Pearls of Wisdom
On Monday, September 10, 2012, Fort Lee will begin the school year, albeit one week later than in a normal year. This delay in opening was necessary to accommodate construction to repair and upgrade the school buildings and to convert the BOE offices into new classrooms.
On September 10, 2012, there was a BOE meeting scheduled to be held at the Fort Lee High School to enable community members to address issues regarding the 2012-2013 school year.
On September 6, 2012, the Board cancelled this meeting, with no reasons given, leaving the community members scratching their heads wondering why!
Since this cancellation, several members of the community contacted me via phone and e-mail to express their outrage. My response to them was that I was equally outraged and that I would attempt to investigate the reasons behind this questionable decision.
This has been a summer of discontent and stressful times. Our superintendent, Steve Engravalle, has endured a terrible tragedy in his life and was obligated to take a prolonged personal leave. Arthur Levine, President of the Board, resigned. Two key longtime members of the BOE announced that they would not run for reelection. The construction project on the Fort Lee school system ran into SNAFUs. Several key members of our educational community resigned. Recent reports came out that the Fort Lee School rating in the State of New Jersey had dropped from 72nd in 2010 to 97th for 2012 (based on 2011 data).
And with all this chaos in the Fort Lee School System, the esteemed members of our Board of Education felt that there was no reason whatsoever to hold a critical meeting on the evening of the first day of the new school year. They felt comfortable in postponing this vital meeting until September 24, 2012, two weeks into the school year, leaving everyone hanging with no answers.
Let us make a list of some of the key issues that are creating great angst in the community:
(1) Robert Kravitz, newly appointed Middle School Principal, has tendered his resignation in order to accept a position as superintendent of the Englewood Cliffs school system. NO REPLACEMENT HAS YET BEEN ENGAGED. Mr. Kravitz is being held to his contractual sixty (60) days notice, even though it appears that he believed that this clause had been waived.
(2) James Albro, Asstistant Principal of Fort Lee High School, resigned to accept another position. This clearly puts more onus on Principal Priscilla Church and her remaining Vice Principal John Coviello to prepare for opening day.
(3) The construction project on converting the BOE offices to classrooms has apparently been delayed. The community has not been given a date of completion or when a CO (certificate of occupancy) from the Fort Lee building department might be expected. There is also the question as to what emergency measures will be taken to accommodate the students destined for these new classrooms.
(4) Information has come to my attention that there were issues in the repairs and upgrades at School #1, resulting in protruding pipes. I sincerely hope that this information is incorrect, but if it is factual, what responsibility should be placed on the architect and the construction company for these miscalculations in the project?
(5) No new BOE member has been appointed to replace Mr. Levine on the Board. It is my understanding that there are two viable candidates, one with previous BOE experience, but no decision has been made to date. By regulation, a decision must be made expeditiously, which probably will now prevent any community input as to whom would be the preferable appointee.
Based on these aforementioned unresolved problems, there is good reason for the community to have serious concerns that need to be addressed. So I again ask the question: what was the Board thinking when the decision to cancel this meeting was made?
Two Board members were gracious enough to speak to me directly on this subject. Peter Suh discussed it with me on Friday and conceded that there were serious issues and that it may have been in the best interests of the community for this meeting to take place.
On Saturday, Jimmy (Yusang) Park, BOE President, was gracious enough to give me a substantial amount of his personal time to discuss these matters. He explained that Mr. Engravalle has insufficient time upon his return to prepare an agenda for the meeting and that several BOE members may have had scheduling conflicts. He felt it would not be feasible at this time to reinstate the Monday meeting or to schedule it later this coming week.
====================================================================
Mr. Engravalle and Sharon Amato, Asstistant Superintendent, have encouraged community members to email questions to them regarding these matters. In my experience, I have always received expeditious responses to my questions. I encourage other community members do so to assuage this situation. But in this case, this solution is insufficient; there are just too many unresolved vital issues for the Fort Lee School Year 2012-2013.
My personal appraisal of this situation is that the September 10, 2012 Board of Education meeting was too important to even consider cancelling. Sharon Amato is a capable individual who could have and should have done her very best to work on the agenda for this meeting in Mr. Engravalle’s absence. Board members, scheduling conflicts or not, should have understood the anxiety in this community with a delayed school opening and numerous unresolved issues. An open meeting may not have resolved all the issues, but at least the community could have been given some insight into the BOE plan to address each issue, one-by-one.
