LACEY Voters have approved a $28,873,500 school bond referendum that district officials say will finally address long-standing roof failures and aging HVAC systems across all six schools. The measure appeared on the November 4 ballot after the Board of Education unanimously authorized it in July, and its passage marks a significant reversal from the much larger referendum defeated earlier this year. An analysis of the unofficial results of the election published by the Ocean County Clerk as of November 12 provides insight into the outcome. The records show that 13, 233 of Lacey’s 24, 429 registered voters cast a ballot on the question, with 7, 498 voting “yes” and 5, 735 voting “no.” The referendum passed with roughly 57 percent support, and just over half of all registered voters weighed in on the proposal. The result was close in total participation to the Township Committee race, which saw about 13, 450 individuals cast votes, indicating that most residents who turned out for local races also chose to vote on the bond issue. An estimated 217 voters passed over the ballot question. “The Lacey Township School District is thrilled to announce the successful passage of its November 4, 2025 facilities bond referendum,” shared district officials in a prepared statement. “Voters approved the measure by a significant margin of 1, 763 votes, authorizing $28,873,500 in critical infrastructure and capital improvements across all six district schools.” Acting Superintendent William Zylinski described the outcome as a clear expression of community confidence. “We are deeply grateful for the resounding support shown by the Lacey Township community,” he said. “This is not just a vote for infrastructure; it is a clear statement of support for the safety, efficiency, and future of our learning environments. The approval by a margin of 1, 763 votes demonstrates a community commitment to maintaining excellent schools.” The district emphasized that approval secures approximately $11. 5 million in state debt service aid funding that would have been unavailable had the referendum failed. Officials reiterated that the aid, combined with the maturation of older debt, means the district does not project a debt-service tax increase for residents. “This aid, combined with the strategic timing of the new bond coinciding with the maturity of previous debt, ensures that the district can undertake these essential, long-lasting projects with no projected debt service tax increase to our residents,” the district said in its statement. School officials also thanked voters for taking time to understand the proposal, noting, “We now shift our focus entirely to execution, and we look forward to moving swiftly into the bonding and construction phases to deliver on the promises made to our students, staff, and community.” The approval stands in striking contrast to the defeated three-question, $93. 5 million referendum put before voters in March. That earlier proposal included not only roof and HVAC work but also gym renovations, athletic facilities, extensive infrastructure upgrades, and a synthetic turf field. Opponents to both the March and current referendum argued the district had neglected building maintenance for years and accused officials of seeking an overextended financial commitment. Several critics, including members of the group Lacey Citizens for Responsible Government, also challenged the district’s messaging about tax impacts and raised concerns about transparency. District leaders countered throughout the year that the financial strain was the result of severe S-2 state aid reductions, not overspending. They also maintained that deferring major projects would only magnify long-term costs and eliminate the chance for the state to pay 40 percent of the debt service. In the same election that approved the bond measure, Lacey voters also ushered in significant change on the Board of Education. None of the three winners, Meg Forney, Brandon Hurley, and Steven Gouin, were incumbents. Their arrival on the nine-member board comes at a pivotal moment, as the district prepares for an extensive construction timeline and a new member must soon be appointed to fill the vacancy created by Scott Peters’ resignation earlier this year. With voter approval secured, the district will now begin the bonding process and move toward construction. As previously reported, multiple schools have been dealing with chronic roof leaks, including instances where buckets placed in hallways collected water during storms. HVAC systems in several buildings are nearing the end of their life cycle, raising concerns about efficiency, reliability, and overall climate control. According to earlier district presentations and prior Board-approved plans, work will be managed by Settembrino Architects, the firm previously contracted to guide the project.
https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/southern-ocean/voters-pass-28-8m-school-bond-in-lacey/
Tag Archives: superintendent
Middle school principal in Maine draws criticism after dressing as ICE agent for Halloween
A middle school principal in Maine is facing criticism after dressing as a federal immigration officer for Halloween. The costume included a bulletproof vest labeled “ICE.”
