Yes, and don't forget to show the pictures of the surrounding houses, the church across the street, the children attending sunday school, and 5 Lexington which is approved to be converted into medical offices. Dont forget to mention this is a dead end street which also houses the School of Rock. And those loading docks in the back that are being removed and converted into windows...I'm sure that the architect would love to meet with her to get her input.

Paying Attention has been getting nastier and more accusatory the more she writes. The tractor trailer traffic on this street is probably under 2 per hour. The playground - you mean the one set completely out of view of any building and surrounded by two building walls and a large hill. Oh please, spare us your drama.

The inside of the building? I saw this on the other article:

"you should know that the building was used for the storage of FOOD previously. Do you think that the food, which was sold for public consumption was being stored next to a machine manufacturing hydrochloric acid, which then dumped the acid all over the floor. Please use some rationale here."

Have you been inside the building? Tell us what was in there. Post your findings. I find it hard to believe that a company making FOOD was manufacturing anything hazardous inside.

Barb, we are talking about a PUBLIC school, not a private church. If you want to send your children to school in an industrial park, pay for it yourself.

By the way, if your sugar daddies are willing to drop millions on start up costs and buildings for you, why must you also hijack all that money from our school budget? Set up an endowment, and stop what you are doing to this town.

At least Anne is honest. She hates the school's existence. So much for a land use case where traffic, planning, engineering, architect professionals testified on the record. Don't forget about the township employed experts who reviewed everything and gave their OK's. Just close the screen now. Everyone have a nice weekend. Go do something with your families.

CAMILLE FERRARO and MICHAEL HUGHES...biased Biased BIASED!!

Read this story:

http://eb.gmnews.com/news/2012-03-15/Front_Page/Council_expresses_support_for_state_charter_school.html

How are they expected to vote on the matter? They should be ashamed of themselves. Political pandering up there on the dais this whole time. The public should be aware of exactly who they elected. Two clowns who are going to land this township in a very large, highly visible mess. As a bonus, the article mentions Deborah Cornavaca as well. This whole thing is giant East Brunswick Circus Act. It's all entertaining until the bill has to get paid. I elect that the Cornavaca-Rampolla Fund pay all legal bills. John - can you run another poll please??

Voter2 - The request to have local votes over the opening of charter schools would be a way to rectify some of the problems we are experiencing now in this town. Charter schools are public schools, drawing on public dollars and I for one do not think that a commissioner in Trenton should be deciding which charters should open where absent a local vote. I do not see where that shows bias in deciding whether a warehouse location is appropriate for a public school.

Deborah, the article is clear by the statements from Ferraro and Hughes that they would never allow a charter school into town. Especially given that Hughes was a member of the BOE. So in my opinion, it seems that they want to use this opportunity to play politics so as to intentionally delay and cause harm to a school that has been legally established. I am pretty understanding of both sides of the arguments going on here, but I cannot understand how this article could possible cast them in a light other than one of prejudice towards the school's existence. Even if the funding formula is broken and the commissioner has too much weigh-in, that issue is not the one at hand.

How would you feel if a bunch of politicians had to decide your kids education - after they already settled into a school? Too much outside influence legal or not. Had the new Bong Shop been denied by the planning board (if they went there at all?) I highly doubt they would cast their appeal before a board of politicians - none of which are trained in land use law. At least the planning and zoning board members have to be certified by the state to serve after taking courses taught by professionals. Not the council. This is not a terrible location for a school. If you want to work on the other issues that concern you; transparency, accounting, etc. I'm sure there is a way to do so with them.

http://cgs.rutgers.edu/programs-planning-and-zoning/land-use-board-members

@Voter 2,
Are you saying that if someone disapproves of charter schools, there is bias? But, if someone approves of charter schools, there there is no bias?
Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?

voter2 - I appreciate your points. I have to respectfully disagree on the reading of the article. Local control does not mean local rejection. It means that a town can vote and the majority will rule. I do not see that the Council members who commented go beyond supporting that position.

