Is Our Board of Ed Working? Plus: The New School Cell Phone Ban and What Your Next Tax Bill Means

This week on The Montclair Pod, the new school year is almost here — and there’s a lot changing inside Montclair’s schools. Farnoosh and Mike sit down with MPACT founding member Dan Hafetz to unpack the group’s new report on Board of Education governance, what stronger oversight could look like, and why it matters heading into a wide-open school board race with zero incumbents running. They also look at the long-awaited forensic audit — including what it can and can’t actually tell us about the district’s financial problems.

Then, Montclair schools are going bell-to-bell phone-free. Farnoosh and Mike break down the new rules, and the bigger debate over whether taking phones out of students’ hands will actually improve focus, learning and school culture.

Also: that property tax letter every Montclair homeowner just received. What’s locked in for 2026? What’s merely a placeholder for 2027? And why might the number printed on your bill not mean what you think it means?

Plus, the Church Street piano may be making a comeback, Industry Tavern is headed to Lackawanna Station, Tous Les Jours is making way for Lenwich, Montclair High School climbs the national rankings even as some academic measures tell a more complicated story, and the Mounties gear up for football season. And on the home front, Mike becomes an empty-nester!

MPACT & the School Board

MPACT's latest report, "Montclair BOE: Understanding Board Governance and a Roadmap for Stronger Oversight" — mpactnj.org/boegovernanceProperty Taxes

NJ property tax relief programs (Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, Stay NJ) — propertytaxrelief.nj.govOur property tax calculator — https://montclairpod.com/montclair-nj-property-tax-calculator-s/ ICE Enforcement in Montclair

Our original report, "Two Kitchen Workers Detained On Bloomfield Avenue" — montclairpod.comMontclair Local's follow-up, Aug. 19 — montclairlocal.newsMontclair Civil Rights Commission — montclairnjusa.orgRestaurant News

Industry Tavern coming to Lackawanna Station — Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/p/DcT5jqIRrAk/Goodbye, Tous Les Jours. Hello, LenwichHigh School

MHS ranking rises for 2026-27 — montclairpod.comMontclair Back to School 2026 guide — montclairpod.comMontclair Mounties Football invites alumni back to Woodman Field — Montclair LocalFrom a previous episode

"Is Montclair's Housing Market a Bubble?" — montclairpod.comFollow UsWatch the show: YouTube ChannelJoin our weekly newsletter and stay in the knowFollow us on Instagram @themontclairpod

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