Kaitlin Wittleder

The next two Community Conversations with Superintendent Jason Bing will take place on February 6 and 25. (Bing will also be meeting residents at the Hilton Neighborhood Association meeting on Jan. 16.)

Each of the three departing South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education members — President Dr.…

“Someone once told me that serving on the Board of Education is about passing the baton—you work hard to keep the District moving forward and to leave it better than when you started. I believe we have done just that. The District is on an upward trajectory, and I am optimistic about the progress still to come.”

Superintendent Bing said this year the District will incorporate more best practices into the budget process, including utilizing a budget tracking system the District already pays for.

“You’ve got the bones,” said consultant Patrick Keenoy. “Now it’s just a matter of putting those pieces around it.”

Meanwhile, questions remain about a second invoice for scheduling services.

The three candidates will be running together on a slate, per the Essex County Clerk’s Office. Election day is November 5.

BOE members discussed “an atmosphere of fear” and the need for stability — as well as the opportunities inherent in hiring new personnel.

The following letter is from Kaitlin Wittleder, former president of the South Orange-Maplewood Board…

District officials have said that no further information on the 28 positions to be cut will be available until after the May 9 reorganization. Former BOE member Tony Mazzocchi says the district is either “hiding things … or you don’t have a clue.”