WOEA and WOBOE remain in deadlock

Teachers' contract remains unresolved, though both sides hope for an equitable resolution soon

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Education Association and the West Orange Board of Education did not agree upon a new contract by April 1, which was the start of the 91-day time period that district insurance provider Horizon has set to roll into the 10/20 plan being offered by the BOE. WOEA President […]

WOSD preliminary budget to cut 42 jobs

Tight finances, limited state aid force district to make cuts, average homeowner to pay $271 more

WOSD preliminary budget to cut 42 jobs

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Board of Education approved the 2017-18 school year’s preliminary budget, which increases taxes by 4.09 percent and uses all of the school district’s banked cap accumulated during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years. The proposed budget, which only Vice President Irv Schwarzbaum voted against during the board’s special […]

WOEA, district butt heads over health care plan, contract

WOEA and BOE seem unable to reach contract agreement

WOEA, district butt heads over health care plan, contract

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Members of the West Orange Board of Education revealed the details of the latest health care plan presented to the West Orange Education Association, stressing during its special March 22 meeting that the package would prevent costs from increasing by approximately $1.3 million if accepted by Horizon’s April 1 deadline. Irv […]

Preliminary WOSD budget presentation

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A presentation of the preliminary 2017-18 West Orange School District budget will be held at Liberty Middle School, 1 Kelly Drive, in the auditorium on Wednesday, March 22, beginning at 8 p.m. Superintendent Jeff Rutzky and Business Administrator John Calavano will present the preliminary budget to the Board of Education.   The preliminary […]

After one year, Friends touts achievements, outlines goals

WEST ORANGE, NJ — One year after holding its first organizational meeting, the Friends of the Library are embarking on a 2017 action plan intended to continue the group’s mission of raising money and support for the West Orange Public Library while also establishing the library as a cultural hub for the township. A major […]

TC passes Downtown Alliance budget

Budget passes with 4-1 vote, though Krakoviak votes against it due to recent upheaval with Eben

TC passes Downtown Alliance budget

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Township Council approved the proposed 2017 Downtown West Orange Alliance budget totaling $207,000 at its Jan. 3 meeting. Council President Joe Krakoviak cast the sole vote against the budget, which actually has the same net operating total as last year. But while the net operating budget may be […]

Tensions continue to rise between administration, teachers

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Rutzky has come under fire after making reference to the ongoing West Orange Education Association contract negotiations in an email that asked district faculty to keep daily challenges “in perspective” on the fourth anniversary of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Rutzky’s Dec. 14 email stated […]

Six try for just 2 open seats on Board of Ed

BOE candidates debate the issues — such as taxes and teacher morale — at Oct. 27 forum at Liberty

Six try for just 2 open seats on Board of Ed

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The 2016 Board of Education election features six candidates running for two open seats in a year when taxes remain high, teacher morale is cited as being low and communication between the board and its stakeholders continues to frustrate. Incumbents Sandra Mordecai and Mark Robertson and challengers Steven Christiano, Tanya Atterberry, […]

Six grapple for three open seats on Township Council

TC candidates debate commercial vs. residential growth

Six grapple for three open seats on Township Council

WEST ORANGE, NJ — This year’s Township Council election sees six candidates vying for three open seats and comes at a pivotal time for West Orange, with taxes remaining relatively high, redevelopment continuing to shape the future of the community and senior citizen needs coming to the forefront of public consciousness, and those running believe […]

Council passes ordinance to fund expanded jitney service

WEST ORANGE,  NJ — The West Orange Township Council unanimously approved an ordinance on second and final reading issuing $285,714.24 in bonds to fund the purchase of new buses for the town jitney service during its Oct. 6 meeting. Township engineer Leonard Lepore told the West Orange Chronicle that the bond money — in addition […]