9/17/20 Board of Education Meeting Via Phone-Conferencing

By: Katherine Massopust

PERTH AMBOY – There was no executive session at the 9/17/20 BOE Meeting due to the fact the Board had nothing to discuss. Therefore, the meeting began with one public portion of which anything could be discussed. There would be no public portion at the end of the meeting.

The first person to speak (first name Johanna) was a parent of students in the Rose M. Lopez School.  She argued that the virtual learning school day was from 8:35 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and it was too long and stressful day for her child. “It’s hard to focus. At 1 p.m. my daughter gets tired. Consider the half-day model.”

The next person to speak was a mother of a boy in elementary school. “My son’s elementary school there are so many distractions. Every time you update the computer system something happens. Everyone blames it on the Wi-Fi. A lot of times since this is going on everything is out of control. No one is looking out for the kids. Reconsider for all the kids to have a half-day. Right now, half the day I take him to work. The kids are straining their eyes and the teachers don’t give them a break. Leave selfishness aside. We are in a crisis and there should be a half-day for all kids.”

District Representative Lynn Audette for the PA-AFT spoke next. “The parents’ preference for remote decision – do here for grades 5-12. Then there is more planning time for teachers. Teachers have a 45-minute preparation period and they are losing that prep time. Please consider the time for teachers.”

President of the PA-AFT Pat Paradiso spoke next. “I echo what Lynn Audet said, specifically spending hours and hours to prepare from scratch. We need books and Brain Pop for science. Everything they do – they are exhausted. We need clear protocols when teachers get sick. We need it in writing and in English and Spanish.”

The next person to speak was the mother of 4 children in the school system. “I’d like to voice my opinion on virtual learning. 3 of my 4 children are miserable. Children who love to go to school are miserable. My one daughter thinks of this as an invasion. It takes its toll on mental health. A full day is too much. Go to the half-day learning. Kid’s need to socialize in 1:1 groups.”

After the public spoke, there was a long discussion of the survey sent out to parents on their preferences for online learning, how many responded, and what needed to be done.

Board President Tashi Vazquez began the discussion, “We hear you – the survey – the administration has been working around the clock. This situation is not ideal, and we will continue to reach out for suggestions. DO NOT use social media for your platforms. Email your teacher, the superintendent, a Board of Education Member. We hear you. Social media is not an avenue. I have concerns. Let’s continue to do that. We work together to get the steps needed to get there. We are not alone. These issues are not unique to Perth Amboy. Let’s do this together. Covid is still very real.”

Superintendent Dr. David Roman said, “Putting your heart out on the line puts you in jeopardy. I ask parents to continue. I want to commend the board. This pandemic is not easy. We are listening to you. We are getting email daily. Please communicate with us. We welcome correspondence of parents. Dr. Vivian Rodriguez and Mr. Delvis Rodriguez are actively involved to resolve issues. We cannot make everyone happy. Some parents want half-day. Some parents want a full day. As superintendent, to the parents of this community, I hear you. I see you. I love your children. We are trying to get them to compete in this world. If we don’t provide instruction, they may not be able to reach their ability to compete in this nation. To balance – that’s what we are up against. They need to be at a reading level that has to be on the level of this nation. We will make the decision that is best for the community. Children need to be able to read at an appropriate level. I want them to be able to compete in this world. Staff members have concerns. We have to come to some balance. We need to be transparent – what would you like? I can’t provide for half-day programs in the afternoon. We want to provide instruction for students. It’s complicated.”

Dr. Roman then stated that for pre-school children, mornings on the computer are better, but effectively parents must assume all of the tutorials. “For Kindergarten and Grades thru 4, 60% to 80% of parents want half day morning online classes. We are looking at that. We have to look at the availability of staff. We have special ed students to think about. For grades 5 thru 12 there is no way that any district can solve all the problems. I will challenge their students. There are 2000 school districts in the state of New Jersey. Our focus is on helping to reach the students.”

