In an email early Friday afternoon, Montclair Public Schools Secretary Damen Cooper wrote, “It is with a sad and heavy heart that we inform you of the sudden passing of Montclair Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jonathan Ponds. We were informed today by his wife that Dr. Ponds passed away this morning. Please join us in extending our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to his family, especially his wife and three sons.”
Dr. Ponds joined the Montclair School District in 2020. He was previously the superintendent in Moonachie for five years, as well as principal at Parsons Elementary School in North Brunswick.
“The Faculty and Board of MCPK are grieving the loss of our Superintendent, Dr. Jonathan Ponds who passed away suddenly this morning. Dr. Ponds dedicated his life to education and we were honored to partner with him to bring public pre-k to Montclair. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts,” the Montclair Community Pre-K posted on its Facebook page. A rep for the The Neighborhood Child and Infant Care Center shared, “[we are] at a loss for words. Dr. Ponds focus[ed] on doing what’s best for the children, that was always his agenda. I recalled our first meeting during COVID-19 of his dedication for children and assuring me that whatever the children needed to get into their virtual classes that ‘he was only a phone call away’ moving forward a professional relationship was formed and was proven over the 4 years that he would make it happen for the children.”
According to NorthJersey.com, Ponds had taken ill after a vacation, but the severity of his illness was unknown.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced, but we’ll update this as we learn more.
Follow @themontclairgirl on social media for more local Montclair + Essex County news.
35 Montclair Area News Stories This Week | March 23, 2025
Spring has officially arrived in the Garden State this week as warmer temps were traded in for some early April showers. It’s been another busy week in Essex County and we’ve got all the news to keep you up to date. Among the highlights: Paraíso in Montclair starts a GoFundMe to stay open; four Essex County schools serving at-risk students could get $1M in state funds; and CannaBoss Lady becomes the first woman in New Jersey to launch a variety prerolls three-pack. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending March 23rd, 2025.
Have a news story or press release? Email it to [email protected].
Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- South Orange + Maplewood Launches SOMA
- La Vida Gardens Hosts Grand Opening in Belleville
- CannaBoss Lady Becomes First Woman in NJ to Launch Variety Prerolls 3-Pack
- Paraíso in Montclair Starts GoFundMe to Stay Open
- First Class Tuxedo to Open in Bloomfield in May
- Longtime Newark Football Coach Dies at 91
- Lawsuit Reports District Fired Montclair Administrator After Claiming Misuse of Funds
- Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Opening 4th NJ Location in Millburn
- Billionaire NJ Family Plans to Build Housing in West Orange Forest Amid Environmental Concerns
- Nutley to Receive $375K Less in State Aid for Next Academic Year
- Drugmaker Company Eisaito to Cut 57 Jobs at North Jersey HQ
- University Centre in Newark Sold to Hawkins Way Capital
South Orange + Maplewood Launches SOMA
The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race is looking to highlight the community to people in NYC and New Jersey who may be looking for a new community to call their own. The Coalition recently launched Choose SOMA as a go-to resource for those looking to live, work, or visit the area, per a news release. The website features community stories, real estate insights, and a celebration of diversity.
La Vida Gardens Hosts Grand Opening in Belleville
On Saturday, March 22nd, La Vida Gardens hosted its grand opening at 523 Washington Avenue in Belleville. The shop is known for its cannabis supply which values its community, quality, and inclusivity. According to a statement, La Vida Gardens's mission is to offer premium cannabis and educate customers with all the know-how for safe and responsible enjoyment.
CannaBoss Lady Becomes First Woman in NJ to Launch Variety Prerolls 3-Pack
PHOTO CREDIT: 7 Layer Studio
Jill Cohen of The CannaBoss Lady has become New Jersey's first-ever branded cannabis prerolls variety pack (3 in 1: Dope Indica, Chic Hybrid, and Sexy Sativa) to be made and sold in the state. According to a news release, "CannaBossLady Sexy, Chic and Dope Prerolls" will be made available to the public next month in the brand's Maplewood-based dispensary, Elevated by the CannaBoss Lady. Jill combined her passion for cannabis with her mission to empower women to be the healthiest, happiest, and sexiest versions of themselves.
