IS The EPSD Warehousing Our Children?

*Substitutes have been outsourced. 
*Even long term subs have been outsourced. 
*Teacher Aides have been outsourced
*Secretaries have been outsourced.

*Lunch and Bus Aides have been outsourced.

At least 2 teachers are leaving every month for one reason or another.

So what does the Human Resource Manager/Director do again? 

Requirements for Substitutes changed in 2015. It is horrifying that Public Schools are leaving such a delicate area up to a "Referral Agency". This Referral Agency is a vendor. That means that the oversight for this program falls under the Business Administrator. Again, what is the Human Resource Director doing other than conducting the many exit interviews?

How do we know that the Substitutes hired by the "Referral Company" have completed the additional requirements set by the state? Who is the responsible Party employed by the Englewood Public School District to oversee this sensitive matter?
Changes to Substitute Teacher Requirements - N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7
https://nj.gov/education/license/UpdatedSubChanges.pdf

Changes to Teacher Certification Requiremtnts (N.J.A.C. 6A:9B
https://www.nj.gov/.../edu.../license/UpdatedCertChanges.pdf

Memo to all Human Resource Directors
SUBJECT: Update to Proposed Changes to Teacher Preparation and Certification Requirements
https://www.nj.gov/.../pre.../060315Chapter9ProposalMemo.pdf

So whom do we blame for a teacher being subjected to having over 40 children per class, because of lack of Substitutes? Seems that Phantom Human Resource Director, the Business Administrator and the Outsource happy Superintendent need to put their heads together so they can STOP warehousing our children. Perhaps our School Board should also collectively wake up and begin to deal with our children as real boys and girls and their parents as real humans.

It would also be nice to read a breakdown of salary for Substitutes, Paraprofessionals & Secretaries (which the district abolished and never reinstated with a resolution) are paid like humans, which should be above minimum wage. Exactly how much of the amount indicated in the contract with ESS goes to the persons who actually work with our children.

It would also be nice to feel confident that there is an Aide on all school buses, since this is where much of the bullying is taking place.

1This document provides an overview of requirements for substitutes. For all official matters, such as issues brought before the Board of Examiners, concerned parties should rely on regulatory requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9, 9A, 9B, and 9C as the final authority.
https://www.state.nj.us/education/code/current/

The last I heard Englewood Public School District was over 70% free and reduced lunch. That is considered high poverty. That is definitely a Title I School District. A School Board nor a Superintendent has the power to change the law listed below. 

Take note and ask any Attorney, when the word "shall" appears within the wording of the law, the Board has no choice but to comply. Reports are coming in from parents who have been asked to have their children count heads in their classes that the numbers have increased to over 30 in many classes. 

This writer attributes part of that increase to the fact that teachers are resigning, retiring and being fired at an alarming rate and they are not being replaced. This would cause Class size to increase.

N.J.A.C 6A:13-3.1  - Pages 8 and 9 of 15 - Not FAKE NEWS, NJ LAW

6A:13-3.1 Class size in high poverty districts
(a) A high poverty school district as used in this chapter means a district in which 40 percent or more of the students are “at-risk” as defined in P.L. 2007, c. 260. 8

(b) Class size in school districts in which 40 percent or more of the students are “at–risk” as defined in P.L. 2007, c. 260 shall not exceed 21 students in grades kindergarten through three, 23 in grades four and five and 24 students in grades six through 12; provided that if the district chooses to maintain lower class sizes in grades kindergarten through three, class sizes in grades four and five may equal but not exceed 25.

Exceptions to these class sizes are permitted for some physical education and performing arts classes, where appropriate. 

https://www.state.nj.us/.../code/current/title6a/chap13.pd

Is Class Size Increasing in The Englewood Public School District?

The last I heard Englewood Public School District was over 70% free and reduced lunch. That is considered high poverty. That is definitely a Title I School District. A School Board nor a Superintendent has the power to change the law listed below. 

Take note and ask any Attorney, when the word "shall" appears within the wording of the law, the Board has no choice but to comply. Reports are coming in from parents who have been asked to have their children count heads in their classes that the numbers have increased to over 30 in many classes. 

This writer attributes part of that increase to the fact that teachers are resigning, retiring and being fired at an alarming rate and they are not being replaced. This would cause Class size to increase.

