A generation of children have gone through the Montclair school system enduring a revolving door of superintendents and appointed board members, many with great intent, who could not create the conditions for change. Those students endured many challenges that most districts do not face. Beginning in November 2021, voters have gone to the polls and made their voices clear. By a 70-30 margin, we changed the district from an appointed to an elected school board. By an amazing 84-16 margin, we approved a bond referendum for much needed improvements to all our schools and to our athletic facilities. In 2022 and 2023 we have seen a number of people step up and run to be elected to the Board of Education. Six of the current nine members have been elected, two of them twice. In the recent election, Phaedra Dunn and Melanie Deysher were re-elected to their positions; Allison Silverstein maintained the seat she was appointed to. The vote wasn’t close. All three of these deeply committed leaders showed they have the confidence of so many of us who vote in these elections.
These decisive results continue to happen because our school system is essential. Our schools are extraordinary places with many outstanding educators who work tirelessly. But we all know there is so much that could be better. Change takes time, it takes commitment, it takes courage, and it takes stability. Our current elected school board members are committed, courageous and they have stability due to the will of the voters.
The current attempt to derail the Woodman Field renovations that were approved and funded as part of the bond referendum has operated by the pre-2021 playbook. A tiny, loud, privileged group with an appointed friend and former neighbor on the BOE presented some reasonable arguments but mostly obfuscated, exaggerated, berated, and claimed bad process. In 2006, this same group successfully blocked a similar renovation. The appalling dangerous conditions at Woodman were left unattended to, and injured children paid the price. Current Montclair High seniors were born around this time. Despite the work by Woodman neighbors to deprive them of a safe field and that the delay tactics employed might result in them playing in dangerous conditions yet again, it was outstanding to see so many current student athletes at several board meetings speaking clearly and patiently while demonstrating the compelling need for a new field at Woodman.
Neighbors have claimed they have been treated poorly for defending the environment. I have witnessed the opposite. Families of athletes expressed their views with civility as they watched as neighbors raised their voices variously at the Superintedent and BOE and even occasionally at children and their parents. I’d urge people to watch the posted videos of recent school board meetings for confirmation. No one is vilifying neighbors for seeking to protect the environment. We thank them for that. We applaud that 94 new trees are included in the renovation plan. Public meetings include the opportunity for residents to make their points and arguments. We remain dedicated to advocating for safe fields for our children and criticizing delay tactics which continue to put our children at risk.
It is undoubtedly a shame that 15 old trees had to be brought down as part of this project. However, we all know that in life tradeoffs must be made and that priorities must be sorted out and determined. I respect that some residents, for very genuine reasons, disagree with the priorities that have been placed at the top of the list. However, we elect leaders to determine those priorities and the priority that has been elevated is the essential need to eliminate the dangerous, unacceptable conditions of the fields at Woodman and Hillside. This is a priority entirely in line with the mission of the school district and thus the BOE voted 7-2 to approve the contract for the renovations with all elected members voting in the affirmative. The process was public, interactive, patient and involved very significant adjustments based on input from opponents of the plan.
Every project in the bond referendum is critical. The determination to deliver these projects on time and under budget is the bright light of change that bodes well for the next generation of Mounties being born today.
Andrew Lacey
Montclair
Well said, Andrew. I welcomed the opportunity to participate and to present the need for a baseball field that will allow the game to be played safely today and well into the future in this town that we love. I was proud of the student-athletes who summarized the need so calmly and clearly. Like you, I respect the counter-arguments yet am firmly convinced that we cannot delay. It was disappointing when I read nearly 20 years ago that the town elected not to proceed with Woodman renovations. I knew then that our kids would end up with an embarrassingly subpar field at the high school. The Woodman Field my son – and so many before him – has played on is unfit for high school play. It’s uneven, thoroughly covered in weeds, and it’s downright dangerous. The field that has now been approved by 84% of residents and the BOE solves all of that. It’s the very best option that exists, and now is the time to build it and create a better future for youth baseball in Montclair.
Hey Andrew.
Couldn’t agree more. Solid, consistent leadership effecting the clear will of the people….gives me hope. Could common sense gun control be next:)
Well stated. Despite some board members being threatened by opponents of the Woodman and Hillside field projects with the loss of their positions at the polls prior to Election Day, the elected members made a decision not to give in to those threats and instead put the health and safety of both current and future Montclair High School athletes above the fray. I applaud their decision, am happy to see the re-elected win by such a margin, and encouraged at all the work the elected portion of the board and Dr. Ponds have done trying to move these projects forward without delay.
