FIRST REPORT: [VIDEO-updated 11:15 a.m.] The BOE has just voted to give the Special Education part of the Tiny Tots program, back to Tiny Tots pending the State’ approval of it. Part of the vote included, that if the state does not approve the Special Education then the list of Tiny Tots teachers will be hired by the Lakewood District to run the program at a separate site.
As first reported on TLS, the Board was informed that the NJ Dept of Education was ready to keep $4 Million dollars from the Lakewood School District if the contract with Tiny Tots is allowed to continue.
The memo by the State stated, that the Tiny Tots program, both for special education and regular education was not up to par, and will be ineligible for any State funding, and required the District to bring the program back in-house.
such a boring town no news we need elections 5 times a year !!
i salute tls for keeping this story on the front burner. nothing like a little publicity to make government function!
Now we will have people running to heap praise on the frum BOE members for working so hard….You people amaze me. As long as everything is done the way you want everyone is great. If c’v something goes the wrong way you let out steam,and lots of it! What I have yet to understand is why it was let out on the frum members of the BOE who had no hand in this and sort of had their hands tied.
You are right we commend them when they listen to the public and it truly should be commended. They were voted by the public and when they show they can hear regular people and not be afraid of looking like their backtracking but have the guts to reverse this then commeded is what they should be. Thank You boe members 🙂
OK I’m missing something ,all of sudden it’s ok ??? why are the facts of what is taking place not out in the open?
I thought that the state said NO
whose arm got twisted?
Sure looks like “Back Room Politcs” for sure
lets see the facts and if I’m wrong I will glady retract my oppinions
in response to “What I have yet to understand is why it was let out on the frum members of the BOE who had no hand in this and sort of had their hands tied.” the BOE members have been elected to office FOR THE PEOPLE OF LAKEWOOD BY THE PEOPLE OF LAKEWOOD.
It’s not their fault that there’s a recession either, but need to work with it once there is one. similarly it may not be their fault that there have been issues with the state but they need to and have been working with the State to ensure that the people of Lakewood continue to get the best services they can from the Tiny Tots institution versus a failing public school system.
So yes, they will receive flack if they do not work on behalf of the people of lakewood to correct the problems that arise although it isn’t their fault that the problems have risen.
Thank You to all of the talented board members for pulling this off. The town of Lakewood trusts that you will successfully work with the State to re-enact the funding allocated for this program to Tiny Tots so that our children can continue to receive their superior services.
no body give back what boe said and still says that they the state gave viliotation to TT
if TT CAN FIX IT THEN BOE WILL GIVE THEM BACK IF NOT TT WILL CLOSE.
NOTHING CHANGED ITS JUST NOW IN STATE HANDS AS BEFORE.
Either I’m missing something or this is just cosmetic. The problem was that the State has not approved Tiny Tots’ program, which was why the contract was pulled. All the resolution appears to say is that the contract is back if the State so approves. There is no mention of any new prospects for the State approval. I do not see how this changes anything. They are apparently prepared to go forward with bringing the program into the public school system on or about August 27.
What deal and fishy IS EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT . THE BOARD MEMBERS DIDN’T BACK DOWN TO ANY PRESSURE THEY ALWAYS WANTED TO GIVE IT TO TT BUT AFTER STATE TOLD BOE NOT TO GIVE TT ANYTHING BOE MEMBERS HAD NO CHOICE,
WHAT HAPPENED NOW IS TINY TOTS STARTED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO STATE WHICH OPENED A WINDOW OF HOPE THAT MAYBE STATE WILL BE SOFT WITH TT AND BOARD GAVE 48 HOURS .
Is there a time line?
the board is the messenger- they were just the ones that we were able to take it on! But I have to commend the board on how approachable and understanding they were by the Motzai Shabbos meeting! I can tell you that for my child TIny Tots is really the only option-unlike some parents who were switching to STARS. So like I said thank you to the board and Michael Inzelbuch for all of their help and support!
There are a few points people are missing. Number one. Should the state not approve Tiny Tots, the PS pre school will give preference to the Regular Education children currently enrolled in TT (and paying) to receive the Public Pre school for free so that there can be continuity so close to the start of the year. This essentially means the entire TT can be moved.
The State made some very strong recommendations. TT is working on rectifying many of them. One of these requirements is to make sure all their teachers are certified, and those that are not, will not be hired. That is what changed. There is a timeline – 48 hours.
THANKS CHESKY, CARL, YONI, AND YITZI!! YOU GUYS ARE KEEPING YOUR CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO THE TEE!!
HATZLOCHA RABBAH!!
Nothing really changed. If TT does not get their act together and get state approval, they dont get the contract…..and they cant blame it on the BOE aymore
How can the board members approve teachers that are not from the tiny tots program. the tiny tots teacher found out LAST WEEK they will not have jobs to pay their bills (dont say you went by experience, some of the new teacehrs hired were never head teachers and never even taught a preschool class) now i know what you base your decisions on!!!!! i would like to know if any of you are related to them!!!
TT always had the proper certs ,someone in lakewood was out 2 get them now it seams they are backing down from the pressure !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i was looking thru the board agenda from this morning and noticed that the teachers hired were not from TT but rather from Stars and some of them never even taught preschool. is that fair??? the superintendent said the boe would hire the TT teachers being that they would all be out of jobs at the last minute. obviously some people have some personal agenda here.
First of all many teachers from Tiny Tots were hired including one of the coordinators.It must be mentioned that the board members don’t do any of he hiring,they only approve the people that the educators hire,so I dont know how there could be a conspiracy here as some of you suggested.Second of all the boe did not succumb to any pressure,what happened was Tiny Tots appealed to the state and the board allowed a 2 day window of oportunity for the appeals process to work itself out.The boe was always happy to give the special ed portion of pre school to Tiny Tots as long as this doesnt defy the wishes of the state
Can someone please explain. Stars school (NPSSP) on river ave will be funded by which program? And when will the teachers be hired?
Thank you Mr. Inzelbuch for coming through for our CHILDREN. And for always caring for each and every child, knowing what we so badly need and making it happen.
Is Mr. Seitler serious when he is reassuring us that our kids can go to Public School if TT got closed down?
The only guy that the state respects on the boe is michael inzelbuch so let him try his magic again
As many people are aware, TT was not the only program that was hit hard under the new BOE members. STARS was severely struck as the board members reduced it’s funding considerably. As such, Catapult is still running the program and presumably making the same large profit as in the past. The only ones that suffered were the devoted, hard working, skilled teachers. Actually, the co- teachers (Certified teachers, many of whom would be “head teachers” if STARS had room for them) were hit the worst, with thier already meager salaries being cut and thier benefits completely taken. This was all decided at the end of July- also pretty last minute. In that case, the STARS teachers have a right to apply to the baord of ed so that they can be compensated commenserate with their work- unlike in STARS were they will be grossly underpaid.
To have such an outstanding attorney like Michael.. I have always held him in the highest respect. He has always been there with his wise counsel to work out any issues that my special ed child encountered in elementary school and I’m sure he will be there for us through high school as well. Thanks Michael! You are the best!!
No credit will be given to michael all will hear is how much money he makes and that we don’t need him but one day the truth will prevail
u are 100% correct the man knows his stuff he is a life saver for the community
i’m tired of all this hock time for the next !