N.J.A.C 6A:13-3.1  - Pages 8 and 9 of 15 - Not FAKE NEWS, NJ LAW

6A:13-3.1 Class size in high poverty districts
(a) A high poverty school district as used in this chapter means a district in which 40 percent or more of the students are “at-risk” as defined in P.L. 2007, c. 260. 8

(b) Class size in school districts in which 40 percent or more of the students are “at–risk” as defined in P.L. 2007, c. 260 shall not exceed 21 students in grades kindergarten through three, 23 in grades four and five and 24 students in grades six through 12; provided that if the district chooses to maintain lower class sizes in grades kindergarten through three, class sizes in grades four and five may equal but not exceed 25.

Exceptions to these class sizes are permitted for some physical education and performing arts classes, where appropriate. 

https://www.state.nj.us/.../code/current/title6a/chap13.pd

Introducing Deputy Police Chief Gregory Halstead

Congratulations!

We are very proud of you.

Captain Gregory Halstead is sworn in as 

Deputy Police Chief

of Englewood, NJ





Chief Suffern & Deputy Chief Halstead

Galilee United Methodist Church Holiday Schedule

DECEMBER 2018

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December 1 - Free Market at  9:00 a.m. - 2:00p.m. - Still accepting donations. Office open today during business hours and 

all day tomorrow for drop offs. 

December 2 - Communion Sunday/First Day of Advent/Hanging of the Greens. Please bring a tree orgament symbolizing 

hope, love, joy or peace. [H-XI]

Sunday December 9 - Second Sunday of Advent/District Christmas Gathering for church leaders and families at 5:00 p.m.  

Grace UMC 555 Russell Ave, Wyckoff, NJ. [H-I]

December 16 - Third Sunday of Advent/Galilee's Christmas Sing- along Concert starts 4:00 p.m.  

G. F. Handel’s Messiah Part 1 with

guest artists and a live Orchestra. See Melissa Manning for details. [H-II]

December 23 - Fourth Sunday of Advent [H-IV)

December 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6 pm.

December 30 - First Sunday after Christmas Day [VI] 

December 31 at 10:30 a.m.  - Watch Night Stay after service to enjoy 

finger food and drinks [juice, sparkling cider, etc.   

Members are invited to bring finger food and drinks

Galilee United Methodist Church 

galileeumc@verizon.net

New Jersey Transit Police Job Openings

Visit the website below beginning November 19, 2018 at 9 AM
https://www.policeapp.com/

NJ TRANSIT Police Department
One Penn Plaza East
Newark, NJ 07105
1-973-378-6565
1-800-242-0236
https://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PoliceTo

Make Me Your "Personal Choice"!

WILLIAM FEINSTEIN 

("Personal Choice" write in candidate)

FOR ENGLEWOOD BOARD OF EDUCATION

Dear Englewood Residents,

My name is William Feinstein and I am running as a write in candidate for the Englewood Board of Education. I decided to announce my candidacy Friday after attending the Board of Education candidate’s night on Thursday. I was disappointed and dismayed by what I heard from the two incumbents and their running mate. Like many of you, I have been concerned about the priorities and direction of this current board. In my opinion their priorities are not in the best interest of our children. Actions speak louder than words.

This year they voted to eliminate the Zone Program at the Middle School, Eliminate Dual Language and Language immersion in the lower grades, eliminated the position of Vice Principal & Assistant Principal positions and over 30 staff members for so called economic reasons Just to name a few. They approved and voted to reward the superintendent with a bonus payment of $30,000 for achieving goals that quite frankly are part his responsibilities as Superintendent. At the same time, they voted to approve and have already spent over 3 million dollars…and counting, in legal fees for tenure charges that have twice been rejected by the state. This money could and should be used for resources to provide our children with the education they deserve. They have failed our children and our community.

I was born and raised in Englewood, a proud alumnus of the Englewood Public Schools. I am passionate and committed to the success of the Englewood Public Schools. I was fortunate to receive a great education that prepared me for the world outside of Englewood. I believe that every child today deserves to receive that same great education and experience. I will fight everyday to ensure our children are not left behind. As a community we have a responsibility, to ensure that every child is given the same opportunity. I ask for your VOTE on November 6th and I promise to fight EVERYDAY for EVERY CHILD.

