Tag:

Board of Education

Keith Olkewicz, Jersey City Paraprofessional, Dies At 37: 'Blessing Of Decency' Keith Olkewicz, Jersey City Paraprofessional, Dies At 37: 'Blessing Of Decency'
Keith Olkewicz, Jersey City Paraprofessional, Dies At 37: 'Blessing Of Decency' Keith Olkewicz, a Jersey City native who returned to work at the district he graduated from, recently died at the age of 37, the district announced is a statement. "The early death of Keith Olkewicz, an employee and colleague, is a shocking loss," Superintendent Dr. Norman Fernandez said.  "Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this immensely difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones." My heart is broken……. Keith I can’t believe you’re gone. We were just talking about going back to Medieval Times. How’s... Posted by…
Officials React After OIG Releases Report Regarding Misconduct In Montgomery County Schools Officials React After OIG Releases Report Regarding Misconduct In Montgomery County Schools
Officials React After OIG Releases Report Regarding Misconduct In Montgomery County Schools Officials have reacted to the Office of the Inspector General’s report on the misconduct in Montgomery County Schools. The 20-page report was released by the Montgomery County OIG on Tuesday, Jan. 23 and was prompted by assertations regarding “inadequate response to the alleged misconduct” by former principal Dr. Joel Beidleman. The review found “numerous issues with the manner in which MCPS and DCI handle and investigate complaints of employee misconduct,” as well as “many of the same deficiencies” that were “previously identified by other entities and reported to MCPS.” Councilmember Kat…
Sandy Hook School Receives Threat, All Safe, Police Say Sandy Hook School Receives Threat, All Safe, Police Say
Sandy Hook School Receives Threat, All Safe, Police Say Police in Fairfield County are reassuring the community that all students and staff are safe after a school in Sandy Hook received a new threat. The threat was made in Newtown around 9:15 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 30 at Sandy Hook School. According to Lt. Scott Smith, this morning police received a third-party report of a threatening message regarding the school. Newtown Police promptly responded to the school as staff followed appropriate safety precautions. "Newtown Police quickly determined that all students and staff were safe and that the threat was not credible, but instead was simi…
Elmsford Superintendent Abruptly Resigns After Only Months In Position Elmsford Superintendent Abruptly Resigns After Only Months In Position
Elmsford Superintendent Abruptly Resigns After Only Months In Position The superintendent of a Westchester school district has stepped down from his position just months after joining the district.  Elmsford Union Free School District Superintendent Ronald Gonzalez announced his resignation, effective immediately, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, according to a statement released by the district's Board of Education.  Gonzalez's departure comes only months after he was named superintendent in March 2023. Before that, he joined the district in July 2022 as interim superintendent. Gonzalez issued a statement on Wednesday addressing his decision.  "It has been a pleasure…
Greenwich Schools Threat Likely 'Swatting' Incident, Police Say Greenwich Schools Threat Likely 'Swatting' Incident, Police Say
Greenwich Schools Threat Likely 'Swatting' Incident, Police Say A threat to schools in a Fairfield County town has been deemed a swatting incident by officials. The incident took place on Tuesday, Oct. 17 when police became aware of a vague threat through social media directed against the Greenwich School System and one of the town’s middle schools. According to Lt. Ted Latiak of the Greenwich Police, no specific threats were identified, but every precaution was taken to ensure the safety of the town’s students and staff members. Working closely with the Board of Education and other town departments, the Police Department has determined that this was a…
Life-Savers: 'Heroic' Islip Teacher Aides Honored For Helping Choking Students Life-Savers: 'Heroic' Islip Teacher Aides Honored For Helping Choking Students
Life-Savers: 'Heroic' Islip Teacher Aides Honored For Helping Choking Students A trio of teacher’s aides are getting the attention they deserve after together, they saved two children from choking just days apart from each other. During a Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 11, the Connetquot Central School District honored the three staff members – Lori Stellwagen, Amy Loretta, and Samantha Gallo — for saving the lives of two students who were choking. The first incident happened on Friday, Sept. 22 at Edward J. Bosti Elementary. During lunch time, a kindergarten student choked on a chicken nugget that he had brought from home. Luckily, his one-on-…
