South Bergen Jointure Commission

The South Bergen Jointure Commission is a special education public school district based in Hasbrouck Heights on New Jersey Route 17 South in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey near Teterboro Airport, serving the educational needs of classified students ages 3 to 21 who are autistic or multiply handicapped from southern Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.[2]

South Bergen Jointure Commission
Address
500 Route 17 South
, Bergen County, New Jersey, 07604
United States
Coordinates40°52′09″N 74°03′56″W / 40.8692127°N 74.0654183°W / 40.8692127; -74.0654183
District information
GradesSpecial services
SuperintendentMichael Kuchar
Business administratorSusan Cucciniello
Schools3
Students and staff
Enrollment311 (as of 2022–23)[1]
Faculty62.0 FTEs[1]
Student–teacher ratio5.0:1[1]
Other information
District Factor GroupNA
Websitewww.njsbjc.org

As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprising three schools, had an enrollment of 311 students and 62.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 5.0:1.[1]

Controversy

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District Superintendent Dawn Fidanza resigned in October 2017 after the Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance of the New Jersey Department of Education found that she had transferred her daughter and created a new job position without the authorization of the district's board and had covered security cameras to conceal her daughter's actions in the district office. Described by The Record as "one of New Jersey's highest paid school superintendents", Fidanza had been paid an annual salary of $236,000.[3][4]

Schools

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Schools in the district (with 2022-23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics.[5]) are:[6][7]

  • East Rutherford Campus (Pre-K)
  • Maywood Campus[8] (174; PreK-5)
    • Scott Rossig, principal
  • Lodi Middle School / High School[9] (90 students; in grades 6-12)
    • Lauren N. Rosicki, principal
  • Moonachie Campus (47; PreK-8)

Administration

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Core members of the district's administration are:[10]

  • Michael Kuchar, superintendent[11]
  • Susan Cucciniello, business administrator and board secretary[12]

Constituent districts

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The district's board of education is comprised of representatives from the participating school districts:[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d District information for South Bergen Jointure Commission School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024. Note that enrollment was calculated as the total number of students in each of the three schools and ratio was cacualted by dividing by the number of FTEs listed for the district.
  2. ^ About Us, South Bergen Jointure Commission. Accessed November 30, 2017. "The South Bergen Jointure Commission is a state approved Board of Education whose mission is to provide services to participating local school districts, with an emphasis on shared services.... Presently, the South Bergen Jointure Commission provides special education classes for children who are preschool, autistic or multiply handicapped."
  3. ^ via Associated Press. "South Bergen Jointure Commission superintendent resigns after state investigation", The Record, October 10, 2017. Accessed November 30, 2017. "One of New Jersey's highest paid school superintendents is resigning after the state found she transferred her daughter to another office without board approval and covered security cameras to conceal her daughter's whereabouts. South Bergen Jointure Commission Superintendent Dawn Fidanza submitted her resignation, effective Dec. 31. She earns a base salary of $236,735."
  4. ^ Investigation Case - INV-014-17. August 2017.pdf OFAC Investigation Case #INV-014-17, August 2017, South Bergen Jointure Commission. Accessed November 30, 2017.
  5. ^ School Data for the South Bergen Jointure Commission, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.
  6. ^ School Performance Report for the South Bergen Jointure Commission, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 24, 2024.
  7. ^ New Jersey School Directory for the South Bergen Jointure Commission, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.
  8. ^ Maywood Campus, South Bergen Jointure Commission. Accessed November 30, 2017.
  9. ^ Lodi Middle School / High School, South Bergen Jointure Commission. Accessed November 30, 2017.
  10. ^ New Jersey School Directory for Bergen County, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.
  11. ^ Superintendent Office, South Bergen Jointure Commission. Accessed November 30, 2017.
  12. ^ Business Office, South Bergen Jointure Commission. Accessed November 30, 2017.
  13. ^ Board of Education Members, South Bergen Jointure Commission. Accessed November 30, 2017.

Further reading

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  • Adely, Hannan (2017-10-13). "Nepotism in South Bergen? Report says superintendent covered security cameras, demanded perfect scores". Northjersey.com.
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