An image circulating widely online shows James Black, principal of Mt. Blue Middle School in Farmington, wearing the ICE outfit. The photo features Black in a bulletproof vest marked “Police ICE,” a cap with “ICE” written on it, and a gaiter patterned with blue stars and red stripes covering most of his face.
Christian Elkington, superintendent of the Mt. Blue Regional School Unit #9, confirmed the district is aware of the incident. “I have received several communications from staff members and others with concerns and/or questions about the matter,” Elkington told Boston.com Sunday night.
He added, “As we understand it, this situation occurred off RSU #9 grounds and was not connected to any RSU 9 activities. The district is responding to this situation in a manner consistent with our internal practices and procedures. We are also complying with our legal obligation to maintain the confidentiality of our employees.”
The tattoos visible on the man in the photo match those seen on Black’s Facebook profile. However, the profile appeared to have been taken down shortly after Boston.com viewed the images.
Project Relief Maine, an advocacy and mutual aid organization, shared the photo of the controversial costume on social media. They stated, “For immigrant students who already live in fear of ICE, this isn’t funny. It’s terrifying. Deportation isn’t a costume. It’s not a joke. It’s trauma.”
The group emphasized, “Students deserve to feel safe at school, not mocked by the very people who are supposed to protect them.”
Attempts to reach Black for comment on Sunday evening were unsuccessful.
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2025/11/02/middle-school-principal-in-maine-draws-criticism-after-dressing-as-ice-agent-for-halloween/
Cook County District 130 custodial workers call for superintendent’s removal
Custodians and maintenance workers for Elementary District 130, serving Alsip, Blue Island, Crestwood, and Robbins, are calling for the removal of the district’s superintendent and assistant superintendent of human resources amid ongoing union contract negotiations.
SEIU Local 73 stated that the district has canceled two contract bargaining sessions since negotiations began this summer. However, union conflicts with Superintendent Colleen McKay and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Carrie Tisch date back to 2022.
“The administration has repeatedly retaliated against union stewards and workers, and employees have been punished for alleged violations and then terminated for those same supposed violations,” the union said in a news release Tuesday.
Field organizer Doug Taylor highlighted one of the union’s main concerns: a hostile work environment for custodians and maintenance workers that includes racial discrimination. He noted that administrative officials have prohibited workers from speaking any language other than English during disciplinary hearings and have disallowed the use of interpreters.
“Advocates are not allowed to speak Spanish in a sidebar with the people they’re representing,” Taylor said.
SEIU Local 73 represents 50 custodians and maintenance workers within District 130, with 95% of those workers being people of color, the union added. Taylor also accused district officials of demonstrating a pattern of harassing and targeting union stewards.
Requests for comment from McKay, Tisch, and district board members were not immediately returned.
Union members have publicly spoken out against what they describe as racist and retaliatory practices at recent board meetings. However, as of Tuesday, they have reportedly lost faith in McKay and Tisch, Taylor said. The union’s petition calling for the removal of the superintendent and assistant superintendent has garnered over 900 signatures.
“When we were looking at options to make progress for our members, this was the step that we chose to involve the community,” Taylor explained.
Other issues raised by the union include the administrators’ rejection of proposals to provide custodians and maintenance workers with clear guidance during lockdowns or law enforcement incidents.
“Currently, they don’t know what their role would be in the school,” Taylor said. “So they just want training, that’s all.”
The union has also gained support from elected officials. State Rep. Bob Rita called for an investigation into “allegations of racism, retaliation and anti-union practices” in a union news release dated October 6.
State Sen. Willie Preston, who began his career as a union janitor, stated, “I know what it feels like to go to work, work hard, and have no respect at the end of the day.”
“Let me be clear to District 130: These workers do their jobs, but you need to clean up your act today,” Preston said.
In addition, union members voiced their concerns at a recent Blue Island City Council meeting. Mayor Fred Bilotto said in the union news release that the issues raised about District 130 leadership “deserve immediate attention.”