Now we, as a community, are left in the dark until September 24, more than sufficient time for anger and hostility to reinvest itself into the next BOE meeting. Just when we had finally achieved some civility at BOE meetings, we have taken a major step backwards in this relationship.
Zachary David
11:26 am on Monday, September 10, 2012
Good summary of the open issues. I appreciate the benefit of having a meeting as scheduled to satisfy the community's desire for information, but as you stated, the meeting would have been largely irrelevant as far as resolving any of the issues. I hope that the postponement does not serve as fodder for those with axes to grind. As you stated, let's all try to be civil and work in a positive frame of mind. Looking for reasons to spew diatribe against the BOE serves no one.
Tracy Mattei
2:20 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
The man lost his wife, give him a minute to review what went on the time he was away. A little kindness and patience is deserving on a human level. He knows what he is expected to do. An emplyee who has committed to Fort Lee deserves nothing less. The district is better than it was before and that will continue.
Even more so that the BOE president addressed it as 'insufficient time' rather than supportting his situation with dignity and kindness, honor and diplomacy. How about this. 'in light of Mr. Engravalle's personal situation, its best that we wait so he can be updated on all issues and prioritize them, execute them and that will make a more productive and actionable meeting' Which is a more effective and polished response. It was a lost opportunity to represent the BOE in a reassurring and competant light.
As you stated, "In my experience, I have always received expeditious responses to my questions. I encourage other community members do so ...", so do I. I have rarely spoken at the BOE meeting because I use email and direct communication to get information and state my opinions. No drama and more productivity.
Lastly, did you ask Engravalle?Are you screaming fire where there is none?
I love you dearly Howard and have great respect for your mind and opinions, but
sometimes, its got to be heartfelt level, a commonality of human traits, and we can all empathize and some sympathize with this one.
William Mays
4:51 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
Howard just gets pissy when things don't go his way. Most princesses are like that. Although I have to say, the district is not better off than it was before. Multiple people who are good administrators have quit, there has to be a reason for that, I'm thinking that they don't want to work with Engravalle. I do get annoyed though, when Board members don't have meetings because they have scheduling conflicts. They shouldn't be scheduling stuff at the same time as meetings. If they can't commit to the job, they shouldn't run for it. I'd gladly run, but I know that I'm too way too busy with my real job to be able to attend each meetings, so I am not running.
Tracy Mattei
9:13 am on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Both adminstrators went on to bigger and more esteemed positions---- there is not much room for growth here, without a whole lot of patience; just from long term employees remaining. So, no, they would have left no matter who the Super was/is. And we should wish them the best.............
What scheduling? the list of dates is issued a year in advance--- they should schedule stuff around the comittment. What is not made public is the amount of information that is sent to them away from the meetings--and they should be reading it. Its a huge comittment of time, so I agree, if ya cannot commit, don't take up space and prevent someone who can commit!
Toni M.
6:13 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I'm mad at Tracy for taking her name off the ballot
Tracy Mattei
12:38 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Sorry Toni-- it was a familial decision that needed to be made, maybe another time-- family comes first! but now I can still be here ;-P
oracle
10:20 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
No one is saying his loss is not a tragedy, but the board has said they knew there was a strong likelihood of an extended leave when they hired him as Superintendent. We are paying several people hundreds of thousands of dollars while the schools are falling to all time lows. Howard outlined a number of the large issues including staffing and infrastructure. There should have been a contingency plan for someone to be in charge. It has been months since the school district has had a superintendent at a board meeting. Things are bad right now, we need leadership, and we need these scheduled meetings to take place. I also don't understand how he didn't have time to set up an agenda, but has sent out dozens of tweets the past few days about conferences he is attending. We need him at our meetings, not out of district, especially not at the cost of public meetings.
Lisa Salvato
4:50 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Why are you suprised the meeting cancelled. Park has the worst attendance record on board and they made him President
Tracy Mattei
9:50 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Wonk, things are NOT BAD, And YES, we are as a community saying that he should be doing ONLY what a few think he should be doing. Enough! Engravalle was present in July, other than that Amato and Balletto are completely capable of running these meetings.