I agree. Compromises were made on the size of the field and those who opposed it were heard out. Some have not been able to accept that others have different priorities. But we have the democratic process to hash that out. Thanks to the BOE members who voted to move this forward for student-athletes.
C’mon parents. I’m sure your parents told you at one time, or many, you could try a little harder. Maybe even set an example and do your homework.
It required 3 mins of my time to go back to the Sept 29, 2021 PSA drafted District presentation to the BoE of the Master Capital Plan needs. 3 minutes! Imagine if I spent 30 minute what I would provide. The Silverstein BoE, the Ponds led district. The Silverstein, I speak for the Board, saying no new taxes if you would approve the capital spend. The Silverstein, I speak for Phaedra Dunn and Melanie Deysher who voted Silverstein to represent them?
Anyway, no mention of baseball fields. No mention of refurbishing the dangerous Hillside school yard. What the Master Plan clearly noted was the need to do soil abatement at Woodman Field grandstands. Oops! Our bad.
[Note: People actually do follow, albeit casually, what the BoE does say and report, when they deign to report.]
Maybe call up the Town and ask them what the contaminated soil disposal costs were for Edgemont Pond. It is in the bid package, right? Oh, and you slippery folks…need I point you to the orientation of that representative baseball field rendering the district provided the public. Slick. Kudos.
On personal note, counting arborvitae as trees is just downright insulting. You are asking us to accept a landscaping staple of gad stations and banks as some blessing? We call them soldier courses. All lined up, totally void of imagination and creativity. It is not even suburban. I would hate to see the shoes you wear.
I have said pretty consistently to clear cut the property. Because there would be no satisfying the parents in wanting a best-in-class facility. It was just reimbursement for the years of shame over the condition of Woodman.
But, let’s not get all sassy like you have been on some high moral ground. Your had needs. You persevered. You don’t want to burn too many bridges in your celebration because we all know you will be back asking for more…and more..and more.
Completely concur with Mr. Lacey. Finally, and thankfully, strong leadership and clear direction at the BOE and the District.
So now the Woodman neighbors are privileged? Last time I checked they didn’t have a seat at the table during the whole field planning process, like you. They weren’t invited to the July meeting at the field with the architects and the BOE to walk through the plans, like you and other baseball parents.
Privilege is access, and that’s what you have – a direct line to Dr Ponds and friends on the BOE. The neighbors were invited to the table AFTER the plans were released. I think it’s obvious who’s privileged here.
You act as though the new field is not being built…. it is. Have you driven by Woodman Field recently? It’s leveled. Now you are upset because you must go through the town zoning board to ensure the field is built safely and to code. I’m sorry, the baseball parents want a SAFE field, right?
Are you suggesting the District and the BOE are above the law and don’t have to follow it, and construction plans should be just rubber stamped? That’s a privileged argument if I have ever heard one.
Don’t try to blame the neighbors. They’re not in charge. They didn’t force the zoning board to do anything. The zoning board has the legal merits to do what it’s doing because let’s be very clear, this is not a turf replacement like the football field. This is a massive $8M construction project that involves chopping down 100-year-old trees, leveling a berm, excavating, and remediating contaminated land.
So, turn your focus to the ‘courageous’ leadership of Dr Ponds and the BOE that you so eloquently write about. It was their decision to start the field project without zoning board approval. That’s not the neighbor’s fault. Dr Ponds knew he had to go before the zoning board weeks ago. So, if there is legal posturing or delays, it rests solely on him.
I know that’s what you are really worried about too. Dr Ponds started the project, the trees are down, the baseball field has been taken apart, and Dr. Ponds doesn’t have the permits to build it.
So instead of writing op-eds vilifying Woodman neighbors, write an email to Dr Ponds and your friends on the BOE and urge them to stop delaying and comply with the town safety and zoning regulations to get the field built SAFELY. Remember, that’s what it’s about – a SAFE FIELD. It’s Dr. Ponds and the BOE who are delaying the process by attempting to skirt it.
I agree with Andrew Lacey.
Now let’s go and have a grateful, happy Thanksgiving one and all.
I applaud Mr Lacey for his advocacy for the Baseball team and for expressing his political support for educators he believes in. As an advocate for my kids, their environment, and their climate future – I understand that passions run deep.
