Three Will Vie for Two Open Seats on West Orange School Board

West Orange residents will see one current board member and two newcomers on the ballot in November for the board of education.

One incumbent and two candidates will contend for two seats in the West Orange Board of Education election in November.  Tuesday was the deadline for candidates to file their petitions for the two open seats with the Essex County Board of Elections. According to the county clerk's office, the following candidates have filed: Mordecai was elected in 2010. She is a 15-year resident of the township and two her sons have graduated from West Orange High School, according to the district's website.  Current board vice president, Megan Brill, did not file for reelection. Brill was elected in 2010 

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john anthony prignano

4:20 pm on Sunday, June 9, 2013

wohopeful Good comments. Here's a chance for Ms. Mordecai to prove she's an independent voice on the Board. The other 2 candidates can forcefully demonstrate that it won't be business as usual if they're elected: Will the 3 candidates state in writing { Patch would be one way }, that they will not engage in acts of cronyism and nepotism if they are elected { or re - elected } to the West Orange …   more ›

School Budget Passage Hikes Taxes 2.48 Percent

West Orange homeowners to see taxes go up $177.45 for an average assessed home at $339K.

The West Orange Board of Education unanimously approved the $141,460,056 2013-14 school budget Wednesday night that will include a 2.48-percent tax increase.  For an average assessed home at $339,000, taxes will rise approximately $177.45 with the budget's $120,538,165 tax levy. Business Administrator Mark Kenney explained the New Jersey law limiting school districts to a 2-percent tax increase refers to the percentage increase in tax levy year-to-year, which is 1.29 percent in the budget.  The approved budget is only a .4 percent, or $628,479, increase over last year’s budget, which came in at $140,831,577. Interim Superintendent James O'Neill attributed the budget increase to unfunded mandates, such as new teacher and principal …

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Gary Englert

10:23 am on Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Paul P: Would you care to identify "the (amazing) amount of waste" in the school system? The simply fact remains that the West Orange School System serves a racially, ehtnically and culturally diverse population, whose socio-economic status is not reflected by the community at large, in addition to containing a high percentage of special needs students...and it does it well. Our best students are…   more ›

School Budget Presentation, Vote Tonight

West Orange Board of Education expected to approve $131,312,875 budget with a $120,538,165 tax levy in 8 p.m. meeting at high school.

The West Orange Board of Education is slated to approve the 2013-14 school budget following with a full public presentation at 8 p.m. Wednesday night in West Orange High School.  The proposed budget is $131,312,875, with a tax levy of $120,538,165. For a meeting agenda, see the attached pdf. It is unknown if the proposed budget will reflect the expected tax increase announced last week.  On March 22, the school district announced the expected school tax increase will be 1.29 percent or less, a spokesperson for the district said.  Under the proposed 1.29 percent tax increase, an average township home assessed at $339,000 would see raise taxes by approximately $186.  The board unanimously passed a $132,977,874 tentative budget for the 2013-…

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Do You Support the Proposed School Budget?

[POLL] The preliminary budget was approved earlier this month but after cutting the budget in the last few weeks the district expects a 1.29 tax increase or less. What do you think of the budget? Tell us in the comments and vote in our poll.

On March 4, the West Orange Board of Education unanimously passed a $132,977,874 tentative budget for the 2013-2014 school year, which came in $3.2 million more than last year's. In the last few weeks, the board has asked Interim Superintendent James O'Neill to cut costs twice, according to a spokesperson for the district. On Friday, the school district announced the expected school tax increase will be 1.29 percent or less. The proposed 1.29 percent tax increase, for an average assessed home at $339,000, would raise taxes approximately $186. The tax increase is mainly due to capital improvements across the district as well as required training and new equipment, and increases in insurance and maintenance costs.   So what do you think? Do …

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Gunny

11:09 pm on Monday, March 25, 2013

Adam, I don't often agree with you but you're rite on target with this. The BOE is out of control. The amount of asst's is ridiculous as well as the amount of employees per student.   more ›

District: Expected School Tax Increase Less Than 1.3 Percent

West Orange Board of Education releases preliminary figures of budget before final presentation next week.