The concerns are leaps and bounds better than when the previous adminstration was here. (btw, that is where the falling of status happened). Are there questions that need updating? Of course, but they are far better circumstances than the previous"why doesn't our elementary curricula exist, after we have paid 100s of thousands to all those positions in the past?" So, It's nothing new, except the people of the past positions didn't have a spouse die.
I am not convinced that you or many of your counterparts even want what is best for the district. Over and over again your attacks are on insignificant points, driven by emotional granduer, and distain for any authority- the man lost his wife, he was out, it was approved by the BOE, its SOP; give him a few days to meet with all the main people to get a tighter handle on things and get an effective, meaningful agenda going.Any compassionate, reasonable person could accept this and not hold onto judgement.
I wish the outspoken gallery members would used there gifts, knowledge and drive to make things better in a more productive manner. Asking questions is a good thing, lacing it with sarcasitic tones, expliotive rhetoric and injecting judgement = ineffective behavior.
William Mays
6:11 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Yeah, why did you put your name off the ballot? I would have voted for you.
oracle
12:44 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
How can you possibly say things are not bad??? How can you possibly be running for the board and be that delusional. Buildings are falling apart, capital projects are not completed on time, we are losing school administrators to other districts with no replacements or discussion, there is controversy over firing well liked teachers, school board members are quitting instead of living up to their commitments, BOE meetings are the most confrontational in recent memory with members not able or willing to answer questions, we have the youngest and least experienced Superintendent in the state who has not been at a meeting in months and fights non-stop with the teachers union, we dropped to possibly our lowest ranking ever, and no one seems to be in charge. Things are very, very bad.
Like you said, he was out. Then why is he attending conferences over the past weeks instead of putting together an agenda? Why couldn't the deputy superintendent put together the agenda? What progress is being made on any of these very real and very large problems? We are paying half a million dollars a year for those two positions. Someone should be able to put together an agenda.
William Mays
4:13 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Seems like the Nuclear Bomb is going off.
Toni M.
5:37 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Wonk don't let the truth stand in the way of ur BS. We all know that the ranking was for a period before this superintendent took over, but u love to mislead. U and ur gang cause ALL of the confrontations at the meetings just for giggles, 2 teachers were not renewed and they elected to have private meetings so we don't know why, the board is asked ridiculous questions by a bunch of angry bitter women who get in the way of any progress, if the super is not around how can he be constantly fighting with the teachers union and finally stop stalking him on twitter, it's weird!
William Mays
5:53 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Toni, just wondering, how do you know Wonk is stalking him on twitter? You seem to always go on the offensive against anyone who says a bad thing about the Supt. I can agree that the ranking has nothing to do with this current Supt, but everything to do with Bandlow (failure in every town he goes to). Some people know exactly what went on in the private meetings and it had nothing to do with anything the teachers did, and it has everything to do with the Superintendent using people to prove that he is tough (not really).
Toni M.
6:04 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I'm not engaging with u Billy. U make even my hair hurt with ur stupid statements, Talk about stalking the Patch, get a job! I just looked at twitter, I don't know about lunch breaks or when day starts, but take a gander cause Wonk is BSing again. I saw 1 educational post, the rest of the posts were ALL after hours, most at like 2 am! I'm sure some genius is now going to question why he doesn't go to bed by 8, but come on give it a rest already.
William Mays
6:05 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I have a job, I also have an iPad and an iPhone, and something called a laptop.
Toni M.
6:07 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
STOP TROLLING EVERYTIME I POST. Go feed ur 12 cats.
William Mays
6:10 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
How am I trolling? I was responding to your attack.
Tracy Mattei
8:31 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I think you are dramatic and too emotional to logically reason; reinforcing my belief that you and your counterparts are not for the good of the district but use the benign issues to feed you emotional needs.
