3/24/22 Board of Education Meeting
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – At the beginning of the Board of Education Meeting, Student Representative Charlize Leon gave a brief overview of activities that went on during the last couple of months. First of all, she mentioned March being Woman’s History Month and that her mom was her biggest role model. She then mentioned other female leaders that were also her role model and that this month some of the students dressed as women they admired. She also mentioned that March also included Read Across America and that Perth Amboy had a top female wrestler, Ahsia Torres who was recognized nationwide. She urged all to attend the annual musical, “Kinky Boots.” She added, “No, it’s not bad. We appreciate the counselors that support the students.”
Public Portion:
Perth Amboy Federation President Pat Paradiso spoke first. She read a statement. Part of her statement read as follows: “We are often accused of lying. We have raised red flags about teachers leaving. Even Board Member Junior Iglesia would talk about this, but he no longer does. We’ve discussed staff injuries by students and students injuring each other (it’s too many). For too long, things were swept under the carpet. (It took a video to bring this out in the open).”
Perth Amboy Federation Union Representative Lynn Audet spoke next: “In November, we reported about the staff being injured by students and how to improve these conditions. We welcome Board Members to attend meetings where we discuss these problems.”
The next person to speak was Retired Attorney George Boyd, “I was a 1962 graduate of Perth Amboy High school. I serve as the Executor of Katherine McDermott who left a portion of her estate to the Perth Amboy Education Center for scholarship for the students. At a previous meeting, I voiced concerns on how the funds were used. You went into an executive session that lasted for four hours, and I wasn’t able to stay that long. In February of 2020, I gave the Board of Education the first check from that estate for $240,000. On October 20, 2020, I gave a check for $224,000. I was not informed on how this money was used. I heard a committee was formed on how to distribute the monies. Tonight, I am presenting a third check of $101,641. The McDermott Family wishes everyone well and enjoy the money.”
Acting Business Administrator/Board Secretary Michael LoBrace answered for the Board. “We will have a meeting about the monies received and will be distributed.”
Board President Ken Puccio thanked Mr. Boyd for his service and what you have done for the McDermott Family.”
Boyd responded, “I was on the Board of Education, and it was the toughest job I ever had.”
Board Member Junior Iglesia said, “This is my opinion only, but the public must have the right of having advanced notice of meetings.” He also read an email that was sent to him by a resident. The letter said, “We should have the public participate in meetings electronically. Even if you are vaccinated, you can still transmit the virus.” Junior then said, “We are representatives of the people and public communications matter to me. I make a motion that we could also have meetings via Zoom, online, or by phone or in-person.”
Board Member R.L. Anderson seconded the motion.
Superintendent Dr. David Roman spoke up, “There may have to be a policy change first.”
Board Attorney Isabel Machado mentioned, “I revised the policy for the Board to look at, and you could vote to table until the Board can look at the policy.”
Vice-President Tashi Vazquez questioned, “Should we have a first and second reading?”
Board Attorney Machado suggested they table this matter for the Board to look at the policy.
Iglesia was not happy, “The city council just takes a simple vote at their council meetings if they want to do the meetings remote and in person.”
Vazquez responded, “We need to table this and see how to manage this. I know there are restrictions, and I am making a motion to table this decision and bring it back at a later date.”
Puccio seconded that decision.
Igelsia agreed to discuss it at the next meeting, but Dr. Roman spoke up and said that it might not be until June. Igelsia stated, “It might be more beneficial to us if the public can attend (in-person or via Zoom).”
R.L. Anderson stated that he was against tabling this issue. “The public should be more aware if something happens like if we get another pandemic. If the legal work was already done, let’s just make this happen.”
Board Attorney Machado said, “The legal work for this policy has already been done.”
Board President Puccio said, “I’ve been on the Board for 12 years, and I’ve seen the public come here in mass when something affects them, but in the last couple of meetings, it is the same 2 or 3 people who always come to the mic. The person who sent that email (about meetings should be held remotely and in-person) is sitting home and running for office.”
Vazquez spoke up, “If the legal work is done for this policy, we can view it and present it at the April meeting. I am still voting to table.”
Puccio agreed, “We need to go about it the right way. It has to be an act of emergency by the Governor (to have remote meetings).”
Iglesia said, “We discussed this a few months ago.”
R.L. Anderson said, “There are still people who can be immune compromised and cannot come to meetings.”
Superintendent Dr. Roman said, “The policy committee can meet. It is a sense of urgency.”
The Board decided to vote to table; the only two Board Members to vote “No,” was Anderson and Iglesia. Motion to table was carried.
Vice President Vazquez briefly talked about Perth Amboy Education Foundation. “The Executive Team were moving forward on the McDermott Scholarship Money. I want to thank all who donate money. 50 scholarships will be given out this year. You can also donate your time.”
Council President Puccio said, “I want to congratulate all the students.”
The Board went into closes session at 6:19 p.m. and returned at 8:17 p.m.
When they came back, Board Member Junior Iglesia had concerns about the February 3rd Meeting. He said, “Mr. Anderson voted “No” on one of the items. They had him abstaining on some of the items on the minutes of the February 3rd Meeting. I have a recording of the meeting, and you can hear exactly how he voted. He did not vote to abstain. As you hear, he voted, “No,” and it should be corrected.”
