Publications and Actions from MKF
MKF Update on State Wide PARCC Results (4/17/15)
We wanted to pass on today’s Star Ledger editorial, which not only puts Montclair and our own PARCC participation rate front and center, but also showcases some very scary consequences and realities that we never heard during the General Comment period at our Board of Education meetings.
http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/04/thanks_to_parcc_opt-outs_nj_schools_could_lose_big.html#incart_2box_opinion_index.ssf
Please note the following:
One conclusion is clear: While many acknowledge that the PARCC exam is not perfect, the vast majority in our State supports the new testing regime, including many of Montclair’s local neighbors with excellent school systems.
MKF has not yet formed a point of view on how we, as a community, should now address this issue, but we do believe that communicating, listening and sharing factual information with each other is the first step. That said, MKF supports the Montclair BoE Strategic Plan which included the use of the PARCC test to improve the quality of education delivered to our kids.
As the Star Ledger article mentions, NJ state officials will not ignore these results, and certainly a great deal of attention will be brought to bear on Montclair on this issue. There may also be financial ramifications to our recently approved budget. It is our hope that all of you will communicate your displeasure with these results and advocate that we move forward with positive programs for our kids to our Board of Education members. Their email addresses are:
David Deutsch: [email protected]
Anne Mernin: [email protected]
David Cummings: [email protected]
Jessica de Koninck: [email protected]
Robin Kulwin: [email protected]
Leslie Larson: [email protected]
Shelly Lombard: [email protected]
Since MKF is most focused on reviewing facts so we can make the best, most educated decisions for our kids, here are some more links that we hope might be helpful to you -
http://www.nj.com/education/2015/04/despite_opt-out_movement_most_nj_kids_took_parcc.html#incart_river
http://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-releases-figures-on-opt-out-rates-for-new-state-tests-1.1309668
http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2015/04/15/n-j-says-number-of-students-who-opted-out-of-tests-very-low/
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/15/04/16/technology-earns-high-marks-in-first-round-of-online-testing/
http://observer.com/2015/04/weakening-standardized-tests-amounts-to-killing-the-messenger/
We wanted to pass on today’s Star Ledger editorial, which not only puts Montclair and our own PARCC participation rate front and center, but also showcases some very scary consequences and realities that we never heard during the General Comment period at our Board of Education meetings.
http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/04/thanks_to_parcc_opt-outs_nj_schools_could_lose_big.html#incart_2box_opinion_index.ssf
Please note the following:
- New Jersey’s state-wide opt out rate for grades 3-8 is 4.6%.
- Montclair’s opt out rate for grades 3-8 is 31% (25% for elementary and 37% for middle school).
One conclusion is clear: While many acknowledge that the PARCC exam is not perfect, the vast majority in our State supports the new testing regime, including many of Montclair’s local neighbors with excellent school systems.
MKF has not yet formed a point of view on how we, as a community, should now address this issue, but we do believe that communicating, listening and sharing factual information with each other is the first step. That said, MKF supports the Montclair BoE Strategic Plan which included the use of the PARCC test to improve the quality of education delivered to our kids.
As the Star Ledger article mentions, NJ state officials will not ignore these results, and certainly a great deal of attention will be brought to bear on Montclair on this issue. There may also be financial ramifications to our recently approved budget. It is our hope that all of you will communicate your displeasure with these results and advocate that we move forward with positive programs for our kids to our Board of Education members. Their email addresses are:
David Deutsch: [email protected]
Anne Mernin: [email protected]
David Cummings: [email protected]
Jessica de Koninck: [email protected]
Robin Kulwin: [email protected]
Leslie Larson: [email protected]
Shelly Lombard: [email protected]
Since MKF is most focused on reviewing facts so we can make the best, most educated decisions for our kids, here are some more links that we hope might be helpful to you -
http://www.nj.com/education/2015/04/despite_opt-out_movement_most_nj_kids_took_parcc.html#incart_river
http://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-releases-figures-on-opt-out-rates-for-new-state-tests-1.1309668
http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2015/04/15/n-j-says-number-of-students-who-opted-out-of-tests-very-low/
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/15/04/16/technology-earns-high-marks-in-first-round-of-online-testing/
http://observer.com/2015/04/weakening-standardized-tests-amounts-to-killing-the-messenger/
An Update from MKF - April 3, 2015
Hello All,
First off, I would like to welcome everyone who has joined this mailing list since our last message.
As many of you already know, we had our first group meeting this week. Attendance was much larger than we had hoped and the dialog of thoughts and ideas on how MKF can best serve the community was encouraging and productive. Thank you for all who attended and shared their voice.
If you could not attend the meeting, we’re sorry to have missed you. From listening to those in attendance, I believe that until we formalize our mission and goals, my expectation is that I will remain the only public contact. If for some reason you were not contacted about this meeting and would like to join the next one, please let me know directly.
For those of you who could not attend, here are a few of the outcomes of the meeting:
Please share this communication with your friends, and ask them to consider joining us at http://www.montclairkidsfirst.org
On this holiday weekend we wish everyone a Happy Easter and/or Passover, and I hope to see you on 5th Avenue wearing a silly bonnet.
Best,
Jon Bonesteel, MKF
Hello All,
First off, I would like to welcome everyone who has joined this mailing list since our last message.
