Effective July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2026
3/11/21 Board of Education Meeting via Zoom
By: Katherine Massopust
PERTH AMBOY – After the meeting was called to order, the Board went immediately into executive session at 5:38 p.m. It was suggested by Board Member Junior Iglesia that since there was a long agenda, and if the executive session goes on too long, the public should be informed. Board Attorney Isabel Machado stated she would set a timer.
At 7:26 p.m. the board retuned from closed session. There was only one public portion on any subject with each speaker allowed 3 minutes.
The first person to speak was Perth Amboy Federation President Pat Paridiso. She expressed her concerns about teachers being pressed into teaching things they are not qualified for. She also was concerned about some students who lost their much-needed specialists. She also criticized the renegotiation of the Superintendent’s contract, “We all want to save on cost due to financial hardships. Then why are we giving the Superintendent more money? Where are you saving money to pad the Superintendent’s contract? What is the rush? The Superintendent’s contract does not expire for a year. We should also see the terms and conditions of the contract.”
Lynn Audet, 30-year teacher and District Representative of the Perth Amboy Federation spoke next, “We have some teachers transferred. Many teachers are teaching in areas outside of their expertise. Once Covid-19 has passed, the teachers will return to their original position. I am making requests for there to be protocols. The Perth Amboy Board of Education should make Coivd vaccines available for our staff. Most people have been unable to get an appointment so far.”
Resident Sharon Hubberman spoke next. “I know there is a preliminary budget. Will there be invoking a tax levy? Federal Aid has been directed to many localities. Regarding the Superintendent’s contract – the Board should consider that each year, it seems to always come up. Why does Perth Amboy always amend an existing contract? I don’t believe it is also an obligation to review amendments.”
Resident, homeowner, and employee Diane Crawford spoke next. She asked about the property on Charles Street which is scheduled for demolition. “The grounds are well maintained, but it is an eyesore.” She then addressed the issue of the Superintendent’s contract, “I’m asking to rescind his request for another year. It is not my desire for you to deny his request. How do you know in a few years if you may not want to extend it? I should not need to read it in the newspaper to know what they are paying a Superintendent. The nondisclosure of salaries feels like we have something to hide.”
Resident and parent William Ortiz spoke next. “The CDC has been saying constantly that K-5 students are not victims of the virus. My first grader is languishing. He is smart but he is having difficulties. This format is mind numbing. K-5 are not spreading this virus. The plan is to open on April 21st. What is this going to look like for the school district? It’s been a year now since the pandemic began. The community has been lackluster to what the ideology is. Why are we revising contracts? In 3 to 4 years, I’d like to figure that out.”
Resident Lisa Alston spoke next. “We have no information given to us. I know staff that live within the city. The Superintendent is getting a pay raise. That is disgraceful. Perth Amboy is one of the only districts that doesn’t give information out. Parents have concerns. Zoom information should be given out (way ahead of time) to all parents so more people can be involved. Send out an email to all parents so they know what is going on.”
Superintendent Dr. David Roman made some remarks to address what the speakers said during the public portion. “It’s not the same program year to year (referring to which staff the district retians). The jobs are there. The program gets funded for the needs of the students. We are having a retreat next week. As far as the tax levy – We are receiving federal aid (stating that it is not determined yet if there will be a tax levy). I will share the budget.” He then stated, “Charles Street is an eyesore.”
Board Secretary Derek Jess explained that the demolition of those properties is supposed to occur, but the crossing has been held up because there is some difficulty with Conrail refusing to bend. Dr. David Roman stated that the district is on top of Conrail, and we will work with them.
Jess then gave an update on the new high school. They are testing piledrivers which look like telephone poles. The school will be built on pilings. They are testing to assure the ground is able to hold the pilings.”
Dr. Roman then stated the start date is Wednesday, April 21st to go hybrid.
Board Member Junior Iglesia requested that the agenda item regarding the 2021-2022 preliminary budget be read. It was noted that there will be a zero-property tax increase in the budget. Igelsia praised the finance committee: Tashi Vazquez, Stacey Peralta, and Ken Puccio for their work, “For the greater good of the community and how our budget serves the students’ needs – the best we can provide for them.” The preliminary budget for 2021-2022 is $25,850,431.00.
Board Secretary Jess commented that there is testing being done at the Ignacio Cruz Learning Center and Idealized Shirts (which is nearby) because the school was built on the grounds of an old Terra-Cotta Plant of which consists of some tanks which were not cleaned up.
Dr. Danielle Brown was thankful for a donation of books for Black History Month and hand sanitizer.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding the renegotiation of Superintendent Dr. David Roman’s contract which was to be voted upon.
Board Vice-President Tashi Vazquez spoke first. “I want to inform the public with information that will be helpful to them. There either is a lot of misunderstanding in the public or not enough information. It will cost the Board of Education $50 more (on the new contract with the Superintendent). Information is available. The old contract has a base salary and merit pay. The new contract eliminates the merit pay. Merit pay was instituted for the quantity and quality in dollars of goals achieved when the goals were met. There are still goals now, but the salary cap is different. Are we eliminating goals? Of course not. There will always be goals. We will set goals and they will be evaluated. For the first years, there was not an increase or raise contrary to what people believe. Now, there is a 2% raise on the base and no merit goals. There is a lot of misinformation about competitive contracts. Each class of Superintendent positions have similar salary guidelines. They are directed by the county, approved with all documentation. This is ensured accurate and approved by the county Superintendent which is required. Why are we settling a contract with the Superintendent when the teacher’s (union) contract is not settled? We have an administrator that wanted several more years. Some things are posted in social media. I believe in what Dr. Roman has been doing for our district. We have to give credit where credit is due. Our graduation rate has gone up from 40% to 80%. The Dual Language program (is successful). Our test scores before Covid have went up. Since when does whether or not you dislike someone affect a contract? Some say he is not a community man. Dr. Roman said, “I will feed every single child and their families, too,” (referring to the food distribution programs for children and their families in the district). If he didn’t care about our community, he would not be doing this. He has been on the phone to get staff vaccinations. The list goes on. This information was needed.”
