When Leadership Walks Away: The Cost of Driving Good People Out
By Hardyston Community Advocate
Strong school districts don’t just retain good programs - they retain good people.
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A Christmas Gift Wrapped in Misinformation
By Hardyston Community AdvocateEvery now and then, a public response intended to deflect criticism ends up clarifying the issue instead. This week, residents were given just such a Christmas gift. [Read More] -
Donna Carey and Kids First Leadership Absent from Regionalization Meeting as Others Attended
By Hardyston BOE WatchWho attends a meeting often says as much as what is said during it. [Read More] -
Hardyston BOE Sends Off Alfano and Barrett with Praise - The Public Moves On
By Hardyston Community AdvocateAt the Tuesday, December 9, 2025 Hardyston Board of Education meeting, Board President Donna Carey delivered a farewell speech honoring outgoing board members Tony Alfano and Jean Barrett, both of whom are leaving the Board at the end of their terms. [Read More] -
Fiscal Irresponsibility: The Kids First Candidates' Legacy
By Hardyston Community Advocate
The Kids First candidates campaigned on promises of fiscal responsibility and smart budgeting. Yet, their actions in office continue to reveal the opposite - a pattern of short-term fixes, depleted reserves, and avoidance of structural solutions that jeopardize the district’s financial future. [Read More] -
Broken Promises, Embarrassing Conduct: How the 'Kids First' Board Majority Failed Hardyston Students
By Hardyston Community AdvocateSummary: At a recent Hardyston Board of Education meeting, Board President Donna Carey and Vice President Jean Barrett steered the board into extended personal attacks and social-media disputes-on the record-instead of district business. This behavior stands in stark contrast to the “Kids First” platform of student-centered decision-making and fiscal responsibility... [Read More] -
Kids First Campaign: Independence or Political Machine?
By Hardyston Community Advocate1️⃣ The Contradictions You Can’t Ignore The Kids First team claims to be independent, but their own campaign message reveals their true goal: “To continue this great work, we must maintain current majority (5 to 4).” [Read More] -
Nonpublic Topics in Public? Barrett's Remarks
By Hardyston Community AdvocateStandards & Sources This article includes opinion and fair comment on matters of public concern. Factual statements are supported by public records (meeting video/minutes, OPRA responses, invoices, and ethics dockets). If something’s off, please send a correction-updates will be made promptly. [Read More] -
Shiny Words, Serious Questions: Looking Past the Kalczuk Campaign Gloss
By Hardyston Community AdvocateThe Kids First team recently praised Dana Kalczuk as: [Read More] -
When Proof Falls Short: Kalczuk Pressures the District to Investigate Critics
By Hardyston Community Advocate
On August 11, 2025, Dana Kalczuk emailed Superintendent Mike Ryder and the full Board of Education. [Read More]