Education Law Center: North Bergen among most underfunded school districts
North Bergen schools are among the most underfunded by state aid in New Jersey, according to a report issued by the Education Law Center.
The study found that the township’s schools are owed more than $24 million in state education aid, the most among any districts in its list. The study compares the actual amount of state aid to the amount prescribed by the School Funding Reform Act of 2009, which was upheld by the State Supreme Court in 2010.
“North Bergen schools have been shortchanged by the state for far too long and it is incredible to see how much our students have achieved despite this lack of support from the state,” said North Bergen Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Solter. “We have been forced to constantly do more with less while we watch surrounding towns receive lavish amounts of state aid to build new facilities and hire new teachers.”
North Bergen ranks seventh on the list of most underfunded schools based on amount of state aid owed as a percentage of operating budget.
“Because of the state’s bizarre interpretation of the funding formulas, districts like North Bergen, that are not wealthy and don’t receive Abbott funding, are hurt the worst,” said North Bergen Mayor and State Sen. Nicholas Sacco. “This is an injustice that should be reversed immediately, and the state should adhere to the funding formula passed by the legislature and upheld by the courts.”
Township author debuting book
Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco has announced that North Bergen teacher and author Heather Ricco will debut her children’s book, “Estimation Mountain and the Valley of Tens,” on Friday, Nov. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Bergen Main Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave.
The event will be held in the lower level conference room.
For more information, call (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
Signups under way for Recreation Department holiday party
Registration is already under way for the North Bergen Department of Recreation’s holiday party for children. Infants to children age 9 are eligible to attend.
The items needed to register are birth certificate, proof of residence, and last report card copy.
Children must have a ticket to attend. One adult per family can receive a ticket to attend.
Interested parties can register at the Recreation Center. The date and location of the party are to be determined.
For more information, call (201) 861-9601 or (201) 392-2064.
Medical center foundation to honor Arthur E. Imperatore Sr. & Dr. Samir R. Amin
The Palisades Medical Center Foundation’s (PMC) 2013 Star Stream Ball will celebrate the North Bergen hospital’s 35th Anniversary on the Hudson River waterfront on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. at The Venetian in Garfield.
Each year, this black-tie dinner event unites hundreds of business leaders, public officials, and local residents to support the work of the medical center and The Harborage nursing center.
This year’s event will honor Arthur E. Imperatore Sr., founder and president of New York Waterway, and Samir R. Amin, MD, PMC medical staff president.
Imperatore was instrumental in selecting the current waterfront site for Palisades Medical Center, according to a hospital spokesman.
“Through his business and philanthropic interests, he has made a lasting imprint on the Gold Coast,” said Gary Mignone.
“In his role as medical staff president, Dr. Amin has provided the leadership in increasing the number of practicing physicians at PMC,” Mignone said. “His support and guidance have helped to advance patient services and programs to better serve the community.”
An extensive renovation of patient rooms is under way at PMC. Proceeds from the ball will be used to support these upgrades.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (201) 854-5008 or visit www.palisadesmedicalfoundation.org.
Park Players perform last ‘Wizard of Oz’ show on Sunday
The Park Players’ production of the “Wizard of Oz” will have its last performance at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 1576 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee, on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 5 p.m.
Ticket prices are $16, $14 (students/seniors), and $12 (groups of 10 or more).
Tickets can also be purchased by visiting www.brownpapertickets.com or the Players’ website, www.parkplayers.com.
Hospital sponsoring two community health screenings
Palisades Medical Center will be sponsoring two free health screenings the weekend of Nov. 23 to 24.
Both will feature screenings on blood pressure, heart rate, percentage of oxygen in the blood, peak flow/respiratory, body mass index, sugar and cholesterol
The first is on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Woodcliff Community Reformed Church, 7605 Palisade Ave., North Bergen.
The second is Sunday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Sacred Heart Church, 9034 Barr Pl., North Bergen.
For more information, call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793.
Prieto announces widespread support for NJ Dream Act from Hudson Democratic leaders
Assembly Speaker-elect and Hudson County Democratic Chairman Vincent Prieto (D-32) has announced the support of Hudson County mayors, state legislators, and Democratic leaders for the New Jersey Dream Act.
The measure, pending in the State Senate and the Assembly, would provide children of undocumented immigrants with the same right to in-state tuition at state colleges and universities as other young adults. Assemblyman Prieto is a sponsor of the bill and has been advocating for its passage for several months.
“Our state should be doing everything it can to encourage young people to attend college and become successful members of society,” said Assemblyman Prieto. “Many of these men and women came here at a young age and they deserve the same opportunity for a college education that anyone else has.”
The Assembly version of the bill passed in the Budget Committee in June. The Office of Legislative Services determined that it would have no impact on the state budget because tuition revenues are not part of state budgeted expenditures.
“As an educator I have seen these children grow up in our communities right alongside their friends and peers who were born here,” said State Sen. and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco (D-32). “They are no different and should be given the same chance at an affordable college education.”
Other supporters of the legislation include: State Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack (D-33), State Sen. Sandra Cunningham (D-31), Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith, Guttenberg Mayor Gerald Drasheff, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, and West New York Mayor Felix Roque.