“As a union member, educator, and school administrator, I urge the District 130 administration and board to address these allegations and enter into serious negotiations with the union,” Bilotto said.
Meanwhile, Taylor emphasized that the union will continue to raise these concerns publicly until the school board is compelled to take action.
“We’ll continue to raise the issues until we are satisfied that we’re making good progress,” he said.
For further information, contact ostevens@chicagotribune.com.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/23/district-130-custodial-union-superintendents-removal/
Alumni, community fight to preserve Ligon school ahead of $141M renovation: ‘Part of our legacy’
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Several Ligon alumni are currently fighting to preserve this historically Black school. They say students not only earned diplomas there but also learned trades that helped build up the Capitol City.
Bruce Kennedy attended Ligon 54 years ago. “I left in our senior year during the integration,” he said. The lifelong Raleigh resident was part of the last high school class to attend Ligon before it was integrated and converted into a middle school. Kennedy was then sent to Sanderson High to graduate.
“I hated it,” Kennedy admitted. “I wanted to graduate from there (Ligon) all my life because all my parents, everyone in our family, had graduated from there.”
Now, decades later, the school is facing another major change. Ligon is scheduled for a $141 million renovation. However, there have also been discussions about potentially demolishing the building and rebuilding.
The school’s future sparked a tense exchange at last week’s Wake County School Board meeting. Board Member Toshiba Rice expressed frustration, saying, “It is disrespectful that I don’t know, to be honest. It is disrespectful to the people that I serve,” during the October 14th meeting. She pressed for an update on the renovation plans.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor explained that an architect was selected some time ago and that he plans to hold conversations with community members about the next steps for the project.
“We want to do our due diligence to make sure we talk to the public,” said Taylor. “If there is going to be a change or a recommendation, it is my responsibility to make sure I go and talk to them.”
Alumnus Daniel Coleman supports moving forward with the renovation, emphasizing that Ligon represents more than just a school.
“This symbolizes what Wake County is today,” Coleman said. “Everybody came out here. A lot of kids couldn’t get jobs anyplace else. So they were trained. They were plumbers or brick masons. It filled a whole gamut of educational needs for the community.”
For Kennedy, preserving the building is about honoring a legacy.
“It’s part of our legacy,” he said.
https://abc11.com/post/ligon-magnet-school-alumni-fight-preserve-historically-black-raleigh/18045599/
This Colorado school district was sued for removing library books. Now it’s fundraising for legal fees.
The Elizabeth School District’s website greets visitors with an unusual pop-up: an invitation to help cover legal fees for a lawsuit related to library book removals.
Located southeast of Denver and serving about 2,700 students, the district is raising funds as part of a broader campaign supported by at least three conservative groups — including one led by former Republican gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl — to defend against the lawsuit.
### The Lawsuit Over Library Book Removals
In December, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Colorado filed suit against the district. The lawsuit alleges that the Elizabeth school board’s decision to remove 19 books from school libraries violates both federal and state free speech protections.
These books, now back on shelves due to a court order, primarily feature authors or subjects related to LGBTQ people, people of color, or both.
### An Unusual Fundraising Approach
While school districts commonly fundraise for supplies or field trips, soliciting donations to pay legal fees is uncommon. The donation page — hosted by Ganahl’s group — features a heading that reads “Save Elizabeth School District,” with suggested donation amounts ranging from $250 to $10,000.
Publicly available school district financial records do not clarify how much the district has spent on this lawsuit. District officials declined to comment on the expenses.
### Who Is Involved in the Case?
Plaintiffs include two students from the district, a chapter of the NAACP, and the Authors Guild, a professional writers’ organization. Their attorneys argue that book removals violate free speech protections.
Among the removed titles were notable works such as *The Bluest Eye* by Toni Morrison, *The Kite Runner* by Khaled Hosseini, and *It’s Your World If You Don’t Like It, Change It* by Mikki Halpin.