The West Orange school district announced Friday the expected school tax increase will be 1.29 percent or less, a spokesperson for the district said.  The proposed 1.29 percent tax increase, for an average assessed home at $339,000, would raise taxes approximately $186.  The board said it is still working to cut the budget where it can before the final budget is presented next week.  The tax increase is mainly due to capital improvements across the district. In the final budget presentation, a slide show will detail the important repairs in schools, the administration said.  The remainder of the tax increase will pay for required training and new equipment, as well as increases in insurance and maintenance costs.  On March 4, the board …

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Board of Ed To Improve Athletic Fields

West Orange school board approves the installation of lights on Suriano Field and to re-turfing Lincoln Field.

The West Orange Board of Education approved the installation of lights on Suriano Field and to re-turfing Lincoln Field at Monday night's meeting, a published report said.  Residents asked who would have full control over the facilties since the costs would be paid for by left over township funds, according to the Alternative Press.  The board told the public school activities would be first priority, the report said.  Other organizations would still require permits for use. 

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Gary Englert

2:39 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Ryan, You are right and I stand corrected. While shared services agreements routinely include provisions for sharing the costs, this particular one does not.   more ›

School Board Approves Preliminary Budget

Board President Michelle Casalino says the tax levy is too high and the board has asked administration to make cuts in budget.

The West Orange Board of Education unanimously passed a $132,977,874 tentative budget for the 2013-2014 school year, containing a $3.2 million hike over last year’s plan. "This is still a work in progress, however we had to present a tentative budget to the county this week,” Board president Michelle Casalino said at Monday night's meeting. "We are not done with this budget. We have to analyze a lot more data." The proposed operating budget of $132,977,874 would set the local tax levy at $122,203,165 — $3,203,034 more than last year's $119,000,131 figure. Officials were unable to provide a figure on how much the tax hike would be for township homeowners. When reached Tuesday, Casalino said, "We still want to get that tax down. Obviously …

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The Board of Education and Promises Broken

Local Voices from Adam Kraemer.

Board of Education Candidates Meet and Greet Local Residents

The Pleasantdale PTA held a “Meet the Candidates Night,” where residents could meet Board of Education candidates and ask them questions in an informal setting.

West Orange residents filed into Pleasantdale Elementary School Wednesday night, to meet their Board of Education candidates and ask them questions face to face during an informal “Meet the Candidates Night,” hosted by the Pleasantdale Parent Teacher's Association. The four candidates, incumbent Michelle Casalino and challengers Ron Charles, Adam Kraemer and Joe Sorbino are running for two three-year seats on the West Orange Board of Education. This will be the first year candidates campaign and compete against one another in a November election. Members of the Parent Teacher's Association submitted questions which were read to the candidates who were each given an opportunity to answer. One of the popular topics of the night was the lack …

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Joe Sorbino, Candidate for Board of Education in West Orange

Local dad looks to win a seat on the school board this November.

Name : Mr. Joe Sorbino Date of birth : 06 November 1964 Place of residence : 18 Sheridan Avenue Attended college : Yes College : FDU Degree : BA, Public Policy Year of graduation : Spring 2012 Has served in the military: Yes Rank : PFC Date when discharged from duty : 01 May 1993 Job titles held : NA Employers : NJDOC Party affiliation : Democrat Running for a: Local office Running for position: WOBOE Chamber/district: Incumbent: No Previous elective offices : NA Unsuccessful bids for elective offices : No Address POBox 477 West Orange NJ 7052 Name : Althia Ttweiten Title : Manager Facebook : Facebook.com/joe-sorbino-for-west-orange-board-of-education Veteran PTA President, Edison Middle School Certified Public Manager MPA, Public …

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