10/4/16 PARA Meeting
PERTH AMBOY – Perth Amboy Attorney George Otlowski Jr. made a presentation regarding the Charter School wishing to acquire an existing structure on Florida Grove Road to house 7th and 8th Graders. The existing structure is where the DYFS used to be. Otlowski asked Charter School Board President Robert Fink a few questions why this building is needed.
Fink responded, “The Charter School is a non-profit and recognized by the IRS. We will use everything that is presently in that structure. This will allow us to have 7th and 8th Grades in one building and we have received State approval. 200 (100 7th Graders and 100 8th Graders) new students will be in that one building. We looked at other sites, but this is the only building large enough for that number of students. The AUL has met all the financial requirements for Charter Schools. All Charters are public schools. We receive 90% funding. Students from Perth Amboy get priority placement. The hours of operation will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The staff leaves at 4 p.m. We also will have after school activities. We receive a midyear renewal from the Department of Education or DOE which is rare. We’re in discussions with the owner of the property.”
George Otlowski made a brief comment, “As a public school, they do not need State approval for designation.”
AUL Superintendent Nestor Collazo came up to speak and talked about some of his credentials which includes a PhD in toxicology and a certified science teacher. “We’re focused on academics and to excel. We can see academic gaps that came from the High School. We provide after school assistance. We concentrate on STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics). We work with colleges and universities. We are college driven. Students are placed through a lottery system. We are allowed to have students apply from out of towns only if there are available slots after Perth Amboy students are placed. Between the hours of 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. students will be provided with assistance in Math, Science and Social Studies.”
PARA Member Joel Pabon who arrived late at the Meeting said, “I am glad that the AUL is expanding their services, but I’m concerned about the traffic in that area.”
The Architect working on the project, Jason Cumura from the firm KSS came up to speak next. He said, “I have been licensed for 7 years and our firm has specialized in Charter Schools and he specifically named Camden, Newark and others. 14 parking spaces will be needed for the new school. A security monitor will be needed at drop-off points. An elevator will be added. There will be 5 classrooms on the second floor. And there will be one dry lab and a wet lab. The students will eat in the classrooms and food will be brought in. The building will be handicapped accessible and there will be proposed recreational facilities.”
PARA Member Joel Pabon was also concerned about needing a way to slow down the traffic in that area and the Police may have to get involved.
Attorney Otlowski responded, “It’s a County Road.”
Engineer Chmura said, “An engineer will do a traffic study.”
Otlowski added, “The State and County has to be involved in the traffic around that area of Florida Grove Road because it’s their roads.”
PARA Attorney Joseph Maraziti then said, “We need documentation from the State to see if you (the AUL) will have to come before us (PARA) again. We have the letters dated February 29, 2016 from the State that shows your Certificate of Incorporation.”
