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Horsey’s Timely News Posts

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Grist for the Mill: Don’t ask for whom the bell tolls…

by SmartyJones2 Min Reading

City Hall is buzzing along quietly with the work of a slow but steady summer bee hive but the activity inside is more frenetic than you would think based on the BoE buzzsaw which has pretty much run amok sucking out the attention in our drama fueled land.

The latest action has staked out a road unpaved with more toil and trouble bubbling to the surface in the ongoing battle where most of the salvos have been aimed at Kids First from the internet keyboard armies of Maureen First’s Real Results legion.  This latest salvo returned fire by new Hoboken blog entrant: Graphic Avenger.  Education commissioner Bret Schundler several times Sunday night gave props to the Hoboken Board of Ed for pulling off a maneuver not seen anywhere else in the state: union concessions in education negotiations.  Schundler was focusing on the statewide issues asking for support for the Governor’s amendment to empower local BoEs further, but that didn’t mesh with some of the latest Real Results attacks on the custodian contract.  The Wild Ginger sushi tasted sour for some guests but they’ll rebound sooner than later.  With all this rain, there’s plenty more mud readily at hand. Read More...

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Here comes the rain again…

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

City of Hoboken announces:

FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF HOBOKEN

  • Observer Highway & Marshall Drive, Harrison Street, & Henderson Street
  • Newark Street & Bloomfield Street
  • Newark Street & Garden Street
  • First Street from Willow Avenue to Clinton Street
  • First Street & Harrison Street
  • Paterson Plank Road at Marshall Drive and Harrison Street
  • Third, Fourth & Fifth streets & Jackson Street
  • Fourth Street from Monroe Street to Harrison Street
  • Second Street & Harrison Street
  • Eighth, Ninth & Tenth streets & Madison Street  (area surrounding Shop-Rite)
  • Thirteenth Street & Jefferson Street
    • Read More...

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    Bret Schundler – NJ education commissioner in Hoboken

    by SmartyJones1 Min Reading
    New Jersey Education Commissioner Bret Schundler pictured at the Hoboken Republican Club Lincoln Dinner last night.

    The event was the fifth consecutive for the Hoboken group.

    Although Commissioner Schundler was not appearing in his official capacity, he spoke at length about education and his remarks were detailed on New Jersey’s fiscal challenges along with the educational objectives.

    We’ll have more later on the speech.

    News

    Lincoln Dinner with Bret Schundler in pictures

    by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

    Can’t have an annual Lincoln Dinner with the education commissioner in attendance without the local education folks in attendance and they showed up.  The dinner a sold out affair is the signature event for the Hoboken Republican Club, now in its fifth consecutive year.

    The Real Results team for the Board of Education was in attendance.

    The Kids First team was also in attendance with a table in the front too.

    Nathan Brinkman co-host of the event with Peter Morgan, pictured with Frank Raia. The ever elegant Sean Connelly and a friend, the Corporation Counsel for the former mayor Bret Schundler of Jersey City made some news.  He announced over dinner to Da Horsey he intends to run for mayor in Jersey City.  Ever the gentleman, he kept offering his seat to late arrivals.  We finally convinced him they would find enough seats.

    The Lincoln Dinner was a big success with an overflowing house in attendance. Standing left is Bob Bowdon who announced his film “The Cartel” is appearing in Hoboken at the Clearview Cinema for multiple screening April 21st. Read More...

    News

    Bret Schundler – NJ Education Commissioner Speech Live

    by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

    Pending approval, this show may be a live broadcast of education commissioner Bret Schundler’s speech this evening in Hoboken tonight at 7:00.  Check back then.

    Talking Ed Note:  The broadcast, the first of its kind to be streamed live in Hoboken was a success.  Education Commissioner Bret Schundler’s speech was shown in its entirety.  The new software utilized apparently had a rotation issue and also the final product was not archived for later viewing.   So with the live viewers watching, we’re sorry the archive is not available for additional viewers.  Hope to have this sorted out for the next event. Read More...

    News

    Education Commissioner Bret Schundler in Hoboken

    by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

    The new education commissioner Bret Schundler is speaking this evening at the annual Lincoln Dinner in Hoboken at the Wild Ginger restuarant.  While the event is sold out, MSV will be attending and look to do a live stream of his speech.  At the time of this writing, the approval is pending so check back at 7:00 pm and spread the word.  


    Mr. Schundler, the former mayor of Jersey City is an advocate of greater rights for parents in education, including school choice and vouchers.  He was approved as education commission by the State Senate earlier this month in a 35-2 vote.  Some of his ideas for education over the last decade include: Read More...