As many of you already know, we had our first group meeting this week. Attendance was much larger than we had hoped and the dialog of thoughts and ideas on how MKF can best serve the community was encouraging and productive. Thank you for all who attended and shared their voice.
If you could not attend the meeting, we’re sorry to have missed you. From listening to those in attendance, I believe that until we formalize our mission and goals, my expectation is that I will remain the only public contact. If for some reason you were not contacted about this meeting and would like to join the next one, please let me know directly.
For those of you who could not attend, here are a few of the outcomes of the meeting:
- We established a steering committee to narrow the focus of our near term goals, and we are working to update our mission given the events of the past few weeks.
- We had a productive and detailed discussion on the current environment and how we can best engage the community.
- We discussed a variety of initiatives that MKF can establish to support our schools and address issues like the Achievement Gap.
- Most of all, I think we all stand united that for the property taxes we pay and the values we share, that Montclair should not have an Achievement Gap and our high school should not be ranked 120 of 339 in the State.
- MKF will also continue to support the grievance against Councilman Sean Spiller. The Judge will be hearing the full case on an expedited timeline. We have nothing against Mr. Spiller personally. He has the right to be a paid elected officer of the NJEA. He also has a right to be appointed to the Board of Estimate. But doing both is an obvious conflict of interest that prioritizes the union that pays him over our kids.
- On anonymity, a bit of a personal note - After my Letter to the Editor of Baristanet was published, I received what I expected in terms of responses. Some of those responses were disappointing I must admit, but I have also been energized by the breadth and number of positive messages. We at MKF understand and appreciate that the strength of our organization depends upon more members stepping out front like I have to engage the public directly. As we look to finalize our mission and our priorities, I expect to introduce you to others who will join me very soon.
- Thanks again for your interest and involvement.
Please share this communication with your friends, and ask them to consider joining us at http://www.montclairkidsfirst.org
On this holiday weekend we wish everyone a Happy Easter and/or Passover, and I hope to see you on 5th Avenue wearing a silly bonnet.
Best,
Jon Bonesteel, MKF
Verified Complaint and Supporting Documents (3/16/15)
Please find the verified complaint filed with the Essex County Superior Court on 3/13/15 below.
Please find the verified complaint filed with the Essex County Superior Court on 3/13/15 below.
Please see below the Letter Brief filed on 3/13/15.
MKF Member Jon Bonesteel's Letter to the Editor of Baristanet referencing these actions may be found on their site here.
Response from Montclair Township in Regard to Spiller Complaint (3/16/15)
Please see below the response MKF received from the Montclair Township Attorney to the complaint referenced below.
Please see below the response MKF received from the Montclair Township Attorney to the complaint referenced below.
Montclair Kids First (MKF) and Lowenstein Sandler's Shavar Jefferies File Formal Ethics Complaint Regarding Third Ward Councilor Sean Spiller (3/9/15)
Representing the unified membership of Montclair parents and residents, Montclair Kids First (MKF) counsel, Shavar Jeffries, a senior partner at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, and one of New Jersey's leading civil rights and educational leaders, filed the attached complaint late last week alleging a serious conflict of interest on the Board of Schools Estimates (BSE).
The formal complaint attached to this email requests the immediate resignation of Sean Spiller, the NJEA's 3rd highest ranked official, who currently serves on the BSE.
As you know, the BSE is responsible for reviewing and approving each year the annual operating and capital budgets proposed by Montclair's Board of Education.
This conflict of the public's interest, among others that we seek to bring to light and address, is exactly why Montclair pays more and our kids get less
Conflicts of interest, like this one, are yet another reason why Montclair continues to have a signifiant achievement gap, our schools languish in the lower half in performance, and our High School, our crown jewel, is ranked below 100 in the state.
It is appalling that such a conflict has been permitted to exist for so long and in such violation of the public trust.
We demand Mr. Spiller's immediate resignation from the Board of School Estimate or we shall seek a Court injunction.
We can realize positive change, but we need your help. Spread the word about MKF and let's work together to deliver excellent schools for our kids and the community.
Please see the full text of the complaint here. For more information on our priorities we ask that you join us.
Representing the unified membership of Montclair parents and residents, Montclair Kids First (MKF) counsel, Shavar Jeffries, a senior partner at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, and one of New Jersey's leading civil rights and educational leaders, filed the attached complaint late last week alleging a serious conflict of interest on the Board of Schools Estimates (BSE).
The formal complaint attached to this email requests the immediate resignation of Sean Spiller, the NJEA's 3rd highest ranked official, who currently serves on the BSE.
As you know, the BSE is responsible for reviewing and approving each year the annual operating and capital budgets proposed by Montclair's Board of Education.
This conflict of the public's interest, among others that we seek to bring to light and address, is exactly why Montclair pays more and our kids get less
Conflicts of interest, like this one, are yet another reason why Montclair continues to have a signifiant achievement gap, our schools languish in the lower half in performance, and our High School, our crown jewel, is ranked below 100 in the state.
It is appalling that such a conflict has been permitted to exist for so long and in such violation of the public trust.
We demand Mr. Spiller's immediate resignation from the Board of School Estimate or we shall seek a Court injunction.
We can realize positive change, but we need your help. Spread the word about MKF and let's work together to deliver excellent schools for our kids and the community.
Please see the full text of the complaint here. For more information on our priorities we ask that you join us.