PERTH AMBOY - The Board of Education debates the time for High School Graduation *Photo by Joseph L. Kuchie

Perth Amboy High School Moves Time From 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.

By Joseph L. Kuchie—

PERTH AMBOY — group of upset parents spoke out about the recent time change of the Perth Amboy High School graduation during last week’s board meeting.

Perth Amboy’s administration decided to move graduation from its normal time of 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. on Jun. 27th. Superintendent Janine Caffrey named a number of reasons for the change, specifically the safety risk that comes with the intense summer heat late at night.

“Last year it was incredibly hot…seven people had to go to the hospital due to heat stroke,” Caffrey said. “My job is to do what’s best for the kids…the past three years we’ve put people in danger by having it at 6 p.m., so that’s why the ceremony was changed to 9 a.m.”

Elizabeth Gonzalez, a mother of five, spoke of the hardships she’d have to go through if graduation was changed to 9 a.m. Gonzalez explained that she would lose an entire day’s pay in order to see her daughter graduate, something she and her family can not afford.

“I’m a bus driver, I can’t take a day off and lose a day of pay… Missing a day of pay takes milk off my table,” Gonzalez said. “I have smart kids who worked extremely hard. I beg the board tonight to consider a change… I want to see my kids graduate.”

Elizabeth’s daughter Tabitha, a graduating senior and member of the JROTC, also spoke for the students who also believed the time change was unfair. She had recently completed a survey of 126 students from the high school, and only 15 of their parents would be able to attend if the change was made.

Vanessa Fernandez, another mother who has a child graduating this June, explained that parents already made accommodations to take off from work or work a half day in order to see their children graduate. She said moving the graduation last minute would put jobs at risk.

“Too many jobs need weeks, even months notice to take off,” Fernandez said. “I risk losing my job because of my failure to notify them.”

Superintendent Caffrey explained that changing it back to 6 p.m. at short notice would force many more parents to make adjustments. She also mentioned that the date and time was chosen so late this year because of the school calendar changes made after Hurricane Sandy.

“If we go back and change the time again, 494 families would have to change their plans and accommodations because six families spoke out,” Caffrey said. “Next year this decision needs to be done much earlier so we have more time.”

Dianne Roman believed that the board should do what’s best for the community, but she noted that there were parents who work nights that were happy that they were accommodated for.

“Although many parents work in the mornings, I had parents who work evenings that were very happy that it was changed,” Roman said. “I received a number of messages that said they appreciated moving it.”

Obi Gonzalez, who has seen over 30 graduations in her time with the school district, emphasized the importance of graduation for both the student and the families.

“Graduation only happens once. It’s an honor to see all the parents and congratulate them,” Gonzalez said. “I’d love to see as many people here as possible. It’s a spectacular family event.”

Israel Varela motioned to rescind the time back to 6 p.m. to do what’s best for the children and their parents. He believed it was important to listen to the community when they spoke out at a meeting.

“I am very glad the community came out and voiced their opinion tonight,” Varela said. “If they are coming here and speaking out to us, it’s important we listen.”

However, the board attorney pointed out that the board of education is a body that sets the school calendar, but once it’s voted on it’s up to the administration to set the times. He noted that nobody could remember there ever being a vote on graduation times because there was never a need for one in the past.

Board President Mark Carvajal agreed with Varela about listening to the community, but also said the board cannot rush such an important decision.

“We can’t rush this decision tonight…there are arguments for both sides,” Carvajal said. “We will reconvene in smaller groups and try to reach a solution.”