The problem of collecting a payroll tax meant to help fund Jersey City schools has attracted the attention of Hudson County Commissioner and mayoral candidate Bill O’Dea, who is calling on the city and state to institute reforms to insure that developers and contractors are paying up. Apparently responding to a recent call by Ward […]
Jersey City Education
Posted inNews
Board of Ed Removes VP Barkouch in Another Contentious Meeting
At last night’s unexpectedly heated special Board of Education meeting, Vice President Younass Barkouch was removed from his position and replaced with George Blount. The move came after several members of the coalition that recently voted Barkouch and President Dejon Morris into power were upset with Barkouch’s failed allegiance to the group. The vote to remove Barkouch […]
Posted inEducation
Colombian Native Named to Helm St. Peter’s University Starting July 1
Describing himself as someone “spiritually rooted in the Catholic faith, with personal values that align with those of Jesuit education and traditions,” Hubert Benitez will succeed Eugene J. Comacchia as the 23rd president of St. Peter’s University, it was announced this week. Benitez, selected from among a pool of more than 200 candidates, will take over […]
Posted inEducation
Board of Ed Elects Morris and Barkouch; Preliminary Budget Approved
After weeks of confusion and uncertainty in the aftermath of last month’s Board of Education meeting, the board officially instated Dejon Morris and Younass Barkouch as president and vice president, respectively. At the February 29 meeting, five members of the board held a vote to remove former President Natalia Ioffe and former Vice President Noemi Velazquez […]
Posted inLatest News
State Monitor Lays Out Corrective Action Plan for NJCU; Points to Merger as Survival Strategy
A state Office of Higher Education gunslinger is laying down the law to financially troubled New Jersey City University. Unless the school, founded in 1927, can dramatically reverse its persistent high debt, enrollment declines (this year excepted), underfunded capital needs and questionable real estate deals, it should prepare to be absorbed into another institution, the […]
Posted inEducation
Liberty Science Center and Medical Center Showcase Local Scientific Talent
In hopes of nurturing local talent and future scientific leaders, Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, in partnership with Liberty Science Center, hosted the 33rd annual Hudson County STEM Showcase. More than 400 students showcased their projects across various scientific and engineering disciplines, with the aim of honing their technical skills, creativity, and critical thinking. The […]
Posted inNews
Schools Superintendent Calls on State to Monitor Board of Ed Following “Coup”
Following the shocking ouster of the president and vice president at last month’s Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Norma Fernandez has called on the New Jersey Department of Education to provide a fiscal and governance monitor. Fernandez also requested a “comprehensive review” of the five board members who engaged in the “coup” and voted to […]
Posted inEducation
Op Ed: The Teachers Union and Ousted Leadership Share Blame for the Chaos
For five years I had the honor of serving on the Jersey City Board of Education. I felt compelled to speak out after witnessing the unfortunate, but all too predictable, events of last week. In the last election, I was not endorsed by the Jersey City Education Association, and was replaced on the board by […]
Posted inEducation
Project to Put Safe Drinking Water in Schools Enters Final Stretch
A drive to make safe drinking water available to all Jersey City public school students and staff has entered its third and final stage, Schools Superintendent Norma Fernandez said recently. Since the start, Guarini Plumbing, a local vendor, has been entrusted with plans to replace lead service pipes that deliver water to city school facilities […]
Posted inEducation
Many High School Seniors Still Have Work to do in Order to Graduate
While the number of Jersey City high school seniors deemed “graduation ready” is slowly climbing, there are many who have more work to do before they get that sheepskin. At last night’s Board of Education caucus, the district presented the results of the fall administration of the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA). According to the district, […]