I understand the strong feelings of those that feel I am trying to interfere. My decision to appeal was not made lightly and was only made after careful reflection on both my core belief about where schools should be located and on the way that the zoning board meetings were conducted. And finally, the question of whether I felt that that was a good location for my children to go to school.

If there had been community discussion and input at the outset, I believe this community would have come together to find the best solution, rather than this sometimes very mean spirited displays as we see here. And there are those comments that were deleted by editors that crossed the lines.

The way the township ordinance is written, appeals go to the council. That is nothing that we created or invented. It is the process of this town and we decided to pursue it. There have been other challenges in this town to decisions made by various governing bodies - rarely have I seen it so contentious, but that is okay. People are invested and that is a good thing. I respect the council's authority given to them in this ordinance as I will respect their decision.

No, let me explain. Have you ever been picked for jury duty? They ask you a lot of personal questions to see if you have a pre-disposition to the case. For example, if the case is related to an insurance issue they may ask you about your past experiences with insurance companies and if you ever filed a claim, etc. Now, suppose your house was heavily damaged in Sandy and you received a check for $37.74 from Allstate (as those people in Woodbridge did), then the court would rightfully excuse you since that experience could make you somewhat biased that all insurance companies are crooks and just trying to pay as little as possible.

Hughes and Ferraro have made statements that they want to "rightfully take back control" over charter school placement. That is a negative statement that reveals a pre-disposition against the school. If you think this is still ridiculous, put yourself in the other person's seat and consider who you would want deciding your case.

@voter2, yes, that is precisely what I thought you were saying. And, so my point is that in order for the township to have had a fair zoning board hearing, the zoning board members who are predisposed to liking charter schools or liking this school were biased and should not have voted, then, right? I'm just trying to be consistent with your logic.

Silly Girl, I do not know of any zoning board members being outspoken supporters of this school - or any other charter school for that matter. All I can refer to is the Sentinel article where elected officials gave statements on their negative views about the current charter school placement process in a town where there is history of the BOE trying to close it down. Your statement, if I understand it correctly, could suggest that the planning board may have been biased to approve the Walmart because the board members may all be customers there and Walmart saves them money? Or conversely, if Walmart put your company out of business you may be inclined to vote no? Are you saying the zoning board only approved the application because they are in love with the school?

Regarding Deborah's suggestion, I do not have much confidence that a township wide public meeting to decide for a location of the school, even though not required by law, would have produced anything other than a couple of BOE lawyers showing up to object to the school moving.

THOSE ARE SOME NICE PICTURES UP THERE!

I agree 100%. The BOE has some long explaining to do. From the other boards:

"The real financial problem in town is due to the fact that about 10 years ago the BOE went on a spending spree and bonded millions and millions to build and expand the schools in town. But in 2004 the school population was 8,300. Today is it around 7,300. So the district is hemorrhaging YOUR tax money every year to house 1,000 empty desks while maintaining huge expensive facilities way above their means. In the 1980's they had this problem and as a result CLOSED Irwin School. Hatikvah's building is not being bonded by referendum and is not paid with taxpayer money."

"I re-ran the search for East Brunswick High School and sorted by number of classes taught. I was astounded by the fact that there are actually 37 out of 197 (19%) teachers working there - YES, this does not include any secretaries, cafeteria workers or aides - that are earning a combined $3,084,001 per year plus benefits to teach ZERO students. WOW, that's wonderful for the taxpayers. If I had the time I would run the same report for the entire district to see if 20% of our entire district teaches NO ONE."

"EBHS dropped 50 spots on the NJ list of best high schools. It is now #121. I don't recall a press release from the BOE about this. As a taxpayer I think we are owed some explanation as to why the rankings keep falling and our taxes keep rising. Blue Ribbon was awarded to the high school in 1990! Over 20 years ago"

Tired of the rambling, 'Charter school drain the tax payer money". Get your facts straight.

Charter School only gets a good return for the tax payer's money. Charter schools are more accountable than the schools administered by School Districts.