District lawyers counter that the books were removed due to concerns about age-appropriateness, lack of educational value, and sensitive content including graphic violence, explicit sexual references, extreme substance use, and themes of self-harm.
### District Leadership Responds
Elizabeth Superintendent Dan Snowberger declined a phone interview but sent a text message emphasizing the district’s financial stability. He described the lawsuit’s origin as “unusual,” writing:
> “It’s unusual for a behemoth organization like the ACLU with a major financial war chest to come after a small rural district. We will not allow them to impact the educational opportunities for our children in the district, and will do everything necessary to mobilize outside forces to protect our children.”
The district has framed the legal battle against the ACLU as a David versus Goliath story. On social media and at board meetings, some community members have voiced support for both the book removals and the legal fight.
### Community Divisions Over the Issue
Supporters of the removals often cite graphic content—such as descriptions of sexual assault—as inappropriate for students.
However, other community members oppose both the book bans and the fundraising efforts. Jessica Capsel, an Elizabeth resident whose son previously attended district schools, criticized the time and money spent on the lawsuit.
“That pop-up [window] begging for money pops up every time you change a page,” Capsel said. She added that a previous lawsuit she won against the district related to open meeting violations was more straightforward, suggesting the current priorities are misplaced.
### The ACLU’s Position
Tim Macdonald, legal director of the ACLU of Colorado, said the organization did not “come after” Elizabeth. Rather, district students and families asked for compliance with the Constitution to stop banning books that contain viewpoints or content opposed by board members.
He stated:
> “Fighting for the constitutional rights of students in Colorado is how we protect children; violating their constitutional rights is not protecting children.”
### Financial Transparency Questioned
It remains unclear how much the Elizabeth School District has spent on its legal defense since the lawsuit’s filing 10 months ago.
District financial records suggest modest payments to the two main law firms involved. From January through June 2025, the district paid about $6,500 to First and Fourteenth (based in Colorado Springs), none to Mitchell Law (Austin, Texas), and approximately $57,000 to Miller, Farmer, Carlson Law. The latter firm usually handles routine district matters but is also involved in this case.
### Fundraising Details Remain Opaque
The amount raised through the legal defense fundraiser and how those funds are allocated is not publicly clear.
Heidi Ganahl’s conservative news outlet Rocky Mountain Voice operates the online donation page “Save Elizabeth School District” but did not respond to questions about fundraising totals or fund distribution. Ganahl provided a statement saying:
> “Our fundraising assistance supports the board in exercising its authority to curate age-appropriate library content, responding to parental concerns about sensitive themes like explicit content or divisive topics.”
Julian Ellis, one of the district’s lawyers from First and Fourteenth Law, did not respond to inquiries about donations collected. The district website lists Ellis as the recipient for paper checks made payable to the Article III Foundation, an Alexandria, Virginia-based group supporting the district’s legal expenses.
Similarly, Lori Gimelshteyn, executive director of the parents’ rights group Parents United America — another fundraiser host — did not provide information about funds raised or their destinations.
### Additional Fundraising Efforts
Citizens Defending Freedom, based in Mulberry, Florida, is a fourth partner in fundraising efforts for Elizabeth’s legal costs. Last Thursday, they held a “Protect Our Children” fundraiser at a Colorado Springs church, with ticket sales supporting Ganahl’s group.
Tickets ranged from $100 for a single entry to $2,000 for a “platinum” package that included 10 tickets, VIP seating, and a private reception with speakers.
When asked about fundraising totals, a spokesperson for Citizens Defending Freedom referred Chalkbeat to Bonnie Wallace, a legislative liaison for Recovering America — an organization promoting Biblical values — and one of the event speakers. Wallace did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
—
*This story was originally published by Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. To receive newsletters, visit ckbe.at/newsletters.*
*For more Colorado news, sign up for The Denver Post’s Mile High Roundup email newsletter.*
https://www.denverpost.com/2025/10/16/elizabeth-school-district-book-ban-legal-fees/
A Mosaic Elk at Prairie Creek
Those who wander into the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center are in for a unique encounter—not with a live Roosevelt elk, as typically found in nearby Elk Prairie, but with a remarkable glass-encrusted bull elk sculpture created by Jennifer a’Midi, a local Southern Humboldt mosaic artist.