When President Ken Puccio read his report and mentioned that a bus driver had passed away suddenly. For Woman’s Month Puccio recognized the women on the Board and what you bring to the table. “My mom set an example. She was a cleaning woman at the school and never missed a day. We get raked through the coals, and we don’t get paid for this. When we hear something, we do care. There are some things that we are prohibited from talking about in public. WE care immensely and that is why we are behind. In 2012 I was sued, and I had ethics charges against me for talking out. I apologize for my rant.”
Superintendent Dr. Roman gave his report, “I concur with what Puccio said. I want to recognize all the woman on the Board, and my mom who is no longer here, and my wife. Recently, we had discussions about national security where all staff, students, parents, and police participate in every school to talk about positivity. We have a zero-tolerance policy (when it comes to unacceptable behavior) and there are programs to support our children. Sometimes expulsions and arrests are necessary. All are responsible for what happens in the district and to make it better.”
Board Member Junior Iglesia wanted to briefly talk about the state funded surplus money, “Our balance from November 30, 2021, thru January 31, 2022, is a little bit over $76 million. “Due to the fact that we’ve had an increase in state aid this year, I vote that we remove the property tax increase in this budget.”
Vice President Vazquez spoke up, “It’s the temporary budget.” She wanted an explanation of what exactly would be the 2% tax increase and the state aid and the fair share.
Superintendent Dr. Roman explained that, “The new high school has to be taken into consideration.”
B.A. Michael LoBrace explained, “The surplus we have will decrease because it is now being placed in the appropriate accounts.”
Dr. Roman interjected, “The new high school will eat up some of that surplus money.”
LoBrace added, “The surplus net will be 5.6% and the state aid is based on the property taxes. The fair share is the amount from the state and what the district should tax the resident. Our tax levy is $26 million. We are undertaxing the residents. $15 million to $18 million will decrease the surplus because of the cost associated with the new high school.”
Dr. Roman explained, “The tax increase will amount to $37 per household.”
LoBrace then mentioned, “May 7th is the last day we can make changes to the budget. $5 million will be used for transportation associated with the new high school.”
Board Member R.L. Anderson spoke up, “$37 is only the school tax. There will be other increases.”
Vice President Vazquez said, “The school, the county, the state, and the library will also increase your taxes besides the $37 already mentioned.”
Council President Puccio asked, “What happens if we do not approve the preliminary budget?”
Iglesia spoke up, “The District is only obligated to provide sufficient education which includes all of our programs. The new high school will have teachers that are already employed in the current high school. We pay 3 times as much as other states in property taxes. Inflation is going up and more housing going up means more students and more state-funding aid.”
Dr. Roman responded, “There will be need for more staff members which will cost millions of dollars for the new high school.”
When it came time to vote for adoption the 2022 budget, it was moved by Iglesia, seconded by Anderson. George, Gonzalez, Vazquez, Puccio voted “Yes,” and Anderson, Iglesia voted “No,” Peralta abstained. (Brown and Márquez-Villafañe were absent). Motion passes.
There was a long discussion regarding the amount of teachers leaving the district. Iglesia said, “149 Staff Members left in the last 6 months which affects our students and the quality of education they receive. It could be a number of factors, maybe large class sizes. We should have a yearly survey to ask what are the reasons for resigning?”
Vice President Vazquez responded, “Some have to resign because they may be in a part-time position, and are being promoted to a full-time position.”
Igelsia continued, “We should have a yearly survey asking what are the reasons that people want to resign.”
R.L. Anderson spoke up, “Resignations are not always about being removed from the district.”
Board Member Marisol Gonzalez said, “I’ve been an educator, and it has been pretty hard years for teachers. We should look at other schools, because they have a lot of people who are leaving their schools also. Some people just want a career change.”
Iglesia spoke up again, “We are going through a difficult time. A lot of people are switching jobs and careers. Let’s take a survey to see why people leave and how we can address everyone’s needs and how we can make our district better.”
Vazquez spoke up, “We know there are concerns. We are not ignorant to discipline and morale issues, and we hear your concerns. We have people leaving after 10 years of service.”
Dr. Roman stated, “We hired 31 people. A lot of things have to take place in what we have to do. Accountability is our concern.”
Gonzalez said she agreed with having a survey done.
Iglesia asked, “As long as we show respect in our disagreements, it is okay.”
Puccio ended this discussion, “There has been a lot of dialogue tonight. Teaching is one of the hardest jobs to do and some may think after a while, this job is not for me. The pandemic has changed people’s behavior. It is hard to fill positions all over – not just here.”
Under New Business, Iglesia talked about the new by-laws and policies. “I don’t remember voting for this. The language was changed from “shall” to “may.”
Board Attorney Machado said, “I will have to see when the by-laws were last changed. It could be a first reading if no changes were made.”
Dr. Roman spoke about the growth and the positivity of our district. “The graduation rate has gone up and we are moving up with the QSAC Mandates. We are moving forward on transitional skills for employment for our disabled students. We are in the design phase for the archway improvements at Waters Stadium. We’ll share positive points during PowerPoint Presentations.”
The Board went into executive session at 10:04 p.m. with no further action taken. Board Members Dr. Danielle Brown and Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe were not present.
