GIFTED AND TALENTED "STRATEGIES" APPROVED BY SCHOOL BOARD

The Board of Education on Monday approved what is being termed "gifted and talented strategies" that are expected to pave the way for implementing a broad district-wide plan for programs that will give those deemed gifted and talented more opportunities.

The resolution, below, received a unanimous 9-0 vote.

But the move does not come without controversy as some school board members and residents initially opposed the idea claiming it is more divisive than helpful.

But several parents who support the move spoke last night, along with one who did not.

See those concerns below:




The resolution approved by the board is below:

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SOUTH ORANGE AND MAPLEWOOD

PUBLIC BOARD MEETING

November 24, 2014

RESOLUTION NUMBER:            3219

SUBJECT:                                  GIFTED AND TALENTED STRATEGIES

                    

 BE IT RESOLVED, THAT             

The Board of Education approves the Gifted and Talented Strategies proposal.

Background Information

The Board is being asked to give their approval so that formal planning can begin for implementation in September 2015.  These Strategies were prepared by Administration in response to the Guiding Change Document on Gifted and Talented Strategies which was approved by the Board in October 2012.

CHS TEACHERS THEY WANTED TO FIRE GET RAISES A YEAR LATER

It's been a year since we told you about the two South Orange Maplewood District teachers who the district wanted to fire for improper behavior, but could not because of tenure protections.

See that 2013 story HERE about then-MMS P.E. teacher Wayne Calendriello, now at the high school, and CHS physics teacher Chester Dennis.

We thought you would want to know that the two are not only still on the job, but received raises Monday night along with hundreds of others in the annual salary schedule resolution that the school board approved.

Calendriello's salary will go from $83,848 to $85,911, while Dennis' is up from
$90,914 to $93,349.

ALL AGES STORY TIME TODAY

No registration required - All children must be accompanied by an adult
Valid Maplewood library card required 

MAIN LIBRARY:
Multi Age Storytime (All ages) 

10:30-11 am

Children and adults participate together in this fun mixture of stories, movement, and music.

SCHOOL BOARD GIVES SUPE SEARCH UPDATE, HEARS MATH CONCERNS

School Board president Beth Daugherty on Monday night updated residents at the school board meeting about the superintendent search, stating that candidates have been chosen for interviews that will occur next month.

But she stressed that no choice will be made until the new school board is seated in January, with three new members who were recently elected: Maureen Jones, Donna Smith and Elizabeth Baker..

See her update below:

In addition, several residents spoke up with concerns about math programs in the schools, especially the way middle school students have been treated. Some claimed that their children have been moved up to higher levels based on the standardized tests, while others said they were not given proper information on curriculum or support.

Even Board members Bill Gaudelli and Johanna Wright weighed in and stressed the need for improvements and reviews.

DOWNED POWER LINE AFFECTS TRAIN STATION COMMUTERS

Some commuters coming home to the Maplewood train station Monday night were forced to be picked up a block away, or catch the Jitney there as well, due to a downed power line at Dunnell and Baker.

 Police blocked off traffic on Dunnell from Baker to Oakview for most of the evening rush hour.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETS TONIGHT - BIG AGENDA: FROM SUPE SEARCH TO ILLEGAL STUDENTS

Tonight's Board of Education meeting has an interesting mix of items for review.

First, the board will offer an update on the search for a new superintendent, as well as the district response to an ACLU complaint of disparagement in punishment and advance placement for minorities.

The agenda, available HERE, also includes a review of plans for expanded gifted and talented programs and a school leveling plan.

Another bit of interesting information in tonight's documents is a resolution approving the removal of 11 students who attend a district school but do not live within the district. 

For those concerned that such students need to be removed, this is a sign it is being done, at least this month.

SCHOOL DISTRICT BIZ CHIEF: GROWING ENROLLMENT, "AGING" FACILITIES WILL HIT BUDGET

School District Business Administrator Cheryl Schneider issued a letter to the Board of Education today indicating enrollment is on the rise and that the upcoming budget review must take into account increased student population, as well as an impact on class size needs and everything from lunch programs to special education.

The letter, a portion of which is below, states that district enrollment has increased 12% in the past seven years, and that kindergarten enrollment has "substantially exceeded expectations." 

That means district enrollment has jumped from 6,097 in 2007 to 6,867 this year, a rise of 770 students.

Schneider writes that this means that the district has to "consider staffing needs to support the increasing enrollment as well as the increased demand on supplies." In addition, she notes: "the aging school facilities require a major investment of resources.

Read the entire letter HERE as part of tonight's school board meeting attachments, and a portion below: