BOE almost doesn’t allow ‘public speaks’

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Nov. 21 special meeting of the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education introduced its new strategic action plan, but the matter of “public speaks,” the public feedback portion included in many local BOE meetings, dominated discussions after the meeting. The meeting’s agenda did not have time set aside for […]

Superintendent salary cap may change, SOMA wants it gone

NJDOE proposes changes to increase superintendent salary cap, but districts want the cap gone

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Education on Nov. 16 released proposed revisions to a portion of the state’s Accountability Regulations, including changes to the superintendent salary cap provisions. The proposal would adjust salary maximums and make other changes to the cap process. Going into effect in 2011, the cap […]

Lawson-Muhammad, Wright, Adamson chosen

With a strong field of five candidates, the two incumbents and one challenger come out on top

Lawson-Muhammad, Wright, Adamson chosen

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The people have spoken and they have elected incumbents Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad and Johanna Wright, and challenger Susie Adamson to the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education. Lawson-Muhammad and Wright, each coming to the end of their first terms on the board, will serve another three years. Adamson will be beginning […]

Five compete for three open seats on BOE

SOMA BOE candidates debate the issues at CCR forum on Oct. 25 at South Orange Middle School

Five compete for three open seats on BOE

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — This year’s South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education race comes at a pivotal moment for the district as it begins to implement its access and equity plan, cope with staff departures and continue to manage high taxes. Fortunately for residents, five candidates believe they are up to the task of […]

Candidates tackle equity, teacher support

Five candidates vying for three open seats on the SOMA Board of Education debate the issues

Candidates tackle equity, teacher support

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Though the South Orange-Maplewood School District’s access and equity policy has been in effect for only about one month, the five candidates running for the three open seats on the Board of Education had a lot to say about its implementation during the Hilton Neighborhood Association’s Oct. 20 forum at DeHart Community […]

HNA sponsors Board of Education candidates forum

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Hilton Neighborhood Association will sponsor a Board of Education candidates forum on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in DeHart Community Center, 120 Burnett Ave. in Maplewood. The five candidates running for the three open seats are Susie Adamson, James Davis III, Anthony Mazzocchi, Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad and Johanna Wright. Lawson-Muhammad and […]

Community Coalition on Race sponsors BOE candidates forum

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Schools Committee of the South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race is presenting its ninth annual candidates forum for the Board of Education on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. in the South Orange Middle School Library, 70 North Ridgewood Road in South Orange. This candidates forum is an opportunity for […]

SOMSD appoints 2 new administrators

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — At a special meeting on Sept. 29, the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education approved two new administrators: Melissa Butler as the interim K-12 supervisor of English language arts and Dion Patterson as assistant principal at Maplewood Middle School. Butler has been an ELA teacher at South Orange Middle School since September 2005. […]

Both sides appeal HIB investigation results to the BOE

Parents, players come out in droves to support coaches

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The attorney for two of the Columbia High School baseball coaches accused of bullying and the parent of one of the players they allegedly targeted are both appealing some of the findings from the independent investigation conducted into the coaches’ actions. Steve Farsiou, the lawyer for the head varsity coach, Joe Fischetti, […]

Board of Ed candidates debate the issues

At SOMA Cares About Schools debate, 5 running for BOE discuss budget, communication, more

Board of Ed candidates debate the issues

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The perennial issue of creating better communication between the South Orange-Maplewood School District and the community was again a major talking point during the Board of Education candidates debate hosted by South Orange Maplewood Cares About Schools at the Baird in South Orange on Sept. 13. Though they were atypically not […]