Public school has to cut down the programs, because they sent the money to the Charter school, is a nonsense.It only provides healthy competition. Why do you think, they introduced a full day Kinder garden - to compete against Hatikva.

Also, Why do you think in-spite of having many commercial establishments in Route 18, we tax payers are still paying through our nose in East Brunswick? Try approaching the council and ask them how much is sent to the school district. Don't stop there, go and ask the school district, how did they spent your tax money. You will get enlightened....May be you will get angry, seeing the actual money spent towards class room and teachers.

Moreover, charter school brings kids from other districts (yes it is not just East Brunswick kids!!!), hence the other district's money!!.

Objection to have school in 7 Lexington avenue is only motivated gimmicks!!!

Greg, take a civics lesson. The town council has absolutely ZERO authority over education spending.

Steven, you are a selfish man. What about the 3,000+ public school students who have been harmed by the funding cuts due to Hatikvah. Shame on you!

Jordan, I think you misunderstood the comment above. I think the point isn't selfish, but pointing out that healthy competition pushed EB public schools to provide incremental services that enhance education for all the children in the district. I'd say the so-called funding cuts couldn't have been too severe if after decades of half-day kindergarten the school could now afford to extend to a full day kindergarten. So Jordan, this is a time to rejoice, not lament. All is well.

EBMommy, is that how you parent? Someone else did something bad, so why shouldn't I?

Jordan, my point is that there is almost NO traffic on Lexington Ave. I have been there at all different times throughout the day, and only once seen a truck. The argument that Lexington Ave is too dangerous is ridiculous. It is safer than most other schools in this town. If we were to compare the traffic on Lexington vs. the traffic in front of almost any other school in the district, Lexington would be the safer street.

Jordan, I think you need to slow down and read these posts more carefully. This isn't "two wrongs don't make a right." The point is that other EB public schools are located off main roads with truck traffic and the children are fine. Therefore, based on these examples, a school at the Lexington location will be fine as well

this is a database that tracks all industrial buildings in the state. this is another misleading attempt to scare people. there is nothing in the database to state that it is a hazardous waste site. why dont you read all 400+ pages of the environmental testing reports and then present your qualifications to the public so we can determine if you are being honest about your intentions. although it is absolutely clear what they are.

Joe, why should the council reject it? There is an another successful children school right next door to Lexington. The school has been active since 2007. If the other school was approved back then and proven safe, why shouldn't the council approve this location for yet another school?

hazardous waste site? The zoning board already granted approval to 5 Lexington to convert the entire building into medical offices... this is the building you refer to as a hazardous waste site! not to mention the Church next door.

There is a church down the road - it is not approved for school use. Between Hativah's site and that church is a lunch truck business that performs sheet metal cutting.

Everyone should go see for themselves!!!

as Deborah is a member of the council-elected public library board, it is bad politics to attack any house of worship. but to attack a charter school that the BOE had been in litigation with for years. that's a different story. I found this online which you should all read. It explains Councilman Hughes opinion on charter schools. Which I feel is relevant since he is one of the voters on Monday night. Unless he wants to properly recuse himself.

http://eastbrunswick.patch.com/blog_posts/east-brunswick-gets-taken-for-granted-again

Countrywoods, you assume incorrectly both about my knowledge of the area and the immediate neighbors of the building in question. Are we really ok with the fact that whether approved for medical offices or not, the federal registry for hazardous waste sites has 5 Lexington Avenue listed? That troubles me for many reasons, including the proximity of school children.

I am not upset by the mischaracterizations of my motives or position, it comes with the willingness to take a public stand on something I believe in. I am troubled that there seems to be complacency about children safety. We do not have the results of most of the testing required for 7 Lexington Avenue (or if we do it is not yet public), and we do know that 5 Lexington is a brownfield site. As a parent, I think we would want to be very sure of the area's safety before making this decision to locate a school there permanently. (Very different from the church which has children there a few hours a week, most often on Sunday by the way, when the vending truck company is closed.)

