For 40 years Perth Amboy High School has held their graduation in the evening specifically at 6:00 p.m. This year for the Class of 2013 the graduation ceremony is to begin at 9:00 a.m. This was a decision made by the Superintendent of Schools Dr. Caffrey. Parents, family members, and students should have been afforded the opportunity to voice their opinion, but were not. There wasn’t even any official notice put out to the parents explaining the time change.

The news was given to the senior class to relay to the parents. We as parents were not even given the courtesy of a letter, or at least an automated phone call which is used by the school system for so many other different types of messages. To make matters worse, the UNOFFICIAL notice was only sent out recently. One would think that such a dramatic change in time would constitute an advance notice to prepare the families to make changes to plans if at all possible.

This topic was brought up at the most recent Board of Education meeting where several parents and students voiced there concerns of the time change. A motion to change the time of the graduation was turned down because it was said to be an administrative decision. The board concluded with the President of the Board Mark Carvajal stating “this topic needed a second look”.

As a result of the meeting, myself and other volunteers decided to put together a survey and petition to present to the students, family, and faculty. We chose to present the survey and petition at senior prom where we had an overwhelming response with family and students eager to voice their opinions on this matter. With this information in hand, we are ready for that “second look”.  I am respectfully asking The President of the Board of Education to call for an emergent meeting and to properly advertise it including the use of the automated phone calls. We must reconvene on this matter as soon as possible because time is wearing thin.

Feel free to contact me at: anthonybermudez74@yahoo.com or (732) 803-0333. Thank You for your understanding in this matter. Awaiting your reply.

Respectfully Submitted,

Anthony Bermudez