Some Members of the Class of 2014 – 2017 pose for a group photo with former students and some teachers and counselors after speaking at the Perth Amboy Board of Education 6/19/14 meeting. *Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – The 6/19/14 Board of Education started off on a very emotional note that continued throughout the evening. During the discussion on agenda items, Nilda Rivera, who is the mother of Stephanie Rodriguez, spoke. She thanked those who supported her daughter during her difficult two years at PAHS.This included her husband, the community and some of the Board Members. She was also concerned about the online programs which she felt were not put up on the internet in a timely manner.

“Stephanie is leaving PAHS,  but there are still students who may still face the same challenges as my daughter.”

Linda Cruz, a retired Perth Amboy School employee  was concerned by the PSI (Progressive Science Initiative) and the PMI  (Progressive Math Initiative) programs. The programs she spoke about are designed to help students achieve success in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Algebra and A.P. (Advanced Placement) Calculus.

“The results are sometimes  skewed by 40 points,” stated Cruz. “Six of the regular teachers for these classes were out for at least five months and substitutes came in to teach in their place. The Stem Academy was without a lab for three years, and there’s no criteria. Two staff members were doing schedule changes of students which should only be done by counselors. There’s only two counselors for over 300 Seniors which doesn’t make academic sense.”

Sophomore Stephanie Rodriguez who will be transferring to Colonia High School for her last two years of high school spoke next. She said, “Vice-Principal (of the Stem Academy) Roberto Reyes has told students who sought to pursue Visual Arts that it’s a useless course. How dare he tell students that? Also Mr. Collazo is to blame.  And I also agree with everything that Ms. Cruz said.”

Others followed who agreed with Stephanie. A former PAHS student who will be entering his Senior year in college said, “There are a lot of chaotic problems going on the schools. The environment reflects the leadership. The administration downplays the importance of the visual arts programs. If students are pushed into A.P. courses and are not passionate about that you can set them up for failure. I had the support of administrators when I was here.”

Other students who spoke told the Board Members, “Look more carefully at the people you’re placing or appointing to their positions to make sure that they deserve it. We want teachers who want us to learn and not just base everything on statistics and scores.

Charles Simmons who is the  fiance of Bernice Marshall (whose title of Human Resources was abolished) still was smarting over that decision. He wanted to commend the young people who came up to speak and said, “They were courageous. We need to have more diversity in our schools. You put a notice in the Star-Ledger for a HR person, but the description was very brief. There are too many staff appointments.”

A staff member from the Perth Amboy School System spoke about the new teacher evaluation programs and asked what happened to the vision and goals of the students not enrolled in the Stem Programs. “Some graduation requirement classes have had no teachers. Administrators should be held to the same rigorous standards as the teachers are.”

A PAHS Senior told the Board, “I spoke to Dr. Collazo about my class ranking. He told me that it was not my concern.” As the student continued she became emotional and said, “I worked my butt off for four years. I want to thank the Counselors for pushing me hard, and they don’t get enough credit. They have become a second mother to me.”

More students came forward to complain about the lack of support from the administrative staff and said, “Dr. Collazzo does not correspond with his staff. The administrators downgrade the Staff and the Performing Arts Programs. That program has saved my life.”

Other comments made by teachers and students include the following: The students like to know their principal. They soon realized that a connection was not going to happen. A lot of social activities were eliminated. People were afraid to speak out because they were afraid of retributions. Parents elected you (the Board) only to do the best job for the students. Test scores have been lowered with these administrators with new visions. Students said they were told by some administrators that it was a waste of time to take music courses. Teachers and Counselors have been put down by the administrators. This has made them wonder if what they are teaching is worthwhile. Sometimes they are in tears. Don’t think that we don’t know what’s going on. It’s something when we have to have former students to come here to talk and support us.

When Board President Obi Gonzalez gave her report, she mentioned the summer programs which will begin right after the July 4th holiday. “Teachers will also be attending enrichment programs. We will work diligently on behalf of the students and teachers. We also want to thank the donors who contributed money for scholarships.” She thanked the parents for her support and how they support their students.

There were some who were concerned that some people were using the students to further their own agenda.

During the second public portion a Union representative said that Mr. Reyes has a dry sense of humor and some of the people that he spoke to may have taken his comments the wrong way.

“We need to work together for the common good of our children and to put our personal agendas aside.”

Donna Stewart who is very active in the PAHS PTO said, “We have to stop using our students to further other people’s agendas. I’m embarrassed when people do this.”

Stewart is also glad to report that the PTO awarded scholarships of $430 each to nine students. “Everyone who applied for these scholarships got one.”

She also told the Board, “You have been saying for the past seven years about getting a new high school. During your closed sessions, there are many meetings going on in the hallway. Stop using our kids for your private agendas.”

A teacher from the Stem Academy Said, “Three of our bilingual students received awards. One was a former bilingual student who was inducted into the National Honor Society. Our students attended A.P. and Honor’s classes. Keep your eyes on the prize which are our students.”

Acting Superintendent Vivian Rodriguez said, “We have turned a corner and their is more to unite than divide us. I am confident we will fulfill our mission and make our district proud.”

BOE Member William Ortiz was not present. BOE Member Anthony Bermudez was late.