Other people seemed convinced it is safe, I am not. I respect the opinion of the others as their own that they are entitled to. I should get the same respect. Civil discourse is usually the most productive.

I am not sure what David, below, is implying. I have never attacked a house of worship.

Felice, please see the other board:

"Allow me my 2cents since Nona should consider the other facts that have been left out. The Municipal Land Use Law (State Statute) does not recognize taxable concerns when deliberating a land use case. For example, you cannot vote down a residential development because it will result in school age children and hence an increase in the tax burden to educate said children. Similarly, the law does not permit the denial of a variance to a non-profit entity simply because it results in a tax revenue impact. Zoning boards and planning boards do not debate tax implications."

Right now Plumrose pays $80K taxes. We will lose that.

Barbara,
If the school close tomorrow, the district could absorb all of those children into our eight elementary schools with almost no cost to the district. The 2 Million dollars we are forced to pay to Hatikvah could be given back to residents via property tax relief or we could reinstate the programs we lost due to the charter.

Kelly, I'm genuinely interested. Kindly post a detailed breakdown of the $2,000,000 you mention. If you could do this soon I would appreciate it. I am curious how that figure was calculated.

As far as being "forced to pay to Hatikvah", I think you are misleading the readers.

I pay school taxes. My money is not OWNED by the BOE. If a parent decides to send their child to a charter school then the money goes with the child. While leaving a small percent behind for the BOE to keep. I actually think it's a great deal for the BOE since they are not responsible to build a new school for Hatikvah. As you stated, there are plenty of empty extra seats (1,000 to be exact) in the district right now - and probably could accommodate the in-town residents attending Hatikvah. But given the choice, the parents have obviously decided that they don't want their children in those schools. Did you see the CNN headline yesterday about studies done on dual-language curriculum's? The district should take note of it.

Anyway, had the district been suffering from overcrowding, you would be posting that Hatikvah closing will result in the taxpayers getting the short end of the stick since the BOE would have to construct more classrooms to accommodate them!

Don't forget to post the $2,000,000 breakdown. Thanks!

Barbara,
I wish I could send you a link to the breakdown of how Hatikvah spends our tax dollars, but unlike the other public schools, they don't operate in a transparent manner and their financials are not on their website, nor are they very forthcoming with them.
The best I can provide with you with that has an online link is their financial audit from two years ago. You'll have to adjust those numbers based on current student enrollment: http://www.nj.gov/education/finance/fp/cafr/search/11/6041.pdf
Kelly

On your other point Barbara, you do not seem to understand public education financing. Let me give you a metaphor and see if that helps you.

We currently have several parks. They are available to the whole town. Some use them more, some use them less. We all contribute to them. If one day, 100 people wanted to build their own boutique park that was available only to a 100 people and we had to hand them a portion of the parks and rec budget, based on a formula, we would not be able to go on offering all of our other parks and rec services.

In the case of our schools, thousands of children have had to miss out on programs and services, including elementary foreign language, at the expense of giving 110 East Brunswick children a charter school.

If you are okay with that, you ARE selfish and narrow-minded, and there is no point trying to have a rational discussion with you.

Dear Kelly,
How did you come up with 2 million dollars?

Kelly - The flaw in your park analogy is that you compare the charter school to a "boutique park that was available only to a 100 people." In what way is the charter school available only to a limited number of people? Anyone can attend the school.

Regarding Kelly's 2:45 pm comment below...how about this analogy:

There are several parks. They are available to the whole town. Some use them more, some use them less. We all contribute to them. But some have had the same outdated equipment in them for years and yet people see no reason to change anything. So a few parents go and create a new 21st century park with more bells and whistles, modern amenities, and better hours. They pick a location behind a church. The State of New Jersey Parks and Recreation Department approves the park. As a result, the township parks and recreation department tries to have the new park shut down. But that fails and so they come up with a press release that the other parks need desperate repairs that they can’t afford because this new park is drawing a whopping 1% of their budget. When the new park announces it is expanding, a group of loners tries to get the park moved to another town. Politicians get involved which then decide to hold a trial – without ever even visiting the park. It gets out of hand and tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars are spent on legal fees. The new park still has a waiting list.