My name will not appear on the ballot, but you have an option to vote a personal choice which is to the left of the names of candidates running for the school board. 

Just click box 1, type in William Feinstein and cast your vote

VOTE WILLIAM FEINSTEIN for a return of INTEGRITY…FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY…Making our CHILDREN PRIORITY #

Another Democratic Choice

Horace H. Ragbir has lived in Englewood for the

Horace Ragbir and his wife with
Governor Phil Murphy.

past 30 years , he has been married for 39 years and has 3 children and 2 grandchildren.  He is currently the Vice Chair of the Englewood Democratic Municipal Committee. He has been on the Municipal Committee for the past 16 years.

He is also an active member of the Democratic Club. He is a current member of the Recreation Advisory Board. He is also a member of  of the Englewood Community Foundation, the friends of Englewood Health Department and friends of the Englewood Recreation  Department. He has been the President of the neighborhood association sine 1998.

He has actively participated at City Council, Board of Adjustment and Planning Board Meetings to help implement changes that would improve the lives of all the people that reside in the City of Englewood.

Horace is committed to making Englewood a better 

place for everyone. He will be your first choice for

MAYOR.

Horace H. Ragbir



In the Primary Race, earlier this year, The 4th Ward Gazette supported the right of Michael Wildes, Amy Jones Bulluck, Trevor Jadoo and Bill Feinstein to run off the Democratic Line. They were still Democrats even though not considered REAL DEMOCRATS. We supported them as Democrats even though they were NOT chosen to hold that favored place on the LINE. Now we are supporting the right of Horace H. Ragbir to run off the line. As you can see from his Autobiography, he is a lifelong Democrat.

In the Primary, Philip Meisner, who was formerly Democratic Chair had the pleasure to stack the deck along with the Mayor to get himself the LINE. Wildes and the others had the right to challenge that.

This is what we are about on this blog. The "Right to Challenge" is part of the Democratic Process. We dare not lose that.

Our purpose here is to encourage voters to push the button for the person, not the line. If the Democratic Bosses don't like this, then they should look in the mirror or perhaps even the Dictionary. Politicians should not be able to dictate to the Democratic Municipal Committee. That negates the choice of the people. Our own little Electoral Colleges should remain autonomous from Politicians and their rule, regardless of who they are.

Editor In Chief: The 4th Ward Gazette

A Career That will Take You Places!

Attention Parents of 2018 graduates: Your recent graduate has the opportunity to make six figures before their classmates are even out of college.

Do you need a career that will take you places?

NJ Transit is desperate to find more locomotive engineers for its trains, as many have called out over the summer for various reasons, prompting widespread cancellations.

It's a pretty good gig, with plenty of opportunities for training and starting salaries around $76,000 with great benefits. With some quick training, there's no need for an expensive college diploma.

You can quickly find yourself with a six-figure job and unbelievable job security. This opportunity is available to applicants beyond the recent graduate. Are you complacent at your job? Do you want a new career?

NJ Transit now has 500 or so available jobs.

An exciting future in commuter transportation awaits! Now, we can't call you. So, get up and take the first step.

Email njtsr@njtransit.com

Does Englewood Have a Certified Planning Board?

Did you know that there is NJ State mandated training for Planning & Zoning Board Members?Research suggests that not all of our Planning Board Members and the Zoning Board of Adjustment have completed this mandatory training.  Why are they still allowed to vote?

My question is this.....Are any of the decisions that our appointed Planning Board has made valid under NJ Law? If the members know nothing about the Municipal Land Use Law, how are they functioning as Planning Board Members? Is this the reason that the Members seem to be following a script? Who is the Author of this little Drama?

"On July 7, 2005 an act providing for the mandatory, one-time training of planning and zoning board (and consolidated land use board) members was signed into law. (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-23.3 and 23.4) The training consists of five contact hours within the same calendar day. Areas of study include: the roles and responsibilities of planning and zoning board members under the MLUL, understanding the master plan and sub-elements and its relationship to other local, regional and state planning documents and the local development application review process. Each participant will complete a simple standardized test at the end of the course. All board members are required to satisfactorily complete this course..."         https://nj.gov/dca/divisions/lps/gps/pl_zoning.html

Is the Englewood, NJ Planning Board Functioning contrary to NJ Law?

