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Sunday, feb 2
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Education
Schools
Go Birds? NJ School District's Delayed Opening For Eagles Super Bowl Has Parents Divided
Kids and their teachers in two Camden County school districts have another reason to be thankful the Philadelphia Eagles are in the Super Bowl. The Pennsauken Public School district and Gloucester City School District announced two-hour delays for Monday, Feb. 10, the day after the Eagles play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. "We feel this allows our students, families, and staff the ability to enjoy the game and still attend school safely the next day," Pennsauken Public Schools said. Pennsauken High School is just 14 miles from Lincoln Financial Field, where the…
Police & Fire
Girls Basketball Coach Had Sexual Relationship With Student: Monmouth County Prosecutor
A 35-year-old teacher and Middletown High School North basketball coach was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a student on Tuesday, Jan. 28, authorities said. Justin McGhee, of Ocean Township — who is the head coach of the girls' basketball team— started the relationship with the student late last year, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. The student is under the age of 18, Santiago said. McGhee has been placed on administrative leave by Middletown High School North, Santiago said. He was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending proc…
News
New Details Emerge After NJ Teacher Impregnated By 13-Year-Old Former Student: Complaint
Laura Caron was 28 years old when she was impregnated by a 13-year-old former student, and the whole situation unraveled when the child's father started asking questions on Facebook, according to a criminal affidavit. Caron, a 34-year-old Cape May Court House resident who teaches fifth grade at Middle Township School #2, was arrested and charged with having a sexual relationship with a student living in her home, as previously reported by Daily Voice. The relationship began when the boy was 11 years old and lasted until 2020, one year after Caron gave birth to his child, according to po…
Schools
Students Return To Central Jersey Elementary School After Mold Removed From Classrooms
Students at one Freehold elementary school have returned to their building months after mold was found in some classrooms, officials said. Laura Donovan Elementary School reopened for classes after winter break on Thursday, Jan. 2, Freehold Township superintendent Neal Dickstein confirmed in an email. The district told families in August 2024 that kids would have to begin the academic year in other schools throughout the district after the mold discovery. "We are fortunate that we can temporarily reorganize and reallocate classrooms to ensure your children begin the new school ye…
Schools
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm
Fewer high school graduates began college this fall, with enrollment in that age group dropping 5 percent from last year, according to an analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Four-year institutions were hardest hit, with public colleges seeing an 8.5 percent drop in first-year enrollments and private nonprofit colleges reporting a 6.5 percent decline. This trend poses significant challenges for colleges and universities, particularly those reliant on tuition revenue. As the competition for students intensifies, institutions face mounting pressur…
Police & Fire
Bodycam Footage Shows DUI Arrest Of Stafford School Superintendent George Chidiac (
Video
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Newly released bodycam footage showed the aftermath of a crash and the DUI arrest of the superintendent of the Stafford Township School District, authorities said. George Chidiac of Bayville was arrested after crashing into a utility pole on Sunday, Oct. 27, according to an arrest report. Berkeley Township police responded to reports of a power outage and a loud explosion on Chelsea Drive near Mill Creek Road at around 12:20 a.m. Police said Chidiac, 52, was walking away from his gray Kia Forte that crashed off Chelsea Drive when officers arrived. He told the office…
News
Ivy Leaguer From Prominent Family Officially Charged Overnight With CEO's Murder
An Ivy League-educated high school valedictorian from a privileged, politically connected family has been charged with the execution-style murder of the CEO of one of the nation's largest healthcare providers after a days-long manhunt. Click here for a new, updated story - CEO Murder: Whiz Kid Suspect May Have Spiraled After Traumatic Back Surgery New York prosecutors have formally charged 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione, a native of Towson, Maryland, with the fatal shooting of United Healthcare executive Brian Thompson. The incident occurred outside the New York Hilton in midt…
Obituaries
'Never, Never, Never Give Up:' LBI's Lauren Zucconi Dies After 10-Year Cancer Battle