I have no opinion about the BOE or Mr. Ponds, other than that I don’t believe they ought to move forward with any more Bond projects prior to adopting a sustainability and environmental conservation policy. The NJ School Boards Association has a template they can easily use. I too want to see Montclair Public Schools be a beacon of light but also of Climate Resiliency and Environmental health in what I know to be a progressive town. The future will be the same for all of us, regardless what our opinion was re: Woodman Field. Let’s get to the future strong.
A few things I would like to share:
1 – 13 mature Oak trees and 2 mature Hickory trees with diameters between 13 and 54 inches are being replaced with: 50 arborvitae, 20 decorative trees and 20 shade trees (IIRC). The caliper of replacement trees will be 2.5 inches. By our neighbor Madison, NJ’s tree ordinance standards (a tree ordinance that’s been updated to reflect the climate crisis we find ourselves in), an acceptable replacement plan would be: 132 total 2.5 inch caliper native deciduous trees. We are getting about 40? Of which only 20 are shade trees? We residents are pleading with baseball families to please consider an adequate tree replacement plan. Please do not count 50 arborvitae in that plan. While we appreciate the purpose of these is to create a visual screen, please understand that for those who are genuinely concerned re: the loss of biodiversity and shade, and storm water mitigation, at this site, the arborvitaes are meaningless.
2 – I am so curious why the word “privilege” was used to describe the neighbors at Woodman. There are communities in Ridgewood, East Orange, and surrounding towns who have fought – or are currently fighting – the same environmental battle neighbors at Woodman field fought. This isn’t about privilege, this is about environmentalism. Indeed for our neighbors in East Orange, at Columbian Park, it was about environmental justice. Furthermore, NJDEP has designated the area around Woodman Field as an overburdened community. Please factor that in when making determinations of privilege.
3- Speaking of privilege, I do feel privileged to be able to speak up. It’s hard. A lot of people can’t because of their professional positions, or because they are educators at the school, or employees of the school, or because they run local businesses and are worried about being boycotted – or simply because their voices are dismissed because of how they look or how much, or how little, they earn – or their educational level. I am happy to be labeled as privileged if it means I can speak up for them. Go for it.
4- Regarding artificial turf: Please, for the health and safety of all student athletes, but also for the health and safety of residents who live next to the materials you select to purchase and pave a field with, as well as for the health and safety of our drinking water and ecology, please consider: 1) Seriously investigating the real costs of organic grass fields. 2) Forbidding plastic or rubber infills 3)Getting independent PFAs turf testing at a lab that isn’t paid for by turf vendors (it’s only $875 – I volunteer to pay for it! ) 4) minimizing synthetic turf to only the necessary areas if no other option exists 5) Have a recycling plan 6) acquire your product from a company that mitigates the carbon impact of this petro-chemical product. 6) Please explore the maintenance plan requirements that are built into State Aid funding. Perhaps that allows for a creative approach to using funds for Capitol improvements for maintenance. It’s worth exploring given the data against artificial fields is getting more robust every year and we all want great fields in ten years too.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Anna
This letter emphasizes the democratic, direct election process role in the outcome here. And hindsight is something Montclair, as a community resists if it may reveal inconvenient truths. The BoE elections have affirmed some hoped for predictions, but also have, so far, also raised concerns.
After two rounds of elections, we doubled the number of candidates. I won’t say they well represented the diversity of Montclair. I think their eduction credentials well represented the district interests. They were all certified stakeholders. While more choice is better than less, the choice were basically of the same flavor.
In spite of a the increased choices, voter turnout dropped by a third. Maybe most of the drop was due to having the referendum on the 2022 ballot with no such wallet issue this year. But, the argument was a general election would drive more voters. Having more voting casting options would be expected to ameliorate the expected drop-off. Was this year atypical or the new normal? Regardless, even with the rising number of registered voters, it was a very poor turnout so soon into this promising for bright future.
I say all this because Montclair is obviously not just about our schools. As others have posted here, it is a community of many interests and needs that have to coexist. I am not sure the direct elections will show, over time, it advances us in this regard. Further, let’s not lose this hindsight record when the topic of moving our municipal elections to November arises again. Or let’s change our form of government, with every assurance that it will be better than what we have…for everyone.
For now, direct school elections & referendums have yielded mixed results. We could reap some future community benefits by having a little more hindsight from the school district experience.
We are all Montclair residents and privileged to be part of this beautiful, historic town. A piece of that historic beauty has been demolished this week – please let’s turn to kindness and empathy for the many children and adults who’ve been deeply affected by this.