Board Member Junior Iglesia stated he had a relative who works in the district, so he had to abstain.
Board Member R.L. Anderson spoke next. “Please be transparent. The most important thing – a student that possesses a quality education. Look at the SAT scores (from two years ago). If you look (at statistics), our reading and writing is seventh from the bottom – math 8th from the bottom. We are ranked 29 (from the bottom) out of 308 schools. That is the 6th percentile. 94% of schools did better. Why look and compare ourselves to low performing schools? The State of New Jersey has ranked every school: best 100 to worst 0. We are at 11. That means 89% of schools are better. Our middle schools are at 6 and 12. For our elementary schools: Wilentz is at 61% where 39% were better. The Dual Language School is at 80%. Wilentz and Dual Language – is where to go. Let’s compare ourselves to other districts. I won’t say we are. I’m tired of buzzwords. Let teachers teach. The Rose Lopez school was not included (in the stats). The data is from the year before. There should be more teacher driven instruction.” R.L. Anderson showed 2 bar graphs, one which the district put out. “The graduation rate basically leveled off at a small growth. I’m surprised we allowed this (a bar graph showing the improvement to the graduation rate over the years) to be published. It’s a little deceptive. Our graduation rate hasn’t skyrocketed.” Anderson then spoke about the Lighthouse district. “It is for a district that is doing poorly and has improved. I’d rather be a Blue Seal District. The District of Distinction? It’s been discontinued in 2021.” Anderson continued, “I’ve taught at Middlesex County College for years. Students knew me. You know why? They are from Perth Amboy. Math 101 – basic math. Perth Amboy High School did not have sufficient background in math. The Superintendent’s cap? I’ll use a football analogy. 15 years ago, Austin Gumbs passed the football. Can you name the running backs or wide receivers who won the super bowl? Maybe if you are a football aficionado. Austin Gumbs passed the ball to Mr. Rodecker. Austin Gumbs went to the SDA (School Development Authority) to secure funds for a new high school. He met with everyone and they had input from everyone. That data was turned over to architects for a contest. Other high schools were built everywhere. By the time we selected a winner – Ronan Architects won. Mr. Gumbs took it took the ball down the field. Mr. Rodecker took it to the second down. If we don’t put a plaque up to Mr. Gumbs (it would be wrong).” Anderson then concluded, “We will say no. It’s not about people – it’s about programs. The highest quality education – we are only asking. Just fulfill the current contract. What I stand for and go on and I stand on. The altruistic approach – I agree with equitable treatment for everyone. John Lewis said: when you see something that is not just – you have to say something and do something. That is why I am voting “No.””
Board Member Marisol Gonzalez stated she also had to abstain because of a relative employed in the district.
Board Member Dr. Danielle Brown recognized Austin Gumbs as well. “Do not diminish strides the district has made. It matters who your quarterback is. Right now, we have a quarterback who under his leadership our district has made progress. Our students have made progress. Numbers do not lie. We are in a better place under the leadership of Dr. David Roman. We should do right for the district. No one here works for him. I will vote “Yes”. It matters who the quarterback is. The quarterback is leading us in the right direction. Perth Amboy is moving in the right direction. I support him.”
Board President Ken Puccio spoke next. “I’ve been here for 12 years. I’ve been a police officer for 38 years. Some things can be misleading. I was around for all of that. There was political interference at that time. The city’s mayor interjected hindering in all that. They delayed us explicitly building a high school. I’ve seen this for 38 years as a police officer. This is personal. I am embarrassed to say I am President of the Board of Education. You are a part of this. The worst thing it can do is make it personal. I’m glad to vote for Dr. Roman.”
Board Member Michael George spoke next. “I’ve worked in this district more than anyone. I also taught in Middlesex County College and Rutgers and with different Superintendents. Why are we extending his contract? He is a man I’ve gotten to know for these past 3 months now. We may not need a down – we need a quarterback that can kick butt!”
The vote to approve the renegotiated Superintendent’s contract went as follows: Stacey Peralta, Michael George, Dr. Danielle Brown, Tashi Vazquez, Ken Puccio voted: “Yes”. Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe, R.L. Anderson voted: “No”. Junior Iglesia, Marisol Gonzalez abstained.
5 “Yes”, 2 “No”, 2 Abstentions. Motion passes.
The Board then voted to approve the 2020-2021 contracts with Dr. Vivian Rodriguez (Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction) and Delvis Rodriguez (Assistant Superintendent of Administration), Derek Jess (Business Administrator/Board Secretary) and Michael LoBrace (Assistant Business Administrator/Board Secretary). LoBrace will be leaving at the end of April 2021. The Board wished LoBrace well on his endeavors.
During the Old Business portion, Superintendent Dr. David Roman stated, “The Superintendent doesn’t have all the answers. We have a limited time on this earth. The injustices of this world that plague Perth Amboy. Together we will build a beautiful high school. To those individuals who didn’t believe in me – I will reach out to you. We were recognized by our colleagues. We are a lighthouse district. What can we do together? Sometimes the answer is no because we are doing something different.”
Board Vice-President Tashi Vazquez added, “Please reach out.”
Board Member Junior Iglesia said, “The most important thing is the construction of the new high school.”
The meeting adjourned at 9:31 p.m. All Board Members were present.
