Board of Ed re-issues RFP for superintendent search firm

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education unanimously agreed at a May 29 special meeting to begin anew the process to select a search firm for a new superintendent of schools. South Orange-Maplewood School District Business Administrator and BOE Secretary Paul Roth has thus issued a revised Request For Proposals for a superintendent […]

Fischetti and Becht sue district, BOE

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The saga of alleged incidents of bullying on the baseball team at Columbia High School continues. Former CHS baseball coach Joe Fischetti and former assistant coach Matt Becht have filed a lawsuit against the school district for violating their civil rights, defamation, malicious prosecution and more, all stemming from […]

District explores next step in lead dilemma

District officials, experts discuss risks of lead ingestion, plans to remediate issue, communication

District explores next step in lead dilemma

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood School District announced June 12 the results of testing for lead in school buildings’ water, which showed that nine sources out of 223 had a higher lead action level than that established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for lead in drinking water, news that upset […]

BOE approves new executive director of special services, youth development

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — On June 15, the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education approved the appointment of Lauren Reisenauer as executive director of Special Services & Youth Development, effective July 1. “Dr. Reisenauer’s work as a district leader in special education and staff development, her background in school scheduling, and her strengths in […]

Nine SOMSD water sources found to contain higher levels of lead

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood School District, in compliance with the Department of Education regulations and technical guidance developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, identified and tested all drinking water and food preparation outlets, according to a June 12 press release from the district. Of the 223 samples […]

Expert sees classroom shortfall, lopsided racial makeup

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood School District and Board of Education is considering how it will address issues of increasing enrollment after a commissioned facilities-usage study found that rezoning alone will not prevent a shortfall of classrooms at the elementary school level. BOE President Elizabeth Baker told the News-Record that the […]

Ramos to leave SOMSD after just 2 years

Superintendent retires three years before contract expires to spend more time with his family

Ramos to leave SOMSD after just 2 years

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — After just two years, Superintendent of Schools John Ramos Sr. is retiring from the South Orange-Maplewood School District, effective Aug. 24. The retirement, which was announced in a May 22 letter to the SOMSD community, comes as a surprise since Ramos only joined the district about two years ago. […]

Residents come together to discuss bias in the SOMSD

Town hall forum breaks into small, focused sessions

Residents come together to discuss bias in the SOMSD

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — At a second town hall meeting on equity and inclusion on May 3, roughly one month after community members stressed that the South Orange-Maplewood School District’s curriculum should be changed to prevent racially insensitive incidents from occurring, the district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction informed parents that teachers […]

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