Retiring Superintendent Returns To Fill Interim Position At Garrison School District Retiring Superintendent Returns To Fill Interim Position At Garrison School District
Retiring Superintendent Returns To Fill Interim Position At Garrison School District The superintendent of a Hudson Valley school district who originally intended on retiring is now returning to fill in for another year.  Carl Albano will return to the Garrison Union Free School District in Putnam County to serve as interim superintendent after announcing his intention to retire on Friday, Sept. 15, district officials announced on Wednesday, Oct. 4.  After Albano announced that he was looking to retire, the district's Board of Education began searching for an interim superintendent to fill in for the rest of the 2023-2024 school year. However, after conducting int…
New Superintendent Tapped At Hendrick Hudson School District New Superintendent Tapped At Hendrick Hudson School District
New Superintendent Tapped At Hendrick Hudson School District After a thorough search process, a Northern Westchester school district has selected a new superintendent who comes from a school system close to home.  The Hendrick Hudson School District has named Michael A. Tromblee as its new superintendent of schools, who will be appointed to his new position during a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. in the Hendrick Hudson High School library.  Tromblee, who will officially begin his new role on Friday, Dec. 1, will come from the nearby Mahopac Central School District, where he has served as Assistant Sup…
Interim Superintendent Appointed At Yonkers City School District Interim Superintendent Appointed At Yonkers City School District
Interim Superintendent Appointed At Yonkers City School District A school district in Westchester has announced who will temporarily fill the shoes of its outgoing superintendent.  Luis Rodriguez will serve as the Interim Superintendent for Yonkers Public Schools and replace outgoing Superintendent Edwin M. Quezada, who announced his retirement in April 2023.  Earlier Report - Superintendent To Retire After 25 Years With Yonkers Public Schools Rodriguez was appointed to the position during a Board of Education meeting on Wednesday night, July 19. He will begin his new role on Tuesday, Aug. 1, and serve until Wednesday, July 31, 2024, according to the s…
'I'm Sorry': MD Councilwoman Issues Apology For Comment On Muslim Families During Meeting 'I'm Sorry': MD Councilwoman Issues Apology For Comment On Muslim Families During Meeting
'I'm Sorry': MD Councilwoman Issues Apology For Comment On Muslim Families During Meeting An elected official in Maryland is backtracking after making insensitive and inflammatory comments about Muslim families during a recent Board of Education Meeting. Earlier this month, a heated conversation came to a head when Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink was a guest speaker during a discussion about parents being permitted to opt their children out of certain LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum. During that meeting, things went awry for Mink, who reportedly made a comment lumping Muslim families in with white supremacists and “outright bigots.” “Over the past several months, Musl…
'With A Heavy Heart': Smithtown School District Hiring Armed Security Guards (Poll) 'With A Heavy Heart': Smithtown School District Hiring Armed Security Guards (Poll)
'With A Heavy Heart': Smithtown School District Hiring Armed Security Guards (Poll) Students and teachers in a Long Island school district will soon be protected by armed security guards. In a message to parents Wednesday, Feb. 15, the Smithtown Central School District announced that its Board of Education had begun searching for a security firm to add armed guards to all 12 of its schools. The guards will patrol the exterior perimeters and will not be posted inside the buildings. “While our security enhancements related to staffing, infrastructure, training, and operational protocols have evolved and improved over time, we have come to the stark realization that there is…
Death Of Councilman's Son, World Salsa Champ Devastates Linden Death Of Councilman's Son, World Salsa Champ Devastates Linden
Death Of Councilman's Son, World Salsa Champ Devastates Linden The sudden death of a 10-year-old world Salsa dancing champion whose father is an elected official and mother is a Board of Education member has devastated the Linden community. Ariel Rivas Rosado died in what local officials are calling a "tragic accident" on Friday, Feb. 10.  His mother is BOE member Dayanara Rosado Quezada, and his father is 5th Ward Councilman Carlos Rivas. Funeral Arrangements For 10 year old, Ariel Rivas - Visitation will be this Friday, February 17, 2023, 5:00-9:00pm, at... Posted by Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 A fifth grader a…
US Attorney Investigating School District, Superintendent In Mount Vernon US Attorney Investigating School District, Superintendent In Mount Vernon
US Attorney Investigating School District, Superintendent In Mount Vernon A school district in Westchester County has confirmed that it is under investigation by federal officials.  The Mount Vernon School District as well as Superintendent Waveline Bennett-Conroy are currently under investigation by the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York, the school district announced on Friday, Feb. 10.  The investigation is centering on records associated with grants previously given to the district by the federal government, school officials said. The district said it would cooperate with the probe.  "The Board of Educa…
Mount Olive Comes Together In Hopes Of Paying Off Over $4K In Elementary Student Lunch Debt Mount Olive Comes Together In Hopes Of Paying Off Over $4K In Elementary Student Lunch Debt
Mount Olive Comes Together In Hopes Of Paying Off Over $4K In Elementary Student Lunch Debt The Mount Olive community is wholeheartedly coming together in hopes of paying off more than $4,100 of student meal debt from one of the district’s elementary schools — but they’ve had a number of holdups. On Friday, Jan. 20, district resident and dedicated parent Kaitlynn Magie launched a GoFundMe account for Sandshore School, which has racked up precisely $4,140 in meal debt. “I recently began to think about all of the children within our community whose only access to food daily is at school,” Magie writes. “This food is not free and it causes stress and embarrassment for the children wh…
Westport Students Become Ill After Eating TCH-Gummies On School Bus, Police Say Westport Students Become Ill After Eating TCH-Gummies On School Bus, Police Say
Westport Students Become Ill After Eating Tch-gummies On School Bus, Police Say Several elementary school students became ill last week after allegedly eating THC gummies on a school bus in Fairfield County. The incident took place in Westport. Westport Police Department Lt. Eric Woods said that there is an active investigation and he could not comment on what took place. The student illnesses first came to light on Monday, Dec. 19, when Westport Public School Superintendent Thomas Scarice commented on the situation during a Board of Education meeting.  "Last week, there was a school-related incident in which students became ill after ingesting what appeare…
Yorktown School Employees Awarded For Saving Life Of Custodial Worker Yorktown School Employees Awarded For Saving Life Of Custodial Worker
Yorktown School Employees Awarded For Saving Life Of Custodial Worker A Northern Westchester school district is recognizing three women who sprang to action to save the life of a custodial worker. On Monday morning, Nov. 7, a custodial worker suffered a severe medical emergency in Yorktown at the Mildred E. Strang Middle School, according to school district spokesperson Brian Marschhauser.  Upon seeing the medical emergency, two members of the school's Aramark food service team, Kimberly Kleiber and Nancy Rizzo, immediately called for help, while school nurse Jena McLaughlin provided medical assistance until emergency responders arrived at…
Sheriff's Officer, Marine, School Board Trustee Timothy O'Hare Always Wanted Best For Others Sheriff's Officer, Marine, School Board Trustee Timothy O'Hare Always Wanted Best For Others
Sheriff's Officer, Marine, School Board Trustee Timothy O'Hare Always Wanted Best For Others If someone tells you that Tim O'Hare was one of a rare breed, believe them. Because they're right. Timothy M. O'Hare -- father, husband, Marine, school board member, Bergen County sheriff's officer and much more -- died the morning of Sunday, Nov. 20. He was 50 years old. O'Hare loved his wife and kids fiercely. He served his country proudly. And he moved through the world with a joy and enthusiasm that nothing -- not even a lengthy, valiant battle against cancer -- could quench. O'Hare, of Waldwick, returned home a week ago Sunday to spend his final days with Lisa, their children, Connor…
Central Jersey School District Forms Commission To Address Sexual Assault, Harassment: Report Central Jersey School District Forms Commission To Address Sexual Assault, Harassment: Report
Central Jersey School District Forms Commission To Address Sexual Assault, Harassment: Report Edison school officials plan to form a new commission that would address allegations of sexual assault and harassment, NJ Advance Media reports. The group would comprise 10 to 20 students, parents and school administrators, Superintendent Bernard Bragen told the outlet. Although the district has a process for reporting sexual assault and harassment, the latest system has a goal of advancing it, the outlet reported. The subject was raised by students and alumni last month before the Board of Education. Click here for the complete story by NJ Advance Media.