Lauren Zucconi, a Bergen County teacher, loving wife, and proud Long Beach Island homeowner, passed away on Monday, Nov. 25, after a decade-long battle with cancer, according to her obituary on the Volk Leber Funeral Home website. She was 36 years old. Her unwavering mantra, “Never, never, never give up,” defined her courageous journey and inspired those around her. Born in Westwood and raised in Chestnut Ridge, NY, Lauren excelled in academics and athletics, graduating from Spring Valley High School, where she met her soulmate, James Robert Nash, her obituary says. She went on to earn…
Schools
These NJ Schools Topped Both US News, Niche Rankings: Here's Where They Stand
When it comes to New Jersey’s top elementary schools, a handful of schools earned recognition on both the US News & World Report and Niche rankings for 2024. Several New Jersey elementary schools appeared on both the US News & World Report and Niche lists of top elementary schools, showcasing their consistent excellence across different evaluation methods. Here's a breakdown of the overlapping schools and their rankings (scroll down for the complete rankings of best elementary schools in New Jersey by US News & World Report): Hartshorn Elementary School (Millburn To…
Police & Fire
Ocean County Teacher Confesses To Molesting Female Performing Arts HS Student, Prosecutors Say
A former teacher at an Ocean County performing arts academy admitted to molesting a female student, authorities said. Douglas Bollinger of Neptune City, pleaded guilty on Monday, Nov. 18, to endangering the welfare of a child, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Investigators said Bollinger, 57, engaged in "inappropriate sexual contact" with a student. The incidents happened in Point Pleasant Beach and Asbury Park between February and August 2019. Bollinger was a teacher at the Grunin Performing Arts Academy, part of Ocean County Vocational Tech…
Schools
Warren Township Schools Delayed After Water Main Break
A water main break at Watchung Hills Regional High School caused schools to open on a two-hour delay on Friday, Nov. 15, the district said. The water main break occurred overnight and affected both the high school and district transportation, the school district said. Classes begin at 9:30 a.m., the district said.
Schools
New Rankings Reveal NJ's Top Public Elementary Schools: See The Best Of The Best
Niche.com has released brand-new rankings putting New Jersey's public elementary schools on the map as some of the best in the country. The top school in New Jersey is Wyoming Elementary School in Millburn, which is No. 64 in the United States, according to Niche. The school received an A+ for both teachers and academics and an A for diversity. The top elementary schools in New Jersey, according to Niche, are: 1. Wyoming Elementary School (Millburn Township School District, K-4) 2. Alpine Elementary School (Alpine, K-8) 3. Hartshorn Elementary School (Millburn Township School D…
Schools
These Are New Jersey's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released
Niche has released brand-new rankings running down the best public middle schools in America. The first New Jersey school to crack the list was Alpine Middle School at No. 65, while The Davidson Academy in Reno, NV was ranked No. 1. ALSO SEE: These NJ Public High Schools Were Named Among Best In America Daily Voice broke Niche's rankings down even further to find the top public middle schools in New Jersey. They are: 10. L.C. Johnson Summit Middle School, Summit 9. Briarcliff Middle School, Mountain Lakes 8. Thomas R Grover Middle School, West Windsor 7. Sea Girt Elementary School, …
Schools
NJ, Meet Your Sup't Of The Year, AKA 'The Man Who Cancels School When It Snows'
New Jersey, meet your superintendent of the year. Rutherford Public Schools Superintendent Jack Hurley, who has spent nearly 50 years in education, was named the state's top superintendent on Monday, Oct. 28 by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. The American Association of School Administrators will choose the National Superintendent of the Year from among the statewide winners in March. Hurley never doubted that he chose the right field. “Education is the greatest profession,” Hurley said. “We create the foundation for every occupation and help shape the future o…
Police & Fire
Jersey Shore School District Offers Support After Student Hospitalized In Apartment Fire
A Monmouth County school community was rallying to support a family whose child was severely injured in an apartment fire, officials said. A Wayside Elementary School student was in stable condition at a hospital, Township of Ocean School District superintendent Kelly Weldon said in a letter to families on Monday, Oct. 28. The child was injured in a two-alarm fire at the Middlebrook at Monmouth apartment complex. Weldon said the district has counselors in its schools to support students. "Please join me in keeping this family and all Ocean families impacted by this fire clos…
Schools
First Male President Of Georgian Court University Announces Retirement: 'I Am Deeply Grateful'
Georgian Court University's first male president will retire at the end of the academic year, officials said. Dr. Joseph Marbach announced he'll step down as head of the private Catholic college in Lakewood on Monday, June 30, 2025. He's also the first non-clergy member to be president of Georgian Court. Dr. Marbach said he'll establish a scholarship in his name for students in financial need, "helping future generations of GCU students achieve their academic goals." "Serving as President of Georgian Court University has been one of the greatest honors of my life," Dr. Marbach said in a st…
