Also Update on Communications Academy; 2018-2019 School Budget
5/7/18 Board of Education Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
PERTH AMBOY – The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President Ken Puccio. The Board immediately went into executive session and returned at 7:16 p.m.
There were 4 presentations. The first presentation was given by Charles McKenna CEO of the SDA (School Development Authority) on the new Perth Amboy High School.
McKenna stated that the SDA must make sure all the buildings have the following:
1) District Early Site Work – All is clean land. This is determined by a Site Mediation expert who is licensed by the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection).
2) The Program /Concept Phase – Look and feel of the building itself.
3) Schematic Design Phase
4) Bridging Design Phase – Take the concept and build. We hire a contractor who has a partnership with an architectural firm to build the building.
5) Design-Build Procurement
6) Design-Build Phase
7) School Occupancy – ready by Fall 2023
The architect gave a presentation on the schematics of the new high school. A simulation of what the new high school will look at was presented.
Superintendent Dr. David Roman spoke about the 9th Grade Program: “The transition to see through a bridge what the design was. When on the 9th Grade Level, you can use a lot of the facilities. There was a lot of thought went through these plans.”
McKenna stated, “We collaborated with the district. It’s the largest project we took under construction by the SDA.”
Dr. David Roman stated, “I’m proud to work with this administration. This Administration, this Board are not here to argue with anyone. We all can’t get what we want. It’s about the children. There is but only ONE purpose – student focus. Everything we do in this district is to perform.”
The second presentation was on the District Student Council. The Students, each of which represented a different Perth Amboy School spoke about what the District Student Council does. They emphasized that there is no doubt that power can create change. “We get to meet with the administrators and learned what it means to be a leader.” The students were asked if school should close at an earlier time and were given the opportunity to make the best decision for everyone.
For “Read Across America,” the older students read to the younger students in the elementary schools. This gave them opportunity to influence other people. By inspiring a person, you can do anything. “A better version of me.” One rises above and beyond to see people feel valued. “We are honored and proud to have an opportunity to have a voice. The time is now. Great things are on the horizon.”
The third presentation was given by Mrs. Daisy Rodriguez and Mr. Wilson who spoke about the Communications Academy. Communication, Information, and Media – what it takes to take a concept and make something out of it. Some students submitted a film and some photos.
Student Ana Camila Gutierrez of Perth Amboy High School Main Campus made a film: “Dandelion.” It won Grand Prize for Best Documentary for Visionaries: Grades: 9-12 at the 2018 Montclair Film Festival Emerging Filmmaker Competition. “Dandelion” also won third place in Film Now: An International High School Film Festival. To view the film “Dandelion” go to PA-TV: Video on Demand (https://www.paps.net/domain/202). It’s also available on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K3spPmZrV8)
“I’m a student and I have a voice and you’re listening to it.” – Ana Camila Gutierrez
Dr David Roman stated, “Ana expresses the plight of many Perth Amboy Students.”
The fourth presentation was given by Superintendent Dr. David Roman and Board Secretary Derek Jess on the 2018-2019 School Budget. Jess explained that as of next year there will be no debt left and all bonds will be paid off. The Total budget for the 2018-2019 school year is: $283,476,506. That covers all the expenses of all the schools in the district for the year 2018-2019. Jess explained that there is less money in the surplus this year because of some increased expenses. $11,306,240 is appropriated to the Charter School. The new Charter School will have 180 students. Medical benefits cost 7.5% more this year for premiums. Jess then explained that the SDA is building two schools: Seaman Street Elementary School and the new Perth Amboy High School.
Dr. David Roman stated that curriculum and instruction: “We evaluate everything going in and out of this district. We get monitored by the state for everything. There are different programs. All met the growth rate. We are moving up. We are successful. The results are not denying it. I assure you I am here to bring this District to Distinction. That’s what it’s about. Every single child in this district deserves it. We must be doing something right – all of us. They deserve the world. We’re delivering it to them.”