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    State of the State of the Ed – Superintendent Carter

    by SmartyJones4 Min Reading

    Hoboken Superintendent’s letter to Citizens and Staff  Posted March 24th, 2010 Dear Citizens and Staff, There is a famous line from an old classic movie which reads, “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”  In our case, though, it is good for us to meet like this so that I can keep you apprised of what is happening in terms of the budget process.  The Board of Education unanimously approved a tentative spending plan for the 2010-2011 School Year.  The bottom line is that there will be NO INCREASE in the tax levy for the operation of the Hoboken Public Schools.  This GOOD NEWS occurred despite the current $660,000 loss of current state aid, and the $2.4 million reduction in the 2010-2011 State Aid.  At the Budget Hearing on Tuesday, the data will show current appropriations of $62,013,193, but next year’s appropriations shall be $57,882,147. That’s it!  There is no more to be said.  If this proposed and advertised budget is passed by the Board on the 30th, =&0=& As presented by the Interim School Business Administrator at the Board’s Budget Workshop on March 22nd, this proposed budget is based in part on the following assumptions:

  • The board’s budget goal of reducing the tax levy without impacting the educational program still remains in effect. 
  • The state cut this year’s state aid by $669,000 effective February 22, 2010 without any advance warning.
  • The state told districts to anticipate state aid cuts for next year of up to 15% of our current state aid total, a cut of $1,400,000 for Hoboken.
  • The state then cut 5% of the total budget with no advance warning, a total cut of $2,400,000 for Hoboken or $1,000,000 more than we were told to anticipate. This is a 26% cut compared to the Hudson County average of 8%.
  • The projected balance to be used as revenue in the 2010-11 budget is $2,100,000, an increase of $700,000 over this year’s total of $1,400,000.
  • The proposed budget for next year includes almost $900,000 from two one time revenues, a $535,000 revenue from a textbook lease program and a $355,000 revenue from the use of second year ARRA federal carryover money.
  • The projected unreserved, unrestricted fund balance estimated for June 30, 2010 is just over $100,000 dollars.
  • The proposed budget for 2010-11 estimates miscellaneous revenues which more closely parallel actual revenues in past fiscal years.
  • The proposed 2010-11 budget includes 14 staff cuts including two (2) principals, one (1) vice principal, one (1) director and ten (10) teachers. Staff reductions will be achieved through attrition due to eighteen (18) retirements, twelve (12) filed and six (6) in process. 
  • The proposed budget includes a reduction in utilities due to the temporary closing of Connors for renovations with students relocated to the Demarest building.
  • The proposed budget includes improved scheduling efficiencies with the move of the alternate program from Demarest to the High School Building and the move of the 8th grade to the high school.
  • The proposed budget was prepared understanding that in addition to the unavailability of large surpluses in future years, the probability of smaller excess revenues and under-expended line items this coming year and the likelihood of flat state aid at best over the next few years, that available revenues continue to decline.
  • The proposed budget was prepared with the strong possibility of a reduced tax levy cap of 2 ½ % for the next budget cycle together with the elimination of the various tax cap waivers currently available and with the knowledge that dollars below cap any year are permanent for all future years.
  • The proposed budget was prepared with the understanding that the possible new and lower hard tax cap of 2 ½% will coincide with already negotiated salary increases of 4% in future budget years.
  • The budget was prepared with the understanding that the administration has operated within the framework of the board’s budget goal, not withstanding the various adverse parameters listed above. 
  • This budget was prepared given the late notice of state aid received after the close of business on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 with cuts of $1,000,000 more than the maximum we were told to anticipate. 
  • The revised budgets were “technically” due in the county office today.
  • This budget is recommended by the Superintendent to the Board of Education subject to the understanding of how the above items will impact future budget years.
    Sincerely yours,
    Peter E. Carter
    Talking Ed Note:  This letter was posted originally on the Board of Ed site but many may not see it.  It’s important to note the efforts of the Superintendent and Business Administrator Davis’ to present such a professional and well executed plan.
    A number of challenges with reductions in State aid due to the fiscal crisis have been met and that’s something everyone should be satisfied with, election next month notwithstanding.  Areas highlighted in red are emphasized by MSV.

    As about 30% of Hoboken taxpayer’s bill is for education, this is no small feat.

    • Read More...

    News

    Grist for the Mill: BoE Limited Edition

    by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

    Last night the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce held an event and there was a full slate of BoE candidates on hand.  Ken Howitt who proclaimed his independence in a letter to the Hoboken Journal earlier this month explained why he is now part of Frank Raia’s slate.

    Earlier Mr. Howitt had criticized SmartyJones as not being smart for linking him to Frank Raia when the candidates originally filed.  MSV noted the error and then later posted on the Hoboken Journal we were curious how long it would last. Read More...

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    Phil and Da Mayor – You’re invited Friday nite

    by SmartyJones1 Min Reading
    Forward this message to a friend
    An Invitation From Phil Cohen
    Friday night, March 26, we are hosting a gathering of friends and neighbors to meet with Board President Rose Marie Markle,  Board Trustee Irene Sobolov,  Jean Marie Mitchell and Leon Gold, four outstanding candidates on the Kids First ticket for the Hoboken Board of Education. 

    In these tough fiscal times, now more than ever, we need committed public servants who can lead the Hoboken Public Schools to deliver better results in the classroom, while offering fiscally responsible leadership. Read More...