The Board of Education talks about their future.

By Katherine Massopust —

PERTH AMBOY — During the open portion of the 1/7/13 BOE meeting local resident Leslie Dominguez-Rodriguez stated her disapproval of the meeting time change. “The meeting was changed to 4 p.m. when it was supposed to be at 6 p.m.”

She was reassured by Board President Mark Carvajal, “We will make sure it doesn’t happen again. You have my phone number.”

Leslie Dominguez-Rodriguez continued, “I don’t want this to be private. This should be spoken in public.”

Board Member Obi Gonzalez offered her comments on the 4 p.m. meeting time change, “I know Milady (Tejeda) had to ask her employer to let her out of work to go the meeting. We are the Board; we decide when we meet. This should not be repeated.”

Board Member Maria Garcia argued that the original date of the meeting was changed as well, “The ceremony was supposed to be on January 2. My son took off work that day. The meeting was changed without notice. My son was not able to come today.”

Gonzalez remarked that January 2 was a only a tentative date.

Board President Mark Carvajal made his feelings clear, “We have to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We’ll get through. We will look into the $39 million. We need to work together. We are a team. We have a lot at stake here.”

Board Member Dianne Roman remarked, “If there is a special meeting I need to be called.”

Board President Carvajal then said, “Everyone will be called for every meeting.”

Board Member William Ortiz offered his thoughts on moving forward, “Let’s make Perth Amboy a shining example in this state. We could make the Perth Amboy School System really great. Citizens pay high taxes in New Jersey and I want for people to say, “I want to send my kids here.””