News
State Revokes License Of NJ Teacher Accused Of Stalking Student 'Boyfriend' For Years
State education officials have revoked the license of an Edison teacher accused of a years-long sexual relationship with a student, as previously reported by Daily Voice. Julius Coaccioli was found with child porn over in Summer 2023 but was slapped with new charges after one of the victims depicted in a video found in his home was identified as his former Edison Township Middle School student, according to documents obtained by Daily Voice (scroll down for details on the arrest). At its Sept. 19, 2024 meeting, the New Jersey State Board of Examiners (Board) reviewed an affidavit …
News
Teacher Pulls Off Epic Surprise, Introduces Students To Paul Rudd On Field Trip To NJ Mall
In 2014, "People" named Nicholas Ferroni "Sexiest Teacher Alive." Ten years later, he may just be the coolest teacher alive, too. The Union High School teacher surprised his students with Paul Rudd, the magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 2021, during a field trip to the NJ Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Ferroni works closely with the NJ Hall of Fame, having interviewed inductees, such as Danny DeVito. While organizing the field trip, one of the officials mentioned that Rudd was going to be there that day. "We then kind of said it would be fun to surprise some students who were thinkin…
Schools
New Rankings Released: High School In Stafford Township Makes U.S. Top 50
Three Jersey Shore public high schools were recognized among the 100 best in the U.S., according to an education data website. Niche has released its 2025 Best Public High Schools in America list. The website said its rankings are based on "rigorous analysis of key statistics," U.S. Department of Education data, and millions of reviews from students and parents. Five of the top 50 high schools in the U.S. were from New Jersey, including two on the Jersey Shore. Bergen County Academies in Hackensack was the top school in the Garden State and 20th nationally…
Obituaries
Sudden Death Of NJ High School Assistant Principal Spreads Shock, Sadness
A New Jersey community was mourning the sudden loss of a high school administrator and father of five. Andrew "AJ" Barchetto, 46, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 22, according to family members and his obituary on the Wood Funeral Home website. Barchetto was the assistant principal of Oakcrest High School, where he also served as the supervisor of special education and child study team, the school's website says. OHS Principal Michael Manning shared the following with Daily Voice: Oakcrest is coping as well as could be hoped. Mr. Barchetto was a trusted and loved administrator. He was …
News
Grieving Family Of Former Rutgers Dean Dead By Suicide Raises Staggering Amount Of Money
An accomplished lawyer who was "beacon of kindness and generosity" has passed away, but where his light once shone, his community has started a fire. More than $21,000 had been raised in less than 24 hours on a GoFundMe for the family of William "Bill" J. Zee, 50, who was born in New Jersey and had been living in Lititz. A UPenn PhD candidate and former assistant dean at Rutgers University, and a beloved father, Bill was found dead in the PA Game Land located near US 322 and Pumping Station Road in Elizabeth Township, according to Chief Deputy Coroner Eric Bieber as Daily Voi…
Schools
New Jersey, Meet Your 'Top Educator Of The Year'
Stefanie Lachenauer always puts her students first. Lachenauer, a civics and mindfulness teacher at Montgomery Upper Middle School in the Montgomery Township School District, earned the 2024-2025 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year. She remains in the runnings for the national award. ALSO SEE: Top Educator In Each Of NJ's 21 Counties (Nominees) Lachenauer has taught at Montgomery Township for 18 years and her work has fostered socially conscious learners and has positively affected the health and well-being of both students and staff in the school district, the state Depart…
Schools
Rutgers President To Resign At End Of School Year After Historic, Turbulent Tenure
Jonathan Holloway will resign as president of Rutgers University at the end of the 2024-25 academic year, the school announced. The university's 21st president will step down after finishing his fifth year in office on Monday, June 30, 2025, Rutgers said in a news release on Tuesday, Sept. 17. The U.S. historian plans to take a sabbatical during the 2025-26 year for research projects before joining the Rutgers faculty full time. In a letter to the Rutgers community, Holloway said he made the decision to resign on his own and believes it's how he can best help the university. "Serving as th…
Police & Fire
Atlantic City HS Principal Indicted In Mayor, Superintendent Child Abuse Cover-Up: Prosecutors
