10/5/17 Perth Amboy Board of Education Meeting

By: Katherine Massopust

PERTH AMBOY – Board President Ken Puccio had to leave early, so Vice President Milady Tejeda conducted the Meeting.

There were two presentations at the 10/5/17 Board of Education Meeting. The first presentation was given by Student Representative Natalie Dunyak who  gave the Student’s Report.

The second presentation was by Director of School Counseling & Related Services Ms. Mary Jo McAdam, Assistant Superintendent of Learning/Ed. Services Dr. Vivian Rodriguez and Assistant Superintendent of Administration Mr. Richard Chromey on the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College & Careers) Exam.

The PARCC exam is different from other standardized tests because instead of emphasizing memorization, it tests for creative learning and thinking. An analysis of the PARCC in the Perth Amboy School System came to the following conclusions: Mathematics scores were slightly higher than scores in 2015 with +1% to +10% of students meeting or exceeding expectations. On the 10/5/17 BOE Agenda, a District Supervisor of Mathematics is being hired in order to improve these scores.

The Language Arts Literacy had better results with students from grades 3 -10 with an increase of +3% – +16% of students meeting or exceeding expectations. Compared to other schools in New Jersey, Perth Amboy ranks 21.1% meeting or exceeding expectations in Grade 5 mathematics; Asbury Park is at 4.7% while Elizabeth is at 29.5%.

Superintendent Dr. David Roman and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Vivian Rodriguez attended a conference to help improve these numbers.

A comparison was done of Group A Schools (From Wikipedia: School districts in New Jersey are categorized by the New Jersey Department of Education into District Factor Groups, which describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the local district. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J) such as Perth Amboy.

Grade 3 ELA scores ranked 32.5% of students meeting or exceeding expectations. Elizabeth was highest at 35% and Camden was lowest at 13.8%.

The data analysis of Student Growth Percentile which allows the district to compare Perth Amboy schools with other schools with similar performance in New Jersey.

Shull School had the highest at 51 and Wilentz School the lowest at 41. The scale is between 1 and 99. In 2014, the graduation rate was 60%; 2015 – 73%; 2016 – 72% and in 2017 the graduation rate is projected to be 76%. This projection shows a 16% jump in graduation rate.

Board Secretary Derek Jess read the invocation of Doctrine of Necessity which was necessary six Board Members had conflicts of interest when voting for the purpose of a sidebar agreement between the Perth Amboy Board of Education and the Perth Amboy Federation of Teachers/AFT for the 2015-2018 contract.

Superintendent Dr. David Roman gave his report. He offered the Board’s condolences to the two boys who fell from the balcony on Brighton Avenue today (10/5/17). “The Middle School and Elementary School Students suffered a loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of these two students. The district has crisis teams on hand. The Board of Education extends its support.”

There was a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting. Dr. Roman was pleased to announce the ground breaking of the new elementary school which occurred during the early afternoon at Seaman Avenue. He offered his support to the parents, faculty, staff and Board Members who work to make things possible. “We are providing the future of this nation. We have the talent in this district. I want to acknowledge our principals in this district. People need to recognize what we are doing.”

During the public portion college student Katie Ortiz explained that one of her assignments was to go to a Board of Education Meeting and ask a question. She asked, “Why is the Doctrine of Necessity used?” Later in the Meeting Board Attorney Isabel Machado explained that when a majority of the Board have a conflict of interest, it is necessary to invoke the Doctrine of Necessity.

Elizabeth Sanchez spoke next. She is planning to open up a day care center in King Plaza. “King Plaza is an ideal location for an Early Childhood Education Center. It will bridge the education gap for children of certain age groups. An outdoor play area is needed. We’re in walking distance to the playground (at the Peterson School). We would like to use the playground after school hours. We will comply with Board of Education insurance requirements. We will be creating over 20 jobs in your field.”

During the Board Comments, Board Member Tashi Vasquez stated, “I would like to take a moment and thank everyone for the Puerto Rico Relief Drives. Over 200 flats of water, food, and goods will be shipped out in one week to Puerto Rico. There are many people from Perth Amboy who have family members in Puerto Rico.”

A statement was read from the State Ethics Commission regarding former Perth Amboy Board of Education President Samuel Lebreault. Lebreault was issued a censure by the State.

The Meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m. The next Board of Education Meeting will be on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at PAHS, Eagle Avenue.