That is the analogy to end all analogies. Well done, TGIF.

TGIF, except that our old "parks" were already offering those "bells and whistles" to thousands of kids and town for a few hours a day. And, now instead 100 kids get the "bells and whistles" all day, while there's no money left to provide "bells and whistles" to the other thousands of kids who play at the old parks.

And, most parents aren't a) selfish enough to support an inequitable system like that, and b) aren't willing to subject their kids to the unsuitable "park operators" just to get the "bells and whistles."

Did you make that up or did the school lie to you. Plumrose was still operating out of there not even a few weeks ago.

Isabel,
One thing I have found is that the school leadership is very comfortable lying to parents. If they told you this, you have been lied to - AGAIN. If you ask for a copy of the school's sublease for the warehouse, you will see that Plumrose is allowed to keep operating in that facility, even after the school started subletting.

Mother of 3
I am 100% agree with the mother of 4, the Lexington location is much safer than current location for the kids and for parents . Cranberry road at the current location very very busy . The charter school has the best program by teaching the kids new languages help them to improve their language IQ capability .

Right... a great school... except for the kids they tape without parental consent and leave in a bathroom.

Jordan - if parents and kids did not like it, they would leave. Why is there a waiting list? You are full of it and grasping at thin air.

Choice, considering the enormous amount of parents who've tried the school out and decided to pull their kids out, you might want to be careful with that logic. Additionally, if the last year's waiting list tells us anything, those familes most likely live out of town and/or will end up pulling out their children like most of the others. Remind me what the turnover rate at Hatikvah is again....

Coop - We shall see, right? Hope you enjoy your weekend....

this is why there is a waiting list:
"I believe that a charter school can alleviate the need to pay tuition, which increases every year. Paying tuition for 3 children is a burden on me. Families who want their children to learn Hebrew & Jewish studies but can not afford it, are put in a bad situation. Hatikvah Charter school will let certain families be relieved of the financial pressures of paying private school tuition." source: http://njjewishnews.com/justASC/2009/09/23/nj-approves-hebrew-language-charter-school/#comment-17257

E-Nonymous - The school's waiting list has Christians, Muslims, Asians, Indians, as well as Jews. Please visit the school to get a sense of diversity. The comment from 2009 does not apply.

Enonymous -
I hope folks do follow your post -- that way they can see it was posted in 2009, before the school was open. There are misconceptions now in 2012 that there is religion at the school, and there were even larger misconceptions 3 years ago. I do believe that many Jewish families did feel that way in the beginning, and then, when they realized Hatikvah meant Hebrew language immersion ONLY, and was in no way religious, they didn't move their children in the end. If you visit the school and look at the diversity in the classrooms-- and by that I mean it as a challenge, GO LOOK - it would be clear in an instant that Hatikvah is NOT a Jewish program. Upsetting as this discussion has become, i took a little comfort in the fact that it was based on money and politics. You are the first person, Enonymous, that made this stink of antisemitism.

September 27th, 2009 at 12:07 pm

Zingo, just because someone does not want their tax dollars paying for religion or even paying for Zionism, that does not make them antisemitic or anti-any other religion. It just means they believe in an appropriate amount of distinction between church and state. It is possible to fully support and promote the study of a religion and still understand there is no place for it in a publicly funded school.

"You are confused sir"-- We agree on that. I also don't want my tax dollars paying for religion or even paying for Zionism - and I agree that wanting that doesn't make anyone antisemitic or anti religion. I also feel very strongly about separation of church and state. That's the point - Hatikvah is none of those things. They are not walking around with Israeli flags and going to march in the Israeli day parade. They are not teaching Talmud. Nor are they teaching the Koran. They educate about all cultures, all countries. Why is the rumor perpetuating that this is a religious school? It's perpetuating because of conversations like this. I'm pretty sure if Hatikvah ever did that, their charter would be at risk. And that half the parents there - non-jewish families - would remove their children. This is not an issue of church and state separation.

