5/6/21 Board of Education Meeting in Person and Via Zoom
By: Katherine Massopust
PERTH AMBOY – There was a presentation by Superintendent Dr. David Roman, Board Secretary Derek Jess, and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Vivian Rodriguez on the 2021-2022 School Budget.
Dr. Roman began the presentation, “Programs and curriculum drive the budget.”
Jess continued with the presentation, “All salaries were moved up one step. Salaries make up 49.75% of the budget ($140,596,414) and 22.75% of the budget ($64,282,840) going to health benefits. There will be no tax levy increase (on the Board of Education end) for the 2021-2022 budget. There is a required local fair share of $47,282,840, For 2022, the general funding is: $26,129,743. That is a difference of $20,913,691.”
Dr. Vivian Rodriguez said, “We are bringing back afterschool programs on climate change, math, academics, games, and things most important to our students.”
Dr. David Roman added that the students will have emotional support.
Board Secretary Jess stated, “The source of budget revenue has increased by $10 million in state aid. For our culinary programs, the room needs to be upgraded.” It was noted by Jess that the total budget for the 2021-2022 school year is: $282,587,662.” Jess stated that for the school year, there is a projected $45 million in surplus.
Dr. David Roman added, “Thank you to the teachers – we appreciate you.”
After the presentation, Board Member Junior Iglesia said, “This budget takes into consideration the needs of the students. Taking in consideration of the taxpayers, a zero-tax increase (for Perth Amboy public schools). It is a fiscally responsible budget.”
The Board went into executive session at 6:19 p.m. They returned at 7:10 p.m.
Public Portion:
Both Perth Amboy Federation President Pat Paradiso and Perth Amboy Federation District Representative Lynn Audet NBCT gave statements.
Pat Paradiso: “I would like to comment on an item in new business – the job description for Leveled Literacy Instruction Teacher.
I notice that the first qualification for the job is “Holds a valid New Jersey Certification as Reading Specialist and/or master’s degree in Reading or equivalent major. We already have teachers who hold these degrees. They were all moved to different schools, different grade levels and different content areas in August of 2020. They all “took one for the team” during the pandemic and taught wherever our students needed them. These staff members should not have to apply to get their positions back. Please do not tell me that this is about programs and not people, as I have been told in the past. Programs do not teach students, teachers teach students. Tossing people aside in this manner is very unprofessional. Changing the name of a program is no justification for pushing senior staff members aside.”
Lynn Audet: “On May 6, 2021, I addressed the Perth Amboy Board of Education about the issues with ventilation in our schools that are not serviced by an HVAC system. I made a formal and public request to have PEOSHA come to assess the ventilation systems in School 7, Peterson School, DLS, East Campus, South Campus, and PLP. The Federation has made requests to Central Administration several times for a PEOSHA assessment of these schools, but we have yet to receive a response.
The ventilation report and HVAC study that was prepared by KSI Consulting Engineers LLC in April gave recommendations for air scrubbers/purifiers to use in classrooms and other areas that do not have HVAC systems. Becht Engineering reviewed the report and recommendations, and they confirmed KSI’s findings. I sent both reports to the entire Board of Education via PAPS email on April 23, 2021.
In the report, KSI Consulting Engineers stated: “The order of magnitude cost estimate for all of the equipment recommended in this Study ranges from $1,418.00 and $1,659.00 per unit and bidding and/or large volume orders typically will result in reduced costs per unit.” They then recommend air scrubbers and purifiers for the areas in question.
The district did not purchase any of the recommended air scrubbers or purifiers, but instead chose to purchase Aera Max 90 air purifiers. They are available at Walmart for $147.00 each. I researched the Aera Max 90s and discovered that they are intended to be used in rooms that are between 100 and 200 square feet, however, the owner’s manual for the product suggests 90 square feet. They are probably acceptable for small offices, but they are NOT intended for classrooms. The classroom sizes of the buildings without an HVAC system according to the KSI Engineers report, ranges from 440 square feet-1,287 square feet.
I get calls daily from staff at these buildings that the lights on the Aera Max 90s are amber or red nearly all day, which according to the owner’s manual indicates high levels of pollutants in the air. Aera Max 90s are just not good enough for classrooms that range from 440-1287 square feet, even if there are two in a room. Additionally, many of these classrooms have windows that do not open or do not stay open.
It is unfortunate that the district has chosen to purchase air purifiers that were not recommended by the engineering companies that they hired in the first place. Purchasing these air purifiers is what I can only assume was an attempt to save money, or it was all that they could get since they waited a year to purchase anything.
At the Board meeting, it was stated that the Board has a letter from KSI Engineering confirming that the air purifiers that they purchased were acceptable. Central Administration sent me both the initial KSI report and the Becht Engineering report which lists dozens of issues throughout our schools, but they never sent me this letter saying that the air purifiers that they purchased were acceptable? That is nonsensical. If this letter exists, there would be no need for me to press this issue. Why wouldn’t they want me to see this letter? Again, nonsensical…
After my colleague, Pat Paradiso and I speak at every Board of Education meeting, we must endure being berated and being called disingenuous or unprofessional. We are scolded like we are children. It really does not upset either of us because we know that we are doing what we need to do for the staff of the Perth Amboy Public Schools. We as their Union Leadership will continue to bring these and other issues to the attention of the Board of Education, and we will continue to fight for the safety of our staff, our collective bargaining agreement, and for the rights of our members.