And no, I do not think things are bad....your qoute "Buildings are falling apart, capital projects are not completed on time, we are losing school administrators to other districts with no replacements or discussion, there is controversy over firing well liked teachers, school board members are quitting instead of living up to their commitments, BOE meetings are the most confrontational in recent memory with members not able or willing to answer questions, we have the youngest and least experienced"
my response: building have been falling apart for 20+years, this is the FIRST capital improvement campaign in recent history, delays are part of expectation due to the negligence of the past BOEs. The school adminstrators WANTED to leave, they left for opportunities not avaiable here. Every BOE meeting I have attended is confrontational with the emotional muck you feed (2-3yrs?). BOE Memembers leaving? Things happen in people's lives, grow up. It is better that he left if could not commit the time. Enough!
We have one of the most progressive, inteligent and committed Supers in the State (I think you are wrong about him being the youngest)-- he is still here after having to endure contniuous personal attacks, and then a disgusting lack of compassion for his situation.
William Mays
10:08 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Obviously he is not very intelligent if he publicly supports a party that only cares about destroying education.
oracle
11:06 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Sorry Toni, if you read my post instead of blindly attacking you would see I did not say all of these problems were Engravalle's fault, or that he necessarily should have been at this particular meeting, but that there were so many extremely urgent issues right now that this meeting needed to happen. I was actually not laying all of this at his door step. Far from it. I think Badlow was completely worthless and this board has been negligent in their duties. But between him and the deputy they are getting paid half a million dollars to make sure these meetings happen.It has been one bad decision after another, and it is the kids that are suffering.
I am not stalking anyone on twitter (he has thousands of followers and tweets, not exactly hiding from the limelight) nor do i have "counterparts" that you keep trying to lump me with. I am a concerned individual. If I show emotion it is because it is difficult to see failing schools that once were outstanding and people who make excuses for terrible leadership and for throwing good money after bad. If you think what I said was untrue, then why don't you ask him if he has been attending conferences or workshops. You seem to have an open line of communications.
Engravalle himself has bragged that he is the youngest Superintendent in the state, by the way. Maybe he will be good, but right now there is a black hole of leadership at every level that needs to be addressed.
William Mays
6:07 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Btw, just looked at his twitter, I couldn't find Wonk's comments, so link me to those if you can, but I see that he is retweeting Reince Priebus. I thought Supts weren't supposed to be political, and what person that actually has education in their interests is a Republican.
William Mays
6:09 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Looked further, he retweets a bunch of Republican people. I wouldn't even want him retweeting Democrats, I think thats pretty unethical.
Luca D.
2:52 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Hey Mays, why don't you just shut up. You're boring me and everyone else here with your mundane comments.
Toni M.
6:40 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Dear Rhodes Scholar, if it is unethical for a school administrator to be involved in politics, please call Democratic Mayor and New Jersey State Senator Sacco and tell him. u can find his telephone number in the North Bergen School's webpage under Assist. Superintendent. In fact just call Trenton, there are tons of senators and assemblymen who are in the school system.
Tracy Mattei
8:33 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I think its only unethical to be in politics in the town you are working in...... maybe the BOE members should be party-less as well. hint hint
William Mays
10:06 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I don't think that he should be retweeting politicians about non-education related stuff anyway. Its not his place as a school superintendent to comment on the President's policies. I'm not aware of the BOE member supporting parties. Enlighten me.
Toni M.
12:41 am on Saturday, September 15, 2012
BOE member John Bang, former aide to Senator Lautenberg. BOE member at Democratic National Convention. http://fortlee.patch.com/articles/fort-lee-delegate-s-daily-journal-from-democratic-national-convention#photo-11263183
Funny that some people posted on the thread so they clearly knew John Bang went to a political convention, yet they say that they are not aware of the BOE member supporting parties.
There is nothing wrong with supporting political parties, so give it a rest and get out of people's private business.
William Mays
12:47 am on Saturday, September 15, 2012
I overlooked that, that wasn't intentional. I wasn't saying that I thought that no one in the BOE supported a political party, I was unaware of who supported what party. You don't see the Republicans on the Board going around town bashing Obama. Toni, do you honestly think that there is nothing wrong with our Superintendent supporting the guy who cut almost all aid to Fort Lee a few years ago?
William Mays
6:44 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Since you continue to delete your comments after I have commented on them, I'll just cut and paste them.
