In the August 26 episode of The Montclair Pod, hosts Mike Schreiber and Farnoosh Torabi unpack a week full of school drama, eyebrow-raising real estate, local construction progress, and even a dash of gossip about the beloved sushi restaurant Daikichi.
Montclair High Slips in Rankings
Montclair High School dropped from #55 to #95 in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings, landing in the 76th percentile among New Jersey public high schools. Despite solid numbers — a 94% graduation rate, nearly 90/100 overall score, and strong AP participation — the slide has raised questions.
The rankings weigh test scores and AP exams heavily, which may have tipped the results. But the drop feeds into bigger community concerns: budget shortfalls, aging infrastructure, and ongoing board drama.
The board of education election this fall will give voters the chance to weigh in. Five candidates have filed petitions for three open seats, including incumbents Brian Fleischer and Yvonne W. Bouknight. The election is set for November 4, alongside the governor’s race.
Meanwhile, construction funded by Montclair’s $188 million bond referendum is progressing slowly, with approximately one-third of the projects contracted out so far.
A $7.5 Million Property Listing
Would you pay $7.5 million for a two-family house in Montclair? That’s the price tag on a newly renovated property once owned by Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, co-founder of Kool & the Gang.
The 1908 home, situated on Watchung Avenue, has been updated with spa bathrooms, radiant-heated floors, chef’s kitchens with nine-foot islands, and double-sided fireplaces.
Watchung Plaza Renovations Near Completion
Watchung Plaza’s facelift is nearly done. After months of construction, crews are finishing the landscaping and details around the square. Expect new brick pavers, benches, and picnic tables designed to make the space safer, more accessible, and more welcoming.
Though slightly behind the six-to-eight-week schedule, the project is on track for completion soon.Although slightly behind
Daikichi Comeback Rumors
Could Upper Montclair be getting its beloved sushi spot back? Rumors are swirling that Daikichi — the longtime neighborhood favorite that closed in 2023 after more than 30 years — may be returning.
Nothing is confirmed yet. The Montclair Pod reached out to the Kaneda family, who built Daikichi into a local institution, but have not heard back.
Bruce Willis Service Area… Instead of Toni Morrison?
In their recurring fascination with New Jersey rest stops, the hosts highlight the curious case of the Bruce Willis service area on the Garden State Parkway.
The rest area was initially slated to be named after Nobel Prize–winning author Toni Morrison, who lived in Princeton. However, after her estate didn’t grant permission, the honor shifted to Willis, who grew up in Penns Grove and had once taken acting classes at Montclair State.
The decision raised eyebrows in Cape May, with one headline bluntly asking, “What has Bruce Willis ever done for Cape May?”
In case you missed it…
- The Montclair Pod News: High School Ranking Drops, $7.5M Property Hits Market, and Daikichi Return-Rumors
- The Montclair Pod News: Lead Pipes, Stolen Mail, and a Century-Old Substation
- The Montclair Pod News: The NJ Governor’s Race, Shuttle Bus Survey and Debate, Dining Updates, and More from August 14, 2025
- Things to Do, See and Experience in August: MedievalFest, End of Summer Escapes, and an $11 Million School Surprise
- How to Go Green in Montclair: Solar Power, Sustainable Kids’ Style, and the Hive Next Door