Ridgewood referendum projects are well under budget.

The Ridgewood News has a story today about Ridgewood schools' construction projects running under budget so far. I'm pasting the full text of the story here because I think it's helpful to see the projects and their status listed:

Despite rough weather this winter, construction projects at Ridgewood schools are moving ahead more or less on schedule and far under budget.

"Bids for the remaining projects continue to come in favorably," reported Superintendent Daniel Fishbein at a Jan. 24 meeting of the Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE).

The BOE approved a purchase bid for window and door replacements at Benjamin Franklin Middle School (BF) at a cost of $528,800, far below the roughly $900,000 budgeted for the project in the original bond referendum.

The referendum, narrowly approved by voters in December 2009, will ultimately encompass $48 million worth of construction projects at district schools. The projected tax increase on the average village home is about $300 per year over the course of the next 25 years to pay off the $38 million bond referendum. The state is contributing another $9.8 million in grants.

Bids from contractors are now being sought for other school projects. Seventeen contractors recently attended a walk-through tour of Willard for its expansion project slated for next year, Fishbein said. More bid dates are coming up in February.

Substantial construction projects are currently under way at Ridge and Hawes elementary schools. At Ridge, construction of a new roof and a new wing has been slowed due to inclement weather, but the roof of Hawes' new wing was installed before the snow and ice storms, so construction has continued without a hitch.

Ridge is still scheduled to fully open for fall 2011, Fishbein said during a tour of the premises. Ridge is receiving five new classrooms; two small group instruction rooms; an art studio; occupational and physical therapy space; mechanical room; storage; and a computer lab.

Travell, Willard and Somerville elementary schools and BF all underwent roofing replacements or improvements. Still to come are full renovations at Willard, though substantial asbestos abatement in a basement crawl space was successfully completed this summer. Willard will also undergo an expansion to add seven classrooms; one small group instruction room; a media center/ library; computer lab; resource room; a nurse's office; and storage.

BF has also received upgrades to its electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; repairs of concrete and masonry, stairs and sidewalks; and its athletics fields have undergone significant renovations, including the installation of a new track and field facility for the district.

Ridgewood High School has received site updates to its sidewalks, stairs, external doors and brick and mortar, as well as new lockers and extensive work on its two athletics fields, including the installation of artificial turf. Other renovations include drinking fountains, plumbing, windows and doors, and fire detection systems and alerts.

George Washington Middle School (GW) has completed a new driveway on Washington Street. Plans for GW include an improved electrical system and windows, and expansion that will construct and/or renovate six classrooms, five small group instruction rooms, a media center/library, computer lab and gymnasium, which will take over part of the footprint of the existing field.

Many schools are also receiving occupancy sensor and light controls.

###

Saying “goodbye” to long-time staff.

Last week I attended the Retirement Celebration for 25 Ridgewood Public Schools staff who are retiring at the end of this school year. It was bittersweet. There are always retirements, but I think the number this year was slightly larger than in recent years, thanks to all the uncertainty from Trenton surrounding pensions, and the budget cuts and changes coming to our District.

Of course, by its very nature, an event like this is going to focus on long-time employees, who have contributed greatly for many many years, and so there is a feeling of loss. And awe. For example, how can I not be awed by Fred Barbi, who began his career teaching at Travell in 1969? He taught for 41 years total at Travell and then taught social studies (including to my son) at BF…think of the hundreds of children he influenced! We are losing several area supervisors – Garland Allen (District Director of Wellness), Jane Blakely (RHS Supervisor of Social Studies & English), Joan Lipkowitz (District Supervisor of World Languages), Fred Nartowitz (RHS Supervisor of Science) and Ed Schmiedecke (District Supervisor of Fine & Applied Arts) will surely be missed! Sarah “Sally” Blair attended Willard, Ridge, GW and RHS as a student, and then spent her career in special education here! Joyce Riccio-Sauer spent 24 years in Ridgewood schools, as an RHS art teacher, then a technology coordinator and Intel Master Teacher, and then went back to teaching art at Willard. These are just a few examples of the excellent staff we will miss, and yet we wish the best to them.

I’m told that long ago (or a few years ago, not that long), the District would hold an actual retirement “dinner,” which was lovely and much more elaborate than finger food and punch in the Ed Center. State laws now prevent us from spending money on that, but I hope those who were honored last week know – as many of our administrators eloquently explained – how important they were to the success of our District, and how much we will miss their presence, their talents and their contribution.

Wishing the best to our retirees. Last day of school tomorrow...

Teachers of the Year Honored at Ed Center.

Last night was the annual Teacher Recognition reception and ceremony at the Ed Center. I love that event because it's so positive and focused on just one pure thing: quality teaching.