The same goes for all the intervention teachers and math specialists who did whatever was asked of them during the pandemic. They should have the option to return to their former positions.
We have been told by the Board that moving staff members into these positions saved jobs. What jobs have they saved? The staff members in question were tenured teachers with seniority. Their jobs were never at risk.
I also know that Leveled Literacy Instruction is a Fountas & Pinnell program. We currently do not use Fountas & Pinnell in Perth Amboy. Is the district purchasing educational materials and a program without any input from teachers? Section 2 Article 6 A of our Collective Bargaining Agreement states:
“Teachers shall be included in the ongoing process of curriculum development, including the selection of educational materials.”
If the Board has approved this material, or purchased this material without teacher input, it is a violation of the Agreement.
We are also concerned that implementing a new reading program means that we will no longer be using Orton-Gillingham. We feel that Orton-Gillingham is the best program to help students who really struggle with both decoding and encoding. The district should invest money in our people by having them get trained in Orton-Gillingham instead of spending money on another program.”
Former PAHPC Chair and Reporter for New Brunswick Today Reinaldo Aviles spoke next. “I want to talk about an issue from 4 years ago: the arch and retaining wall at Waters Stadium. The retaining wall was built as WPA project in the 1930’s. The late City Historian Anton Massopust (who was also a Board Member) invited me to a meeting. Mr. Dyke was there as well. the HPC had an expert to look at it. Perth Amboy owns the property. The Board of Education maintains it. The Board has a fiduciary duty to maintain that structure. Is there plans to retain the historic edifice?”
City Historian John Dyke spoke next. “I’m here on business. Prior to Covid-19, over 800 students were given tours to educational sites about Perth Amboy History. Years ago, George Schneck and myself set up Channel 34. I get many questions about the stone archway in Waters Stadium. People ask about it. It has great sentimental value. Hundreds of students walked through that archway either for athletic events or for graduation. When are we going to restore it? Can we move on it?”
Superintendent Dr. David Roman answered Dyke, “Clearly the archway needs to be preserved. We will get the archway done. We will all stand with it.”
Board President Ken Puccio said, “It’s happening.”
Assistant Superintendent Delvis Rodriguez said, “(Board Member) Lissette Lebron and I talked about it. Members of the city council were not keen on it. We will make this happen. We will put in the new high school with historic arches – that will take place. We will blend the old with the new.”
Board President Ken Puccio said, “We are totally at a point. It’s going beyond the dialogue. It’s going in a different direction. It is going to happen and be a reality.”
Board Vice President Tashi Vazquez said, “We want to get it done. Have someone who knows how to fix it. It’s important to get it done. It is of sentimental value.”
Board Member Michael George said, “The façade at Waters Stadium – can it be rebuilt? Get an architect who is local. I think it is important to our town. I would like to serve on that committee.”
Dr. Roman said, “The archway at Waters Stadium – we will do both – not tear it down.”
The conversation then turned to air purifiers in various buildings. Assistant Superintendent Delvis Rodriguez said, “The air purifiers were appropriate (to the size of the buildings).
Dr. Roman added, “Principals should address anything that is needed in their buildings.”
The topic of a Level Literature Instruction Teachers came up. Dr. Roman explained that any teacher in the district is free to apply for the position, but it will also be advertised outside the district. “It is the best possible solution to move this district forward. “We are transparent. We will not entertain the notion that we don’t care about our staff.”
There was a discussion on the topic of opening the schools. Dr. Roman assured everyone that the Board will have a conversation with the entire community. “On the first day of school, please let me know if there is anything you need. The principals are involved so everyone is safe. The staff have been the stars of the show. Our teachers went to workshops. If we have a problem, please go to the principals.”
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Vivian Rodriguez stated that Teacher Appreciation Day was wonderful.
Board Member R.L. Anderson reminded everyone not to forget to recognize the Governor’s Professional Awards in which the deserving staff are listed on the paps website.
Board Member Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe asked if there were any plans to hold back any students from moving on to the next grade.
Dr. Roman stated that the district is waiting on that information and how to address those difficulties.
Dr. Roman stated that the district is hiring more teachers and all of these positions are open to the current teachers.
Dr. Vivian Rodriguez stated, “Afterschool programs will continue in the fall. We will have a very robust summer school program.”
Board Member Márquez-Villafañe asked, “Are there any specific programs for special education students?”
Dr. Roman said, “It takes leadership to get things done. Have students evaluated allows us to place them properly.”
Dr. Vivian Rodriguez said, “The summer programs are new and improved. There are more Rutgers University programs.
Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe added, “It is teacher appreciation week. This is the first time I am walking without an assisted device. A lot of teachers I appreciate. There are different ways we can show appreciation of a teacher. Where are the teacher’s negotiations are?”
Dr. David Roman said, “The chair of negotiations is all on it with the Board Attorney.”
Board Attorney Isabel Machado answered, “I did receive from the AFT Attorneys. I will have something for next week. We will present it to the AFT.”
Board Vice President Ken Puccio thanked Senator Joe Vitale, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez for making sure we are vaccinated (against Covid).
Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe added, “It is Nurses Day. I just want to give a shout out to our nurses districtwide to all of our school nurses.”
Puccio added that he wished everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.
Board Member Junior Iglesia stated, “We have come a long way. By 2033, we will have the first human on Mars. We are destined to make history again and transforming the world and change the world as we know it and make our future something to look forward to.”
The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
