Taxpayer Guide to Education Spending 2020 - Middlesex County

 Well, just saw the guide and here's the Ratio of Students to Classroom Teachers and Median Classroom Teachers Salary for Middlesex County. 

Edison's Median teachers salary for 2019-20 was $96,455, which was up from $93,758 in 2018-19. It wasn't just the highest in Middlesex County but the highest in the State for K-12 school districts. And that's before their latest contract settlement that runs from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023.

Makes you wonder who is representing us, the taxpayers, over there on Mythomania Lane.

Source: NJDOE - 1/30/21

Middlesex County K-12 Median Salaries:

Top 25 K-12 Median Salaries in the State:

And here's Edison's latest teacher contract settlement  for the period July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023:

As I said to my friend Jeff Bowden, President of the ETEA - good job looking out for his people. Only wish we had someone on the taxpayers side looking out for us rather than the usual distortion - first they give the money away and then they say over the life of the contract that there's nothing they can do about it, it's contractual. 

Yeah, first they give it away and then say there's nothing they can do about for the next 3 years. Here's a thought - Don't give it away.

Anyhoo, pay attention to what goes on with your tax dollars over there on Mythomania Lane.

Edison Democratic Organization screening & Edison Board of Ed-Dems School Budget!?!

 Well, here's some interesting thingies going on here in 'Downtown' Edison. Seems those who officially filed seeking the endorsement from the Edison Democratic Organization (EDO) for Mayor and Council are as follows:

For Mayor:

• Mahesh Bhagia (EDO Chair)
• Richard Brescher (Councilman)
• Samip Joshi (Councilman)
• Sapana Shah (Former Council & Board of Ed Member)

For Council:

• Sheila Angelet
• Samip Joshi
• Tom McCann
• Yash Pandya
• Sparshil Patel
• Shannon Peng
• Dr. Nimisha Shukla

Just some observations - Mayor Lankey isn't screening and seems Incumbent Councilmen Bob 'See No Conflict' Diehl and Alvaro Gomez aren't screening either. Guess Councilman Joe Coyle is passing up the local elections and thinks he deserves to be the next Ass' man for the 18th District.

And you really have to get a kick out of Sam 'Big-boy Pants' Joshi, the 'Weathervane Millennial' screening for both Mayor and Council. Geez, a Great Political Leader and Communicator (in his own Mind) who apparently already knows he's got No shot at being Mayor by also screening for the Council.

And then there's the Board of Mythomania's, aka Board of Ed-Dems contribution to the race with Shannon Peng and Board of Ed-Dem wannabe's Sparshil Patel and Yash Pandya.

Not for nothing but the EDO should wake up and stop playing dysfunctional politics and go with some women who speak-up and stand tall like Committee person Sheila Angelet.

Then there's what is going on over there on Mythomania Lane, at the cross-roads of Dysfunctional & Local Dem-party infested streets, under the continued inept and ineffective leadership of Jerry 'ReferenDumb' Shi.

You remember this guy who led the twice failed $189.5 million School Bond Referendum, along with his band of architects, that would of tripled your current year's school tax increase for the next 30-years - and still wouldn't of fixed the overcrowding. 

If you don't remember that, then maybe you remember that this is the same guy who claims to have Saved millions of dollars for the taxpayers but actually Saved Nothing.

If you still don't remember, then maybe you'll recognize the Bloated, Out-of-Control School and Ineffective School Spending Budgets, which are approaching $300 million, that continue to over tax the residents and taxpayers of Edison. School Budgets that carry forward the bloat and ineffective spending exponentially year after year.  If the School District ever went to zero-based budgeting, we'd all get a School tax refund. 

So, be that as it may, seems Mr. Shi-shed announced at the last meeting that some residents expressed an interest in the School Budget so he wants to create a committee of 4 or 5 residents to participate in reviewing this year's School Budget. 

Seems you can send an email to him or the Board Vice-President over the next week. Yeah, this has got to be as open and transparent as the recent selection to fill Ralph Errico's seat on the School Board. 