According to Assistant Supervisor Richard Chromey in a statement sent to the Amboy Guardian:
The District was recently recognized by NJ Department of Education: “Perth Amboy restructured their administration in order to provide strategic and targeted supports, upgraded facilities, increased outreach with parents, and gave greater autonomy to their teachers and leaders. As a result, their Graduation Rate grew more than 16% in 4 years.”
• Samuel E. Shull and William C. McGinnis Middle Schools will exit “Focus” status on June 30, 2018. Focus Schools comprise about 10% of schools with the overall lowest subgroup performance and need improvement in areas that are specific to the school.
• The Dual Language School is recognized as the first and only stand-alone dual language school in New Jersey. The Dual Language School will expand to include sixth grade for the 2018-2019 school year.
• The District’s NJ Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC) rating on Instruction and Program increased from 32% to 65%.
• The High School graduation rate increased to 76% and met its 2017 targeted graduation rates as established by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
• The number of Seal of Biliteracy recipients jumped to 111 this year, an increase of 29%. The New Jersey Department of Education State Seal of Biliteracy identifies graduating high school students who are able to demonstrate proficiency in English in addition to one or more world languages.
• For his commitment to English Language Learners, Dr. David A. Roman was selected as the 2018 Superintendent of the Year for the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy by the NJTESOL/NJBE (New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages/New Jersey Bilingual Educators)
• Senior class students have been accepted to more than 40 colleges and universities including Fairleigh Dickinson University, George Washington University, University of Hartford, Hawaii Pacific University, NYU, Kean University, University of Miami, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and The College of New Jersey.
During the first public comments on agenda items only Perth Amboy Federation (AFT) President Pat Paradiso read a letter advocating for social workers whom the District decided not to renew for the 2018-2019 school year. The letter is available to read on www.amboyguardian.com
Former PTO President, Resident, and Parent Donna Stewart came up to speak stating that Social Worker Ms. Wanda Hernandez saved her daughter’s life. “My daughter is a middle child. Ms. Wanda gave us moral support. Every week she met with my daughter and me. If it wasn’t for Ms. Wanda – she helped save her life! Now at age 23 my daughter will be closing on her first home!”
Wanda Hernandez, School Social worker at the Wilentz School spoke next. “I have worked at the Wilentz school for 18 years. Eliminating positions will have a critical impact on our students. We also have kids that appear well put together but are silent sufferers. I have seen what our kids in Perth Amboy are up against. Our social workers had a part of this and I commend you all. As social workers, we don’t want to lose what really matters. You spoke, Dr. Roman, that it’s about our children. Yes, it is, to make our emotions visible. To be able to do that is incredible. To help them succeed both academically and emotionally. With problems increasing, we need more social workers – not less. I thank all social workers for making a difference in our lives and I hope you will, too.”
Donna Fox, Elementary Teacher at the Wilentz School spoke next. “Due to the growing population in our district, we are building more schools, yet you are cutting our staff who have direct impact on the emotional health of the wellbeing of our students. Social workers impact on students emotionally, socially, and academically and provide services that teachers and guidance counselors are not qualified to do. We need more services for our students – not less.”
Norma Cardona, a School Based Social Worker at Ceres Elementary School spoke about how social workers help students emotionally, behaviorally or psychiatrically who are having grave difficulties. This includes students who have attempted to run out of their classrooms, the building or attempted to throw chairs at their piers and staff. “Students at a time have required my attention for hours at a time. The students have gone through it all. With the elimination of my position, the students will not have access to the behavioral and emotional support they deserve. There is a huge link to success with emotional health. Letting 5 social workers go – I don’t believe that will help us.”
Resident Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe responded to two Vice-Principals of the High School being replaced. “What will be considered? We do have a large high school population and losing two Vice-Principals at once will be difficult.” Stephanie then asked everyone to close their eyes, “You’re 9 years old. The live you had at home has changed. You go from living with the person that takes care of you to living with strangers, not knowing what’s going on. Knowing you’re forced to go to school because you have to – not knowing where your next plate is coming from. All of a sudden 10 people are involved. You might even be displaced from your own town. The only thing stable in your life is your school. Nothing is certain. Teachers, classmates, social workers. These are the people that are there for you. This is your escape. You purposely go to bed at 8 p.m. to avoid not being fed that night. The only people who can dedicate their time to you are social workers. Social workers do a job that is so indescribable. You cannot let them go. For the first time I am begging you not to let these vital people go.”