RE: Dear Rhodes Scholar, if it is unethical for a school administrator to be involved in politics, please call Democratic Mayor and New Jersey State Senator Sacco and tell him. u can find his telephone number in the North Bergen School's webpage under Assist. Superintendent. In fact just call Trenton, there are tons of senators and assemblymen who are in the school system.
I'm opposed to anyone in politics holding a position such as Superintendent, Democrats and Republican alike. I think its wrong that he is retweeting comments from people who want to eliminate the Department or Education and people who cut almost all aid to our school district, causing many cuts to be made and made teachers to be laid off. If he wants to air his political beliefs, he can make a private twitter account and say all he wants there.
Luca D.
2:56 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
I was hoping someone would delete you Mays, and I mean permanently.
Robert
5:57 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Some people never let the facts interfere .The district is not at the lowest rating . That is the fodder being spread by Nancy Stern . Now that she has her puppet James Park as President you will really see havoc. Hey Park you are in your 40's time to grow a set. Let Stern push around her considerable weight elsewhere .
oracle
9:52 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Okay, then back that up. When has our high school been ranked lower? It seems like we have never been ranked this low in the history of this poll, but if you know otherwise please share.
Either way, 95th when we used to be ranked in the 30's is completely unacceptable.
William Mays
4:08 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Oh thats real nice, making fun of her weight, you belong in second grade.
Howard L. Pearl
10:20 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
The original blog criticized the BOE for cancelling a meeting at a time when many citizens of Fort Lee have deep concerns regarding important issues.
Tracy misinterpreted the blog as a criticism of Mr. Engravalle, resulting in a flood of pro and anti-comments regarding our new superintendent:
(1) Mr. Engravalle has endured a horrific tragedy and our deepest sympathy should go out to him. Hopefully, he has now returned full force to work.
(2) We have an assistant superintendent, Sharon Amato, a BOE administrator, Cheryl Balletto, both very capable individuals. We have eight BOE members who need to work together, which has often been a problem in the past. In Mr. Engravalle’s absence, these individuals had a responsibility to oversee the ship and prevent it from capsizing. There appear to be critical issues, that needed to be addressed expeditiously, that are still pending.
(3) Mr. Engravalle has a three year contract. Working with him hand-in-hand will go a lot further than constant criticism, particularly with unnecessary personal attacks.
(4) Mr. Engravalle should refrain from twittering on political issues because it clouds the community’s judgment regarding him. However, last time I checked, “freedom of speech” is still protecting under the 1st Amendment.
In order to raise our school rating, it will take a community effort, intelligent decision making and cooperation by our BOE, and hard work by our administration, teachers and students.
Tracy Mattei
11:12 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Howard--
This did get out of hand, but you must understand that your premise that the BOE runs and manages the school is false, incorrect and whatever. Its is the adminstration that manages and runs the schools, they are the ones making the decision brought to the BOE-- thus, you put this blog squarely back onto to the Superintendent, several times. The people who run the school are the ones who can answer the questions, the BOE repeats what it has been told, by them!
These question can be answered, easily but give the guy a shot at meeting with ALL the people who have been managing these projects since he was away--- there was a convocation and then school started.....come on, reasonable expectation and a little compassion are needed here.
For too long the BOE has been 'running ' the schools-- but that is another issue.
luv ya H!
Tracy
Robert
10:27 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Show me when Fort Lee was ranked in the 30's . Maybe when George Washington was here. The fact remains you will never have an effective school district without strong parental involvement . The demographics of this town has changed drastically with an influx of people who are at the lower end of the socioeconomic scale.
William Mays
4:09 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Are you talking about the Koreans? Most of them have money.
LD
10:51 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
If the Board members felt that a meeting was in the "best interests of the community" as they allege, they have the right and obligation to schedule a special meeting within 48 hours of announcement. The reasons given by Misters Suh & Park are unacceptable.
Tracy Mattei
11:13 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
And it is missed opportunity to foster faith in the BOE and appear to be teaming with the adminstration---- their responses are lacking in leadership quality.
LD
1:05 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
"Armiamoci e partite" derives from the latin proverb. Not easily translated but it is used for people that sound the alarm, urge others to take action, but never take risk upon themselves.
Luca D.
2:57 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Translated it means: Billy Mays go home!
