MKF Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the members of MFK?
All members of MKF will remain anonymous, unless they choose to identify themselves. Given the current state of affairs in Montclair, confidentiality has proven to be foundational to its creation and launch. MKF will serve as a safe haven so that more ideas regarding Montclair’s government and school district may be shared, and more questions might be openly asked in public forum, without the fear of reprisal. With needed support, the organization hopes parents and residents will eventually feel protected, come forward publically and catalyze a stronger discourse throughout the community.
Who is funding MKF?
Parents and residents who live in Montclair collectively sponsor the actions of MKF. There are no membership fees.
Will MKF advocate for Charter Schools in Montclair?
No. While we believe that charter schools have a place in the National and State educational landscape, we do not believe that a charter school is the answer in Montclair.
Is MKF affiliated with a particular political party?
No. We are strictly non-partisan with a single issue that animates our membership: ensuring that we deliver the highest quality education to our kids. We will support those public leaders in Montclair, and those with aspirations to become public leaders in Montclair, who are aligned with our organization’s education goals.
What is your view of the current Superintendent, Dr. Penny MacCormack, and her resignation?
We believe that Dr. MacCormack should have been given a chance. On November 1, 2012, Dr. Penny MacCormack, a 20 year veteran of Public Education and a former Assistant Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer at the New Jersey DOE, assumed her present role as Superintendent of Schools in Montclair Township. On June 17, 2013, the Board of Education approved Dr. MacCormack’s Strategic Operating Plan, a strong foundation for academic excellence built on higher expectations, reforms to central services, and greater accountability. Thus ended, or so we thought, the drift and torpor that proved to be the singular achievement of the prior administration under Dr. Frank Alvarez. Dr. Alvarez not only refused to ready the district for Common Core, but engaged in comprehensive financial and HR mismanagement, failed to close a significant technology deficit, and left a gaping and unaddressed achievement gap.
We are appalled by the MEA’s campaign (and that of its small, but vocal minority of extremist elements in our community) against the Strategic Plan and our Superintendent, without offering any alternatives whatsoever. We are infuriated by their destructive and irrational agenda, their intimidation of parents, open disparagement of members of our community, and their demagoguery and demonization of Dr. MacCormack and others who have given so much in return for so little.
How do I join MKF?
Please visit the Join Us page.
All members of MKF will remain anonymous, unless they choose to identify themselves. Given the current state of affairs in Montclair, confidentiality has proven to be foundational to its creation and launch. MKF will serve as a safe haven so that more ideas regarding Montclair’s government and school district may be shared, and more questions might be openly asked in public forum, without the fear of reprisal. With needed support, the organization hopes parents and residents will eventually feel protected, come forward publically and catalyze a stronger discourse throughout the community.
Who is funding MKF?
Parents and residents who live in Montclair collectively sponsor the actions of MKF. There are no membership fees.
Will MKF advocate for Charter Schools in Montclair?
No. While we believe that charter schools have a place in the National and State educational landscape, we do not believe that a charter school is the answer in Montclair.
Is MKF affiliated with a particular political party?
No. We are strictly non-partisan with a single issue that animates our membership: ensuring that we deliver the highest quality education to our kids. We will support those public leaders in Montclair, and those with aspirations to become public leaders in Montclair, who are aligned with our organization’s education goals.
What is your view of the current Superintendent, Dr. Penny MacCormack, and her resignation?
We believe that Dr. MacCormack should have been given a chance. On November 1, 2012, Dr. Penny MacCormack, a 20 year veteran of Public Education and a former Assistant Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer at the New Jersey DOE, assumed her present role as Superintendent of Schools in Montclair Township. On June 17, 2013, the Board of Education approved Dr. MacCormack’s Strategic Operating Plan, a strong foundation for academic excellence built on higher expectations, reforms to central services, and greater accountability. Thus ended, or so we thought, the drift and torpor that proved to be the singular achievement of the prior administration under Dr. Frank Alvarez. Dr. Alvarez not only refused to ready the district for Common Core, but engaged in comprehensive financial and HR mismanagement, failed to close a significant technology deficit, and left a gaping and unaddressed achievement gap.
We are appalled by the MEA’s campaign (and that of its small, but vocal minority of extremist elements in our community) against the Strategic Plan and our Superintendent, without offering any alternatives whatsoever. We are infuriated by their destructive and irrational agenda, their intimidation of parents, open disparagement of members of our community, and their demagoguery and demonization of Dr. MacCormack and others who have given so much in return for so little.
How do I join MKF?
Please visit the Join Us page.