I especially love how many teachers and administrators come out to support and celebrate their colleagues. There were even some parents and students there, to say thank you to their favorite teachers. Just a great, positive event all around.

The following teachers were honored last night as Teachers of the Year in Ridgewood for 2010:

Hawes -- Charles Nebbia
Orchard -- Michelle Jones
Ridge -- AnnMarie Pecorelli
Somerville -- Cassandra Fabish
Travell -- Megan Glinkin
Willard -- Stephanie Zaccaria
BF -- Karla Mixon
GW -- Ann Brown
RHS -- Patrick Bernardo
Special Programs -- Marian Sacharoff

Two Ridgewood students to attend North Jersey Spelling Bee

From www.northjersey.com:

Two Ridgewood students will compete for a national spot at the North Jersey Spelling Bee final on Thursday.

Olivia Cecoltan of Travell School and Jeffrey Sheu of Benjamin Franklin Middle School will be among 32 spellers from Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties. The winner will attend the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., compliments of The Record and Herald News, sponsors of the North Jersey event.

Earlier semifinal rounds brought together the winners of 162 school bees, students in fourth through eighth grade. Last year’s champion, Michael Sun, an eighth grader at West Brook Middle School in Paramus, is not competing this year, so the field is open for a new champion.

The even will take place at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Hackensack.

Congratulations Olivia and Jeffrey, and good luck! Ridgewood is rooting for you!

Get Referendum Facts Tonight: Q&A and School Tours

I hope we'll get a decent turnout tonight at the Community Meeting at George Washington Middle School auditorium. The session begins at 7:30 p.m. with a presentation by Superintendent Dan Fishbein followed by questions-and-answers -- anything you want to know, we'll answer! This is a chance for everyone in the community, parents, non-parents, senior citizens, all registered voters, to get the facts, see plans, clarify rumors, etc.

Prior to tonight's meeting at GW, everyone has a chance to tour Willard Elementary School, Travell Elementary School, Hawes Elementary School, GW Middle School and Ridgewood High School. Principals and other staff will give a first-hand look at some of the conditions in need of renovation and expansion. Tours will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Hope to see you tonight!
(And don't forget to VOTE on Dec. 8!)

Referendum Update: School Tours, Community Meeting on Nov. 30

The community is invited to George Washington Middle School auditorium on Monday 11/30 at 7:30 p.m. for a presentation and question-and-answer session on the upcoming referendum. This event is for everyone in the community, parents, non-parents, senior citizens, all registered voters. Come get the facts and ask questions, see plans, etc.

Prior to the meeting at GW, principals and other staff will be leading tours at a few schools, to give a first-hand look at some of the conditions in need of renovation and expansion. Tours will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at RHS, Travell, Willard, Hawes and GW.

There are also some photos posted on the district website, showing some of the building conditions. Click here and then click on the school photos you'd like to see.

Questions are also welcome at referendum09@ridgewood.k12.nj.us, or post a question here.

Our growing school district: 2009-10 enrollment

As Dr. Fishbein reported at last night's meeting, here's a snapshot of enrollment school by school in Ridgewood, as of 9/9/09 and compared to one year ago (9/15/08):

2009 # (2008 #) Change +/-

Glen 36 (28) +8

Hawes 408 (406) +2

Orchard 323 (329) -6

Ridge 478 (474) +4

Somerville 533 (507) +26 (wow!)

Travell 410 (416) -6

Willard 456 (466) -10

Total Elementary: 2,644 (2,626) +18

BFMS 687 (690) -3

GWMS 675 (666) +9

Total Middle School: 1,362 (1,356) +6

RHS 1,666 (1,664) +2

Follow-up on tenure for Travell music teacher

Friday's Ridgewood News contained a story about the non-renewal of the Travell music teacher. I wanted to share Dr. Fishbein's complete letter which was sent to Travell parents on June 30, because I think it explained the situation very well. I've received a lot of positive feedback from Travell parents on this letter:

Dear Travell Parents:

The Board of Education asked me to communicate with the Travell parents following the decision it had to make about not offering tenure to the Travell music teacher. Many, many parents had strong feelings about the “pros” and “cons” of the situation; and many articulated their thoughts by letter, by e-mail or at public Board meetings. In the end, a decision had to be made, and it was not possible for that decision to accommodate all the different perspectives expressed. The Board and I want all Travell parents to know, however, that their words were heard and given genuine consideration.

Our school district is exceptional for a great many reasons. We have outstanding students who are excited to learn, grow and achieve. We have dedicated parents who understand the value of supporting and promoting education in the home and in the community. We have teachers who are skilled, passionate and committed to nurturing and challenging our students. We have administrators who hold our teachers to high standards and commit themselves to nurturing and challenging our teachers like we do for our students.