Social Worker Jackie Santiago stated, “The statistics speak for themselves. In that first year we had crises. We sent 20 students out for psychiatric evaluations. We need to look at what a school based social worker does. The truth is our students aren’t as resilient as we are. When you remove that one stable person in their life, what do they have? If you want to talk about certifications, we have them.”
Superintendent Dr. David Roman said a few words, “The multitude of issues faced upon us are larger than just one aspect of this conversation. At no point in time are we talking about the quality of work that social workers do. We are not getting rid of social workers. We are reallocating. We need to be in compliance.”
Mr. Rodriguez came up, “In many ways we want to continue the support of our students. Right now, our schools do not have dedicated child study teams.” Dr Roman said, “At this point we have no issues with what the individuals are doing right now.” Dr. Roman stressed the fact that the district is not in compliance now, and by putting the proper personnel in place the district would then be in compliance.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Vivian Rodriguez said, “This plan will have two counselors in each school, Psychologists”
Dr. David Roman stated when making this decision, all the Director of Guidance, Director of Special Services, and all the Principals were involved.
Assistant Superintendent Richard Chromey then added that this plan will address the needs of special education students with a child study team.”
Mrs. McAdam came up to speak, “One if the most significant challenges issues we have to face is the behavioral issues at the preschool and elementary level. One of the most important positions is a school psychologist in a non-traditional role. Some of our case managers were serving over 60 students. By increasing the amount of positions on the Child Study Team we will be able to address these issues. We all want what’s best for our students. We’ll have two school counselors, a behaviorist and a full Child Study Team with a learning specialist.” When asked, McAdam answered, “Right now we don’t have a full Child Study Team in every school. This will give us an opportunity to do so. Those teams will be increased in size in the Middle and High Schools.”
Dr Vivian Rodriguez added that a new code of conduct will be implemented to help students when they stumble.
The Board then went into another executive session. It was 9:44 p.m. They returned at 11 p.m.
During the Board President’s Report, Ken Puccio mentioned three former teachers who passed away: Mr. William Gaytas, Mr. William Urbanski, Mr. Michael Servia. Puccio offered condolences to all who lost loved ones.
After the agenda items were approved, there was a discussion on the approval of the 2018-2019 School Year Budget. Board Member Junior Iglesia stated, “After analyzing the budget for the last 5 years, we had surpluses. In most cases we transferred the funds to the capital reserve. We don’t need to raise property taxes to our citizens.”
Board Member Tashi Vasquez stated, “Before voting on the current budget. This is the first time we are voting. Unfortunately, we have time constraints. We have to pass the budget. I just got the budget on Friday (5/4/18).”
Board Member Junior Iglesia read a statement on the figures on the old 2017-2018 budget comparing them to the 2018-2019 budget. He made a motion to amend the budget as to not include the surplus funds. He said, “Raising taxes for our hardworking citizens isn’t a decision we should take lightly. After analyzing our history in finance and the budget for every school year, we have met all of our financial obligations. In most cases we transferred the surplus to the capital reserve. As an elected Member of the Board I feel we have to do something about this. Every time we raise property taxes then the cost of living in Perth Amboy gets higher. It trickles down for our students having less food on their table. I would like to propose to amend the budget (to let the surplus be used to supplement the monies appropriated in the budget) This will result in no property tax increase to our hardworking families in town.”
Board Member Tashi Vasquez stated, “I did not get this budget until Friday (5/4/18). This is the first discussion we are having. The current budget as proposed I will publicly say “No” because we have not had time to discuss it. I was voted on this Board to serve the community and I will not be saying I am doing this due diligence if I vote “Yes” on this budget as presented today.”
