Resident supports Stilton for Jackson Board of Education

I am a neighbor of Phil Stilton and can attest to his characther and commitment to the community.  I would feel well represented with Phil serving on the board of education, confident that he will do everything possible to promote a great academic experience for our children. Louis Soto Share and Enjoy:  Read More →

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As school budget tightens, student parking fees once again a source of contention

Jackson, NJ – In the 2009-10 school budget, the Jackson Schools board of education proposed a $25 per semester surcharge for high school seniors to park on school property.    Dozens of parents opposed this measure, claiming it was double taxation and unfair to only tax a small percentage of people who use the district’s parking facilities.      Many felt if the district wished... 

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Letter: Corporate executive says Stilton does right things for right reasons

As the Chief Information Officer of ePresence, based in Massachusetts, I worked with Phil Stilton as he managed information technology (IT) as a Regional IT Director  for the company’s New York and  New Jersey offices.  Phil always took personal responsibility for every aspect of his operations there and was accountable for every dollar he spent.  My trust in and respect for Phil was high... 

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7 people vie for 2 board of education seats

Jackson, NJ – As the terms of current school board members Sharon Dey and Linda Lackey are set to expire on the Jackson School District Board of Education, seven candidates are now in the running for the two positions.   Dey and Lackey are joined by former long time school board members Gus Acevedo and Marty Spielman who seek to regain the seats they lost in previous elections.    Perennial... 

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The answer to school woes lies in compromise not open warfare

Last month, Governor Christie announced that he will be forcing school districts to spend any budget surplus remaining over 2%, which for Jackson equals $1.5 million.   Normally, I would not agree with this action because it goes against overall conservative values on a state level.   While yes, there is a punitive action for districts such as Jackson who managed to keep costs down enough to have... 

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Take a look under the hood of the 2010-11 Jackson School Budget

Jackson, NJ -  One of the initiatives I support is more financial transparency on our schools.  Last year, I had requested that residents be provided with the detail behind the slideshow powerpoint presentations and was promised they would be made available this year.  When I asked this year, I was told this information was only available to the Community Budget Advisory Committee, but I did not... 

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Two Jackson students win local arts competition

Photo from left to right: Helene Capicotto, Art Teacher; Elena Sweeney; Jade Williams; Gina Capasso; Sophia Porras; Laura Stone, Jackson Lions Club Jackson, NJ, February 27, 2010 – Sophia Porras, an 8th grade student at the Carl W. Goetz Middle School and Gina Capasso, an 8th grade student from the National Junior Arts Honor Society, have taken the first step to becoming internationally recognized... 

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One injured when Jackson Township school bus sinks in ditch

Jackson, NJ – A Jackson Township school bus on Wednesday pulled over to the side of a road to allow oncoming vehicles to pass and ended up sinking into a three foot deep drainage ditch that appeared to just be a puddle on the side of the road.   From the image above, you can easily see how the driver could easily have assumed the water was nothing more than a shallow puddle, however as several... 

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Municipal and County road crews spring into action to keep roads clear

Jackson, NJ – Ocean County and Jackson Township public works departments have begun the process of keeping major arteries in Jackson Township clear as the fourth major snow storm has already dropped nearly 3 inches of snow in areas of Jackson.  Crews were on the roads spreading salt and clearing the slush on county roads all morning, keeping major through ways such as Jackson Mills Road and... 

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Already hit hard, Jackson Township braces for 4th major snowstorm of season

Jackson, NJ – After being battered by three major snowstorms this season, Jackson Township officials prepare for an additional 8 to 10 inches of snow expected to fall over the next 24 hours.   Jackson has been in what seems like a constant cycle of snow removal since the December 22nd blizzard which effectively shut down the entire town until the snow removal process was completed. It wasn’t... 

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Jackson School District – Where is $10 million in Federal Stimulus Funding being spent?

Jackson, NJ -  Last year, Jackson Township Schools were awarded $9,965,692 in Federal Stimulus funding and at the last Board of Education meeting, a breakdown was requested by a member of the auidence. None was given, so I just wanted to provide that information for Mr. Antonoff who deserves a bit more respect than he gets up there.   In the coming days, I will provide a complete breakdown of... 

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A reflection of failure: The $29 million Jackson Schools Referendum

 The defeat of the recent $29 million referendum has exposed many faults in the Jackson Township School District.  Despite being overwhelmingly denied by voters, the district vowed in a recent newspaper article that they will continue to try to force this measure.  “No is not no forever. We’ll just have to redouble our efforts in the future,” a district official said.  This is... 

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Westlake Women’s Club announces scholarship program

Jackson, NJ – Qualified female residents of Jackson Township have until May 1st to apply for a grant from the Women’s Club at Westlake Scholarship Program.  If you are currently competing high school and in need of financial assistance with books, enrollment or other school related fees, you may pick up applications at either Jackson Liberty or Jackson Memorial High School and send your... 

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Jackson School district sharpens their axe at meeting

Jackson, NJ – At this week’s Jackson Township Schools Board of Education meeting, school officials and Board of Education members showed signs that they are sharpening their axes in order to hack away at expenses in the upcoming school budget. The only problem is they are poised to swing blindly and with a misguided direction that will only leave our children as the victims of collateral... 

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Jackson Township Schools announce post-blizzard school schedule

SPRING BREAK SHORTENED BY 2 DAYS YEAR EXTENDED 1 DAY Jackson, NJ – I’m usually not fond of those who Monday morning quarterback but, back in the spring of 2009 when this year’s schedule was released, I balked profusely at the new “Fall Break” added. When I had seen the two day teacher’s party in Atlantic City (NJEA Convention) turned into a weeklong vacation, I... 

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Jackson Memorial High School Band honored at township council meeting

Jackson, NJ – For their service during a Thanksgiving dinner at the Jackson Senior Center this past holiday season, the Jackson Memorial High School band was given proclamations on behalf of Mayor Mike Reina and the Jackson Township Council at Tuesday night’s council meeting. The mayor also read a commendation from the Jackson Fire Department for the heroic actions of 16 year old Sara... 

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Will there be school tomorrow in Jackson? Wednesday February 10, 2010

At 8:30pm Tuesday, snow began accumulating at Jackson Liberty High School Jackson, NJ – No, Jackson Schools will be closed on Wednesday.  Jackson Township Schools Superintendent Tom Gialanella called it at tonight’s Board of Education meeting at Jackson Memorial High School.  Schools will be closed on Wednesday due to the impending snow storm which arrived just minutes before the 8:30pm... 

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Holman Elementary students score one for Jackson with SOUPerbowl

Jackson, NJ – Over the past week, students at the Lucy N. Holman Elementary School participated in the Souper Bowl, an event to raise donations of soup for the Jackson Food Pantry.    As students brought in their soup donations, they could choose to put their cans in either the New Orleans Saints or Indianapolis Colts marked bins located in the school foyer. Children placed their soup in... 

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Fire alarm causes evacuation of Jackson Liberty High School again

Jackson, NJ – Jackson Township emergency crews were once again dispatched to Jackson Liberty High School in response to a fire alarm.  The alarm went off near the end of first period this morning on a day when students arrived to school after a two hour delayed opening due to an overnight snow accumulation. Once again, as happened during the January fire incident at the school, students were... 

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Jackson Schools miss much needed repairs after BOE gaffe

Statewide, $280 million in school construction referendums were rejected by voters.  Only two projects totaling $10.35 million were successfully approved last Tuesday by voters.  First, a simple $395,000 request to fix a roof in a Motague Township elementary school made the cut.  Secondly, a stand alone $9.9 million solar panel project in Cumberland County also made the cut. Instead, the Jackson... 

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