William Mays
3:41 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
I think someone is faking Luca's profile, like what happened to me a few months ago.
Lisa Salvato
4:55 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Not surprised that they were mad that they couldn't spew green pea soup while their heads were spinning. I didnt see any of the perpetual whiners running for BOE. I call bull on the fake compassion, while the super was taking care of his terminal wife the lynch mob were whining about his days off.
William Mays
4:56 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
I'm pretty sure that if most people knew why he took those days off, they wouldn't have been complaining, stop taking cheap shots.
Lisa Salvato
6:06 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Are you for real? GET LOST. I was at the meeting where they said why he wasn't there and this fat guy stood up and kept pressing about his days. How is that a cheap shot. Why are you constantly monitoring every single story and always taking cheap shots at the superintendent. Maybe the guy who said you were a girl who had a grudge against him was right. get help and stay the frack away from me.
William Mays
6:20 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Um, I was assuming, I don't know about any fat guy and I don't take cheap shots, I see what he does and I don't like it, I have a right to comment just as you do.
Lisa Salvato
6:25 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Why don't you try to show some restraint? Or set up your own website and jabber away. Do you need to reply with assumptions and what people tell you? If you think you don't take cheap shots, look at your past comments. I thought you were a teenager. You said Asians are bad drivers, Italians are in the mob, Police are on the take.
Lisa Salvato
6:36 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
OMG, you're a crazy person, aren't you?
Billy Mays
5:02 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
Cutter, I've never really been a target of the police, but I still see that they are corrupt a lot of the time. Especially here in Fort Lee, they do things like collaborating with tow truck drivers to allow them to illegally tow people's cars.
William Mays
6:44 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Yeah, I stand by that comment, I was at the Borders parking lot to shop at Borders, stepped off the lot one second to go to the convenience store to get a newspaper, didn't find it there, I headed back to Borders and saw my car getting towed. I asked the driver why he was towing it, he said that security called him and that he can call them back, I told him that I'd like to speak with them, but he just hung up the phone and said he'd release my car for $90 dollars. I told him that I was calling the police and he didn't seem disturbed in the slightest way. When the cops came, they sided with him and said I have to pay or he tows my car away. When I asked cash or check, before the driver could reply, one of the officers said "Cash." That seemed pretty odd to me. When I got home, I looked up NJ towing law, and found out that I'd just been the victim of predatory towing and that by law, he had to release my car, since it was still on the lot when I showed up. The cops would definitely known that, and thats why I think that after I left, they split the cash. I'm not the first person that this has happened to. The towing company has already received warnings from the state for doing this. So yeah Lisa, I think that there are cops on the take here.
Lisa Salvato
6:49 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Toni is right, you're a stalker troll
Billy Mays
10:53 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
So? I think most KKK members are Republicans now.
William Mays
6:51 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
I wasn't saying that Republicans are all KKK members, I just highly doubt that KKK members vote for Democrats, considering they share the same beliefs with Republicans, like not allowing Black people to have a vote, or hating everyone besides themselves.
William Mays
6:53 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Also, funny how you don't respond to my legitimate explanation but instead result to a stupid insult.
Lisa Salvato
7:04 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
It wasn't meant as an insult. I honestly believe you stalk people on their comments and you are definitely a troll with the things you say. I won't reply to your comments, I would appreciate you not replying to my comments.
William Mays
7:05 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
I don't look for specific people's comments, I just see what people comment and I reply to it.
Tracy Mattei
8:46 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Amen!
conny fuzed
10:25 am on Friday, September 14, 2012
The School Board meeting was scheduled for Sept.10th, 19 days after the tragic death of the Supt's. wife on Aug.22nd.
oracle
10:30 am on Friday, September 14, 2012
Yes, but knowing that he would not likely be able to attend, why was there not someone else in leadership that could have stepped up to lead the meeting and discuss these very major issues in the district. That is what everyone seems to be agreeing on.
LD
1:32 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
It appears that discord continues. There is no question that the issues are important, so much so that it appears they should be addressed by the Superintendent of Schools at the helm. While important, it appears that the Board did not feel that they were of such an emergent nature that they cannot wait until they are vetted properly.
