Weather: 82° Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon
- BDE: Petira of Sanzer Rebbe of Boro Park, Harav Hatzaddik Reb Boruch Halberstam, zt”l. He was 70 years old. The Rebbe, a descendant of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, zt”l, was widely known for his extraordinary dedication to chesed and hachnosas orchim and for his open door to Yidden from across the community.
- LPD Traffic Alert: E 4th Street will be closed from Cottage Place to Negba Street for planned NJAW construction. Plan alternate route if possible.
- Amazon plans to begin using drones to carry out deliveries around South Jersey starting in mid-October, according to a notice the tech giant sent to Mantua Township officals. According to the notice, the proposed operating area for its "Prime Air" service will cover a radius of around 15 miles from its facility at 240 Mantua Grove Road in West Deptford Township. NJ
- Trump: The Radical Left Democrats are going CRAZY with Fake Polls. They’re putting them out at levels never seen before. They’re called, “Demoralization Operations,” where they try to demoralize Republicans so that they don’t go out and vote — But the actual Polls are tremendous, and the Spirit in our Country has never been higher. We’re winning against EVERYONE, including Iran, whose Country is in Economic and Military Death Spiral. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
- LSTA update: Parents will have to "only" pay an additionl $290 instead. Total of $675 per child for courtesy busing. (While Lakewood township fully sponsors public school courtesy busing.)
This is what schools are asked to send out
Important Update Regarding Non-Mandated Bussing
Dear Parents,
We are pleased to share an important update regarding non-mandated bussing for the upcoming school year.
Over the past several days, we have been working closely with representatives of the LSTA, together with our local and state government officials and dedicated askanim, in an effort to ensure that transportation for the children of our Kehila can begin on time and without interruption.
Baruch Hashem, through these discussions, the additional fee for non-mandated bussing has been reduced to $290 per student.
In light of this development, we are now recommending that parents opt in for transportation. Please note that the $290 fee is due at this time in order to secure transportation.
We fully recognize that this is still an additional expense for families. This arrangement is intended to allow bussing to begin on time while we continue our efforts to explore possible solutions.
We will continue to keep parents informed of any developments as they arise. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and cooperation throughout this process.With best wishes for a successful school year,{Your Mosed}
- Rav Shlomo Eisenberger shlita R"Y Telz will be giving a Elul shmooze at B"M Kol Aryeh today at 1:15pm
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off electricity and critical minerals to the US if the trade war with Canada worsens.
- LSTA: With the Monday night deadline looming, there have still been no updates from LSTA, the schools, or elected officials, leaving parents wondering what to do about bus transportation for the upcoming school year. There is still hope that some source of funding will come through, but for now, families are being left with a wait-and-see approach as the deadline rapidly approaches.
- LSTA from the state report: Recent LegislationIn 2024, new legislation expanded the LSTA model and allowed additional transportation consortia to form. Unlike the 2016 pilot, the new law allows districts from multiple counties to participate, removes district-size requirements, requires savings from mandated funds to be returned to districts, and permits up to a 6% administrative fee for busing.
Lakewood Student Transportation Authority functions similar to a coordinated transportation services authority (CTSA). However, a CTSA is a governmental entity and the LSTA is a non-profit limited-liability company.
More from the report: One of the LSTA’s advantages over Lakewood for operating nonpublic routes is its flexibility in charging for courtesy busing, which Lakewood cannot do because of the district’s free and reduced lunch percentages. A study performed by Lakewood, NJ CPA firm HFA Certified Public Accountants and Advisors in 2020 found that the LSTA saves the district over $11 million versus the district bidding and managing all routes.
- Man with the truck will be in Lakewood today at BM Ohr Tuvia East End Ave hall 4:30 pm
- Tuition in Lakewood survey from TVOL interview with Lakewood families: Tuition remains a significant financial burden for many families. Sixteen percent spend at least half their income on tuition, while 29% spend more than 25%. Despite this, 61% believe tuition is reasonable, and paying tuition ranks 4.6 out of 5 in importance. Still, 29% owe tuition from the previous school year, showing that families can consider tuition important and reasonable while still struggling to pay it.
- Giyus: “I have a feeling that the state will give up on us. They’ll understand that this isn’t possible and back off from us.” Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, leader of Degel HaTorah, speaking to several activists about the issue of drafting charesim into the military.
Dear Mosdos,
ReplyDeleteWe are pleased to share that, following meetings and discussions with the LSTA, our local and state government officials, and askanim, the additional non-mandated bussing fee has been reduced to $290 per student.
At this point, our recommendation has changed, and we are asking Mosdos to advise parents to opt in for transportation. This replaces our previous recommendation to take no action.
Please notify your parents accordingly as soon as possible.
The LSTA portal will go live today at 2:00 PM. Their office will remain open tonight until 10:00 PM for kiosk walk-ins.
Below are suggested נוסחאות that Mosdos may use, either as a text message or as a formal letter.
For Text:
We are pleased to report that we met with representatives of the LSTA, our local and state government officials, and askanim. To ensure bussing for our Kehila starts on time, we were able to reduce the additional non-mandated bussing fee to $290. At this point, we recommend that parents opt in for transportation. Please note that the $290 fee is due now. Together, Bezr”H, we will continue working with the many stakeholders involved to explore possible solutions for our children’s bussing. We will continue to keep you updated throughout the year as developments occur. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. {Your Mosed}
For a Letter:
Important Update Regarding Non-Mandated Bussing
Dear Parents,
We are pleased to share an important update regarding non-mandated bussing for the upcoming school year.
Over the past several days, we have been working closely with representatives of the LSTA, together with our local and state government officials and dedicated askanim, in an effort to ensure that transportation for the children of our Kehila can begin on time and without interruption.