I agree. It's important for East Brunswick residents to recognize that Hatikvah students are currently learning in the back of a church and trailers. For those residents whose children have learned (or are currently learning) in real educational facilities with suitable classrooms, libraries, gyms, and other amenities, please appreciate that we want the same for our children as well.

EBtalloaks, good point - you really want us taxpayers who foot the bill for this school to believe the same people who thought it was a good idea for kids to spend an entire day learning in a trailer, for two whole years? You may be fooled, but we are not!

Jordan - All schools need to start somewhere. The charter school took temporary space in the back of a church and then added space where they could find it the next year. The school now has a plan for a suitable and permament facility, and I believe they should be supported in that process.

Jordan - the trailers were a necessity (just like they are for schools damaged by the Hurricane) when no suitable was available. The board of directors of the school has been working diligently for 2 years to find a suitable home, and now that it has found one, they are being harassed. The motives of the 2 detractors are quite clear. If you don't like the school, location, etc., don't send your kids there. No-one gets zones into it, it's a choice parents make. Let them make it.

Karl, you assume that the school leadership has control over this. They are not paying for it. As someone pointed out, they are beholden to putting the school wherever their sugar-daddies decide is a good real estate investment. In fact, if you follow along, most decisions leadership makes is shaped by Eli Schapp who conveniently works for the Steinhardt Foundation full-time.

abc - I must disagree. This is a public school - a fact conveniently left behind by the school supporters when it comes to soliciting community input, but always remembered when collecting tax dollars. you cannot have it both ways. Mr. Sachs asked in his brief for the same protections afforded all public schools for Hatikvah, then I think it fair the school follows the same guidelines - for example the Federal EPA guidelines for school site selection that specifically says applies to charter schools - and which Hatikvah did not follow. It is not just up to Hatikvah parents. It is a community issue as a public school.

Better yet, leave it up to the professionals like the zoning board and all the professionals brought in to evaluate the area and building. Oh, yeah they already did decide that it is a suitable location. It is the 'opinions' of Ms. Cornavaca and Ms. Rampolla who 'think' that this location is unsuitable.

EBMommy, our zoning ordinance, similar to most towns, is made up of laypersons representing the town. It is specifically NOT made up by land use professionals. How can you be so comfortable spouting off about something you clearly know nothing of?

Stacey, Hatikvah's attorney presented that this a public school and should be treated as a public school. Therefore, you are must start behaving like one. You can't take tax dollars and not be accountable to tax payers.

Who is being paid to fight Hatikvah? Again, if the school is telling you that, it is just one more of their LIES. Moreover, if character attacks are what you rely on to make your decisions, instead of facts and data, then perhaps you should rethink how you evaluate this?

Stacy, you have been wildly misinformed about my employment status and the content of the work I do.

In the world of spending public dollars, all of us have a stake and a right to participate in the discussion of how our tax dollars are spent. Taxation and representation. My choice is to engage in the discourse. Others choose to send their children to Hatikvah. Why are they entitled to their choice more than I am to my choice to participate in a democracy?

Obviously not. The process for an appeal exists in our town's land use ordinance, because sometimes the Zoning Board gets is WRONG!

I am a Hatikvah supporter and have no problem with the appeals process as long as the Town Council sticks to the facts, testimony, and official record and leaves political prejudice out of their determination. The applicant (i.e., charter school) has provided expert testimony, rigorous analyses/studies, and countless Township approvals while the opposer has provided...none of the above. Without political agenda this matter should be open and shut and the variance upheld next week.

Please be specific where you feel I have attacked the school. I have chosen to object to the location of an East Brunswick Public School in an industrial zone. That some see this as an attack on the school indicates that the supporters of the school see any challenge about anything they do as an attack on their school. This is not the case. It is the case that I believe there should be parity in accountability and transparency between charter and traditional public schools. They both use taxpayer money, they both educate our children. Is that really such a controversial request?

