September 11, 2013 • www.theobserver.com • Vol CXXVI, No. 16
COVERING: BELLEVILLE • BLOOMFIELD
‘Log-in’ required at KHS
• EAST NEWARK • HARRISON • KEARNY • LYNDHURST • NORTH ARLINGTON • NUTLEY
They got tools; still need firefighters
By Ron Leir Observer Correspondent
KEARNY – When they started the fall term last Thursday, Sept. 5, Kearny High School students faced a new “test” even before they reached their classrooms. They were asked to “log in,” as Principal Al Gilson put it: running their school ID cards past a scanner which, linked to a computer laptop, senses the ID barcode and “registers” their attendance. “It’s a swipe process,” Gilson said. “You don’t need to be wireless or have an external power source. It’s very simple.” In contrast to previous years when kids could walk into the high school from any of five access points, now the only way they can “check in” is via the school’s main entrance on Devon St. At the same time, school monitors check students for compliance with the school uniform policy. Any students arriving between 7 and 8 a.m. without their ID or required attire are being sent home to get it before returning. Between 8 and 8:15 a.m. students coming into school with no ID are sent to the auditorium and given a temporary student pass. Lost IDs are replaced for a $5 fee. Reports on students without see SCANNERS page
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Photos courtesy Harrison Fire Department
Harrison firefighters train with newly acquired rescue tools. After securing vehicle with jacks, men practice (inset) cutting open part of vehicle.
By Ron Leir Observer Correspondent
firefighters but the town is renewing its bid – and this time, it’s asking for a lot HARRISON – more. he federal government Harrison Fire Director has rejected an applica- Harold Stahl said the town tion by Harrison for got word last month that it funding to hire additional had been turned down in its
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effort to get a $2.1 million in SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant to pay salaries and benefits for 12 new firefighters for two years. However, Harrison derived some consolation from being
awarded about $35,000 from another federal firefighter funding source to replace two-decade-old emergency rescue equipment. “Our men just completed four days of see SAFER page
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McDonald bid to keep presidency misfires By Ron Leir Observer Correspondent
recommended the denial of McDonald’s bid to set aside the BOE’s 6-3 vote June 17 KEARNY – to replace her with Robert Bernadette McDonald’s efO’Malley. McDonald still fort to retain the presidency of keeps her board seat. the Kearny Board of Education Now the matter goes to the has been dealt a serious setstate Commissioner of Educaback, if not a near fatal blow. tion for a final resolution. The On Aug. 26, state Admincommissioner has 45 days to istrative Law Judge Evelyn affirm, reject or modify MaJ. Marose, sitting in Newark, rose’s finding.
“I’m disappointed,” McDonald said, when asked for her reaction, “but other than that, I have nothing to say about it.” McDonald, meanwhile, is focused on seeking re-election to the BOE as part of a threemember “team,” together with newcomers former Kearny Councilwoman Barbara Cifelli-Sherry and Samantha Paris, a CPA.
201-991-1300 KEARNY OFFICE 213 Kearny Ave, Kearny, New Jersey
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Also on the Nov. 5 ballot are O’Malley, Renato DaSilva and Daniel Esteves. McDonald, Cifelli-Sherry, Paris, O’Malley and DaSilva are battling for three 3-year seats, while Esteves – who was named to replace Deborah Lowry, following last year’s election, after Lowry was found to be ineligible to serve – is the lone see MCDONALD page
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