I have yet to hear anyone confirm that the meeting was cancelled because the Superintendent could not attend, so I suggest we stop making assumptions and deal in facts. Unless anyone can point to any actual damage as a result thereof, these discussions on delegation seem to be veiled digs at the Superintendent.
oracle
5:24 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
Perhaps you didn't read the article until the end "On Saturday, Jimmy (Yusang) Park, BOE President, was gracious enough to give me a substantial amount of his personal time to discuss these matters. He explained that Mr. Engravalle has insufficient time upon his return to prepare an agenda for the meeting'
These issues ARE important enough to be addressed as soon as possible. Once they knew there would be an extended absence they should have followed the chain of command and put the Asst. Superintendent in charge. These cannot wait, which was I think a major point of this article.
It it not just one or two people who are worried about the future of our schools, it is the entire community.
William Mays
5:30 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
I think the Asst Supt could have made an agenda, but my problem is that our Superintendent has become the exact reason why we need tenure, and that he is publicly supporting a party that has people who want the Department of Education gone and couldn't care less about education. I can guarantee you that when he gets offered a job by another town or a permanent job by Governor Christie, its going to be "Bye Bye, Fort Lee."
LD
11:37 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
No ma'am it is you who didn't read the article in your haste to comment. Your comment above states "knowing that he would not likely be able to attend, why was there not someone else in leadership that could have stepped up to lead the meeting and discuss these very major issues in the district". That is not what the article stated. At least, you are now correctly paraphrasing the article. If you intend to speak for the entire community, perhaps you should refrain with the dramatics and assumptions which prove to be inaccurate.
oracle
9:23 am on Saturday, September 15, 2012
You are talking in circles now Luca. It has been reported by the Patch that the board knew Engravalle would likely have to take an extended leave at the time they hired him. He has missed several meetings already dealing with this terrible situation. The board president in this article said Engravalle didn't have time to prepare an agenda for this meeting. He has been out for weeks, they were expecting him to be out for weeks; so why were they unprepared for this? No one was in charge and it cause this meeting.
The second question was if Engravalle didn't have time to prepare the agenda or work, why was he participating in conferences and tweeting constantly about it this past week.
LD
2:48 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Madam it has become abundantly clear to me by simply following some choice posts that the issues in this community will not be resolved because a handful of obstructionists, including you, refuse to allow any progress.
Case in point, your post made at 10:30 am on Friday, September 14, 2012 specifically states "knowing that he would not likely be able to attend, why was there not someone else in leadership that could have stepped up to lead the meeting". You were referring to the Superintendent, correct? His attendance at the meeting was never an issue. You brought it up, you assumed it, or you simply posted the false innuendo so a reader would get the impression that it were true. So please, do not make matters worse by insulting my intelligence. Telling me that I am "talking in circles" when you are nothing less than a moving target.
Let me end on this note, instead of being concerned about conferences, twitters, what the Superintendent has for breakfast, I suggest you run a fundraiser or two to benefit the children of this community. The more you post, the more it appears that your objectives are focused squarely on ad hominem attacks on the Superintendent.
oracle
5:22 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Why do you keep calling me maam or madam? Another assumption of yours.
The message was the Superintendent was not prepared and/or not able to attend the meeting. As Howard noted, there were no scheduling conflicts by members of the board, so the only reason that has been reported for not having the meeting was the Superintendent wasn't prepared and/or could not be there and they did not feel anyone else could prepare an agenda or fill in. So, as Howard indicated there was no other reason the meeting could not progress with an update on progress. What are you not understanding? The meeting could have taken place, but it did not, and the Superintendent's absence or unpreparedness is the only reason being given as to why. My point is to take the blame from him, and say if they knew there was a storng likelihood he wouldn't be there or be prepared, why not ask the assistant to fill in and prepare the agenda. Are you following Luca? We are asking to keep our elected officials accountable. That is not an agenda.
I am far from an obstructionist. I would like nothing more for our schools and children to succeed. Our schools need to do better and there is a lot of blame to go around.
To your last point, why would anyone raise funds for these schools when the top two people are getting paid half a million dollars and no one can write an agenda. I am very concerned about the public image and messages from any of our officials.
