June 19, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Ridgewood Superintendent to stay, despite salary cut by John Koster Ridgewood Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel Fishbein drew warm applause from most residents when he confirmed that he would stay on as superintendent despite a $60,000 pay cut mandated by the State of New Jersey. The Ridgewood Board of Education approved Fishbein’s new five-year contract for his solid work running the school district. Dr. Fishbein’s anticipated response to the looming salary Launch is a blast decrease had caused speculation that he might leave. His work is respected and he is personally popular with board employees. The salary cap was implemented by Governor Chris Christie’s administration. School officials were pleased that Dr. Fishbein decided to stay, but declined comment on the superintendent’s request for more administrators. The trustees, and some members of the public, expressed concern when Fishbein recommended the restoration of two replacement supervisors whose salaries and insurance benefits would add an estimated $320,000 to the school district’s budget. The board allowed the positions to be advertised, but also will investigate whether they are economically viable. After the meeting, members of the public were overwhelmingly against the idea of hiring more administrators. The Ridgewood Village Council won praise for keeping its promise of a zero tax increase, but the increase in Ridgewood’s school taxes has been criticized by many village residents. The council and the school board are autonomous bodies. Ridgewood’s Orchard School Cub Scout Troop 8 recently held a rocket launch.