EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: NJ State Education Commissioner & Lakewood School Deans Discuss School District Woes

VIDEO & PHOTOS: New Jersey’s Education Commisoner, David Hespe, was in Lakewood on Monday to meet with NJ Education Commissioner grpschool deans, community leaders, and the Mayor.

Hespe, a former Lakewood resident, was appointed Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education on March 20, 2014, returning for what is now his fourth time working at the Department.

NJ Education Commissioner hespeDuring the meeting, arranged by Board of Education President Isaac Zlatkin – who introduced the Commissioner, Hespe discussed ‎his goals for the cash-strapped Lakewood school district, which includes both short and long-term solutions.

The Commissioner explained that the long-term process of correcting the fundamental issues facing the district, isn’t something which can be fixed in a year, three years, or event 5 years. Anyone who thinks otherwise would be folling themselves, says the Commissioner.

Also in attendance, was the new appointed state monitor, Michael Azarra, who has been assigned to Lakewood in an attempt to find solutions to the fiscal crisis.

c3Following the remarks of the Commissioner, the school deans offered their opinions and ideas they feel would – with the assistance of the state officials – tackle some of the core issues.

See video below for some of the Commissioner’s comments. [TLS]

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10 COMMENTS

  1. First BOE president that is tackling the problems without shoving them under the rug.
    Huge Kudos to Isaac..Keep up the good work.. we need more money coming to Lakewood from the state…

  2. This is a muddy mess. What are the woes and why do they exist?

    No place in the America has an increase of ratables as Lakewood. Additionally, there is a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies in town allegedly contributing. We also have an industrial part.

    Further, we have people contributing taxes who do not even send one child to the public schools. No town in America has such advantages to save money.

    WHERE IS THE MONEY?????

    Let’s be honest here. Until we are honest, there will not be a clean chesbon, so why go through the motions faking it?

  3. “Further, we have people contributing taxes who do not even send one child to the public schools. No town in America has such advantages to save money.”
    Does busing ring any bell? I am a senior who doesn’t use any services of BOE but for Lakewood large families to say they don’t use any services it laughable! Each child who doesn’t attend public school still utilizes busing services. Each family is using up thousand of dollars in resources just in busing..Nothing will happen in Lakewood as long as you have people like #2

  4. to #3

    Public school children also receive busing plus thousands of dollars are paid on top of that for education. the non public schools just receive busing. that should amount to a huge savings for the town as all they have to pay for the children of so many taxpayers is busing and nothing else.
    The fact that there are many seniors here just backs up #2 as they pay taxes and don’t receive anything. so the question remains where is all the $?

  5. To #3 , bussing for a family of 10 children doesn’t cost as much as it cost to educate one child in the public school system.

  6. It is not only busing that private schools are entitled,too. Books used in the public for the teaching of English , mathematics, science, health, & etc are provided to private & religious schools.

  7. 2 things I have to say

    1- the reason why we don’t get enough funding is because it is based on a normal school district which has for example 90% public school kids verses 10% private.

    The state pays based on that.
    When it is the opposite like in lakewood we get much less funding.
    I know this solution has already been suggested but if all yeshivas sent home an application form to enroll for public school and we showed up for the first week or not even this issue will be resolved for good.

    2- it’s takes a real good politician to speak for 8 minutes and say almost nothing. Very impressive

  8. I went to a catholic school if I wanted busing u had to pay extra, we didn’t get money off the state or take from the public school system, I am so sick of this town everyone feeling entitled. I am a tax payer who kids r in the public school system they desired a bus. This town is done. I am glad the investigator r involved. I planned to move out you all will drive urself in a whole anyway!!

Comments are closed.