Any staff evaluation process needs to look at the “total picture” of each employee’s effectiveness. Issues like collaboration, accountability, planning/goal-setting, cooperation, flexibility and teamwork are all components that must be assessed along with enthusiasm, content knowledge and instructional skills. Our administrators are able to see this “total picture” consistent with the tradition of excellence Ridgewood has enjoyed for generations.

In a community like Ridgewood, which is so engaged in its school system, Board members want to be as responsive to and as open as they can with their neighbors and constituents about the decisions they make. In more ways than most people know, though, the Board is handcuffed by legal mandates and restrictions. In the case of teacher tenure, state law gives no leeway in the timeframe for making tenure decisions. Tenure happens on the 1st day of a teacher’s 4th consecutive year of employment. Period. So, if the Superintendent and the Board are not convinced about a particular teacher’s “total picture” at the end of the teacher’s 3rd year of employment, they have to let that teacher go even if that teacher has shown promise or strength in some areas. What complicates the district’s decision-making in situations like this is the legal right to privacy that each public employee has. Judgments made by supervisors about an employee, whether positive or negative, are confidential information. The district can use this information to make employment decisions, but only the employee himself/herself controls whether any or all of this is communicated outside the district.

Some non-renewal decisions are easy. Some are difficult. I do not make any of them lightly, and neither does our Board of Education. We both value the knowledge and insight that comes from community input because these things ensure we are making the best decisions possible. When all the district can show the public is the end result of this decision-making process, though, all we can do is continue letting our community members know how important their involvement and support have been.

We will move forward from here. We will be vigorous in our efforts to staff Travell with strong teachers who achieve excellence in all aspects of the “total picture” as we do with all of our schools. We ask that you stay as passionate and engaged with us in this process as you have always been, because that is an essential part of what makes Ridgewood so unique and so successful.

I wish everyone a safe and happy summer.

Sincerely yours,

Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Fair Weather for the fun Travell May Fair

Spent some time yesterday at Travell's May Fair -- thank you to all the hardworking parents who put together a great day for families. May Fair is like a good old-fashioned town picnic, with games for kids, art projects, PONY RIDES!, food, music, dunk tank and more. Kids were running around shouting and laughing, parents were chatting and doling out tickets for the various activities. Everyone was having a great time and, thankfully, the weather held off so they didn't have to make the call to move indoors.

Great job to all the volunteers!

Travell's New Library!

Travell is having an Open House on Wednesday 11/12 at 7:30 p.m. to officially open their new Media Center (aka Library). Everyone is invited to check it out. I can't wait to see it -- word "on the street" is it's quite nice! As you may (or may not) know, Travell's library was damaged last winter by a leaking pipe, so this summer it was completely renovated thanks to a fundraising effort by school leaders, parents, teachers, the Travell HSA and Travell Girl Scout troops. In addition to removing and replacing the damaged floor (and removing asbestos underneath), the entire room underwent an "extreme makeover," with new carpet, paint, shelves, electrical, tables, chairs, computer work stations, a circulation desk, flat screen TV and SMART Board electronic white board. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard coordinating, fundraising and rebuilding. The students of Travell will benefit from your efforts for years to come.

If you have a chance to stop by Wednesday night, check it out!

Consolidation of Special Ed Classrooms

As a continuation of the discussion on expansion, it helps to understand where our self-contained special ed classrooms are currently located, and where they'd be located following the expansion in the proposed referendum:

Pre Construction:
Somerville -- PARCCA (K-2)
BF -- PARCCA (3-5)
Orchard -- LLD (K-2)
Somerville -- LLD (K-2)
Travell -- LLD (3-5)
Travell -- LLD (K-2)
Travell -- LLD (3-5)

Post Construction:
Willard -- PARCCA (K-2)
Willard -- PARCCA (3-5)
Willard -- LLD (K-2)
Hawes -- LLD (K-2)
Hawes -- LLD (3-5)
Ridge -- LLD (K-2)
Ridge -- LLD (3-5)
BF -- PARCCA (6-8)

In other words, under this plan, PARCCA K-5 would be together at Willard, and then move to BF for PARCCA 6-8. Our LLD (Language & Learning Disabled) classes for K-2 would be at Willard, Hawes and Ridge, consolidating to 3-5 at Hawes and Ridge. (Traditionally, the numbers of LLD students is reduced from K-2 to 3-5.

Why are Ridge, Hawes and Willard the schools chosen to be expanded? Why not Travell or Somerville or Orchard? This mainly has to do with property and the availability of space for expansion. Ridge and Hawes have the most room. And Willard, as the oldest elementary school, has some very small classrooms which can be easily adapted for LLD or PARCCA, with the addition of larger non-LLD classrooms.