Deborah, you are clearly passionate about child safety, which is laudable. If you have time, can you please look into the dangerous situation with the Warnsdorfer parking lot? For some reason the EB public school isn't required to address the fact that they have insufficient parking and hazardous conditions putting children's safety at risk. Your help here would be a great help to the community.

Because that is how Hatikvah supporters behave. When they don't have any valid arguments they just attack anyone who opposes them.

To be honest, it comes from the top. The school has been very aggressive about attacking the character of these women as a way to defend themselves when parents ask questions.

Jordan - I agree that people's private lives should be kept out of this discussion, but I see the attacks coming from people on both sides of the argument. I think it's unfair to generalize your argument to include all (and only) Hatikvah parents. This is supposed to be a forum for reasoned and well-intentioned dialogue, and some people get way too worked up...On both sides of the matter.

Josephine - for the parents and children who love the school which has been repeatedly attacked by a number of individuals for the last 2 years, it can get personal. No reason for inappropriate comments, that I agree with.

Perhaps they did not have the money to appeal in the court system. Democracy is not just for those who have Michael Steinhardt footing their bills.

Joesphinebaker - doubt if that was the whole reason. After all, they did show up with some guy who is a "lawyer".

I find it interesting that you chose to put quotes around the word "Lawyer," when speaking of Kenneth E. Meiser. In addition to be a longtime, valued resident of East Brunswick, he is a Hero of New Jersey's Civil Right's Movement and a well-represented land use attorney at Hill Wallack.

Are you now attacking his character, too?

It definitely seems that character assassinations are this school's number one defense mechanism. At first, I though there might be some truth to the pictures you were painting, but this is the last straw. If you would stoop so low as to speak of Mr. Meiser is this way, you have no credibility whatsoever.

Deborah - you are dishonest when you say you are respectful of the school's existence. Your anti-charter school and anti-Hatikvah record do speak for themselves. Shame on you, your righteous indignation benefits no-one but yourself.

You just keep not telling the truth! the vending truck company is located at 5 Litchfield Rd the next door building is the church, do you think that it was wrong to approve their variance?
http://eastbrunswick.patch.com/listings/vending-trucks-inc
100ft from the school there is a residential building (50 Morgan pl)

Pam, its clear you haven't bothered to visit the building. Hatikvah is on the corner and directly next to it on the left is 5 Lexington, and on the right is the ending truck company at the corner of Litchfield and Lexington. Further down Lexington is the church.

Deborah - it is quite ironic that the person who lacks transparency the most has an issue with lack transparency with it comes to the charter school. You wrote:
"My record speaks for itself...I have been respectful of the school's exitance and admire their mission". As the organizer of SOS here is your real record, which I suggest everyone should read. As you know, even a naive person would not think that you care about the safety of the kids more the the parents themselves. PLEASE show us a little bit of dignity and transparency. Honesty can go a long way...
http://www.state.nj.us/education/sboe/meetings/pubtest/2012/June/RoomA/Deborah%20Cornavaca.pdf

Jerry N. From my testimony that you link here:

Even more dangerous in my mind is the language included regarding the closing of charter schools. “An amendment is proposed to N.J.A.C. 6A:11-2.4(b)3 to give the Commissioner the flexibility to revoke a charter for schools that have not been placed on probation or conditional renewal to maintain the integrity of the charter school program. The amendments also would give the Commissioner the option of closing schools with academic, legal, compliance or viability issues that are immediate and severe enough to warrant revocation. “ By asking you to approve these regulatory changes, the Acting Commissioner is asking for the ability to close charter schools with no process at all in order ‘to maintain the integrity of the charter school program’ – as defined by whom? By what standards? This broad, discretionary authority should not be granted to any single individual when considering a local community school. The damage of such authority is already visible in the decision to close the Emily Fisher school, which working in conjunction with the school district, accepted children who would otherwise likely not be in school at all. Were their test scores as high as the best or even average in the state? But is that the question we should be asking? Or should we ask – would these children have even taken these test if it were not for the Emily Fisher school?

