PERTH AMBOY – Board Members Junior Iglesia and Tashi Vazquez at their final BOE Meeting.  *Photo by Katherine Massopust

11/17/22 Board of Education Meeting

By: Katherine Massopust

PERTH AMBOY – The meeting began with the Student Representative report.

During the public portion, District Representative Lynn Audet for the Perth Amboy Federation gave a statement.

It was suggested by Board Member Junior Iglesia for the sake of convenience, that speakers be allowed to speak for 5 minutes instead of the usual 3 minutes.

A mother of a student came up to speak. She mentioned that on Monday, November 21, 2022, there was to be a meeting with Board Members and parents to discuss the LGBTQ Curriculum. “There is a subject understanding their body. The kids have to come up to the board and identify the clitoris, vagina, and penis. This is inappropriate. Let’s fight for the parents. Our parents are not in agreement. They are taking away boy/girl and putting in they/them. Now learn all this in the classroom. I don’t want none of it. It encourages you might feel like a boy or a girl. It over sexualizes our children and removes innocence. It promotes transgenderism and hormone blockers. There is a new push to skip natural growth to our children. It promotes sexual activity. One project is to discuss the Pride Flag. There is a time and place for everything. We are not allowed to say “God” in school, but we can say “penis.” Let’s emphasize how to respect one another indoctrinate our kids.”

Resident Sharon Hubberman spoke on Zoom, “I sent an email to the Board President, Vice President and Board Secretary regarding publication of the special meeting (on 11/21/22) and have not received a response.” Hubberman stated that she did not receive any details about this meeting and if it is for the public. “We received $291 million dedicated part of the taxes, but most comes from the state. Changes should be emphasized in a way that parents can understand. Many changes are not age appropriate. The Board of Education should have that discussion publicly.”

Board Member Junior Iglesia stated, “One main goal in education is to accomplish this goal is to listen to public concerns. 80% of Latinos do not speak English. It is in the best interest of the Board of Education to make the meeting more inclusive. We need the Board of Education an English/Spanish Translator.

Board Vice President Tashi Vazquez stated, “I’ve been on the Board for six years now. I never had someone that doesn’t speak English at no time during my tenure have we stopped someone from speaking. By no means this service is not being provided. It is not a new concept.”

Iglesia said, “We need to advertise it more. Parents feel intimidates. We can make it better.”
Vazquez asked, “For a part or the entire meeting?”

Iglesia answered, “The public portion is the concern. It will be a safe space.”
The Board agreed.
Igelsia said, “It is an issue of great concern.” He continued to mention different districts in New Jersey who modified the LGBTQ Curriculum to be more age appropriate. “We all have to work together as one community. There are different pathways to teach. We need to decide what is the best course of action.”

Board President Ken Puccio responded to Igleia’s suggestions, “The state mandates what we teach. We are three months into the school year. They have to do what is mandated. Next time, we will have three new Board Members.”

Board Vice President Tashi Vazquez said, “The Special Meeting is not for the Board to vote upon the program. It is to communicate with the parents. It is a heavy conversation. It gives the parents an opportunity to put in their questions.”

Puccio added, “We are human beings. My personal opinion – I cannot let that cloud my judgement. Nobody is ignoring them. All of us care deeply. It is the parents’ job to come up and speak. Right now, I cannot interfere with my oath of office. People in Trenton don’t think about this. They want people’s votes.”

Board Member Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe said, “The districts (who modified the curriculum) are being sued. Four districts are involved in lawsuits.”

Puccio added, “To go into that loopholes are not an easy decision to make. The decision falls on your lap. This curriculum has been around since 2020. It is up to the people. Children have already been exposed to the curriculum.”
Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe said, “I agree with Mr. Puccio. Were having a meeting. That’s going to be heard. There is a line where the School Board can and can’t do.”
It was noted that there will be three new Board of Education Members in January.
Superintendent Dr. David Roman said, “We cannot go against the State Board of Education. The Conversation is at the legislative level. We must adhere to it. There are other areas that are alarming to parents. We feel your pain. That is why we have an opt out.”

There was a discussion as to whether the Board should have a special meeting on December 1st to vote upon this. The only Board Member to vote “yes” was Junior Iglesia.
It was noted that Board Members Tashi Vazquez, Junior Iglesia, and Dr. Danielle Brown (not present at the meeting) did not seek reelection and will be leaving the Board.

After the Public Portion was closed, Dr. David Roman stated there were reasons that executive sessions were so long. That is because not all the Board Members agree on things and there are heated discussions. “Board Vice President Tashi came to the table with open mind. You are a professional. What we do here is difficult. It has been a pleasure. I am looking forward to working with the new Board Members.”

