Paula OHaus raises the bar . She accomplishes wonders on very little money .She expects the best out of the kids and she gets it.

This is very unfortunate.
I hope things can be settled and she returns.
As a High School Art Major, dedicated art teachers as well as performing art instructors were instrumental in
my decision to go to a college and major in design and the arts.
The arts is just as important as Math, Science, English and Sports.

This is so sad. Just a few weeks ago Mrs. Sobolov was telling my husband about the wonderful theater program. I hope she feels good about herself knowing that the her President has had the theater program in her cross hairs since the day she got elected.

I am fortunate to know Paula Ohaus as a generous and gifted educator for our children, as a positive inspiration to many in our community, as an extraordinarily talented director, and as a dear friend. The value of her work in our schools is beyond measure and deserves our highest respect.

As a teacher (not in Hoboken, thankfully), I'm angry, though not surprised, that this has happened. However, as one of Paula's alumni, I am heartbroken. Most people I know say that they wouldn't go back to high school, even if you paid them. I might take that deal, but for one reason only. The time I spent with Paula in the drama program truly helped shape the person I am today. I am forever in debt to her for being a mentor and a friend and for giving me some of the most important and enjoyable experiences in my life. Her impact on me was so great that for many years I have volunteered my time at another high school's theatre program, hoping that I can bring even just a little bit of Paula to other students. I hope to be able to do more of that. It is shameful that what seems like a series of personal vendettas has ultimately cost Hoboken High School, and the community at large, one of it's greatest assets. This is certainly not the first time it has happened and it probably won't be the last. After all, as the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished.

It is such a sudden and shocking news. I have no idea that Ms O has already resigned. Didn't new superintendent help Ms O's situation at all??? I don't understand what the School Board is thinking??? Leave the HHST and Ms Ohaus alone if the members of BOE don't understand how incredibly great they are to have for Hoboken's education system and the community. We can't let her go and must stop harassing Ms O by anybody!

Congratulations Markle. You've been gunning for Paula for years and now you've finally gotten rid of her. So what if there are a couple charter school kids in the show? Almost 100 kids helped with that show, almost a quarter of the school. And shame on the other Kids First members who let themselves be bullied again and again by Markle. Shame on Minutillo and Gold and McAllister and Sobolov and Mitchell. You all let yourselves get led around by the nose by someone who doesn't have a clue about education but sure knows everything about being a pure bully. Intimidation works because she always gets her way. And shame on this town for reelecting Markle last year when it was obvious Paula was in big trouble and Kids First was behind it. Kids First denied it, of course, but those denials ring a bit hollow now. KF has been a disaster for the schools. Look at all the programs it's eliminated -- IB, Saturday U, the summer recreation program, Hopkins is on the chopping block, and now the theater program. And to top it off, test scores are down. One program KF won't be cutting--the high school track program. Voters can do something about this by voting Jean Marie Mitchell off the board on April 27.

Who is the track coach and why won't they cut that too?

Who is the district exterminator? Any relation to Markle?

Paula was on Carter's hit list. He left Rusak to finish the job. Markle and Minutillo have been gunning for Paula. Irene and Jean Marie are complicit. The whole situation has me absolutely sick.
No one, absolutely no one at the high school has had the positive impact on the lives of so many Hoboken children as Paula Ohaus. 20% of the ENTIRE student population participated in the last production. Paula has been so much more than just a Theatre Director - she has taken kids to the Dr., fed them, clothed them, housed them and held them when cried. She taught them to be the best that they can be. And the students LOVE Mrs. O in return. I guess that is the best explanation of Hoboken High's phenomenal productions of Hairspray, Once on this Island, Aida, Fiddler on the Roof and West Side Story, etc. It is also, most sadly, the basis for the jealousy that has motivated certain individuals and poisoned certain Board members against Paula Ohaus. Our children lose again.

Well it didn't take long for this to become a campaign issue.
If people want to help the children, they'll go to the board of ed meeting and express their opinion.

I don't think making this a political food fight does much for the students who flourished under Paula's guidance, leadership, friendship and support.
Few students anywhere, ever express feelings for a teacher as they so openly expressed for "Mrs. O"
But let's keep this about the students and not Any BOE Candidates, because from what I'm reading here it sounds like those who don't like Kids First are actually happy, and are turning it to a campiagn platform.
That's not helping any student.