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Vivian Rodriguez said, “Proficiency for the third-grade reading goes from learning to reading to learn. 4 out of 5 low income students miss this critical milestone. Many parents work and come home and go over the lessons with the children. Some can’t work and stay home with their children. All over the country – what to do with the earlier grades? Parents are asking for half day schedules. I can’t say how worried I am at this schedule. This is a very serious decision. I don’t know how far we are going behind. We try to look at all sides of the decision. It is not isolated. We have to know the decision on the elementary level.”

Superintendent Dr. David Roman said, “Respectful, thoughtful, considerate – we have to design a new schedule. I hear you. It is very cumbersome. Our graduation rate has increased again. I care about the child in the graduation rate. We have to do it the right way.”

Dr. Vivian Rodriguez added, “We have to schedule elementary (level) first.”

Dr. Roman said, “As far as the half-day, the reality of the afternoon is we cannot provide a serious level of instruction for your children.”

Dr. Vivian Rodriguez said, “Everyone said small group inside (school) in the afternoon. We have only a finite number of teachers and staff. We may be looking at scattered tutoring during the week. There is a desire of coming in in small groups.”

Dr. David Roman said, “As long as parents understand it is a major responsibility. The decision we make today impacts us 2 years from now. In 2 years from now, the children won’t be where they need to be. If everyone is okay with that, I’m okay with that. We’ll accommodate what we need to accommodate. Programs need to be modified to meet the needs of the community. For us to address students with special needs, teachers need to be in a classroom.”

Assistant Superintendent Delvis Rodriguez said, “$620,000 is spent to ensure the safety of your children: 24,000 for disposable masks, 16,000 for reusable masks, 30,000 filters for the masks. $6,000 for plastic face shields for nurses, $800 for gowns, 44 sprayers to clean. It is approximately $500,000. There are decals (with directions) how to wash your hands. More than $22,000 for more decals, hand sanitizers, 235 1-gallon hand sanitizer containers, 1,500 automatic dispensers and toilet seat covers, 500 plexiglass covers, and thermal scanners when you walk past it and take the temperatures, hand held thermometers ($7,500).”

Superintendent Dr. David Roman said, “When you say you are not adequately prepared, we cannot solve all of this in the pandemic. You tell us what you want. I’m proud that the decision we make is in the best interest of our students.” Dr. Roman changed the subject for the moment and discussed the SAT exam. “We are still addressing the SAT and PSAT exams.”

Board Member Dianne Roman said, “The SAT day is open all day and handles up to 500 students.”

Board Secretary Derek Jess said, “Every student has been issued a Chromebook. They are given Wi-Fi if they need it.”

There was a brief discussion on fall sports. Dr. Roman said, “Adhering to safety protocols regarding the state. It changes say by day. Students, staff, are regularly tested. We have not stopped our participation in the GMAC.”

Board Member Ken Puccio thanked the Board, especially Board President Tashi Vazquez for all their support during his illness. “Hearing you guys kept me going.”

The SBYSB came up for voting. Board Member Tashi Vazquez stated, “The resolution we present is a state program which is in its 20th year and is now back for 2020. In 2001, I had received my first employment at the Jewish Renaissance through this program. I want to thank the Board of Education for support of this program. I support them and their efforts. It exposes them to other students.”

Dr. Roman added, “Here is a program that speaks to uplift children.”

All the Board Members voted “yes”.

Dr. David Roman said, “Are we looking to change the upper grades? No. For PreK, K, & 1-4, if we go half-day, we may fall behind.”

Dr. Roman discussed the survey sent out to the parents. He stated that 80% of the parents responded for grades PreK, K, 1-4. He noted that of the 20% who did not respond and special needs students, they may want the full day of online learning and their feelings must be noted. For grades 5-12, 60% of the parents surveyed answered they want half-day of online learning. Dr. Roman stated that 40% of the parents didn’t answer and may want full-day learning. 

The Amboy Guardian contacted the Board President for further clarification. The Board President stated she would get back to us. As of this printing, she has not yet given a response.

Superintendent Dr. David Roman and the Board agreed for PreK, K, and Grades 1-4 to have the half-day learning. But not for Grades 5-12. “We see you. We love you and we try.”