Baruch Hashem, through these discussions, the additional fee for non-mandated bussing has been reduced to $290 per student.
In light of this development, we are now recommending that parents opt in for transportation. Please note that the $290 fee is due at this time in order to secure transportation.
We fully recognize that this is still an additional expense for families. This arrangement is intended to allow bussing to begin on time while we continue our efforts to explore possible solutions.
We will continue to keep parents informed of any developments as they arise.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and cooperation throughout this process.
With best wishes for a successful school year,
{Your Mosed}
Thank you for your cooperation and for communicating this important update to your parent body as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Shimon Balsam
Igud Hamosdos
385+290=$675. Total cost per child $945.
DeleteThat's a discount of $270. Smile and say thank you.
Is anyone doing the math? $270*10,000 (the true number of nonmandated children) = $2.7 million. No new money found, just less shtick.
What a joke!
Delete"we have been working closely with representatives of the LSTA"
They are the same people.
When they work together, do they keep their seats?
DeleteDoes Reueven talk, and then when Reuven answers, does he move to the other side of the table?
*shimon not reuven lol
DeleteIt's always the same person, Reuven talking to Reuven, arguing with him, getting angry, and then making a deal with Reuven.
DeleteNow, both Reuven and Reuven are happy.
Fact: Lakewood township gives money to the board of education to fully sponsor public school transportation for families that live too close to school for state mandated transportation. The rate is over $1000 per child. Yet private school children are now forced to pay a "discounted" rate of $675 per child. Why won't the township treat all residents equally? Why is tax money going to some families and not others?
ReplyDeleteWho said that the Committee is still giving the 1M this coming fiscal year?
DeleteIt's in the preliminary budget.
DeleteMany of the public school children are from disadvantaged homes and without funded transportation, may not attend school at all.
DeleteSorry but the state law is across the entire new jersey they should walk like everyone else or pay like we are forced to do. The township is paying them with our tax dollars we are also disadvantaged
Deleteits illegal to charge public school students user fees. public schools must accept all children rich or poor
Delete12:20 Acceptance is free, but courtesy non-mandated bussing doesn't need to be provided. Yet the BoE/Township is choosing to provide and fund that bussing while leaving private non-mandated kids to pay for their own courtesy bussing.
DeleteWho are the trustees who oversee the Lsta?
ReplyDeleteSimon Balsam (Trustee)
Osher Lederer (Trustee)
Yaakov Mandelbaum (Trustee)
Avrohom Verschleiser (Trustee)
We knew they would do this. This was the plan. Charge 950 then be "SO NICE" and "ONLY" charge 675. Such good people.
ReplyDeleteAnd they wrote the email in a deceptive way!!! People think they only have to pay 290!! Instead of saying the eyes that it's 675!
DeleteWe fully recognize that this is still an additional expense for families. This arrangement is intended to allow bussing to begin on time while we continue our efforts to explore possible solutions.
ReplyDeleteBut rest assured, you will never see this money back no matter what their efforts or non efforts yield
Disgusting these askanim should be ashamed of themselves for what they did
ReplyDeleteThey raised it $290 above the original $385. It is NOT a reduction. Smart people recommend to not sign up.
ReplyDeleteA bais olam where the 5th St church is? Who for?
ReplyDeleteThere’s one there already
DeleteFrankly these lay people should not be in charge it's an embarrassment for IR HATORAH which preaches non stop "daas torah" that we have askonim running the show without any input from the rabbanim. Maybe if we had a little bit of input we would have a little bit less corruption. A rabbi by definition is someone who takes charge of communal affairs you can be a great scholar but if you don't you are not a rabbi
ReplyDeleteWhat is your mekor for this statement? So the Vilna Gaon wasnt a “Rabbi” according to you?
DeleteWhen in history have we ever had a transportation system run by Daas Torah?
DeleteA) the vilna gaon was not a rabbi actual Rabbi of Vilna with someone else B) he did care for communal issues he arranged shiurim chevra shas and actually delivered shiurim at times. C) no one is expecting a rabbi to actually drive the bus or Be the dispatcher we're talking about taking taking guidance on how to proceed on communal issues. Maybe because in this town everyone has a rabbi before his name they feel that they know exactly what the right thing to do is and have no problem overcharging by 100% when people have no choice but to opt in
DeleteI Have the best Idea, Dont go away to the BUngalows summer and you will have pleany of cash for tuition
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, but I dont go away to bungalows and didnt send one of my kids to camp this year and I'm still in the deep!
DeleteThis is Lakewood, not Willy. We already dont go to the bungalow colony. Any other bright ideas?
DeleteWhere did this additional money come from? What was the backroom deal that went down?
ReplyDeleteBIG BIG QUESTION there is no new funding so either they will create a crisis in 6 months and ask for more money or this was simply profit which they were forced to forego
ReplyDeleteI am sure all the sheep will just pay and don't be surprised if next year it is 945 or more since you already paid 650 so it's not such a big raise etc... Don't say I didn't tell you so. But how are we to fight? And they KNOW this, therefore they can do whatever they want!
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, this is what it all comes down to: The olam in Lakewood has been used and abused by a few yechidim over the years people who leveraged the power of our voting bloc to enrich themselves and take care of their own, while convincing us along the way that they had the klal’s interests at heart.
ReplyDeleteWell, that has come home to roost, and the game is up. It’s time for those in leadership, askanus, and political positions in Lakewood to take a hard look at their record and step aside if they are no longer truly representing the klal. Lakewood deserves genuine representatives who will fight for the community not for themselves.
Why is it we listen to"daas torah " when it comes to vote then when we have a problem these people are AWOL?? If they can lower themselves to deal with Petty mundane things like elections can't they get involved when there are millions of dollars been taken from their "adirei hatorah" to enrich a few individuals
ReplyDelete