I like Paula, I worked with her and Raslowski to contribute nearly 10,000 to students pursuing continuing education or careers in the arts.
If Paula recommended a certain student, that was all my family and I needed to know that the student deserved the grant.

Keep it about the program.

So, when Kids First members fail our children miserably - That's just politics?? Good one Tony.

If people really want to help children they do more than show up at Board meetings. They volunteer. They contribute to fundraisers. They let people who help kids know how much they are valued. They don't sic their Interim pitbulls after them, so that they can keep the blood off their own hands.

If donating to scholarships, speaking out if favor of Mrs. O, attending productions and agreeing with you about the loss of Paula makes me a "interim" Pitbull so be it.
But nobody tells me what to do. In Fact Ms. Burns, I haven't spoken to any Kids First people in weeks. I'm not even in the State right now. But you want to sink this discussion into a political squabble.
Not going there.

I take offense to your fundraising comment as you know first hand that I never said no to Raslowski when he was seeking contributions during Graduation season.
You were at the same ceremonies I was at.
Granted those donations weren't as large as a developer who can afford much more, but we give what we can, without putting it on posters all over town

Tony, this is not about YOU ( The Interim Pitbull in this situation was Rusak), nor is it about me (if anyone has any questions pertaining to me - my cell is (201) 920-9555). It is about our community losing a gem.
I am not disappointed; I am devastated. It is a loss not only for those students who have benefitted from Paula's presence, it is a loss for all of those who have not yet had the opportunity to work with her. Now, they never will.
There is a saying, "Of all the words ever penned, the saddest of all: It might have been."
Lost potential. There is no state test to measure it, but in the wake of what has happened, I think that even you and I can agree that the resignation of Paula Ohaus is a deeply sad event.

@tburns, thanks for clarifying who you were targeting with the Pitbull remark.
I do believe you care about Education in general, I don't agree with some of your positions.
I have seen some great new staff come into the district since Kids First took over. The Connors Principal and Their New Music teacher for example.
There are also many great teachers who retired last year who also impacted the kids at Connors in life changing ways.
Josephene DeGennarro and Sandy Sansevere is just a start.
Life goes on, we can only hope whoever comes next impacts the kids for the positive.
I don't attend BOE meetings or hardly any public meetings anymore, it's time for former elected officials like you and me to let the next generation take over. New blood is a good thing.

Paula O'haus is a generous and gifted educator for our children. I am a very proud parent and this comes from my heart and the hearts of all who love and care for Mrs. Paula O'haus. In our house hold, we are heart broken with the new of Mrs.O'haus's Resignition. She has been as my son would say, a second mother to him, she has shown love and has taught them to be great students. I have had the plessure of volunteering to help out at time's in the past because she does so much for our kids and because I believe in the students as much as Mrs.Ohaus. One thing is that people might try to bring her down but another thing is that no one would ever take her loving and most generous spirit that makes her Paula O'haus. We love her and and all the children love her, we wish her all the best because she deserve's all the respect and shame on all of you who are trying to hurt her, reallly shame on you. IN ALL MY YEARS OF LIVING IN HOBOKEN, theatre arts is what brings beauty to the town of Hoboken, it brings the community and families together. Iv'e seen many high school show's but not like the ones that are performed at the Hoboken High School. Teathre art's is what we need for a school that has so much talented children. Isn't this the town were a star was born, our very own Frank Sinatra?

Praise Paula OHaus BOE Meeting next Tues 7pm

You must sign up to speak - unfortunately it will probably be in the end .So you must be patient

We all know the incredible effort that MS. O puts into the plays , students and families. The work that she does to inspire and build the Theater program in Hoboken High School is absolutely amazing.
Please come and speak at the School Board meeting April 12 @7pm
1115 Clinton Street

Praise the Brilliant Performance by HHST in "Hairspray (Not to mention the impressive performances in the past)-
Please come and speak- Please let the BOE know how much we love Ms O !!!!!!

Please -keep it positive about what great things have happened to you and friends

TBurns - Please stay in Secaucus. You have worn out your welcome, many times over. She quit because she was made to teach classes, which is her job I pay taxes and expect a teacher to at least pretend to do her job. And I expect the board members and the super intendent to enforce policies that spend my taxes to educate Hoboken in the PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Not the charter schools, not out or town students, but HOBOKEN students.

