As The Board Turns
The Same Soap Opera, The Same Plot Is it the mounting social pressure coming from the community or a total lack of self awareness? As of late, there has been a trend at Board meetings to address public concerns and this new display of theatre is not to be missed. As a community we have been made aware that the...
They Could Take Our Last Tool For Transparency
Legislation being proposed at the state level casts a darkness on government business -John Leo, Jr. In four bills just last week presented to the NJ Legislature, A5613-5616, the mechanisms by which the public can gain public records are destined to be severely changed- some good, some bad. OPRA (Open Public Records Act) being the only tool we have to...
Steve Mondragon’s Position on Transparency And OPRA
Steve Mondragon candidate for Berkeley Heights Town Council adds his voice to the local discussion on proposed legislation seeking to change OPRA and Transparency -Steve Mondragon Trust is a fundamental principle in a representative democracy. Without trust, the system doesn’t function properly. That trust is earned, not given. It takes time to nurture and cultivate, and needs constant tending to...
Varley, Penna and ….Danielsen?
The Folks Wanting to Destroy OPRA Appear to Have One Thing In Common: Hiding Important Information from the Public Currently, legislation is being proposed at the state level -championed under the guise of saving money-that would render OPRA meaningless. OPRA is a law that allows residents to obtain documents from government entities and provides remedies for non-compliance. Under OPRA, government agencies...
The BHPSNJ OPRA Troubles
The District is Adding One More Layer Between Families and Important Information….. Recently I sent an email to the BOE, Superintendent, and Business Administrator with BHCW’s share of OPRA requests. Parents can understand that OPRA is one of the remaining avenues we have left to get information as the BOE majority continues to hide its work in committees away from...
The BHPSNJ OPRA Disconnect
The District is taking steps to undermine one the few remaining avenues families have in getting accurate information…..and the BOE Majority is using dollars that should be going to classrooms to do it. The Custodian of School Records position remains, and Stephen Hopkins has been approved again for the job, along with an accompanying stipend of $12,000. The core responsibilities...
Natasha’s Notes on the 06/05/2023 BOE Meeting
There is a lot to digest after the 06/05/2023 BOE meeting and much of it is not sitting well. Teacher of the Year Awards Congratulations to all the teachers for this recognition, and a huge thank you for all you do. As a community member pointed out, was the cafeteria setting the best the administration could do for the presentation?...
BHPSNJ Creating More Road blocks to Public Information?
More evidence that the OPRA Custodian Position is more of a barrier than a help… Update @ 5:47: Someone asked this question and now I cant see it…”what is a false binary?” A false binary is when a person defines the argument according to a limited reality – as if only two things are possible…he was responding to my initial...
The OPRA Custodian Position Isn’t Working Out
And That Shouldn’t Surprise Anyone Everyone familiar with OPRA thought naming Steve Hopkins as the new Records Custodian was a bad idea. Well, almost everyone. It was nothing about him personally; it was because of the lack of supporting reasoning behind the hire. And, for those paying close attention, Dr. Varley has made it abundantly clear that those in her...
Parent Concerns About Budget, Survey and OPRA Violations
-Karin Sicoli Our Berkeley Heights BOE’s first job is to “protect the herd” not to be mistaken for protecting: students, teachers, substitute teachers or parents. As it turns out, stakeholders are a necessary evil only. Protecting the herd, themselves, is their first concern. A question, by a board member was asked, about how this reduction in staff would impact students...
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