SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Chris Sabin was appointed to the South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education on July 12, chosen by the board members to complete the last six months of the term vacated by Kamaljit Kaur Zubieta on May 31. Sabin was chosen by a vote of 6-2; BOE members Elissa Malespina and […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — South Orange–Maplewood Superintendent of Schools Ronald G. Taylor announced July 7 that — after many conversations and assessments of the current security infrastructure at the Underhill facility with our Maplewood Township officials, Maplewood Police Chief Jimmy DeVaul, Board of Education President Thair Joshua and Columbia High School Principal Frank Sanchez — the […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — To celebrate June at Pride Month, South Orange and Maplewood residents gathered on South Orange Avenue in the village to raise the Pride flag. Attendees included residents and officials from both towns. Among the speakers were SOMA Board of Education 1st Vice President Shannon Cuttle, the first non-binary/transgender Board of Education […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — In a move that stunned the community, Kamaljit Kaur Zubieta resigned from her position on the South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education in a May 31 email, sent at 11:27 a.m., citing cliquish behavior and her conscience as reasons for her departure. “Effective today at 11:27 a.m., I formally resigned […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — SOMA PRIDE 2021 is a time for South Orange and Maplewood residents to come together as one in celebration of all LGBTQ-plus identities and allies collectively united. The monthlong schedule of events will shine a light on LGBTQ-plus issues with books, films, discussions, performances, picnics and parties, and recognize […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education approved creating a task force to protect students from sexual assault and violence at its May 17 meeting, following students speaking out about their own experiences at the April 19 meeting. The resolution allows Superintendent Ronald Taylor or a designee to appoint stakeholders […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education took another step forward in its Long Range Facilities Plan at a meeting on May 10, approving a contract for renovations and to build additions at Clinton Elementary School and Jefferson Elementary School. The contract resolution passed with a vote of 8-0; BOE […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — As part of annual June Pride Month celebrations across SOMA and Essex County, Maplewood and South Orange are again partnering with the South Orange–Maplewood School District and others in the community to present SOMA Lavender Graduation 2021, to be held in person and virtually on Thursday, June 3, at […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education passed the 2021-22 budget, which came in at $159,683,232, at its May 3 meeting. The measure passed with a vote of 5-3; BOE members Elissa Malespina, Johanna Wright and Kamal Zubieta voted against it. BOE member Susan Bergin was absent. There will be […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Students and staff at Columbia High School asked the South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education and district administrators to address sexual assault and harassment among students at the April 19 BOE meeting, after students identified themselves as victims and shared their experiences online in early March. BOE student representative Lily […]