Both Khoboken and Reformerus_Gianticus, please come to BOE meeting and see with your own eyes how many families from HOBOKEN are willing to support the theater program of Hoboken High School even though there are few students from New York and overseas in it, and Praise Paula OHaus. BTW, this exchange student is home-staying with family which is Hoboken's tax payer, you know?

Can someone explain to me the out of district thing? It reads like the teacher was upset that people from outside of Hoboken were not allowed in to the program? Is that the case or am I wrong?

I don't think it's wise for my friend Carmello Garcia to be speaking on personnel matters outside of a closed session.
While this is an emotional time and people may be furious, let's not exploit it. I know Carmello, and I know he really does support all things Kids, however a trustee should refrain from stating anything about current and former employees.
The last thing we need are more taxpayer funded lawsuits.

Rice Notice NJ in the Sunshine Law reads:

Personnel matters affecting employees of the public bodies, unless all parties request or consent to a public hearing. Prior to discussion of personnel, affected employees must be given notice, known as a Rice notice, which gives the employee the right to request a public hearing.
o Proceedings that could result in a suspension, civil penalty, or loss of a license or permit.

There was a student from a private school whose parents live in Hoboken and pay over $20,000 in property taxes and there was a student for a Charter School which is a public school . This student lives in JC but JC pays for them to attend a Hoboken Public School. The parent was a volunteer who donated much time and spent hundreds of dollars buying food and other supplies for for the kids.
The Kids had practiced for 3 months from 46 -60 hours a week on top of classes and in the last week before the play were told they were not allowed.

Paula Ohaus is one of the best teachers in Hudson Country if not the state . We have one of the top theater programs in the State .She worked more hours when she was part time than most teachers work full time.
She is a guidance counselor , teacher , mentor coach and she has done more to promote success , discipline , excellence, focus and a positive attitude for thousands of students.
She takes students to College interviews , helps them practice. Gets them scholarships.
Anyone who is trying to imply that she is at fault here will be blown over by the winds of truth.

Check out & see what she has done.
http://hobokenbackstage.blogspot.com/

interview on MSG Varsity with other lead cast members
In Hoboken High School Theater's "HairSpray"

http://www.msgvarsity.com/optimum/RetrievePremiumContent?id=1PqSE2WAU2fy4mLpcuJLnuGpJf3vzHSAgZeJVsF692g%3D

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/nyregion/new-jersey/05paper.html

New York Time Musical Madness video @ school

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/03/13/multimedia/1194838589889/musical-madness.html?ref=new-jersey

Paula you are and always will be the BEST! God bless you in whatever is next for you and your family. Im a better MAN for knowing you. xoxo - Jonathan D. Cummins aka Lion

Sorry to be a downer for you political types, but not once but twice, two different Hoboken Superintendent invited local charter school students to try out for the plays. You see, charter schools are PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF CHOICE...but who are we kidding, you know that. Happy Elections to you all

Nobody was turned down from Hoboken High School when they auditioned. Every student was accepted. Nobody from a different school ever replaced someone that attended HHS.

What about sports? Do they have different rules? Can or do kids from the Charter Schools participate at HHS?

And, it is highly likely that kids who were turned away didn't meet the requirements for grades which would be a school policy.

...and here come the Kids First supporters to the rescue. They are coalescing around the notion that Ms. Ohaus broke some rules and therefore had to go. They say she's a rule breaker, but they won't admit they had anything to do with making her quit.

So why is it ok to play sports at HHS if you go to a charter school, but not ok to participate in the play?

Lots of "one and done" posters popping up. And they all look like they were written by the same person. Not cool Mr. Man from JC.

Kids are allowed to play for HHS , even when they attend other schools not in Hoboken. They attend schools that don't have sports programs.

When I attended HHS there were plenty of athletes from Charter playing sports there. That was more than 10 years ago now. I know for a fact that there have still been kids from Charter schools in town playing in the sports programs. Maybe if it was less about politics and more about the kids, the Hoboken public schools would stop losing kids to charter and private schools. This town is being run by people that aren't even from here and can care less about the kids of this town.

Wow, I couldn't be sadder, Paula Ohaus really worked so hard to bring theater to HHS.

She will be missed.

I think that's part of the problem Tony. These people that have been here "longer than I have been alive" are so removed and ignorant to what really matters to these kids. The amount of time I've been on this earth may in fact be shorther than the amount of time some of the BOE members have been here, but can you honestly say that in those 29 years anyone on that board has impacted more studets that Paula? How many students do these BOE members actually know? How many parents of these students have the BOE members actually had conversations with? How many of them have helped students with homework? I'm no politician but i can tell you Paula is more a "Hobokenite" than any of those members. She has probably done more for these kids than the board combined. She doesn't have to do the job she does. She goes above and beyond for the kids.