The Law:
http://njpo.org/Documents/Mandatory%20Training%20Law%20for%20New%20Jersey%20Planning%20and%20Zoning%20Boards.pdf

Chips!

Update: Political signs on the median on Palisade Avenue. 
I recently wrote an article addressing the issue of the political litter on Public Property during campaign season. The lawn signs were just too overpowering and in our faces.

Then.....

Then...

On May 7, 2018, there were just as many Phil Meisner signs (The Real Democrat) as there were Michael Wildes 

(the Regular Democrat). Now all of the Meisner signs are gone. I didn't move them. I swear. I don't know who did. This is my neighborhood and I travel with my camera. Someone took them away under the cover of darkness, it seems. The signs started disappearing yesterday. By late afternoon today, the median had been stripped of Phil Meisner signs

Then.....

That is very interesting, one wonders whether misguided Wildes people moved them. Or misguided Meisner people moved them and are saying that the other side did it. It is the wild west in Englewood these days.

This has been one of the most contentious Mayoral Primary campaigns in a long time. Michael Wildes came out claiming his relationship with Melania Trump to get that out of the way. He is her immigration attorney. We have all seen footage of him standing against deporting families in the fashion that has already started.

Phil came out from the very beginning talking more about the current Mayor than about himself. We want to know about him. Phil seems to prefer we call him Frank Huttle's ally and colleague rather than his employee. The entire Meisner campaign has consisted of throwing stones, political bombshells just short of  race baiting and casting aspersions on his opponents connection to the Trumps. Hell, I would have gone to the Inaugural Ball, if invited, and I despised #45 when his claim to fame was firing people on TV.

Now...

Now to the target, race baiting mailers. My 9 year old grandson is the one who picked up the mail on his way into the house on the day that the violent Charlottesville images came into select homes. He had already met Michael Wildes and decided right away that he no longer liked him, because he was Donald Trump's friend. He said that he was going to vote for Phil and stuck to it. The 11 year old stuck to her guns also, she liked Mike. Now that the kids know exactly what is going on and want to be part of it, we keep all of the "very expensive glossies" together. They have read every single one. What a waste of dollars, enough to feed several families for a month. Today we got another one. We read it together and added it to the group. 

Something has changed. 

Now...

The 9 year old was previously 

adamant about Phil being his

favorite candidate. He could not get the image of Michael and the cheater (that is what he calls Donald Trump) out of his little mind. I asked him recently if there was anything that could change his mind about whom he would vote and his answer surprised me.

  

Now......

Yes. He said, "he can give me chips!" This made me laugh so hard I got a headache. You have no idea how much this boy loves chips. I overheard him speaking to his Mom one night. He told her that he loves her more than chips. Later, I asked my daughter, his mother, if she had any idea how much that is. 

He says that the only things he negotiates with are kind people, with candy and chips. So we need some chips over here Michael Wildes. 
Utz Sour Cream and Onion with ridges.

           .......And how are the children?

I am Real. You Are Not!

The concept of political

Michael Wildes, Amy Jones Bulluck,

Trevor Jadoo

They do not have the line,

but they are still Democrats.

campaign

signs obscuring the landscape on

"public property" during

election cycles is heating up.

This bill sponsored in the Legislature by Loretta Weinberg did not pass, but it addressed the annoying signs we see during campaign seasons. Loretta's signs were among them, so I guess she is willing to abide by the law if it is ever passed.

I have mixed feelings on the subject. In the primary, the situation is a special kind of different in Englewood.

If the Primary Ballot read as the simple example below, there would be no split down the middle of a Democratic Party that really needs to pull together. You "Real Dems" need to stop separating yourselves from the rest of us. How are we supposed to be able to identify you? Will you wear arm bands or some other trinket to identify yourselves?

Bill Feinstein, Ward 3, District 2

Bill does not have the line either.

Bill is also a Democrat.

I almost sympathize with the concept of flooding your senses with lawn signs. "We the people have been deprived of the choice with the concept of "the line". Most of the voters don't even know it, because they are so used to doing what they are told.

