50/hour for summer curriculum writing. We have heard from several educators who are opposed to this sidebar agreement as the pay for summer curriculum writing was at a per diem rate. To better understand how per...
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