Reality is the RFQ process saved the Schools significant money versus last year and increased the services being delivered.

Unfortunately the BoE is alot like captain of a huge crusie ship. You make a turn but you do not feel it right away. But over time the ship is in a much different direction than it was when they boarded.

In just a few months they have met and execeeded what Kids First has promised. Hopefully they will get more than just one year to continue to pursue the direction we are so in need of for the future of Hoboken.

estevens wrote:

Foster wrote:

Who is the reform majority? I thought the reformers were Theresa, Ro, Carrie and sometime Fran. That’s four. Who is the fifth?

The “Reform Majority” is comprised of Theresa Minutillo, Tricia Snyder, Rose Markle, Carrie Gilliard, and Francis Rhodes-Kearns. So far, Frank “Pupie” Raia seems to be casting his votes with the reformers as well.

reggie wrote:

What reform is taking place? They are still awarding big contracts to the same politically-connected hacks. They just hired another Scarinci attorney for $130K a year.

At first I was a bit uncomfortable with that as well. However, Joseph Morano left Scarinci & Hollenbeck to work as in-house board attorney, and his salary is considerably less that the $200K+ that was spent for the firm last year. For what it’s worth, he comes across as a decent and fair guy, based on my observations of and conversations with him.

He might be a decent guy, but is he qualified? Brooklyn Law School and Scarinci aren’t exactly overwhelming credentials. Also, I am very skeptical that the move will result in cost savings as much of the Board’s legal work will still be farmed out to Scarinci.

In any event, why not offer this position to some with credntials, someone like brian Urbano. Not saying he’s interested, just throwing out the name of a local lawyer with an impressive resume.

Foster wrote:

Who is the reform majority? I thought the reformers were Theresa, Ro, Carrie and sometime Fran. That’s four. Who is the fifth?

The “Reform Majority” is comprised of Theresa Minutillo, Tricia Snyder, Rose Markle, Carrie Gilliard, and Francis Rhodes-Kearns. So far, Frank “Pupie” Raia seems to be casting his votes with the reformers as well.

At first I was a bit uncomfortable with that as well. However, Joseph Morano left Scarinci & Hollenbeck to work as in-house board attorney, and his salary is considerably less that the $200K+ that was spent for the firm last year. For what it’s worth, he comes across as a decent and fair guy, based on my observations of and conversations with him.

Westsider wrote:

FourthStShuffle wrote:

No apparently the reporter is right on this one. According to my neighbors there were TWO other times in board history that reformers were majority but both times when they tried to put in new administrators not from Hoboken, abd the superintendent AND mayor at the time opposed them and hundreds of people would come to the board meeetings to protest.

You and your friends are completely correct in your history. The point I had hoped to make was that Supt. Raslowsky is being successful — so far — because the Board and he both see the need to change. A related point I also thought (perhaps mistakenly) that I was making is that without the backing of the Reform Majority, he wouldn’t have had such smooth sailing.

What reform is taking place? They are still awarding big contracts to the same politically-connected hacks. They just hired another Scarinci attorney for $130K a year.

FourthStShuffle wrote:

No apparently the reporter is right on this one. According to my neighbors there were TWO other times in board history that reformers were majority but both times when they tried to put in new administrators not from Hoboken, abd the superintendent AND mayor at the time opposed them and hundreds of people would come to the board meeetings to protest.

You and your friends are completely correct in your history. The point I had hoped to make was that Supt. Raslowsky is being successful — so far — because the Board and he both see the need to change. A related point I also thought (perhaps mistakenly) that I was making is that without the backing of the Reform Majority, he wouldn’t have had such smooth sailing.

SO friedman is right that for 15 people to show up and not say anything means something is different. Whats different is not just a reformers on the board this time, but superintendent (and mayor?) going along with it (or seems like super actually made the recommendations in teh first place, since he went to kindergarden with one of his picks).

agreed that they are all getting better and maybe i will catch a meeting some time, Westsider, but if no one is complaining sounds like they are not as fun as the council!!! i enjoyed both 411’s rundown and the reporter’s as well.

She really seems not to understand that the REASON there was little fanfare was because of the new REFORM Board majority. Had we had last year’s Board the result would have been less encourageing.

That said, the new superintendent, the new Board president, the new board and Ms. Friedman herself seem to be getting better each week. Stop by, you might well be impressed.