First Step Made in Construction of New High School 

1/7/16 Board of Education Meeting

By Katherine Massopust

PERTH AMBOY – 10.B.11 – (Addendum) Approval to enter an agreement with the Perth Amboy Housing Authority for the purchase of the Delaney Homes Property, located at 901-959 Convery Boulevard, Block 339.04, Lot 1.02, at a price of $7,400,000.00, for the construction of a new high school. The purchase of this property is contingent upon approval from the New Jersey Department of Education (subject to attorney review).

The item was moved by Board Member Manuel Nunez and seconded by Board Member Milady Tejada. Everyone voted “Yes” except for Board Member Anton J. Massopust who abstained.

Board Member Anthony Bermudez stated, “I am happy we are purchasing this property. It is definitely needed at this time. I’m happy.”

Later during the Old Business portion of the Meeting, Board Vice President Israel Varela stated his opinion on the matter, “I am very glad we are building a new high school. If we had a great facility – if you look at the amount it comes to – millions of dollars. No one spoke of why I wanted 72 acres. The time has elapsed. We had to look at the 72 acres. I speak for myself. Developers had interest in the property (Celotex Site). It would have met our needs and more. No one was interested in the 72 acres. This school will be obsolete (on Delaney Homes Property). I know for a fact we got swindled. You could have had the best. If you look at the Seaman Avenue Property it’s contaminated. No developer wanted that property. If you look at the property (Celotex) it had more value. I never will be happy and will feel we got scammed by people with deep pockets.”

Board Member Obi Gonzalez then stated, “We are resilient as a Board and we will do as best as we can. In the future we will think about another high school (in addition to the one to be built on Delaney Homes Property). We are a system divided. We have to look to addresses that will solve the problems. We need to look at properties. As long as the City brings in more people, there will be need for more schools. We work hard to solve problems and work together with the community.”

Board Member Anton Massopust then stated, “I’d like to reiterate what Mr. Varela said. I have seen more schools and school systems. I’ve seen teachers carry books 3 to 4 blocks because they have no place to park. For various reasons we are being forced on a property. I feel this is not the way to go. It is the only thing we can do. I feel very, very, very sad.”

Board President Sam Lebreault then added, “We desperately need space for our children. We cannot afford to lose the opportunity presented to us by the State.”

During the Public Portion Resident Stanley Sierakowski made some comments, “Mayor Diaz was opposed to Celotex for the next 20 years. She opposed a new high school initially in the Rte. 35 Delaney Homes Property. They had to give us 11 acres. She was opposed when her candidates lost the election. Seaman Street was decontaminated. You have a mayor against it. There is an election this November. It may not be too late. If she’s not reelected we another dimension. The power of eminent domain. 10 months is not a long time. Maybe another high school?”