“My commitment and work ethic will not allow me to do mediocre work for this community…”
Sherry Fernandes
Sherry Fernandes is a reporter for Montclair Local covering stories focused on municipal government and education. She earned her Master of Science in Journalism from the Columbia University – Graduate School of Journalism and her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism at St. Xavier’s College, India. During her time at Columbia, she focused on specializing in investigating healthcare, social injustices, environmental issues, religion and open-source research.
Get in touch with news tips at sherry@montclairlocal.news
Posted inElection 2024
Montclair Makes History on Election Night (UPDATED)
Montclair voted in a brand new council and made history with its first Black woman mayor. Dr. Renee Baskerville, and first Asian American councilor in Susan Shin Andersen. Montclair also voted for more women than ever before; five out of seven members of the new council are women.
Posted inElection 2024
Montclair Election Day: Updates from the Polls
Get out and vote. Reports from the polls suggest a slow start at some polling locations.
Posted inEducation
Montclair Families Taste Test Two Food Service Providers
Montclair Public Schools will choose between Sodexo and Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE). Both presented their menus Tuesday. Families sampled cilantro lime rice, Caribbean beef ropa vieja, honey oat parfaits, chicken and waffles, jerk chicken quesadillas, and more. The menus also included vegan options.
Posted inFeatured Posts
Parents, Citing Abuse, Discrimination, Demand Answers at BOE Meeting
Two security guards and a lawyer were present at Wednesday’s Montclair Board of Education meeting, but board members cut the meeting short after parents and an activist confronted the district, alleging discrimination, racism and abuse. The accusations come just weeks after the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) began its investigation of Montclair Public Schools.
Posted inElection 2024
Voting Age, Lackawanna Plaza: Montclair High’s CGI Students Host Election Panel
Montclair High School students from the Civics and Government Institute moderated an election panel at the high school Tuesday.
Posted inEducation
Montclair BOE Reports Bond Projects $3.7 Million Under Budget
Construction projects scheduled for July will commence with roof replacements at Bradford, Hillside, Glenfield, and Northeast schools. Additionally, new playgrounds will begin construction at Bradford, Bullock, Edgemont, Hillside, Nishuane, and Northeast.
Posted inFamily
Montclair BOE Honors Elizabeth Joan Smith, Advocate for Inclusion
Wednesday’s Montclair BOE meeting celebrated the life and impact of Elizabeth Joan Smith, inclusion advocate.
Posted inFamily
West Orange Students Take Lead in Changing Driving Laws
Starting in February 2025, permit holders under the age of 21 need to log 50 hours of mandated driving practice hours before taking their road test.
Posted inMunicipal Government
Schlager Alleges Verbal Abuse from Two Council Members
Robin Schlager disclosed two incidences of alleged verbal abuse she experienced while in office from Councilor Bob Russo and David Cummings.
Posted inMunicipal Government
Seniors Rejoice after Council Votes for a Montclair Senior Center
It was a night long in the making, but Montclair’s modern agers will finally get the senior center they’ve been asking for, at the Mills Building. They also found their champion in interim manager Michael Lapolla.
Posted inMunicipal Government
Amended Complaint Alleges Fire Chief, Township of Continued Bias
Montclair Fire Chief John Hermann and the Township face new allegations of discrimination by two black firefighters in amended complaint
Posted inPublic Safety
Task Force Presents ‘Simple Vision’ to Eliminate Crashes in Montclair
“The Montclair Complete Streets policy is extremely weak. It’s full of exceptions, it has no teeth and that’s why Montclair’s streets are not complete.”
Posted inElection 2024
Election 2024: Fourth Ward Candidates Engage With Residents
Residents gathered to engage with the three candidates running for councillor in the upcoming 2024 Montclair Municipal Elections.
