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Montclair has long defined itself by its district-wide magnet system—a model built on choice, diversity, and integration by design. But today, that system is under unprecedented strain. Facing a $20 million budget deficit and rising transportation costs, Mike and Farnoosh go back in time to explore the system's roots in activism and legal battles, while asking hard questions about its future. Is the promise of equity being met, and what happens when our ideals stay the same but our resources don’t?

Show Notes & Links

Watch Our Schools, Our Town: A Short History of the Montclair Magnet School System produced by Masiel Rodriguez-Vars.
UCLA Civil Rights Project Report: A 2017 analysis finding New Jersey is the 7th most segregated state for Black and Latino students.
Patricia Hampson Eget’s Research: "Challenging Containment: African Americans and Racial Politics in Montclair, New Jersey, 1920-1940"
The Lonnie Brandon Story: Read the Wagner College article by Lee Manchester detailing the history of athletic recruitment and institutional hurdles in the 60s and 70s.
1960s Legal History: The New York Times article on the 1960s Glenfield suit and the State Supreme Court’s 7-0 ruling on integration.
Significant Achievement Gap Persists in Montclair - Asad Jung's article in the Montclair Local
Budget Feedback: Weigh in on the future of school funding via Superintendent Turner’s Budget Survey (Deadline: January 30th).

New Branded Series: Farnoosh & Mike Get Healthy

This installment is sponsored by The Bar Method Montclair.
Offer: Get a FREE CLASS using code MONTCLAIRPOD at checkout on the Bar Method website or download the app. (Code expires Feb 28, 2026). Limit one per person. The studio is also running a winter promo: Receive 30 days of unlimited classes for $78.

Local Headlines & Weekend Plans

Municipal Complex Forum: Public forum regarding the new $50M town hall proposal on Wednesday, Jan 14 at 7 PM at 205 Claremont Avenue.
Lunar New Year Performance: Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company presents "Red Firecrackers" at Jersey City Theater Center on Sunday, January 18 at 4 PM.
Live Music at Tierney's: Join Mike’s band BARD and special guests Ümläüt this Saturday night.
7 PM: Ümläüt
8 PM: BARD
Late Night: 80s Danceteria Dance Party with DJ Rafe Gomez (Twitch: DanceteriaRewind).
Proceeds benefit Toni’s Kitchen.

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Montclair’s Magnet Schools at a Crossroads: The History Lesson We Need