SOMSD

A few weeks after Dr. Ronald Taylor, Superintendent of South Orange-Maplewood Schools, issued a…

The BOE voted to remove a revised Access & Equity Policy from first read, but Supt. Taylor said, “Board approval is not required for shifts in pedagogy.”

“Any claim that Superintendent Taylor has not acted responsibly or passed blame to someone else is categorically untrue,” says Communications Director.

Parents say they are frustrated by poor communications, lack of solutions & lack of a straightforward apology.

Bonney Donachie’s portfolio of clown pieces was one of 308 submissions in the world to earn every point on the test.

2nd VP Nubia Wilson said the bus vendor told BOE members yesterday it was “the first time they had heard of the laundry list of issues” about busing and transportation in SOMSD.

District will continue to use a revised Teachers College curricula to teach reading, but is no longer “tied” to the program, ELA Supervisor explains.

The BOE was told in August more than $16 million would be needed (before the 10% contingency) for SOMS “without an explanation as to why there was an increase.”

“I know this may make some uncomfortable and elicit some challenges across our community [but] I feel these recommendations align with SOMSD’s commitment to building equity, fostering inclusion, and building a sense of belonging throughout our schools,” says Superintendent.

“As we continue to increase enrollment for Black and Latinx students we need to simultaneously ramp up our efforts to understand what they’re experiencing from a social emotional standpoint in those classes,” said BOE member Courtney Winkfield.