ABOUT OUR TAX MONIES

  Two items I received Sunday caught my attention since they concern us as taxpayers.

  The first was an article in the Star Ledger by Marissa Iati about the School system, and I am posting some quotes:” The Plainfield school district last month appointed its fourth top administrator in a year and is searching for a fifth.”

“With its Jan. 23 vote to name Dr. Ronald E. Bolandi the interim superintendent of the 9,566-student district, the school board marked the third time since last February that it has appointed a superintendent on a temporary basis.”

“Plainfield is among 31 New Jersey Schools Development Authority districts, which means the state funds the construction and renovation of its facilities.  The district’s 15 schools received 83 percent of its funding for the 2015-2016 school year from the state.”

“Bolandi said the district needs to improve attendance, safety, communication, resources for English-language learners and financial management, among other issues.”

“Plainfield’s three high schools (the Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies is a premier educational facility of excellence in the area of visual and performing arts. and The Barack Obama Academy of Academic and Civic Development (BOAACD) is a public alternative high school are the other two) have a combined four-year graduation rate of 78 percent, state Department of Education data shows. At Plainfield High School, the district’s largest high school, 66 percent of students are economically disadvantaged, 34 percent are chronically absent and 42 percent attend college

Bolandi said charter schools were eating up $25 million, almost 13 percent, of the district’s budget, creating a need to improve the public schools enough to retain students.”

  It is evident that our Board of Education which is supposed to be non-political but has been dominated for many years by a Campbell based slate has failed the community due to its own self interests.

  The other was a communication which I have not yet ascertained its validity although I have googled. “Did you know that on December 1, 2017 the Governor Appointed Mayor Mapp to the Local Finance Board. I understand that the position comes with a $50,000 Annual Salary. This has not been disclosed!"

  This may be the Fourth income position  from which our Mayor is receiving six figures from Orange NJ for a full time position, 70K from Plainfield as Mayor who has a big staff to do the nitty gritty, and his “Consultant Service” . Like our POTUS his true income is a mystery.as is the time devoted to each service.

  In view of the unsolicited contracts and the outsourced services is the Council fulfilling its function as guardian of our tax dollars? You be the judge.

PS: The extreme cold makes it difficult to fold and load walker into trunk; thus it is unlikely that I will attend tonight's meeting.