Good luck with that selection process and the rest of the Board should pay attention to this process. Not for nothing but you'd have to sign a non-disclosure agreement if you're selected.

Anyhoo, what do I know, I still can't figure why anyone thinks moving the School Board elections to November was a good idea in this town.

Free Speech isn't always Pretty but it should always be Free - whether you agree with it or not!

 Well, looks like the Board of Mythomania, aka Board of Ed-Dems apparently has a rule in its policies about public participation that you can only talk about school issues in the public portion of their public meetings.

Well, that doesn't seem right. Why can't you talk about whatever you want? It's not like all local governmental bodies in this town aren't interrelated.

Now, no one is condoning the use of foul, threatening or other inappropriate language in any public comments made at any public meeting in Edison.

However, why was Christo Makropoulos abruptly cut-off and not allowed to talk about what he wanted to talk about in this recent Edison Board of Ed public meeting? 

He was trying to talk about the infamous Racist Flyer back in 2017, which right, wrong or indifferent involved a previous Edison Board of Ed election. He didn't use any foul language that I could hear or say anything I could hear, as he was being interrupted and ushered out, that wasn't already in the public domain.

The 2017 Racist Flier is still an on-going issue in this town and has yet to be resolved. So, why is he prevented from sharing his opinions about it? If he was incorrect, he could of and should of been corrected if the Board wanted or they could of simply not responded to his comments at all.

Here's an excerpt of that meeting from Christo:

Now, Christo has his own style - which may or may not be your way of approaching issues in public meeting with any of our local governmental bodies but we should be defending his right to speak his mind about them and not be cut-off. 

So, while the Board of Ed may have a rule about public participation in Board Meetings, it can't be a very wise rule when you limit what can be said in public meetings in this town, not withstanding threats or other inappropriate language etc.

What's next? You can't talk about this part of school issues or that part of school issues?

Any kind of censorship is wrong and that's what's happened in this Board of Ed public meeting by limiting what could be publicly discussed, questioned or commented upon.

Anyhoo, Kudos to Christo for trying to speak up and a Big 'Duh' to the Edison Board of Ed for Stopping him.

.

With the Stench Still Lingering over this town from the Racist Flyer 3 years later - here's what's going on with the Local Democrats!?!

 Well, saw this piece here in the New Jersey Globe about five mayoral hopefuls seeking the endorsement of the Local Democratic Organization.

Seems Mayor Lankey isn't among them. Apparently, Lankey will be seeking re-election either off the line in the Democratic party or as an independent.

The five expressing an interest in the endorsement of the Edison Democratic Organization (EDO) are EDO Chairman Mahesh Bhagia, Council Vice-President Samip Joshi (aka Big boy pants, Weathervane Millennial or EdisPam), Councilmen Richard Brescher and Joseph Coyle and former Councilwoman Sapana Shah.

Apparently, Bhagia is the front-runner to win the EDO endorsement.

Finally, Keith Hahn plans to run again in the General election this fall.

Wow - this is as impressive as the work of the 'Committee of the Hole' still in search of themselves:

 

Anyhoo, haven't you had enough of the of the twisted and politically corrupt politics of the Local Democrats in this town? Stay away from anyone endorsed by the EDO.

From Patch.com - 'NJ Loosens COVID-19 Rules And Guidance for Schools'

 Well, looks like schools may be opening here in Downtown Edison. Saw this piece here in Patch.com.

Here's the scenario chart they included in the piece:

Anyhoo, let's see what happens over there on Mythomania Lane, at the crossroads of Dysfunctional and Politically Infested Streets.

Edison School District highlighted in NY Times

 "The Word of the Year is Fluid': The Pandemic Brings a New Teaching Style."

Saw this above piece here about the Edison School District in the New York Times.

Edison Board of Mythomania, aka Ed-Dems, appoints Biral Patel to fill open Board seat

 Well, there you have it. Not one Board question to any of the candidates other than what committees they would like to join if appointed.

