Community Corner

School Budget Worries and Changes, Police Honors and New Playgrounds in Bloomfield

A look back at the stories that mattered this week in Bloomfield.

Bloomfield Democrats Kick Off Campaign Season

Democrats from throughout Essex County packed into the banquet room of the Essex Manor on Friday, March 15, for the Bloomfield Democratic Team Kick-Off. 

Franklin School Parents Illustrate Crowded Classrooms

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This month, many Bloomfield parents are worried about what their children’s classrooms would look like if the teacher layoffs forced students to crowd into shortstaffed classrooms. A group of parents from Franklin Elementary School tried to find out, stuffing 28 first graders into a Franklin classroom and documenting the situation with pictures. 

Superintendent Bing: School Staff Layoffs Reduced to 54

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The number of Bloomfield School employees facing possible layoffs has been reduced, according to a letter posted on the Bloomfield Schools website on Monday. As of the school board special meeting on Tuesday, March 12, the district was bracing to let go 98 staff members, including 86 teachers. Per the letter, that number was reduced by slightly less than half, with 55 total staff members facing layoffs. 

Bloomfield Schools Superintendent Jason Bing said at a special School Board meeting Tuesday that the teacher jobs the school was able to save come at a cost. Namely: school nurses, administrators and other non-classroom personnel and, depending on Bloomfield voters in November, winter sports and extracurricular activities.

Bloomfield Police Officer Honored for DUI Arrests

On April 24, Officer Luca Piscitelli will receive the Top Gun Award from the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Highway Traffic Safety. This award is given to the leader in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties, to the officer that makes the most drunk driving arrests in their county.

Brookdale Parents Celebrate New Playground

After years of fundraising, Brookdale Elementary School finally got a new playground. Parents and supporters were thrilled to host the ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, March 15. 


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