We don't know all the details, but whatever drove Mrs. Ohaus to this decision, knowing her character, I'm sure she did not make it lightly.

Before any more comments are added to this post, I suggest everyone do their research on the situation, and get all the facts straight.

First off, Shame, Shame, Shame, on kids first. They seem intent on "fixing" one of the things in the Hoboken school system that isn't broken, as a matter of fact one of the few programs that is exceeding expectations. Secondly, Everything in Hoboken is about politics, so lets not pretend otherwise. So this is where we are: a sad day for Hoboken schools, a few weeks before another election day. The voters aren't stupid, they can figure it out.

On another, but related point, isn't one of the problems with education in Hoboken the fact that we have 4 (public, charter, parochial, private) school systems serving our children? Shouldn't an educator who tries to bring the systems together be saluted, not chastised? Isn't this exactly what the schools superintendent should be doing? All I can say is vote your conscience on school board election day. And one more time, Shame on kids first for once again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory for our schools.

Danny Schott

weren't we all here last year? why does this come up every election cycle?

maybe many things in Hoboken are politcal, but who gains from this a few weeks before the election?

sad that the program and the kids that love it are once again being used for someones politcal gain.

As a hhs alumni and having friends and family in the plays (including the latest one hairspray) I am not one bit surprised about the nonsense w/Ms. OHaus leaving. Hoboken loves to have political drama and the schools are no exception. To answer the question re:the charter school kids being in sports, yes they have been playing on HHS's teams since the late 90s. I should know as I played several sports w/charter school kids while I was in Hoboken High. I was in school around the time the theatre program began. I can tell you that the theatre program has touched many students both current and former and Mrs. OHaus has changed lives. Kids who never would've gotten recognition were now nominated for papermill playhouse awards and even received opportunities outside of high school. Why you would want to get rid of someone who has such a positive influence on kids is beyond me. There will always be haters in this world and I guess they got the best of her. I won't be surprised if the backlash from the community causes the board of ed to go begging her to come back. Mrs. OHaus has dealt with a lot of situations the past decade and a half so whatever made her leave must've been serious. The kids are upset and hurt over this, including my brother who is in the theatre program. I really feel like whoever influenced her to leave really didnt give a damn about the kids at all.
'

Well said Lisa, well said. My kids were in the theater program and upset and hurt over this too. They even think that the theater program has taken away from HHS with Ms. O.

So, everyone agrees the theater program is great. Now, does that put her in a special class with special privileges? Should she be made to follow the rules, or should the boe make exceptions? Is the law the law, or is it the law except when someone in admin/boe bends it for a favored teacher? People can't have their cake and eat it too.

I applaud the wonderful comments from the alumni and community members in support of Mrs. Ohaus and her amazing program. It really is great to read how much impact she has had on the students, current and former, and how many fantastic things have come from it. It is truly evident how much this wonderful woman is loved and what an asset she has been to the community. Contrary to some of the negative comments I've been reading, students, parents, and community members don't love her because of her "status"; they love her because she in her selfless, nurturing manner has been not only a teacher and director to the students, but a counselor, a friend, a mother, and so much more to an enormous population of students throughout her entire career in this school district. She has done so much more for her students than many other teachers combined, and has many times been the only person capable of turning certain students' lives around for the better when others had given up on them. I would in fact love to hear from any of her students, current or former, about how their lives changed because of her. Certain people reading this page need to be aware of how much this incredible woman has done for Hoboken students.
It is disgusting and appalling that any person in this community would even think she made this decision selfishly in any manner or in order to make some sort of political statement. Stop turning this into a political campaign and keep this about the students!

Maybe its because she doesn't play politics and actually does have the students best interest at heart - that certain insecure individuals have targeted her. Staying on would only condone their poor leadership.