What can you expect when the Board is again led astray by Jerry 'ReferenDumb' Shi.

But hey, good to know that with a raging pandemic exacerbated by overcrowding and bloated school budgets approaching $300 million, the new leadership is questioning the cost of a few textbooks and how much revenue will be generated by the disposal of some obsolete equipment.

Elections have consequences and wait until you see what you're gonna get this time around with this guy.

Only one nomination and an unanimous vote for Mr. Biral Patel. There's a shocker.

Anyhoo, Kudos to all the candidates who took the time to make their case and, given all the talent available to them, too bad the Board went in the wrong direction with this appointment.

Edison 'Committee of the Hole' Meeting last night - all 11 minutes of it!?!

Well, it continues to be what it is 3 years later.

Anyhoo, 3 years later and they're still in search of themselves.

Edison Board of Ed-Dems to fill open Board seat tomorrow night

 Well, looks like the Board of Mythomania, aka Board of Ed-Dems will be filling Ralph Errico's open seat tomorrow night.

Since elections have consequences, the current majority can pick whoever they want - but let's hope Board President Jerry 'ReferenDumb' Shi, aka Jerry Shi-shed and his new majority go with the Best candidate after reviewing all the credentials and listening to them speak and not go with any pre-determined picks before the twelve have a chance to be considered and heard.

Seems word is out that the choice comes down to Sparshil Patel or Biral Patel even before the Caucus Meeting and the candidates are heard. 

Hope's that not true and that all twelve are given an equal chance to fill the seat based on what they bring to the Board and Not the politics of the Board.

Here's the agenda with the 12 candidates vying for the seat:

Six of the twelve recently ran in the November election won by Shi, Patel and White. Sparshil Patel signed up to run but dropped out of the race.

The six new candidates are Sunil Robert Vuppula, Carol Buonomo, Aqeel Daniels-Lundy, Biral Patel, Joseph Romano and Sparshil Patel.

Anyhoo, let's see how Board President Jerry Shi-shed handles his first major decision as Board President.

Wow..guess it's time to Start the 'Silly Season' here in 'DemBadLands' of Downtown Edison

Geez, thought I've pretty much experienced all the Perils of our all Dem-Party Rule turn into Reality over the years from over there at 100 Oligarchy Blvd - but geez, this one gives a new meaning to Silly.

Seems Sam 'Big-boy Pants' Joshi, aka, the Weathervane Millennial - just announced he's running for Mayor or Edison.

Now excuse me for a second or two while I try and stop laughing about this EDISPAM - ok, I'm done.

Take it with all the dysfunction and in-fighting going on within the EDO that any one of the 7 Processing Clerks think they can be Mayor - but seriously, Joshi - the Weathervane Millennial. 

When he learns to put on his Big-boy pants, then maybe you can take him seriously. I'm sorry but he's not ready to be Mayor and I don't see him as an up and coming star in the Democratic party, as some may incorrectly assume - I see him as a self-serving political opportunist and would never vote for someone like that even in this politically dysfunctional town.

But hey, all politics is local, right?

By the way, this is the same guy that dressed up as Lankey on Halloween past and put out that ridiculous video pretending to be Lankey from Lankey's office. 

Maybe he can do it again because that's as close he'll ever get to sitting in the Mayor's office.

Seriously now, he brings a lot to the table but nothing you would want. He's more a self-promoter than a leader and an inexperienced one at that.

Anyhoo, got a good chuckle out of his announcement and can't wait for his campaign, along with the gazillion other 'Committee of the Hole' Mayoral candidates. 

Yup, we want more of the same in this town.

Brett H. Baker - Letter of Interest and Resume to fill Vacancy on Edison Board of Education on January 21st

Mr. Baker has submitted the required documents to be considered for the vacancy created by the resignation of Ralph Errico, effective December 31, 2020.