Paraíso in Montclair Starts GoFundMe to Stay Open
Paraíso, a Dominican food spot that has been in Montclair for 17 years, is in danger of closing its doors due to the current political climate. A GoFundMe has been created online to help support the business located at 25 William Street. Paraíso is open from 10AM-3PM Monday through Thursday and Saturday, 10AM-6PM on Friday, and is closed on Sunday.
First Class Tuxedo to Open in Bloomfield in May
View this post on Instagram
First Class Tuxedo is set to open its doors in Bloomfield in May. Located at 368A Broad Street, the business is hosting Al Nieves of Starlight Tuxedo in Bloomfield. An official opening date is unknown at this time.
Longtime Newark Football Coach Dies at 91
Beloved Newark mentor Frank J. Verducci, otherwise known as "Coach V," died Monday, March 3rd, in West Caldwell at the age of 91. He coached New England Patriot and University of Iowa legend Andre Tippet at Barringer High School in Newark in the late 1970s, Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo in 1969 and '70, and helped train renowned Newark Weequahic football coach Brian Logan, to name a few mentees. According to NJ.com, Coach V was surrounded by loving family members at the time of his passing and is already missed by many of his former student-athletes who think of him as more than just a football coach.
Lawsuit Reports District Fired Montclair Administrator After
Claiming Misuse of Funds
Former Montclair Public Schools assistant superintendent Kalisha Morgan claimed in an October 2023 civil lawsuit that the district did not renew her after she called out alleged misuse of federal monies dedicated to assist students from low-income families. Superior Court Judge Keith Lynott extended discovery in the lawsuit until June 30th, per Montclair Local.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Opening 4th NJ Location in Millburn
One more stop that can be added to the New Jersey 2025 summer bucket list is Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Millburn, which has plans to open at 35 Main Street. The Millburn site will mark its fourth New Jersey location, with the first being in the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, the second on Grove Street in Jersey City, and the third coming soon to Washington Street in Hoboken. Click here for what to know about Van Leeuwen Ice Cream coming to downtown Millburn.
Billionaire NJ Family Plans to Build Housing in West Orange Forest Amid Environmental Concerns
A New Jersey real estate family – the Wilfs, known for owning the Minnesota Vikings – planned to build 136 houses in the forest atop a mountain in West Orange, New Jersey but was shot down by town officials who deemed it "a public safety risk." Now, 20 years later, the town has given an initial greenlight to the same family for a new proposal: to build a larger development of almost 500 apartments on the same land. According to Gothamist, It’s more than three-and-a-half times the number of homes that the town had previously rejected, and it's still moving forward despite local residents’ worries about flooding and preservation of open space.
Nutley to Receive $375K Less in State Aid for Next Academic Year
Nutley saw a three percent drop in state aid for the 2025-2026 academic year. The district will receive $12,113,388 from the state, which is a drop of $374,641, per TAPinto Nutley. Ten preschool classrooms are set to open at 777 Bloomfield Avenue come September.
Drugmaker Company Eisaito to Cut 57 Jobs at North Jersey HQ
Japanese drugmaker Eisai Inc. will reportedly lay off 57 employees at its North Jersey headquarters in Nutley and Clifton between the end of this month and May, as the pharmaceutical company shaves off 7% of its U.S. workforce. The company is also letting go of 121 U.S. employees. According to NorthJersey.com, Eisai spokesperson Christopher Vancheri said the cuts are, "part of our strategy to improve operations and ensure long-term sustainability."
University Centre in Newark Sold to Hawkins Way Capital
A Beverly Hills-based company that operates student housing complexes around the country – Hawkins Way Capital – has officially become the new owner of University Centre Newark. The acquisition consists of a 521-bedroom development situated at 250 Central Avenue in Newark, per Jersey Digs. This latest venture for Hawkins Way Capital will become the first FOUND Study in the Garden State and serve students from nearby Rutgers University-Newark, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Seton Hall University. The sale price of the complex has not been disclosed as of this writing.
Water Company Buys South Orange's Water System for $19M
On Thursday, March 6th, New Jersey American Water signed an agreement with the village of South Orange to purchase its water system for $19.7 million. According to NJ.com, the sale – which is expected to be finalized by the second half of the year – will make several improvements to the system possible, including the removal of all galvanized service lines and lead by 2031. The water company will spend $50 million on additional improvements such as replacements of water mains, fire hydrants, and a standpipe system, as well as the rehabilitation of a reservoir and water sphere in 10 years. The sale was originally approved in a referendum vote in November 2024, with 62% of South Orange residents voting in favor of the acquisition.
