Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The Hoboken Board of Education met on Tuesday night.
The food services program in the Hoboken Schools could break even this year after a 50 percent rise in the amount of lunches consumed, said School Board Member Tom Kluepfel on Tuesday night. If an increase in students who are eating the school lunches persists, he continued, the program could even be profitable next year. In September 2012, Kluepfel said, 14,000 students ate the school lunches. In April that number had risen to 21,000. The food services program has seen some trouble in the past, most significantly a $783,000 debt that was found in an audit in 2011. Since then, the school system has changed its food providers. "If it stays at this level," Kluepfel said, "the program could be profitable next year."
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
In total, the state awarded $1.25 million to school districts that were impacted by the hurricane.
Hoboken is among 26 school districts that will be sharing $1.25 million in Sandy recovery funds, announced the Christie Administration on Tuesday. Hoboken will receive $48,142. The money, which comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Project School Emergency Response to Violence program, is meant to fund short- and long-term education services designed to restore safe learning environments for their students. "Our communities have exhibited tremendous resilience in the face of the after-effects of Super Storm Sandy and they should be commended for all they have done to support our students and their education," said State Education Commissioner Chris Cerf. “These funds from the U.S. Department of Education will help support the …
Thursday, April 18, 2013
After months of discussion, the district is switching to a junior-senior high school model. As of next school year, the seventh grade will be taught at Hoboken High School.
As of the 2013-2014 school year, the seventh graders will move into Hoboken High School. Rather than adopting a middle school model in the district — which was discussed last year — the district will adopt a junior-senior high school model. The Hoboken Board of Education approved the measure on Tuesday night, during their monthly meeting. The School Board asked parents to fill out a survey and hosted an informational evening about the change. While not all parents seemed on board with the idea of moving the seventh graders into the high school, Toback has argued that the high school will offer the students more resources. The seventh graders will not share the classroom with high schoolers. In an earlier interview, Toback described it as "…
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The Hoboken School board voted on a new policy on Tuesday night. The measure requires one more vote before it's law.
If the school board approves the measure for a second reading next month, Hoboken High students will be wearing uniforms, starting next school year. The new dress code policy is being instituted, after HHS Principal told the board that dress code is a big issue at the high school. A lot of time, is spent on managing that problem, said Robin Piccapietra, the principal, on Tuesday night. While change is always difficult, Piccapietra said that her staff at the high school is on board with the new policy, and that they will "hit the groud running." The uniform policy will also make it easier to identify all the students at the school. Without a proper uniform, people won't be let into the school, she said. The measure was approved on first …
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Five district schools are participating in Hoboken's next musical.
The Hoboken School district has announced the dates for its next musical. The students will put on the show on May 3, May 4 and May 5. Currently there are 120 students involved in the production, said Danielle Miller, the theater program director. Students from all K-12 schools are participating. Most recently, Hoboken High put on Rent. Ticket price for the show is $7 for general admission, $5 for students and $3 for seniors. The district is also introducing a $15 family pack: parents and siblings of performers only may pay $15 to attend all three shows. These must be purchased in advance.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Ron Smith, who was hired on an hourly contract, will not continue working for the district.
The Hoboken Board of Education is continuing its search for a permanent Business Administrator, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Toback. Ron Smith, who worked for the district during the most recent budget process, will not be working for the district anymore. Smith was hired on an hourly contract, Toback said. Carole Fredricks, who was hired late in 2012, left in January after working in Hoboken for three months. Fredericks became superintendent in Franklin Township. Former business administrator William Takacs was terminated from the district in August 2012. Takacs had followed interim BA Robert Davis, who officially left the district at the end of 2011.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The annual event will be held on May 31.
The school board approved a resolution to spend $5,112 on a bus to prom, with no cost to the students, on Tuesday night. "It's a regular practice in Hudson County," said Ruth McAllister, one of the school board members. Because a high number of students in the district are on free and reduced lunch, they don't have cars, McAllister said. A bus from the school district is the best way to get the students back to Hoboken safely, she said. A district-sponsored bus is also supposed to prevent drunk driving among the teenagers. While some members questioned the cost on Tuesday and some parents asked why there is no busing of students in the district, Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback explained that busing students inside Hoboken can't be done …
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
The kitchen isn't fully open yet but students will be able to eat in the cafeteria again, the school board announced.
For the first time since Hurricane Sandy hit in late October, 2012, students at the Connors School, located at Second and Monroe, can have breakfast and lunch in their cafeteria. While there is still work being done on the kitchen — which is not yet in service — school board members said, the cafeteria is open. "The kids will be able to eat in the cafeteria," said board member Ruth McAllister. But, she said, the meals will be "buffet style, cooked in a different location." The Connors School sustained the most damage during Sandy, rendering much of the first floor — including the cafeteria, offices and multiple classrooms — useless. Much of the school has been out of service since the hurricane hit.
Friday, February 15, 2013
The Hoboken Board of Education is looking to move the seventh grade into the high school. A public meeting to discuss this with parents will be held.
The Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback are considering a plan in which Hoboken's seventh graders could move into the High School next school year. Rather than adopting a middle school model in the district — which was discussed last year — Toback said he is now looking into the option of a junior-senior high school. The seventh graders would be able to use the high school's resources, but won't be in class with the high schoolers, Toback said. "It'd be like a school within a school," Toback said. There'd be electives and programs for the seventh graders. "At that age they're trying to learn about the world," Toback said. "It opens up a world of new learning opportunities." Before a decision will be made, parents will …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The board voted unanimously on Tuesday night.
Hoboken's public school district has a new business administrator, for the second time in three months. Carole Fredericks, who was appointed in October, will serve as the superintendent of the Franklin Township school district. Fredericks, who also served as board secretary in Hoboken for the last three months, split her time as business administrator between Franklin and Hoboken. She received a salary from both. Now, she will be spending all her time as superintendent. On Tuesday night, the school board unanimously approved Ronald Smith as the interim business administrator and board secretary. Smith formerly served as a school administrator in Secaucus. Smith's appointment is contingent on Department of Education approval.
Enough
12:15 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
But Hoboken school taxes are still going up, making us #2 in the state in spending. more ›