Everyone knows that the mind's eye goes naturally to the left. We read from left to right.  Glenn Coley was so far over to the right the last time he ran that it was difficult to find his name. I examined online ballots from other wards and districts on the Official Election Board Website, because there were complaints about this on Election Day 2017.

It is still a mystery to me why Philip Meisner petitioned to run for Mayor with one slogan and as soon as he was assured the line, he changed into a "Real" Democrat. Read his sign. What does that even mean? What is the difference?  I have heard a few explanations, but none of them are important enough to split the Party this way. This is not the time. Get over yourselves. Are you keeping track of the grade B drama in The White House?

South side of the street looking west towards Teaneck

Philip Meisner signs are prominent to the 4th

Ward.

This implies that the person

who did not get the line  is not a "True" Democrat.

How and when did we give that decision to 32 people who have no idea what the average voter wants, needs or thinks? Many of them do not even attend meetings unless there is an important vote pending. How many of them have even read the By laws of the Committee? Have you ever seen or spoken to the Committee Person for your District?

Did you know that if the 8 Committee people in your ward canvas their respective districts and decide what your ward needs, based on your input, they can be overruled by the 24 Committee people who do not live in the ward. Your 8 Committee People must convince 17 people, or the majority of the 32 total members to vote with them for the good of the your ward. How many times have Residents been deprived of what they want, need and think, because their Committee people were not up to the  task, or did not even notice? Committee People are not there to serve the politicians. Really, they are not.  I should not  have been able to sit down and look at the list of members and determine who would vote for Philip and who would vote for Michael. The process is broken.

Hello people, we see you.

Who decided that Philip Meisner is more of a Democrat than Michael Wildes? 

Again, 32 people that most of us don't even know made the decision. Compare it to 5 School Board Members making the decision to move School Board Elections to November.

Does anyone else see a problem in this? Is this the reason

North Side of the street facing west towards Teaneck.

Michael Wildes signs are prominent to the 3rd ward.

that there is a war of lawn signs taking place on the Median on Palisade Avenue?

Who is really manipulating the placement of the lawn signs on the median? It is most probably the same people who always do it in the twilight hours while the rest of us are sleeping. 

Why not just trust "We the People" to make the choice by actually selecting the person we think will do the most good for everyone. Too me, Philip Meisner represents a sect of Liberals who must be in control. They crave followers and they must control change at any cost.

Amy gets pointers from an old lawyer, 

the elder Wildes.

What is it about "We the People making the choice that is frightening to the "Real" Democrats? We are capable

of choosing our own leaders.

The Line exists as a result of "We the People" already being manipulated before reaching the polls. 

We have been manipulated into thinking that we have a choice. Wayne Hamer was given to us by the Municipal Committee. Katharine Glynn was given to the 3rd Ward by the Municipal Committee. Do you still think this is an impotent organization working in isolation? When crap like this ends, the lawn sign war will  probably subside a little.  Until then, the Party Bosses rule with the "Line".

The Ballot should read thusly for Mayor and Democratic Committee**

Democratic Nomination for Mayor

Vote for 1

***Philip Meisner

***Michael Wildes

In the General Election in November, the winner of this contest runs against the person we all know is NOT a Democrat. Stop dividing us. You are confusing the children who might be by some miraculous stretch learning something about Civics.

Real and Surreal Democrats should stop the foolishness.

I challenge Party Bosses to try the concept above and allow the people to choose.

Introducing June C. Gregg

June C. Gregg

I am excited to announce that I am running for a seat on the Englewood Democratic Municipal Committee for the 4th Ward; 1st District. Over the coming weeks, I hope to meet many of you as I canvass our district to get to know you and your concerns. My platform is community access and awareness. Open access to information, opportunities, and resources for city residents. Our district has the fewest number of registered voters in comparison to others in the city and with your help, I hope to change that. Let’s work on this together. 

I ask for your vote on June 5th! 

Please feel free to reach out to me at ward4district1@gmail.com or 201.746.5863. 

Look for me in Column 1!

Do you live in Ward 4 District 1?

Click here and find your street.

Ward 4 District 1 Residents vote at the 
Municipal Court 
73 South Van Brunt St.