Joe Malinconico, NorthJersey.com Journalist Profile

Articles

Paterson arts students' festival trip was canceled. Then money was found

5 days ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

2-minute readShow Caption Hide Caption Paterson parents protest middle school model at Board of EducationParents and students upset over the district's middle school model march in protest to the Paterson Board of Education, Wednesday, Apr. 2, 2025. When the trip was cancelled, two students refused to give up. They spoke at a Board of Education meetingPATERSON — Students from Paterson’s Rosa L.
Family's lawyer says teacher punched 12-year-old Paterson student in the face

5 days ago | yahoo.com | Joe Malinconico

PATERSON — A 12-year-old student at Paterson’s School 8 was allegedly punched in the face by a teacher on May 1, according to a lawyer representing the child’s family. The child, who is in the sixth grade, was diagnosed with a concussion from the blow, said the attorney, Abdul Hamdan. School officials seemed more interested in covering up the incident than they were in finding out what happened, Hamdan said. The lawyer said the educator continued working his regular job after the alleged incident.
Paterson schools freeze spending on custodial services, substitute teachers

6 days ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

2-minute readShow Caption Hide Caption Paterson schools need extensive repairs but district lacks resourcesWith some Paterson schools over a century old, most are in dire need of extensive repairs. The district lacks the resources to fix the problems. Miguel Fernandez, Tariq Zehawi and Danielle Parhizkaran, NorthJersey.comThe company that Paterson Public Schools uses for custodian work, ACB Services, sent its employees a letter on May 7 warning of impending layoffs.
Paterson school board passes new budget with 4% tax hike

1 week ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

The 2025-26 spending plan will increase Paterson’s school property taxes by 4%, marking the seventh consecutive year with a hike. But the increase will be the smallest during a streak that started with a 14.4% rise in school taxes in 2019-20. PATERSON — In a meeting that lasted less than 25 minutes, the Board of Education on May 6 approved an $848 million budget for the coming 2025-26 school year in a 5-4 vote.
Robber pistol whips man a half block from Paterson City Hall, takes jewelry, designer bag

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Joe Malinconico

PATERSON — A man was pistol-whipped and robbed Monday evening after leaving Paterson’s adult school, just a half block away from City Hall, according to law enforcement sources. The victim was walking along Ellison Street at about 7:50 p.m. when he was confronted by someone wearing a mask and all-black clothing, holding a gun, said Paterson police spokesman Robert Rowan.
Bullet pierces kitchen window of Paterson home with family in the room

1 week ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

1-minute readShow Caption Hide Caption Paterson NJ Police chief Isa Abbassi talks strategic planPaterson Police Department officer in charge Isa Abbassi discusses his strategic plan for city law enforcement at the Paterson Public Library. PATERSON — A bullet pierced the kitchen window of a 3rd Ward home Thursday night and lodged in the ceiling while two members of the family who live there were in the room, city police said. Neither person was injured in the incident.
Bullet pierces kitchen window of Paterson home with family in the room

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Joe Malinconico

PATERSON — A bullet pierced the kitchen window of a 3rd Ward home Thursday night and lodged in the ceiling while two members of the family who live there were in the room, city police said. Neither person was injured in the incident. As of Monday morning, no one had been arrested in connection with the shooting, which remains under investigation, police said. The shooting happened at about 10:30 p.m., and the bullet struck a home on 14th Avenue, near East 25th street, police said.
Monitoring reports on Paterson bus company that put kids at risk won't be public

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Joe Malinconico

PATERSON — Monitoring reports about a city-based school bus company that Attorney General Matthew Platkin said put children at risk by hiring unqualified drivers will not be disclosed to the public. That is one of the terms of a 10-page monitoring agreement between the Attorney General's Office and the company, American Star Transportation, part of a deal that resulted in the dismissal of criminal charges against the firm and its owner, Jwel Khalique.
Feds take back $4M from Paterson Housing Authority's reserve account

1 week ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

2-minute readShow Caption Hide Caption NJ affordable housing history: VideoTake a look at North Jersey’s history with affordable housing over the last 50 years. The housing director said HUD is taking money from local authorities’ Section 8 reserve accounts to shift the fund to places that have insufficient voucher money.
Paterson schools move ahead on budget with 4% tax hike amid federal funding doubt

1 week ago | northjersey.com | Joe Malinconico

Local education advocates are concerned Paterson could continue losing federal aid for city schools. The budget, made available to the public for the first time on April 28, contains a line item showing a 39% reduction in federal funding, from $50.2 million in 2024-25 to $30.4 million. PATERSON — Amid uncertainty over future federal funding, the Board of Education is moving ahead with its proposed $848 million budget for 2025-26, a spending plan that includes a 4% school tax increase.