I hope parents are aware the Assembly Education Committee approved a bill , A2421, that amends a 2001 law regarding surveys that schools can have students participate in. The law as written and passed in 2001 requires that parents give their written consent prior to surveys being administered. The bill that amends the current law requires only parental notification. The proponents of the bill want to allow schools to employ a scamming tactic referred to as “negative consent.” you sign it at the beginning of the year and your kids could be asked ..(1) political affiliations;

(2) mental and psychological problems potentially embarrassing to the student or the student’s family;

(3) sexual behavior and attitudes;

(4) illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating and demeaning behavior;

(5) critical appraisals of other individuals with whom a respondent has a close family relationship;

(6) legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers;

(7) income, other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under a program; or

(8) social security number.

Sometimes teachers shouldn't have access to all your kids thoughts ....http://www.moremonmouthmusings.net/2013/02/11/legislature-taking-another-shot-at-using-school-kids-to-spy-on-their-families/

Throw the book at her. This is a disgrace. I'm shocked but in today's world anything is possible. Hope she gets what's coming to her.

I think it's awesome that I have to learn about this in the newspaper rather than being notified by the school. Especially since one of my children had direct interaction with Ms. Thompson for educational planning purposes. Thank goodness for Patch and APP.com, who knows when I'd have ever found out. Ms. Thompson always seemed pleasant and competent; I am sorry for all involved.

She hasn't been charged so what does that mean? Both my children had direct interactions with her too. She was always professional and very helpful in getting what my children needed. I am surprised. I am hoping that the allegations were false. She seemed like a very intelligent and nice lady.

Where there is smoke, there is fire.

Did anyone look at the hiring process and ensure she was adequately vetted ? $325 a day for a replacement is a pretty good salary. Was she suspended without pay?

I've seen posts deleted here....why?

I find it hard to believe that we have to pay $ 325.00 a day or close to $1000.00 per week for what? Is it really necessary to have a Psychologist on premises three days a week? I think she should be paid what a teacher is paid for a days work. All of this is getting out of hand.

lets not get crazy big deal she smokes weed how many teachers and other staff are drunks ? I feel drinkers are worse people and od more harm to society than pot smokers just because its deemed illegal doesnt make it any worse

Steve, you have no idea what you are talking about. School psychologists are a huge component of the school system. Let me educate you about two of the many jobs the psychologist fulfills:

Provide counseling to students with social, emotional, and behavioral problems.

Identify learning and behavior problems of the students and then administer the battery of evaluations
necessary to determine eligibility for special education services.

I hope you realize the importance of these two items alone. She is responsible for 800 students well being.

AMY BYRNES- why was the post that questioned your professionalism deleted?? It called you out by name- did you delete it or did the poster have a change of heart? Please respond.

Little s. that must be why every kid gets diagnosed with some problem have to justify their jobs another waste of my tax $$$

Little S

You must be a Psychologist, I understand what you are saying. However I to went to school and survived like all of my classmates without a Psychologist. It's like Dentss said, if the parents did their job as parents it would not be necessary to pay this person. If you want to be a parent it comes with raising your children, not leaving it to the school Psychologist.

What is the Superintendent's response to the allegations and then approval to continue paying a staff member charged with a drug felony and counts of child endangerment?

Suspended with pay? Why?

Why not at least subtract the $325 a day for the replacement?

Re: why school needs psychologist, NJ State Dept of Education mandates that the district have one on staff.

VOUCHERS PLEASE!

No, I am not a psychologist. I'm a mom. All that I am saying is 800 students sharing one psychologist is not a luxury. In order for all students to achieve success, some may need modifications to regular classroom activities. You guys have no idea what you are talking about. But, instead of pointing out all of your ignorance again, I will educate you. Students who have special needs and are unable to receive services at their public school are often placed out of district and the school district is required by the state to pick up the tab. These private schools cost between 20-30k per year, per student. The school psychologist works to creat individual educational plans for these students to keep them in the district. Maybe if any of you had a school psychologist create an IEP for you, you would would have more than half a brain.

It's just weed.

Anything new on this case?