Montclair Superintendent Claims District Will ‘Recognize All Holidays’
The Montclair Public Schools interim superintendent said the district aims to recognize all the holidays in its upcoming 2025-26 school calendar, which will extend the academic year beyond the previous end date of June 18th. This follows the school district seeking feedback on a draft school calendar that if approved would have eliminated Diwali, the Lunar New Year, Eid al-Fitr, and the second day of Rosh Hashana as days off in the 2025-26 academic year. School officials had previously stated that they would not be able to give off those holidays because of non-federal holidays falling on weekdays. School board member Jada Roman, who sits on the calendar committee, said the board is not ready yet to present another draft calendar, per Montclair Local.
Township Seeks Suggestions on Livingston Mall's Future
As the Livingston Mall property has now been deemed an “area in need of redevelopment," township officials are seeking feedback about the future of the shopping center. Located at 112 Eisenhower Parkway, In recent years, the Livingston Town Council passed a resolution that designates the mall as a condemnation area in need of redevelopment and authorizes the use of eminent domain. According to Patch Livingston, township officials are asking for input from residents as they try to create a “community-led vision of what the Livingston Mall property will look like for the next 50 years.” The township held a series of public meetings on the subject this week after an online survey was published.
4 Essex County Schools Serving At-Risk Students Receiving $1M in Funds
After Governor Murphy's state budget proposal earlier this month, four schools that offer special and alternative education in Essex County can get $1 million in state funding if the latest budget passes intact. On Wednesday, March 5th, two state lawmakers who represent towns in Essex County announced that $1 million has been allocated to support the Essex Regional Education Services Commission (ERESC). New Jersey Senator Renee Burgess (NJ-28) and Assemblyman Mike Venezia (NJ-34), who sponsored a budget resolution for the funding, said it will be a big boost for students who face chronic disciplinary challenges, adjudication, and other high-risk behaviors, per Patch Bloomfield. The 28th District includes the municipalities of Irvington, Maplewood, Newark, and South Orange in Essex County, and Hillside in Union County; while the 34th District includes Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Nutley, and Orange.
South Orange Downtown Welcomes New Board Members +
Executive Leadership
South Orange Downtown (SODT), a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the vitality of the downtown district, has appointed six new board members and a new executive board leadership team for 2025. The newly elected executive board features Amelia Cruz-Holder as chair; Tatiyana Lofton as vice chair; and Hannah Zollman as treasurer. The six new members who are joining the board are Aaron Tappen, Edith Villavicencio, Maura Hargrave-Kerns, and Sheldon Pinto, who are all business owners, along with residents Brendan Gioello and Victoria Duncker. According to NJ.com, SODT plans to introduce new initiatives and expand events to enhance the downtown district while enforcing collaboration between local businesses, property owners, and residents.
Maplewood Church Sensory Room Provides ‘Refuge’ For Special Needs Teen
Fourteen-year-old Percy Losardo found comfort in getting out of his house with the new Still Waters Sensory Room for neurodivergent parishioners in St. Joseph Church in Maplewood. The room opened in December 2024 and functions the same as other sensory rooms – painted in soothing colors and containing tools to help people with conditions like autism, ADHD and anxiety manage their senses when feeling overwhelmed by auditory or visual stimuli. The space is the first of its kind in the Archdiocese of Newark, per Jersey Catholic. The Losardos family resumed attending Mass for the first time in years thanks to the Sensory Room for Percy.
Newark Math Teacher Honored as One of NJ's 'Teachers of the Year'
El Houcin Houssam, an educator at West Side High School in Newark, was recently named one of New Jersey’s “Teachers of the Year.” He's been teaching math for five years while also serving as the advisor for the school’s debate club. According to Patch Newark, he has degrees from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Montclair State University, which the latter gave him a tribute during its annual “Evening of Gratitude Dinner” in February.