The Board will be accepting applications until Friday, January 15th and will hold public interviews at the Caucus Meeting on January 21st and, as I understand it, they will fill the vacancy at that meeting.

Please take the time to read Mr. Baker's Letter of Interest and Resume below and see what he can bring to the Board. My apologies for the line running down the page, it was from my scanner and not Mr. Baker's paperwork.

Anyhoo, let's make sure all qualified candidates are known before the January 21st meeting - and we select someone who will actually help the School District and Not the Politics of it. 

Edison Board of Mythomania, aka Board of Ed-Dems , will fill open Board Seat

Just saw this posting on the School District's website to fill Ralph Errico's (who resigned effective December 31, 2020) remaining term. His term would of expired December 31, 2021, so this would be a one year seat unless the person appointed decides to run again this year.

Apparently, you have until 4:00PM on Friday, January 15, 2021 to submit a letter of interest and resume if you want to be considered. 

Public interviews will be at the Caucus Meeting on January 21, 2021 and it is anticipated that the Board will take action to fill the vacancy at that meeting.

 

So, if you have any interest in filling the vacancy - then make sure you get your paperwork in by January 15, 2021. 

The Board will pick the person to fill the vacancy - so let's make sure the process is open and transparent just in case Mr. Shi-shed already has someone in mind - and we get the best candidate possible.

If anyone who wishes to apply wants to make sure that your application is known before the January 21, 2021 Caucus Meeting, you're more than welcome to use this forum to get the word out. 

Anyone applying can send me your letter of interest and resume, after you file with them as instructed, and I will post it here in this forum for you.

Anyhoo, let's hope they select someone who will actually help the School District and Not the Politics of it that brought us to where we are today.

There's Good News and then there's Some Really Bad News for the Edison School District in 2021!?!

 Well, looks like the Local Dem-party infested Board of Ed-Dems had their Re-org meeting last night and, wouldn't you know, the stink hanging over this town found its way over to Mythomania Lane, at the cross-roads of Politically Corrupt and You'll be Sorry Streets.

But there was some good news. At least Board Members Conway, Bodofsky and Prasad-Madhukar recognized that they shouldn't return the inept and failed leadership of Jerry 'ReferenDumb' Shi to power and Voted No to Shi for Board President.

So, Kudos to those three for trying to avoid wasting another year under Shi's inept and failed leadership and keeping the School District from moving forward.

On the other hand, we had Some Really Bad, but not unexpected, news with Board Members Peng, Chen, Patel, White and Shi voting for Shi for Board President. 

And for Vice-President, the choice was Mohin Patel - by a vote of 6 to 2, with Conway and Bodofsky voting for Conway. Even though the Vice-President position is more ceremonial than substantive, making someone Vice-President in their first-term on the School Board is an 'In Your Face' Joke unto itself.

But hey, maybe Mr. Patel can bring his vast experience as Treasurer of the Edison Democratic Organization to the School Board. 

And Ginny, you know I love you but - you know not what you did to this town by hooking up with this crew. I hope it was worth it to you.

Elections have consequences in this one-party town and now you'll get to see how Bad Your Choices were as we play out this school year.

Here's Your Biggest Mistake of 2021:

Here's the January 4, 2021 Board of Ed-Dems Re-org Meeting:

Anyhoo, welcome to 2021 where the School District's future is in the hands of the ineffectiveness of the past. 

Edison Board of Mythomania, aka Board of Ed-Dems, to pick new leadership tomorrow night!

 Well, tomorrow night at the Re-org meeting, the now Local Dem-Party infested Board of Ed-Dems will be picking their new leadership for the upcoming year.

While certainly recognizing that elections have consequences - especially in this one-party town, I also recognize the consequences of allowing Jerry 'ReferenDumb' Shi to take control of the School Board again.

Towards that end, I sent the following thoughts to the Board Members for consideration:

Anyhoo, pay attention folks to what they do tomorrow night - this is an unprecedented time facing the school district and you really don't want the future to be handled by the ineffectiveness of the past.