Deca -(Deborah) you haven't always commented in your own name. Another LIE!! You are a fraud.

Choice, let me get this straight: you're saying that a woman signed up here with a handle, like most people do, and then for transiency's sake she decides she should start using her real name... and you call that a lie? You are one strange cat!

Wow! So, then your friend has also seen her dropping off and picking up her kids from school every single day, and probably knows that she is extremely active in the PTA? So, who is paying her, the Frost PTA? You people are funny! This is one more example of Hatikvah parents lapping up and regurgitating anything they are told. It is really sad, because they are all clearly all so impressionable and will fall for anything. I feel really, really badly for the children at this school.

Anne - your concern is overwhelming. I am sure you care more for those children than their parents do. What a joke you are.

I didn't say they didn't care. I said they fall for anything. You have now reduced yourself to manipulating my words?

Stacy, would you like to elaborate on how Hatikvah is more accountable for my tax dollars? I'd really like to hear this.

Anne - when you say parents will fall for anything, are you suggesting they are all fools? Perhaps you are better suited to parent their children, since you are so "caring" and "smart".

Joseph what is there to question? I asked point blank if the town would be losing tax revenue. what "point" do you question? The fact that such a question led to an absurd and outright character assasination is what you should be questioning.

Choice, when was their last meeting held?

"billous excrement?" Wow, you are quite the charmer. Perhaps it is best that my children do not go to school with anyone raised by you.

Sorry, Anne, I lost my head there. Doesn't make you any less of a liar.

Totally agree!

I checked the link, and i have a question - Who are you Hatikva Board of Trustees?
Why are there no name listed on the page?

E-Non, Don't bother, they switch the times around without proper legal notice.

They just recently added the names of the Board of Trustees since it was not there on Monday. I would like to know where to find their itemized yearly budget and minutes of meetings since they do fall under the sunshine laws. thank you

Thank you for engaging me directly and asking for clarification. I am absolutely not paid to be involved in any anti school choice movement. I am not paid in any capacity to work against Hatikvah (which I have been accused of but do not believe is a fair characterization of my actions) nor have I been paid to pursue this appeal.

I work with Save Our Schools NJ which is a pro-public education organization (and public education includes charter schools). We have worked to update charter laws that were written in 1995 and do not reflect the current movement towards corporate franchising of charter schools and we support local votes for the opening of charter schools. We are not anti-charter. I personally believe that way too much authority is vested in the position of Commissioner of Education and that local democratic participation in public education is a positive movement. I am passionate about my work because I believe that public education is a cornerstone of a successful democratic society. I could go on at great length, but I believe this answers your question.

It is unfortunate that you persist in ascribing motives to my actions when clearly you do not know me. You are incorrect. It is very hard to have substantive discussions under such circumstances.

AS INACCURATE AND COMICAL AS THESE ACCUSATIONS ARE, HATIKVAH IS BEHAVING LIKE A BULLY RIGHT NOW. MAYBE THE SCHOOL'S BULLYING COORDINATOR SHOULD HOLD A SEMINAR FOR ITS BOARD MEMBERS AND PARENTS.

Long Time EB'er - you continue to cast aspersions that are not just wrong but very disrespectful to me and my family. Why are ad hominem attacks so attractive to you?I would suggest that in this debate over school children, we behave in such a way that sets a good example for them and refrain from further accusations, personal attacks and irrelevant and incorrect assignment of motive and character to participants whether named or anonymous.

Ms Cornavaca, you motives are clear to everyone already you don't have to hide them anymore.....

Good observation, Tami.

agreed as well -- but it was on both sides of the argument. I'd say at this point the voting reflects not the real feelings of the community, but who has more time to finagle the sytem to add votes. And both sides are guilty.

You cannot blame one person. The people writing the comments on here, as well as others supporters in the neighborhood, have been behaving unspeakably disrespectfully towards anyone who doesnt agree with them. They have become a stain on this town.