6/30/16 Board of Education Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
David A. Roman
PERTH AMBOY – After the power went out at the 6/16/16 Board of Education Meeting, the Meeting was rescheduled for 6/30/16.
Once again the PA-AFT protested before the Board Meeting demanding a contract. Again they marched into the PAHS auditorium carrying signs and demanding a resolution to the contract negotiations.
Agenda Item: Page 30 #15 D5 – Approval of a Resolution to rescind the current Employment Contract of Dr. David A. Roman, Superintendent of Schools, as of June 30, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. and approval of the new Employment Contract of Dr. David A. Roman, Superintendent of Schools, effective 12:00 a.m. July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2021.
During the first public portion on agenda items, PA-AFT President Pat Paradiso offered her comments on the displeasure and overall feelings of disgust that the PA-AFT had with the Board of Education who had on the agenda a renegotiation of the contract with Superintendent Dr. David Roman. Paradiso provided a copy of the statement that she read at the Meeting: “I find it perplexing that offering Dr. Roman a new contract when his current contract does not expire until 2019 was somehow a priority for this Board. You managed to carve out the time to discuss, revise, and are now ready to approve, a new five year deal for a man who hasn’t even been in the district for a year. The rest of us have been without a contract for a year. All increments and raises are on hold while the cost of our insurance gets higher. Instead of being a priority, negotiating our contract seems to be an inconvenience. I know we met last night (6/29/16) and things were pleasant enough, but we still have no deal. I understand we’re supposed to meet again before July 19, 2016. It is going to take a commitment to get the job done.”
Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up to speak, “It’s standard operating procedure to (revise a contract if the Board feels a Superintendent may leave for a better deal). This is not unusual. If the Board says no, then they say no.”
Resident Sharon Hubberman came up to speak, “Is it really prudent to go into a contract with an individual for five years when three years was shown to his predecessor? As an advocate for students and parents in Perth Amboy, if your point as the Board of Education as moving forward; Caffrey (former Superintendent) had a three-year contract. From my perspective – I don’t know why that is?”
Before going into closed session, Board President Sam Lebreault read a lengthy statement citing the reason to invoke the Doctrine of Necessity because eight out of nine members of the Board of Education were in conflict.
Closed Session began at 6:16 p.m. The Board returned from Closed Session at 9:17 p.m.
Later during the Meeting, when it came time to discuss the renegotiation of Dr. David Roman’s contract, Board President Sam Lebreault opened up the discussion to the public. At that time, there were no additional comments from the public. Lebreault stated, “The Superintendent wanted five years. When you make a commitment to a district, the district must give back. We were apprehensive. We want to commit to him. He has undertaken the tasks of our faculty. He is spearheading this movement. He fought for that for us. There is a vision that he brought. He brought that to us. We have a High School that he’s engaged to build. We have academics. Now, we’ll have a 9th Grade Academy that does what it is supposed to do. Tomorrow we are entering the second year. If he takes his two years, he will want to go. In five years there will be no raises in his salary.”
Board Vice President Israel Varela stated, “One thing is that a lot of staff members give Dr. David Roman an approval which was unlike other individuals. OPRA in reference to contracts before. They were getting more than Dr. Roman. No one had a problem with that. Now, we have someone who respects our kids. Look at other systems. All the bells and whistles you’ll find out. Yes, they were getting a lot more for a lot less work.”
Board Member Obi Gonzalez added, “We were at a meeting that went into 12 a.m. If we become a district of distinction, we need a person who will do the job. He (Dr. Roman) knows that is going into school and leaving 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. at night. I’d like to see him here to move forward.”
Lebreault then added, “When we (the Board and the PA-AFT) come to an agreement. We come to an agreement. One thing has nothing to do with the other.”
The motion was made by Board Member and Personnel Committee Chair Obi Gonzalez. It was seconded by Board Member Milady Tejada. Board Members Obi Gonzalez, Manuel Nunez, Jose Rodriguez, Milady Tejada, Israel Varela and Sam Lebreault all voted “Yes” to the revised contract. Board Member Anton J. Massopust abstained stating that the Teachers and Staff need a contract and it was unfair to vote on the Superintendent while the Union still did not reach a contract. Board Member Ken Puccio left the Meeting early and did not vote. Board Member Anthony Bermudez was absent from the Meeting. The motion passed.
