ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Nov. 2 election in New Jersey saw some major upsets, low voter turnout and the Democrats losing ground. The biggest upset was Republican challenger Edward Durr seemingly defeating Democratic incumbent Senate President Stephen Sweeney in the 3rd Legislative District; as of press time, the results of the race had not […]
MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education has three vacancies and five candidates vying for election. BOE First Vice President Shannon Cuttle, running under the slogan “Forward Together,” is the only incumbent seeking reelection. Challengers include the team of Arun Vadlamani and Qawi Telesford, running under the slogan “Excellence, Action, […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The five candidates running for the South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education debated one another in a forum hosted by the SOMSD President’s Council and moderated by the League of Women Voters on Oct. 11, answering questions about issues facing the school system ahead of Election Day on Nov. 2. […]
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — This election season is shaping up to be fairly quiet in Essex County, with few contested elections and foregone conclusions for some of the contested races. The biggest question on the ballot this upcoming Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2, is the choice for governor. Democratic incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy, with running […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Join the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 7:30 p.m. to hear the 2021 Board of Education candidates views on integration and equity in SOMA schools. Topics may include persistent lack of diversity in teaching staff; segregation within classes at the middle and high […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Parents in the South Orange–Maplewood School District asked the Board of Education at its meeting on Monday, Sept. 20, to decrease the 14-day quarantine requirement for students who have been exposed to COVID-19, asking the district to prioritize in-person learning by whatever means necessary. Before the meeting, the district […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education President Thair Joshua released a statement regarding the new contract for Superintendent of Schools Ronald G. Taylor on Aug. 27, in which he details the board’s new agreement with Taylor. “When Dr. Taylor came to our district with previous experience as a superintendent leading […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education voted unanimously on Aug. 16 to adopt a resolution affirming the district’s commitment to renaming Jefferson Elementary School. Joining a growing list of school districts across the nation that are choosing to drop Thomas Jefferson as a namesake for their schools, the South […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education has held two board retreats in the last three weeks in an effort to find its footing after a tumultuous spring and summer that began with the resignation of member Kamaljit Kaur Zubieta in May because of what she called “cliquish behavior” on […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — After his contract was not renewed at the end of the 2020-2021 school year, former Columbia High School choir director Desmond Moulton requested a Donaldson hearing, which allows nontenured teachers to make their case before the Board of Education. The South Orange–Maplewood BOE did not take action at the […]