Board Member Junior Iglesia stated, “I made a motion to amend this budget.”
Board Member Lissett Lebron seconded the motion.
Board Member Anton J. Massopust the asked, “I understand what Mr. Iglesia is asking as a taxpayer, but I ask the experts on budgets what would be the outcome if we accept Junior Iglesia’s suggestion?”
Board Secretary Jess stated, “If I’m right, you are looking to reduce the amount of surplus being used.”
“So, we can cover the property tax increase,” Junior Iglesia stated.
Board Secretary Derek Jess stated, “When the budget is submitted to the County it is locked. If we make changes tonight, we have to resubmit it to the County. If you reduce the amount of surplus you want to use, then you are reducing a revenue. Therefore, you have to reduce an appropriation as well.”
Tashi Vasquez said, “The idea behind the motion is the $1.2 million increase. Take 1.2 and add it to the $42 million and put a zero increase in taxes.”
Board Secretary Derek Jess stated, “There are years our surplus goes up. This is one of those years our surplus has gone down.”
Vasquez insisted, “We know for certain $42 million is what we have.”
Puccio asked, “What are the implications here?”
Jess answered, “If you amend the budget, and you want to reduce the tax base by $2 million, our appropriation will have to be $2 million less. The surplus is already being applied to the budget. What purpose the surplus is used for is to help balance the budget for the following year. If you want to reduce taxes, you have to reduce expenditures – not the surplus.”
Board President Ken Puccio then stated, “On this second motion, whatever funds we were going to fund, we have to go into the budget and remove funds that had to be utilized. We will be short $2 million. It’s all part of the master budget.”
Tashi Vasquez, “We have to be consistent in our numbers.”
Jess said, “This is a preliminary budget prepared in March. The final adopted budget was on the screen. Once submitted to the state, you cannot change the budget.”
Board Attorney Isabel Machado stated, “The county will take the last budget submitted and that will be put in the County’s hands.”
It was stated that if there was a tax increase it would be approximately $113 per year or roughly 31 cents a day.
Board Member Tashi Vasquez then stated, “Let’s not bring it to cents a day. Any increase that is going to hurt our taxpayers who have been paying an increase every single year. We’ve gone up over $6 million in the past 5 years.”
Board President Puccio then stated, “Let’s not forget that the State is building us a $250 million high school a $55 million elementary school. 80% of our budget is comes from outside of the City of Perth Amboy. The taxpayers here have benefited from being a special needs district over the past 30 years. The taxpayers here are not in the same situation as in East Brunswick or Woodbridge. Right now, were playing with this budget. We’re taking it to a vote.”
Board Member Anton J. Massopust, asked, “What happens if we don’t approve the budget?”
Board Attorney Machado answered, “The County looks down on districts that don’t pass their budget.”
Board Member Lissett Lebron said, “Have we done our due diligence? Where do we stand?”
Board Member Iglesia stated, “As chair of the Finance Committee we had no meeting on this budget.”
Superintendent Roman said, “I recommend we move forward with the budget. I want to build a high school. I want to build an elementary school. I want to implement our programs. We have done our due diligence. We will reevaluate this process in the future. I would ask the Board what would you consider cutting?”
“The Board has not had time to go over this budget. We don’t want to make cuts. I cannot ask questions about these numbers. We did not have time to look at it,” Vasquez stated.
“The County Superintendent would review the budget and go from there.”
Board President Puccio stated, “We have 12 minutes. We are voting on the second motion.”
Iglesia, “The motion is to amend the proposed budget, so we don’t have a property tax increase next year.”
Board Member Tashi Vasquez, Lissett LeBron, and Junior Iglesia voted “Yes.” Board Member Anton J. Massopust and Board President Ken Puccio voted, “No.” Motion passes. 3-2. Since the Budget was not passed, it went to the County.
No one spoke at the second public portion.
The Board Meeting ended at 11:53 p.m. Board Vice President Milady Tejada, and Board Members Jesus Martinez, Randy Convery were absent. Board Member Obi Gonzalez left after the second executive session due to illness.