Newark School Board Criticized for 'Ridiculous' Rules Limiting Public Comment
As of Sunday, March 9th, Newark’s policy around public participation at school board meetings requires potential speakers to not only sign up online five days in advance of the public meeting but also requires them to give a detailed description of the topic they wish to cover. Jeanne LoCicero, the legal director of ACLU-NJ, said a five-day advance notice requirement “doesn't seem reasonable," per TAPinto Newark unless the district identified specific administrative burdens on why they need that kind of advance notice requirement. This new rule makes Newark an outlier in the state as public participation in school board meetings is governed by the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) – also known as the Sunshine Law, in which school boards and other government bodies are required to set aside time at their meetings for public participation. However, The Sunshine Law does not dictate that the public needs to preregister to speak at school board meetings.
Walking Track at Weequahic Park Dedicated to Association Founder
This week, the 2.2-mile walking path and outdoor fitness equipment in Essex County Weequahic Park in Newark was dedicated to Weequahic Park Association founder Wilbur McNeil. According to NJ.com, the dedication ceremony recognized his decades-long advocacy for the park and his role in leading the installation of the original walking track in the late 1990s. Signage and a plaque recognizing Wilbur were installed near the walking track at the Meeker Avenue entrance.
Female Executives File Discrimination Claims at Montclair State
Two women at Montclair State University (MSU) are suing their employer and alleging that the school's administrators failed to protect them from a “toxic, sexist and retaliatory” work environment. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Summer Jones of South Orange and Donna Sadlon of Rutherford – both long-term executives at MSU. It accuses CEO David Chun of displaying “dismissive and hostile behavior toward women,” including refusing to communicate, being abusive when he does communicate, undermining their authority and repeatedly favoring male subordinates, per Patch Montclair. Although MSU has not formally been served as of this writing, they "strongly dispute" the claims.
Nutley Moves Forward in Forming Regional Flood Mitigation Committee with Community Leaders
A coalition of mayors and other municipal leaders and legislators in New Jersey’s 34th legislative district has formed a regional flood mitigation committee to address the growing flooding challenges in their communities. According to TAPinto Nutley, this is in response to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events due to climate change. This group includes Assembly Members Michael Venezia and Carmen Theresa Morales, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and municipal leaders, township engineers, and administrators from Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Belleville, Nutley, Orange, East Orange, and Montclair.
Redevelopment Causes Leasing Surge at West Orange Plaza
A multi-million-dollar redevelopment at West Orange Plaza is driving significant leasing momentum, with new commitments and ongoing activity projected to bring the property to full occupancy. The 296,500-square-foot, Whole Foods-anchored shopping center (located at 235 Prospect Avenue) began its extensive property-wide upgrade in 2024, following a new lease with Target. According to ROI-NJ, Levin Management Corporation (LMC), which serves as the leasing and managing agent for West Orange Plaza, reports that six additional leases – representing approximately 25,000 square feet – are currently in advanced negotiation stages, with several more letters of intent (LOIs) in process.
Police Chase From East Orange to Montclair Ends with Arrests
On Monday, March 17th, a police chase that started in East Orange around 8:30PM ended with the arrest of three juveniles. East Orange Police alerted Montclair Police that they were in pursuit of a stolen vehicle – a 2017 Hyundai Elantra – and were entering Montclair before becoming disabled in the area of Gates Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue. The suspects fled the vehicle being apprehended in the parking lot of 292 Bloomfield Avenue, per Montclair Local. A fourth juvenile, a 13-year-old male from East Orange, was located hiding in the bushes of a residence on Union Street and was also turned over to the East Orange Police Department.
Nutley's Franklin Ave Redevelopment Project Makes Major Advancement
During the Tuesday, March 18th open public meeting of the Nutley Board of Commissioners, Mayor John V. Kelly III announced a major step forward in the North Franklin Ave. Redevelopment Project of the area, known as the “Ciccolini Project,” has been sold. According to TAPinto Nutley, the property sold for $4.5 million. The completed project will bring an additional 50 public parking spaces to the north end of Franklin Avenue.
Sankofa Academy To Open in Newark This Summer
Sankofa Academy, part of the Marion P. Thomas Charter School District, will officially open its doors in August 2025 to meet a growing need in Newark for both an “academically rigorous and culturally affirming” education. Located at 88-108 Shipman St. in Newark's Central Ward, Sankofa Academy will accept 75 students in kindergarten through 2nd grade, including a preK4 class of 15 pupils, for the 2025-2026 school year, per TAPinto Newark. The charter school plans to expand and add one grade level with each passing year.
