Board Vice-President Israel Varela, Board President Obi Gonzalez and Acting Superintendent Dr. Vivian Rodriguez
By: Katherine Massopust
PERTH AMBOY – At the 9/23/14 Board of Education Meeting Board Member Maria Garcia read from a letter sent to all Board Members from the State of NJ dated September 9, 2014 from Charles McKenna, Chief Executive Officer at the New Jersey Schools Development Authority. (See page 13) This letter indicates a 11.7 acre of land off of Convery Boulevard (a portion of the former Delaney Homes site) as the only viable parcel of land that they were aware of at the NJSDA suitable for a new high school. As of now, no deal is struck. The Board Members had mixed feelings about purchasing the site for the new high school.
“This is an opportunity for us to build a high school. It’s now or never. We have enough money to buy the property. There were plans to add onto the old high school. We can merge the two middle schools into the old high school, then two elementary schools will be available. That will save us millions of dollars. The state was here last year with the previous Superintendent, the Mayor, Derek Jess (Board Secretary) and Ben Ruiz (Police Chief). It will cost us $100 million to clean up the Celotex Property,” Board Member Maria Garcia stated.
There is a 30 day time limit on the offer. The Housing Authority has a buyer for the property and if it is not bought by the Board of Education by October 9, 2014, the party of interest is free to purchase the property.
Board Member Milady Tejada disagreed, “If we build it on Delaney Homes – it’s only 11 acres – by the time it’s built, it will be overcrowded. Our two middle schools are overcrowded. We need to open our eyes and look around. I don’t want to be sitting here 20 years from now with the same problem.”
Board Member Anthony Bermudez offered his opinion, “We don’t want to look for a new high school again. Is it safe being so close to highways? We already have seen it during the past year. (a young man was killed crossing rte. 35 by cars) Bermudez read from a prepared statement. “We don’t want a high school shoved down our throats. By the time the new high school is built, it will already be obsolete. These are the options. It might take a little longer but it will be worth it. But if that’s what you want (Delaney Homes site), that’s what you’ll get.”
Board Member Dianne Roman spoke, “I’m speaking as a Board Member and a parent. My daughter goes to school in this district. Woodbridge High School is on the same road and has a 92% graduation rate. We received this letter on September 9th. We have to be diligent. It’s going to take 5 years to build a new school. To spend $121 million cleaning up land? At the end of the year we spend $20,000 per student. Let’s negotiate with due diligence because the Housing Authority isn’t going to wait. Let’s get going! I was at that meeting (last year). They looked at a lot of sites. We don’t get to pick the area or where to build. If we purchase the Celotex Property it will cost $121 million. We cannot wait! As far as I’m concerned act now and act immediately. There isn’t any other streets to build on. New Brunswick High School is built on rte. 27 – one of the busiest roads in New Jersey!”
Board Member William Oritz offered his insight, “Everything is a mess. The SDA couldn’t be more clear. 11.7 acres of land on Convery Boulevard. We’re one of the most overcrowded districts in the State. You (Obi Gonzalez) share a bed with a member of the Planning Board. (Husband Fernando Gonzalez)”
Board President Obi Gonzalez was insulted, “My husband and I are separate entities. I would never do something inappropriate.”
“You should recuse yourself,” Board Member Dianne Roman added.
Board President Obi Gonzalez answered both Board Members, “I will not be a stumbling block to the Board moving forward. We are having an open discussion. I feel some of us have more information than others. We need to have this discussion. Mr. McKenna will bring architects. They are the experts. Let us learn what he brings. We plan to have a meeting (Special Board of Education) to discuss this. My husband is not involved with any decisions.” Gonzalez continued, “No matter how many special meetings there needs to be, we will have to move. Let’s sit with people we need to talk to and move forward as fast as we need to move. No question to me is not valid.”
Board Vice President Israel Varela said, “On many occasions I have pushed for a new High School. The SDA is going to give us a high school. I was right again. Through all the talks the Chair of Buildings and Grounds was not a part of it. It’s not the Housing Authority – not City Hall – it’s the Board of Education! We have other individuals from other entities speaking. We are moving quickly – we are moving forward. I would like 200 years from now after we built a high school for it to still stand. We will work together. We will build a school to stand time. We will not get a chance for another 40 years. We will pick the site – we – the Board of Education – not as individuals – we – the whole Board.”
Board Member Milady Tejada added, “A crowded room is not going to teach our kids.”
The discussion went back and forth between the Celotex property and the Delaney Homes Property. No decision was made.
During the public portion, Former Board Member Russell O’Reilly offered his insight on the issue, “I want to convince this Board to buy that property and we will build a new school. Don’t and you’re on your own. There is no room here. Every single inch of this City is polluted. I do believe every single piece of property can be cleaned up. Delaney Homes is relatively clean. Celotex used to make asbestos shingles. Come to the resolve of Delaney Homes. Take the money and run! Temporary trailers are permanent trailers. When I was on the Board we spent $97 million on new schools. We built 5 to 6 schools and remodeled 2. You can’t even build even one! We demand this new high school! Get the job done!”
City Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez came up to the podium, “Sometimes in public office one is called to make decisions between two bad choices – which bad choice is best? A decision has to be made by October 9, 2014. You have very limited time. You have to make it now.”
Resident Sharron Hubberman spoke, “The Planning Board was pressured to develop the Dunlap Property in order to get Sandy Relief fund. They wanted to build $19 million in low income housing units. The Ingrim Group was going to receive $500,000 in Sandy money. The Board of Education is accused of not being forthcoming and truthful, but they are forthcoming and truthful when it comes to building a new high school. Giving you this pressure – to do it now or lose the opportunity. If the Housing Authority is willing to pay Ingrim Group – what happened in Harbortown? They said, “If we don’t get Sandy money – we’re out!”
Former BOE Member Anton J. Massopust spoke, “Don’t rule out the Celotex Property. The high school needs to be big. You can build an environmental center; the ROTC can have a boat. Don’t be too quick. That whole property is not that contaminated. Don’t rule out that choice. If a school doesn’t get built there – something else will.”
Housing Authority Chair Dorothy Daniel spoke last, “Free speech is wonderful. I’ve heard a lot of lessons tonight. I’ve been hearing it since 2004. There were three members of the committee. Two members showed up occasionally. At that time we wanted to sell the land. We had conferences. Back in 2004, the School Construction Corporation would buy the land from us and build the school. In three and a half years, no one from the Board of Education never once showed up and they were invited each time. When the new staff came on board, they went to districts that wanted to build schools. They gave the money to other districts. Charles McKenna is the new CEO (of the SDA). They asked for a sit down. They told us the that the district has to buy the land and then they will build the school. We got people to house. If you want the property, you’ve got to act. 30 days. We have another entity with a check dangling in front of my face. Someone needs to move. Before I left, I thought I would be going home with a check. I guess not.”
Time meeting started – 6:11 p.m. they had a closed session that lasted just under an hour. The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 p.m. No decision has been made as of yet on the location of the new high school. There was a discussion that perhaps a special meeting might be in order. As of this printing we have not been notified of a special meeting.
