County Board of Commissioners Chart Roadmap: Budget Approval, Cultural Celebrations, and Inclusivity Initiatives

Overview: In a recent meeting, the Bergen County Board of Commissioners discussed a wide range of topics, from the 2023 county budget to the idea of a central cultural center, as well as significant recognitions and initiatives aimed at enhancing the diversity and inclusivity within the county.

Superintendent Unveils Major Initiatives in an Engaging Town Hall Meet

Overview: In a recently held virtual town hall style meeting dubbed “Coffee with the Superintendent,” Mark Schwartz, the newly appointed Superintendent of Ridgewood Public Schools, unveiled a plethora of initiatives aimed at tackling some of the district’s most pressing concerns. Addressing an array of topics from curriculum rewrites to school bus timings, Schwartz emphasized his commitment to transparency and open dialogue with the community.

Historic Preservation and Public Transparency Stir Debate at Ridgewood Council Meeting

Overview: The Ridgewood Council’s latest meeting demonstrated a broad array of community feelings and intensifying demands for transparency in the council’s decisions, with the Zabriskie-Shedler House park development as a key focal point.

County Commissioners Discuss Legal Aid Initiative and Honor Scholar Recipients

Overview: In an eventful recent meeting, the Bergen County Board of Commissioners addressed various public and administrative matters, with significant emphasis on initiating legal aid for low-income residents, enhancing local infrastructure, and celebrating local scholarship recipients.

School Board Meeting Ignites Dispute Over Before and After School Care Program

Overview: In a recent Ridgewood School Board meeting, tempers flared as the process and handling of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for a before and after school care contract sparked a passionate debate. Multiple stakeholders, including the President and CEO of the Ridgewood Y, expressed dissatisfaction with the procedure, with claims suggesting a rushed timeline, unfair advantage to the existing vendor, AlphaBest Education, and a lack of public participation. The core of the opposition to AlphaBest is that it has had long waitlists that does not allow parents to enroll their students in the program.