Weighing 225 pounds and life-sized, the Roosevelt elk sculpture features museum-quality antlers and is covered from head to tail with thousands of hand-cut pieces of glass. These glass pieces form an intricate mosaic depicting scenes of 138 unique habitat types, along with local plants, animals, and fungi, including seven banana slugs and a California Condor.
“Redwood National and State Parks is honored to host a’Midi’s custom-made artwork, and we are thrilled to connect visitors to creative experiences in the parks, which provide inspiration and connection to nature,” said Shelana deSilva, Deputy District Superintendent, during the sculpture’s unveiling on September 13.
The Yurok Tribal Council will soon vote on a Yurok name for the mosaic elk, which State Parks will then feature on an accompanying plaque. The unveiling event, hosted by California State Parks North Coast Redwoods, Redwood Parks Conservancy, and Redwood National and State Parks, concluded with a scavenger hunt for 22 of a’Midi’s mosaic rocks.
This Prairie Creek mosaic elk is the fourth mosaic art sculpture that a’Midi has gifted to a North Coast Redwoods District Park unit. In 2023, she donated her “Mushroom Connection” mosaic, featuring mushrooms and a river scene with otters and salmonids, to the historic Richardson Grove Lodge during Richardson Grove State Park’s Centennial celebration. That same year, she gifted a mosaic otter named “Tce yac” to the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center.
More recently, in 2024, a’Midi presented her giant mushroom mosaic titled “Midnight”—named after the fungi Entoloma medianoxa—to the Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park Visitor Center.
When asked what motivates her to create these painstaking mosaic works and generously donate them to local California State Parks, a’Midi shared, “I have a deep passion for the redwoods and protecting them, so I share my art with the public to hopefully inspire conservation and protection of our forests and all the creatures within.”
She added a favorite quote from Pablo Picasso: “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
After completing the mosaic for Grizzly Creek State Park, a’Midi felt inspired to create mosaic pieces for as many visitor centers as she could. “Every time I’ve visited Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, I see the beautiful elk, so I proposed gifting a mosaic elk to State Parks District Superintendent Victor Bjelajac, and he approved my idea,” she said.
“Jennifer’s attention to detail and species representation is spectacular in her art, and she’s performing a public service at our visitor centers with her donations,” Bjelajac commented.
To begin the project, a’Midi ordered a museum-quality fiberglass and resin sculpture from Texas, then carefully selected scenes from California’s North Coast to incorporate. “I love to draw, so I created a Prairie Side and an Ocean Side scene on each side of the elk to represent Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park,” she explained.
She enjoyed researching the flora, fauna, and fungi native to the Prairie Creek area, choosing those she could depict recognizably in mosaic. The California Condor holds special significance for her, as she has followed their restoration efforts through the Yurok Tribe’s work. “It’s amazing, and I wanted to honor that work,” she said.
“I hope Prairie Creek visitors will be inspired when they see my mosaic elk—and I hope they can find all seven banana slugs hidden within the artwork,” a’Midi shared.
Regarding the biggest challenge in making life forms recognizable in mosaic, a’Midi noted, “Covering any 3D object with flat pieces of glass is a challenge. Curved surfaces require smaller cuts so the glass lays as flat as possible. Small crevices are difficult to get the glass into. Grouting is the most physical part. The best moment was wiping the grout off and seeing my vision become this amazing creation.”
The project took just over a year to complete. “I’m not sure about the total hours, but I worked on it every day, or was researching or engineering it.”
The finished mosaic elk, dubbed the “Great Elk Migration,” required six people to carry it out of a’Midi’s home to a waiting trailer. A convoy of four vehicles then followed the sculpture north to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, where it was installed indoors in its permanent, protected location.
