There are many factors that go into our students' performance on standardized tests. And the tests themselves are only one of many ways to assess how successfully our kids are learning. So while I don't like putting too much emphasis on the NJ School Performance Report, we certainly can't ignore it.

That report tells us that Hillsdale Schools are underperforming our neighbors in Montvale, River Vale and Woodcliff Lake in student growth. I know this is a priority for our superintendent and the board alike. If elected, it would be my top priority, as well. 

Our district has just begun a major renovation of our middle school that will impact approximately two-thirds of the students currently in the district. Already, regrettable challenges in the local permitting process for our temporary classrooms have set back the timeline by several months. 

No project of this size will ever proceed without hiccups, so it is incumbent upon the superintendent and the board of education to closely monitor our progress throughout. 

Why doesn't our district post its curriculum on its website? Just compare the curriculum page for Hillsdale with those for Woodcliff Lake or Westwood. Are we hiding something?

The truth is, of course not. There is no deep dark secret that our school district is keeping from the public. However, when you don't operate transparently, you leave far too much to the imagination. A school district with nothing to hide should act like it.

Every Friday, our principals email the parents about the goings-on at school. It's a great practice. Now let's expand that. How about a monthly newsletter from Mr. Lombardy updating the community about the entire district? He could share highlights of the many great things our children accomplish.

Along the same lines, perhaps the board president could issue a quarterly report on what the board has been up to. 

If we want the public to be engaged in the schools, the school district needs to engage the public.