Facts only, what are the facts? There seems to be at least two sides to this story. There was a meeting between her and her administrator and then she quit. Everyone agrees the programs is great and the kids love her but no one knows why she quit.

johnsmith - In the article itself it says that Mrs. Ohaus "can't take it anymore." For someone who has worked in the district for so long and who has done so much for the students and has brought a program to such success to say something like that, don't you think it would insinuate that there was something going on on the "inside" that would have pushed her to resign?
---------------
It would make no sense to say that she would resign because she was placed in a classroom. She loves working with the students, so there would be no reason for her to dislike such a placement. Her title of District Coordinator of Theatre Arts was taken away last year. Her title this year is simply "teacher," and directing shows was something in addition to working in a classroom. The point is, she is doing her job and MORE. In fact, she is not being properly compensated. While teachers are compensated with a stipend for after-school activities, she is NOT.

Bottom line is, I'm not worried about Paula Ohaus, because I wouldn't be surprised if people from other districts (public, charter, and private schools alike), start knocking on her door even as I write this, trying to recruit her. What DOES worry me is that once again the children in the Hoboken public schol district LOSE.

I wonder what would happen if all of the charter and/or private schools in Hoboken got together and worked out a deal with Mrs. Ohaus to produce performances strictly for and with their students and created policies that would exclude public school students from participating. Better yet, she could also have the option of opening up her OWN theatre arts charter school right here in Hoboken. I wonder what would happen then...

Will. I guess it would depend on the "violations". If they were occuring over two years why wasn't she let go? It can't be the teaching, that was last years thing.

If you know the nature of the violations I think that would help people understand if it was a witchhunt or not.

A Performing Arts School is an interesting idea for Hoboken. Would you be ok with it not allowing outside kids to participate?

You are exactly right facts only! It's as I was saying all along, she doesn't need it. She can be anywhere else winning awards for another school or district. My sophmore year, her first year putting up a show in HHS, we did a production of The Wiz. Before that it had been, if i'm not mistaken, more than a quarter of a century since they put up any kind of musical in that building. Most of the lights and backdrops were rotten and rusted from all the years of just sitting there. Backstage bathrooms resembled something out of a horror film. This woman transformed that space from a dungeon into a legit theater space. Did something that nobody had any interest in doing for decades. For what? The money? She will be ok. She can easily get a job anywhere. It's the kids that won't be ok.

Lasteema, you're absolutely right. Everyone (regardless of whether or not they are in the board's favor) should be held to the same standards. And yes, Paula has been treated differently, just not in the way you, and apparently others, have been led to believe. No one has been turning a blind eye. In fact there have been more eyes, and they have been open extra wide. When you make it so difficult for someone to succeed, you increase the likelihood that they'll fail. I can't blame anyone for questioning the situation, I just wish that they would remember to ask questions of both sides and not assume that they know the truth.

For those who were questioning the practice of non-HHS students participating in the play, the HBOE policy manual is located on the district website. There doesn't appear to be ANY definite policy that non-HHS students can or can not participate.
As many have commented, charter school students have been allowed to participate in extra-curricular programs in the past. The applicable sections of policy are excerpted below:

POLICY 6145 (only refers to district students)
For purposes of this policy, "extracurricular activities" shall be those activities that are sponsored or approved by the Board but are not offered for credit toward graduation. Such activities shall generally be conducted outside the regular school day, available to pupils who voluntarily elect to participate, marked by pupil participation in the processes of initiation, planning, organizing and execution and shall ordinarily include band, clubs, dramatic or musical presentations, and intramural and interscholastic sports.

F. Ensure that all extracurricular activities are open to all eligible pupils and that all pupils are fully informed of the opportunities open to them.

http://vimeo.com/22371547?ab
I just finished this video yesterday and cannot help sharing. I do not have kids. And, I've only known Carmelo 2 weeks, (I'm making his campaign commercial) but he genuinely gives a damn about education. He maintains a pure passion about Hoboken and the experience of growing up here. Yes, I understand this is a 'non-political discussion' focusing on the children and I'm campaigning.
I don't care.
-
http://www.facebook.com/hoboken.magazine friend me on facebook.

A person from off the street comes into school and wants to meet with high school students interested in employment. Said person, showing no identification, is brought to meet with a number of students alone with no adult supervision in a room in the high school and sets up meetings off campus to introduce students to "sales techniques" in an old warehouse. Long story short, turns out this person is a con artist. Gets arrested in NYC. Students are upset, visibly shaken and the story makes the local news (WABC-TV, WNBC-TV, FOX News). Sound familiar? What if that stranger rapped or murdered one of those kids? Would the district be liable? What should have happened to the principal? Should the principal have gotten reappointed? Did the principal get an increase in salary? Anyone write a story representing the parents?