Maplewood to Present DeHart Park Design Concepts Next Month
Maplewood Township is planning improvements to DeHart Park on Burnett Avenue to address usage and drainage issues and create an optimal design for the playing fields. Township officials will host a community meeting to present and discuss design concepts to reconstruct the grass playing fields Thursday, April 3rd, at 7:30PM at the Maplewood Community Center. According to The Village Green of Maplewood and South Orange, the meeting is in person only but may be taped for replay on the Township website.
GolfCave Opens in Livingston
View this post on Instagram
On Tuesday, March 18th, GolfCave Livingston held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 455 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue. The business is an indoor golf facility providing the ultimate private golf experience with seven high-tech Caves featuring TrackMan Simulators and 24/7 access with a CaveKey, per TAPinto Livingston. GolfCave is open from 9AM-9:15PM every day.
Thief Shatters Doors at 2 Montclair Businesses
A thief wielding a yellow crowbar shattered the doors of two local businesses in Montclair last week, stealing more than $20,000 in merchandise from one of them. On Friday, March 14th, officers responded to an activated burglar alarm at The Connect Clothing Sore on Bloomfield Avenue where the thief repeatedly struck the front window glass pane of the business before fleeing. Then, officers responded to Genevieve's Exclusive Vintage Collection at Lackawanna Plaza after getting a report about a shattered front window and an employee told them that more than $20,000 in merchandise was stolen. According to Patch Montclair, the suspect has not yet been found and was wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, and a black mask covering most of his face.
Montclair Post Office Mass Shooting Remembered 30 Years Later
On Friday, March 21st, postal workers hosted a memorial service in honor of the 30th anniversary of the mass shooting that took place at Montclair Post Office. Montclair police lead a motorcade from the post office at 125 Glenridge Avenue to the memorial at Watchung Plaza, per Montclair Local. The shooter, Christopher Green (then 29 years old), stole $5,000 from the postal station before killing two of his former colleagues and two post office customers. A judge sentenced him to consecutive double life terms on September 22nd, 1995, after he pleaded guilty to the killings.
Congressional Art Competition Now Open for Montclair High School Students
Montclair high school students and high schoolers in New Jersey's Eleventh District are invited to enter Representative Mikie Sherrill's 7th Annual Congressional Art Competition. According to TAPinto Montclair, the competition offers high school students a chance to showcase their creativity and artistic expression. The winner’s artwork will be displayed alongside winners from across the nation for one year in the U.S. Capitol. Ester Hong of Millburn High School won last year. The deadline to submit the school’s nomination is Thursday, April 10th.
Watchung School in Montclair Faces Infestation of Mice
Mouse droppings and other evidence have pointed to a bad infestation at Montclair's Watchung School, located at 14 Garden Street. At least one student found mice droppings in their tote bag and all around the school, and other bags have been chewed up by the rodents, per ABC7NY. Some employees say the problem is "particularly bad" on the second floor as some of the kids are feeding the mice. Superintendent Damen Cooper recently sent out a note to parents to assure them the infestation is being addressed. Mayor ReneeVaskerville expressed her concern but also said she believes the clean-up efforts will ease the problem.
Montclair Police Investigating Indecent Exposure Incident
Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported indecent exposure incident that took place on Church Street on Monday, March 17th, according to the Montclair Police Department. According to TAPinto Montclair, a female motorist who was searching for a parking space told police that she saw a man standing on the sidewalk exposing himself. The suspect is described as a tall white male with a thin build, wearing a black skullcap, light blue shirt, black pants, and black-and-white sneakers who was carrying a black and red drawstring backpack. He was last seen walking through the alleyway on Church Street towards The Crescent Deck. Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Montclair Police Department.
Skip To My Brew Opens in Montclair
View this post on Instagram
Skip To My Brew, a new cafe located at 145 Valley Road in Montclair, held its soft opening on Sunday, March 9th. It officially opened to the public on Tuesday, March 18th. It is open from 8AM-4PM Tuesday through Saturday and 7AM-4PM on Sunday. It is closed on Monday.