Atlantic City High School's principal was indicted after she was accused of covering up parental abuse claims by the daughter of the mayor and school superintendent, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 39-year-old Constance Days-Chapman of Atlantic City on Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Atlantic City Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. She was previously charged on Thursday, Mar. 28. Investigators said a then-15-year-old told Days-Chapman in December 2023 that she suffered from "continuous headaches" because she was hit by her parents at home. According to prosecutors, Days-Chapman d…
Schools
Officer Will Be In Every Atlantic City School: Should All NJ Districts Have This? (
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Atlantic City has a police officer assigned to each school in its district, officials said. The city's government, police department, and school district agreed to put an officer in each K-8 school and two officers in Atlantic City High School throughout the 2024-25 academic year, the city said in a news release. The new officers were funded through a $3.75 million grant in the COPS Hiring Program. The school resource officers were assigned to their new schools on Tuesday, Sept. 10. "This is something city leaders discussed in the past, but none were able to get the job done until now," sa…
Police & Fire
Substitute Teacher Gave Fake ID At South Jersey Middle School, Police Say
An Egg Harbor Township woman was accused of giving false identification when she arrived at a school to be a substitute teacher, authorities said. Katherine MacPherson, 35, was arrested on Monday, Sept. 9, the Egg Harbor Township Police Department said in a news release. Officers received a call from school district security about a female substitute teacher at Alder Avenue Middle School with a seemingly fraudulent teacher identification. Police arrived at the school and found the ID was fraudulent. MacPherson was taken into custody and charged. Investigators said MacPherson…
Obituaries
Rising Lenape HS Sophomore, Standout Athlete London DeShields Dies, 15
London Sophia DeShields, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, 15, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Born in Voorhees, New Jersey to David A. and Lauren A. (nee Chatzidakis), London was about to begin her sophomore year of Lenape High School. She was an excellent student who was a favorite with all of her teachers. An accomplished athlete in her own right, London started as a gymnast and finished second in the country during her last season competing. She shifted her athletic talents to the track, where she won “Newcomer of the Year” as a member of the Lenape winter and spring track t…
Schools
Camden Schools Superintendent Calls On Board President To Quit In Wake Of Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
The state-appointed superintendent for the Camden City School District is calling for the resignation of the advisory school board president amid sexual abuse allegations. Camden Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs, in a letter to the community, wrote: "In order to allow our community to heal and refocus on what truly matters—the education and future of our students— it would be in the best interest of the state-operated district of Camden City for Advisory Board President Wasim Muhammad to voluntarily relinquish his seat." "We are at the beginning of a new school year—a time that s…
Schools
Moldy Classrooms Shut Down Elementary School In Central Jersey Temporarily
An elementary school in Freehold will have to start classes for the year in different buildings after mold was found in some classrooms, officials said. Students at Laura Donovan Elementary School will be relocated to other district schools when classes begin on Thursday, Sept. 5. Freehold Township superintendent Neal Dickstein sent a letter to families about the start-of-school plans on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Crews have been working "seven days per week" to remove the mold but the cleanup process has taken longer than expected. "Engineers are on-site to help determine the caus…
News
Teen Killed In Boating Accident Was Rising Rutgers Freshman
More information has come to light about the 18-year-old Wayne resident killed in a boating accident over the weekend in Harvey Cedars. Zeina Mahafzah was days away from beginning her freshman year at Rutgers University, as classes start on Tuesday, Sept. 2. According to university spokeswoman Dory Devlin, Zeina was enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences–Newark. "The Rutgers-Newark community is devastated by the news of Zeina’s passing, and we are sending our support to the Mahafzah family during this incredibly difficult time," Devlin said. In a post shared to Faceboo…
Obituaries
Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Dies At 87
Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat who served in Congress for almost 30 years and was a former Mayor of Paterson, died on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the age of 87, his family announced. "It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning," his family wrote on social media. "As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved. Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He i…
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