Hateful Images, Messages Sent To Westwood Regional Students Probed By Cyber Crime Detectives Hateful Images, Messages Sent To Westwood Regional Students Probed By Cyber Crime Detectives
Hateful Images, Messages Sent To Westwood Regional Students Probed By Cyber Crime Detectives An underage saboteur used the online account of a Westwood Regional High School student to email hateful messages to most of the victim’s classmates – among them, an image of a Ku Klux Klansman accompanied by an anti-Semitic caption, authorities said. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Cyber Crimes Unit and Washington Township police are investigating the bias incident, which district officials traced to a “non-district minor’s” IP address, Schools Supt. Jill Mortimer wrote in a message to parents and staff members. “Please know this was not a breach of our network or system,” Mortimer emphasiz…
Bergen School District Ends Contract With Pentagon Official Who Mocked 'White Folx' Bergen School District Ends Contract With Pentagon Official Who Mocked 'White Folx'
Bergen School District Ends Contract With Pentagon Official Who Mocked 'White Folx' A Bergen County school district is ending its consulting contract with a self-described "woke" federal agency chief who has made publicly disparaging comments about whites. The comments made by Kelisa Wing -- including her being "exhausted at these white folx" -- ignited calls for her ouster last week as the chief officer for diversity, equity and inclusion in the U.S. Department of Defense's education branch. The controversy is also being felt on the local level in Cresskill, where Wing has provided "diversity and inclusion training" for its Board of Education employees for the past 18 mo…
Anne Arundel County Teachers Rally Over 'Recruitmen Failures," Purported Educator Shortage Anne Arundel County Teachers Rally Over 'Recruitmen Failures," Purported Educator Shortage
Anne Arundel County Teachers Rally Over 'Recruitmen Failures," Purported Educator Shortage Maryland educators and school boards are at odds amid a national teacher shortage after claims that teachers hired through third-party contractors will receive significantly higher wages, officials say. The Anne Arundel Public Schools (AACPS) Board of Education has fired back in a statement against the claims made by the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County (TAAAC), claiming that the union holds their own interests higher than those of students. "TAAAC’s social media campaign opposing a staffing agency contract to help put caring, capable, qualified, certificated, and consistently pr…
'Always Smiling': Hundreds Honor Watervliet Teen Who Drowned In Hudson 'Always Smiling': Hundreds Honor Watervliet Teen Who Drowned In Hudson
'Always Smiling': Hundreds Honor Watervliet Teen Who Drowned In Hudson Matthew Billetts died doing what he loved most: fishing. The Albany-area high school student died Monday, June 13, at the age of 16 after falling into the Hudson River at Hudson Shores Park, according to Watervliet Police. Billetts, a Watervliet High School junior who had a rare form of epilepsy called sunflower syndrome, suffered a seizure and lost consciousness before falling into the water and drowning, his family told the Albany Times Union. Earlier report: Watervliet HS Student Dies After Falling Into Hudson River A dive team located the boy a short time later and tried resuscitatin…
Embattled Newburgh Schools Superintendent Cleared Of Criminal Charges Embattled Newburgh Schools Superintendent Cleared Of Criminal Charges
Embattled Newburgh Schools Superintendent Cleared Of Criminal Charges A school superintendent in the Hudson Valley will not face criminal charges following an investigation into allegations of potential sexual harassment. The Orange County District Attorney will not be filing criminal charges against former Newburgh Schools Superintendent Roberto Padilla, who had been the target of an investigation into the harassment claims. Orange County DA David Hoovler announced on Friday, May 27, that Padilla would not be facing criminal charges due to a lack of evidence following the allegations. The news comes the same week the Board of Education appointed a veteran e…
Newburgh School District Names New Superintendent Newburgh School District Names New Superintendent
Newburgh School District Names New Superintendent A longtime educator with lengthy ties to Westchester has been chosen to take over at the helm of one of the Hudson Valley’s largest school districts. In Orange County, Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell - whose 24-year career includes stops in Mount Vernon, White Plains, New Rochelle, and New York City - has been named as the new Superintendent of Schools for the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. The announcement of her appointment was made by the Board of Education during a special meeting on Thursday, May 26 following a lengthy national search. During her time in Westchester, officials…
Elmsford School Superintendent Leaving For New Position In Area Elmsford School Superintendent Leaving For New Position In Area