LD
12:30 am on Sunday, September 16, 2012
You are a fool if you believe I am going to argue over your gender as Rome burns. The message was never that the Superintendent could not attend the meeting. You base your statements on speculation and innuendo. If your misguided attacks at a keyboard behind a false name amuse you, so be it. Fortunately you are not my responsibility to raise or foster. If Mr Park felt he had a quorum, he had a responsibility and an obligation to call the meeting.
oracle
8:18 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2012
You are making yourself look like a fool all by yourself Luca. No idea what you are talking about, but the facts seems to be eluding you.
Lisa Salvato
8:28 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2012
Your name is WONK, you are obsessed with the guy and you're saying someone else is a fool? are you the cabbage patch lawyer? or the drag queen?
William Mays
8:56 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2012
You really like attacking everyone that you don't agree with, don't you Lisa?
Lisa Salvato
9:59 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2012
Stalker is back.
William Mays
11:06 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2012
^ See what I mean?
Tracy Mattei
7:25 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
Billy What are you talking about?
William Mays
7:34 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
I was explaining to Wonk my problem with the Supt.
Tracy Mattei
8:49 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
Oh-- I do have to take you to task about that-- He recommended no rehire, we will never know why and those (BOE members) who did know why, approved his recommendation even after all the public input....... so just maybe there were reason that made it best for the SD, that we will never know about.
William Mays
8:54 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
I know Tracy, I have sources from within the meeting, and from what they said, it was very stupid, and the decision was made before the meeting started. I think that the reason was that the Supt wanted to make himself look tough and willing to fire teachers.
Toni M.
1:04 am on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Sources within the meeting? The same sources who stood in the hallway while the meeting was going on about the teachers? So how exactly did the sources know what was going on inside? The only sources at the meeting are the Angry Spice Elderly brigade.
William Mays
1:30 am on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Oh no, I'm not talking about the BOE or the teachers.
Tracy Mattei
4:59 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Billy-- I just cannot agree with you on the Teacher thing, the source outside of those intimately involved are simply gossips and anti-establishment.
oracle
8:59 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
Another reason they needed the meeting: the county DENIED the Board's referendum request today
http://www.northjersey.com/news/169732326_Fort_Lee_s_request_for_referendum_denied_by_the_county.html
William Mays
9:06 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
Thats what happens when they randomly want us to vote on stuff that they haven't even had a public discussion on.
C DiStefano
9:23 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
I don't mean to offend anyone. Is it just me or do the teachers seem really unhappy and cranky to the kids this year?
William Mays
9:27 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
What do you mean? You'll have to elaborate on which teachers in which school.
Tracy Mattei
5:00 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
No, it would be a choice. They are professionals and we should require/expect that they act that way.
Howard L. Pearl
3:43 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012
The President of the BOE, Jimmy Park, and I spoke today. He requested that I clarify an issue. There appears to have been a miscommunication. In the blog, I stated that one of the reasons that the meeting was cancelled was that several BOE members may have had scheduling conflicts. He explained to me today that, to the best of his knowledge, there were no scheduling conflicts for any BOE members.
In the interests of accuracy, I am including this in the “Comments”, as obviously it is far too late to amend the blog. This fact, however, would substantiate that the meeting could have been easily held and the community could have been enlightened on any progress being made regarding the detailed issues.
CD Cantelli
11:07 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012
If he's saying the meeting could be held, why didn't he hold the meeting?
CD Cantelli
11:04 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Hey Wonki Wonk just checked out your comment history.You're always telling people that you don't understand what they're saying or accusing them of being someone else, in between calling people nitwits and giving us the meaning of slander. if you tone down accusations, you might actually get Engrevell to like you.
Ryan
11:59 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Does anyone seem to care that they randomly hired another assistant superintendent? Now we have two!
William Mays
12:26 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
What?
Luca D.
2:43 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
This jerk Billy is a fool.
Luca D.
2:54 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
At least we don't have two Billy Mays.
William Mays
3:42 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Whoever is impersonating Luca, I think you'd want to look into what he does for a living first, maybe you'd stop then lol.
Ryan
7:25 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
As for the middle school, Lauren Glynn is the Vice Principal and she is doing a great job holding down the fort over there. People seem to forget that she is there and is charge and doing quite well.