PAHS Sailing Team with Board of Education Members
*Photo by Katherine Massopust
3-17-19
By: Katherine Massopust
PERTH AMBOY – The location of the 3/7/19 Board of Education Meeting was changed from Perth Amboy High School to McGinnis School. There were several presentations at the Meeting. The Student Representatives stated that the 2019 PAHS play is “9 to 5”.
Mrs. M. J. McAdam gave a presentation of an overview on Student Safety, Data System and Harassment, Intimidations, Incidents, Trainings and Programs.
Sailing Team Coach Mr. Gary Signor gave a presentation on the Perth Amboy High School Sailing Team. “Each (of the team members) chose to face the ruthless water of the bay. They are learning lessons far beyond sailing. To experience something is the best teacher.” Signor then quoted JFK stating: “We do these things not because they are easy, but they are hard.” He thanked Barry Rosengarten for donating the sailboats for the sailing team. A short video on the Sailing Team followed.
Board Vice-President Tashi Vasquez remarked about the sailing team, “A lot of students go on to college and do not have what other students have. Now you can say that you were on a sailing team in our beautiful Waterfront.”
Rubik’s Cube Champion Patrick Ponce Jr.
Mr. Signor then highlighted one of the Sailing Team Members, Patrick Ponce Jr. who is a Rubik’s Cube Champion. At the Meeting, Patrick gave a demonstration of solving the Rubik’s Cube with lightening speed both two-handed and one-handed. At one-point Patrick held the world’s record for solving the Rubik’s Cube (4.241 seconds – two-handed).
Ms. Carmen Southward, District Director of Operations came up to speak about Woman’s Day of Celebration in honor of March being Woman’s History Month. Two students from Perth Amboy High School visited the School Development Authority Building in Trenton. Ms. Southward stated, “Women have come a long way over the years, now having the right to vote and own property, but there still many inequalities. She showed a photo on the screen of the two students in Trenton by a picture of an artist’s rendition of the new Perth Amboy High School. “It’s on the SDA Twitter page. We toured the building and met women leaders. There was a question and answer period and one of our students asked a question. There was a proclamation of New Jersey in the Celebration of Women. There is move for more equality and opportunity.”
Many members of the Perth Amboy Federation of Teachers attended the meeting to voice their opinions in protest of what they feel were condescending presentations at the previous Board Meeting (2/7/19). This was especially in protest over Assistant Superintendent Richard Chromey’s presentation at that Board Meeting referring to “Henny Penny”. The AFT had spoken to the press because some classrooms were so cold that students and staff were wearing their coats and scarves while class was going on.
The Board went into executive session at 6:16 p.m. and returned at 8:40 p.m. During this time, the Perth Amboy Federation of Teachers who were wearing blue T-shirts (with Perth Amboy Federation of Teachers on them) shouted out that the union stands together. They carried a banner mocking the reference to being compared to fairy tale characters. At one point, the Perth Amboy Federation marched around the auditorium of McGinnis School making their presence known.
After the Board returned from Executive session, Board Secretary Derek Jess read a letter from the School Ethics Commission. This was in reference to an ethics violation complaint filed against Board Members Ken Puccio, Obi Gonzalez, Israel Varela, and Milady Tejeda on 10/28/15 stating they violated NJSA-18A:12-24C. The charges against Ken Puccio were dismissed with prejudice. Board Members Obi Gonzalez, Israel Varela, and Milady Tejeda were to be suspended from the Board for 60 days. Since they are no longer seated Board Members, the modified recommended penalty currently for any respondent who is no longer a seated Board Member goes from suspended to censure from an office for School Official.
During the first part of the public portion, Board Certified Teacher Lynn Audet spoke about the reasons for the high turnover rate in the school district. “We did surveys. Many teachers said they want to retire. What I feel is important for the Board of Education to know is that the staff is unhappy here. They will not put that down in their resignation letter. Staff had expressed that they are belittled. They are overwhelmed, exhausted, and unappreciated. Month after month teachers are resigning. It breaks my heart what I hear from the staff. Things need to change.”
Perth Amboy AFT Teachers and Staff protest at the 3/7/19 Board of Education Meeting at McGinnis School *Photos by Katherine Massopust
Perth Amboy Federation President Pat Paradiso spoke next. She questioned the new attendance policy for support staff which was on the agenda. She stated that the new policy states that the Certified Staff Attendance Policy is the same for the Support Staff. The regulation guide states that the immediate supervisor determines which absence is justified or needs clarification and what requires discipline. “Since these policies are identical, non-certified employees and certified employees are being treated the same. It’s of concern (to the Perth Amboy AFT).”
Later in the Meeting, Superintendent Dr. David Roman pulled the policy (4212) off the agenda for later review.
Board Member Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe questioned CUR-15) No. 8 Approval to purchase home libraries to K-12 immigrant students at a total cost not to exceed $134,750.00 under the supervision of Mr. Rogelio Suarez, Director of Bilingual/ESL & World Languages and Dr. Vivian C. Rodriguez, Assistant Superintendent of Learning/Educational Services. Funded through Title III Immigrant Account Numbers.
Márquez-Villafañe asked what is considered the definition of an immigrant.
Mr. Rogelio Suarez came up to the podium and answered the question. “This is a purchase under Title III. An immigrant is considered someone not from the United States or its territories (here for under 1 year and half). Each child will have their own library (K-12) under the guidance of Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Roman. There is 50% fiction; 50% non-fiction; each 50% in English and 50% in Spanish. We will train parents how to use the library at home when it is distributed.”
Board Member Lissette Lebron stated she enjoyed Read Across America. “It’s great to be a part of it.”
During the Second Public Portion Donna Tartza and Pat Paradiso from the PAAFT spoke. Tartza’s statement is on p.2.
All the Board Members were present at the Meeting.
A banner stating “Concerns are not Fairy Tales or Fables” the Perth Amboy AFT carried during their protest