Elmsford School Superintendent Leaving For New Position In Area One of Westchester’s top educators has officially been tabbed to take over at the helm of a different district in the Hudson Valley. Dr. Marc P. Baiocco, the current Schools Superintendent of the Elmsford Union Free School District, has been formally voted in by the Board of Education of the Clarkstown Central School District in Rockland County to assume the same position there this summer. Clarkstown had been under the guise of interim Superintendent Jeff Sober since September 2021. “With a gavel and a handshake, the Board of Education formally voted in Dr. Marc P. Baiocco as the Clarksto…
Pearl River Students Accused Of Racist Behavior At Athletic Event Pearl River Students Accused Of Racist Behavior At Athletic Event
Pearl River Students Accused Of Racist Behavior At Athletic Event For the second time in four months, students in a Hudson Valley school are in hot water for making alleged racist remarks toward student-athletes at an athletic event. In Rockland County, Pearl River students have been accused of racist behavior toward Nyack students during a modified track meet, similar to an incident that happened in February during a basketball game. Earlier story - Racist Incident At Nyack-Pearl River HS Basketball Game Sparks Outrage It is unclear what was said or done, though the incident led to swift reactions from both school districts and Rockland County's top el…
Fight Breaks Out, Leading To Lockdown At School In Stamford Fight Breaks Out, Leading To Lockdown At School In Stamford
Fight Breaks Out, Leading To Lockdown At School In Stamford A fight between several students caused a school to go into a temporary lockdown in Fairfield County. The incident took place in Stamford on Tuesday, April 26 at Cloonan Middle School. In a letter to parents, Principal David Tate wrote that as a result of the fight, police were notified and responded to the campus.  "During this time, we followed our standard protocols, and the school was placed on lockdown while we resolved this isolated incident," Tate said. The responsible students have been immediately disciplined and will face further disciplinary action under the Board of Educa…
BCSD Parents Express Outrage Over Lewd Images Of Special-Ed Students BCSD Parents Express Outrage Over Lewd Images Of Special-Ed Students
Bcsd Parents Express Outrage Over Lewd Images Of Special-Ed Students Parents of special-education students in a Northern Westchester School District took a local Board of Education to task after new details emerged about the circulation of lewd photos and videos of their children on social media. Earlier this month, news broke out of the Bedford Central School District regarding depictions of special-needs students after photos were allegedly taken inside one of the boys' bathrooms at Fox Lane High School in Bedford. Original story - Students At Northern Westchester HS Face Disciplinary Action After ‘Disturbing Incident’ Once news of the photos and vid…
Scarsdale School District Names New Interim Superintendent Scarsdale School District Names New Interim Superintendent
Scarsdale School District Names New Interim Superintendent A veteran educator has been named as the new head of one of Westchester’s most prestigious school districts. In Scarsdale, the Board of Education announced that a familiar face in Dr. Drew Patrick is set to serve as the interim superintendent of schools as they look for a permanent candidate to fill the position vacated by outgoing administrator Thomas Hagerman. Earlier story - Longtime Schools Superintendent In Westchester To Resign “After identifying the Board’s criteria and priorities for an interim superintendent and soliciting community feedback, the Board worked to identify and vet a…
Two Men Arrested After Altercation At CT Board Of Education Meeting, Police Say Two Men Arrested After Altercation At CT Board Of Education Meeting, Police Say
Two Men Arrested After Altercation At CT Board Of Education Meeting, Police Say Two men were arrested following the investigation into a fight that broke out during a December Board of Education meeting in Connecticut, police announced. In Hartford County, Glastonbury residents Monte Ray McFall and Mark Finocchiaro were both charged with second-degree breach of peace following their fight during a meeting discussing the district’s mascot on Dec. 14, 2021. Earlier story - Connecticut School Board Member Punched, Knocked Down During Public Hearing Last year, the district moved to change the mascot due to its negative connotation and impact on Native Americans; however, …
Elementary School Fire In Passaic County Quickly Doused Elementary School Fire In Passaic County Quickly Doused
Elementary School Fire In Passaic County Quickly Doused No injuries were reported in a pre-dawn classroom fire Tuesday at the Haskell Elementary School. No children were in the building when the blaze broke out in a classroom at the Ringwood Avenue school shortly before 7 a.m. and was quickly extinguished, responders said. It caused a significant amount of smoke damage in the building, they said. A cause wasn't immediately disclosed. Mutual aid responders included firefighters from Ringwood, Pompton Lakes, Bloomingdale and Oakland, as well as local police and EMS. Both the Haskell and Wanaque elementary schools were closed as a result. Before …