At last night’s Board of Education meeting, one topic dominated: the reopening of the Astor Place Garden. Members of the community and the Black Interest Team Enterprise program spoke up to ask the board to open this community space and to provide users with restroom facilities. Calling the garden “essential to her congregation,” Pastor Doris […]
Education
A Chat With Teachers’ Union President Ron Greco
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Ron Greco, president of the Jersey City Education Association. A familiar face to those who attend Board of Education meetings where he often weighs in on behalf of the 4,000 teachers and support staff he represents, Greco is passionate when discussing the challenges confronting the Jersey City […]
Union-Backed Board of Ed Candidates Prevail, Menendez and Payne Cruise to Victory
There were few surprises in local races last night. With unofficial results in, the Jersey City Education Association-backed candidates for the Board of Education prevailed, coming in first, second and third among a field of eight candidates. In congressional races, Hudson County proved, once again, to be a one-party town with Rob Menendez and Donald […]
Jersey City Gets New Charter School for Grades 6-12
Jersey City will get a new independent charter school next fall, only the second such authorization granted by the state Department of Education in the past five years and one that its founders plan will enable the school to offer instruction in grades 6–12. Put together entirely by the married couple Katie Hahn and DJ […]
What Board of Education Candidates Say on the Issues that Matter to Voters
With the upcoming election, Jersey City residents have gone all over the internet to ask Board of Education candidates and other community members for answers to their most pressing questions before voting on Tuesday, November 8. Online chatter has focused on three issues: an unpopular tax increase, teacher shortages, and low-test scores that were further […]
Local Music Teacher Charged With Sexually Assaulting Student
A Jersey City music teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting a male student. According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, David Musial, 62, was arrested yesterday and charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, Criminal Sexual Contact and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Musial was arrested at the Hudson […]
Letter: Vote for Board of Ed Candidates Who Will Put the Kids First
I am a working mom, a homeowner, and a Jersey City resident. With the Jersey City Board of Education elections coming up- I find myself increasingly concerned about some of the messaging coming from candidates running for BOE Trustee positions. The BOE elections and candidate platforms tend to not focus on the needs of the […]
Jersey City School Security Guard Charged with Child Sex Crimes
A Jersey City Public Schools security guard stands accused of multiple sex crimes involving two children. According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested Freddy Salas, 60, of Bayonne, today and charged him with Aggravated Sexual Assault, two counts of Sexual Assault by Contact, and two count […]
Drinking Water Has Returned to Some Schools but Others Still Thirst
Jersey City Schools Superintendent Norma Fernandez predicted that 14 city schools whose water fountains were shut off because they’re connected to lead service pipes should be back working by June 2023. Those schools, with a total of 5,000 students, make up the second phase of a district-wide project to give students and staff access to […]
BOE Tackles Labor Issues, Psych Services and Teacher Shortage
The Board of Education convened for six hours Thursday night in a session dominated by labor complaints and by information on new psychological services to be offered to students citywide. Board members also discussed the district’s current teacher shortage and recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month. Representing thousands of their co-unionists, several members of Local 2262 […]