Looking ahead, a’Midi revealed that her next mosaic animal project will be a black bear for Sue-meg State Park Visitor Center (formerly Patrick’s Point State Park). Bjelajac joked that after completing her mosaic bear, a’Midi would have “only 275 more California State Parks to go.”
Mark Larson (he/him) is a retired Cal Poly Humboldt journalism professor and active freelance photographer who enjoys walking.
https://www.northcoastjournal.com/arts-scene/art-beat/a-mosaic-elk-at-prairie-creek/
Telangana Police seizes 499 kgs of ganja, held two
A total of 499 kg of ganja worth Rs 2.5 crore, being transported to Rajasthan in a container lorry, was seized in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana on Monday. Two persons have been arrested in connection with the case, police said.
Based on credible information, police teams conducted vehicle checks in Sujathanagar Mandal and intercepted the lorry. Upon inspection, they recovered 96 packets of ganja, Bhadradri Kothagudem Superintendent of Police B Rohit Raju said.
The contraband was loaded in Andhra Pradesh and was being transported to Jaipur in Rajasthan, the official added. A case has been registered against four accused individuals.
The prime accused, a 37-year-old man who assisted in transporting the ganja, and the lorry’s owner-cum-driver have been arrested. Two others — one who arranged the transportation and another involved in selling the ganja — are currently absconding, police said.
Further investigation is underway.
*This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed/agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, and accuracy of the text. Mid-day management/Mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete, or remove (without notice) the content at its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.*
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https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/telangana-police-seizes-499-kgs-of-ganja-held-two-23598515
Hairstylist Jawed Habib, his son booked in Rs 7 crore fraud case
Hairstylist Jawed Habib and his son Anos Habib have been booked in 23 fraud cases for allegedly swindling Rs 7 crore from people through an investment scheme, police said on Wednesday.
Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi revealed that the two operated a scheme under the banner of FLC Company, promising investors annual returns of 50-70 percent on Bitcoin purchases. They collected around Rs 5-7 lakh from each investor, claiming these investments would yield high returns.
However, even after two and a half years, none of the investors have received their money back, Vishnoi added. Investigators have so far identified 38 people who were defrauded through this scheme.
To date, 23 FIRs have been filed against Jawed Habib, his son Anos Habib, and their associate Saiful. The scam appears to have been run like an organized gang, according to police officials.
Authorities have also issued a lookout notice against the duo as the investigation continues.
*This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or accuracy. Mid-day management reserves the sole right to alter, delete, or remove content at its absolute discretion without prior notice.*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/hairstylist-jawed-habib-his-son-booked-in-rs-7-crore-fraud-case-23597862
Senior Haryana IPS officer shoots himself at residence
**Senior Haryana IPS Officer Dies by Suicide at Residence**
*By Snehil Singh | Oct 07, 2025, 05:04 PM*
Senior Haryana Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Puran Kumar allegedly died by suicide at his residence in Sector 11, Chandigarh. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when he reportedly shot himself with his official weapon. Preliminary investigations suggest that he died on the spot.
Puran Kumar was a 2001-batch IPS officer serving as the Additional Director General of Police at the Police Training Centre in Sunaria, Rohtak. His wife, Aman P Kumar, an IAS officer, is currently on an official trip to Japan and is expected to return to India tomorrow evening.
Senior officials of Chandigarh Police have launched an investigation into the case. Chandigarh’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Kanwardeep Kaur, confirmed that a team from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory is examining the scene as part of the ongoing probe.
—
**Support Resources**
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Please reach out to the following organizations for support:
– **AASRA (Suicide Prevention Counseling):** 022-27546669 (24 hours)
– **Roshni NGO:** +91-4066202000
– **COOJ:** +91-83222-52525
– **Sneha India Foundation (24×7):** +91-44246-40050
– **Vandrevala Foundation (Call & WhatsApp):** +91-99996-66555
Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength. You are not alone.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/senior-haryana-ips-officer-shoots-himself-at-house/story