Board President Ken Puccio said, “The perception is out there that Mr. Iglesia and I are adversaries. In the six years I’ve seen Mr. Iglesia – he takes his office seriously. He is a father and schoolteacher in New York City. It’s been my pleasure to serve with him.” Puccio then spoke about Tashi Vazquez, “I can’t say enough about Ms. Tashi Vazquez. I’ve known Tashi since she was ten years old when I was doing the DARE Program. They picked Tashi for the newspaper article. The newspaper quoted Tashi all over the place. This is the soul of Perth Amboy. She works 18 hours a day. It comes from the heart. She means well. We need a lot more Junior Iglesia, Tashi Vazquez and Dr. Danielle Browns. I am proud to say that Tashi is my friend. Thank you for what you do.”

Board Member Michael George said, “I’ve been on this Board during that time. Danielle is one of my students. Kudos to Ken Puccio and Tashi Vazquez and Mr. Igelsia. I have respect for you. We are losing four good people. (If Ken Puccio wins the Council election of which he is a candidate for, he will leave the BOE). Our hands are somewhat tied. We fight for you. I want to thank Tashi Vazquez, Junior Iglesia, Dr. Danielle Brown, and Ken Puccio for serving on the Board. You should be very proud.”

The Board went into closed session at 7:04 p.m. They returned at 8:40 p.m.

Board President Puccio gave the Board President’s report. He mentioned his condolences to Board Member Dr. Danielle Brown who lost her father, Harold Brown who was part of the Perth Amboy 1968 State Championship Basketball Team. “I was at that game.” Puccio also offered his sympathy to the family of Tyrone Fashaw, “Mr. Perth Amboy, – There wasn’t a football game he wasn’t involved in. He would take photos of games and ask for nothing. The last fourteen years has been a roller coaster – the happiest and the hardest.”

Superintendent Dr. David Roman said, “He is the premiere reason this district has moved forward. The district is welcoming everyone to the table. We don’t always have agreements in executive sessions. We work together for this district. He offered the opportunity to engage in us the quality of work being done. We’re building up a school to be opened up in September 2024. Have a Healthy, Happy, Peaceful Thanksgiving!”

Vazquez spoke about the DARE Program which she views as a wonderful addition to our students. “It builds a foundation.”

Puccio said, “Teaching DARE I get a better understanding what teaching is.”

There was a brief discussion on the donation of 450 winter coats from Mr. Eladio Ruiz and his project, “Cathy’s Kids,” under the direction of Mr. Michael LoBrace and Mr. Francisco Velez. It was noted that the principals will determine who is most in need.
There was also a brief discussion on a $500 donation to the Ignacio Cruz Early Learning Center form the Colonial Pipeline Company and a donation of 75 book bags from Home Depot of Perth Amboy. The principals will see that the students receive the supplies.

There was a brief discussion about changes in Zoom.

Board Vice President Vazquez spoke about armed security guards, “We thought it is very important. We have to do whatever is best for the community. We have to think about our students. You can hire police officers, security guards. They are here to make us safe.”

Dr. Roman thanked Dr. Tibor, “He has his ands full as an educator. He is thoughtful and pragmatic to keep everyone safe. We have a very safe school district.”
Near the end of the meeting, out-going Board Members Junior Iglesia and Tashi Vazquez made a few brief statements.

Board Member Junior Iglesia said, “For me, six years have been an honor. We learn to disagree. The decisions and collaborative – we all want what is best for the district. We don’t get paid for this.”

Board Vice President Tashi Vazquez thanked Dr. Roman and Ken Puccio. “I want to advocate. I want to be the light for somebody else and make sure to do that for our students. Being a Board Member gave me a voice. I am going to continue to do this when I can.”

Board President Ken Puccio said, “My destiny has not been decided yet. After serving on the Board for 14 years, I’ve got to serve with Mr. George. Stephanie – who sat there through the hardest times. You were the voice. You guys are here all the time. You bring us through a lot of negativity. You can’t please everyone. A lot between the 14 years ago. Them, you, us – we’ve seen you grow up.”

Vazquez added, “Some accomplishments over the last 6 years.” She went on to describe the clap-out which was suggested by Randy Convery for a teacher with certain credentials that was retiring. “To do that – what you think is simple can be immense. We don’t talk about the things. This Board has done a lot. It takes all of us. The community to put us in the right direction and tell us what is going on. It is not getting a rubber stamp. We are more different than you think. Get involved in local politics. Don’t give up! I encourage you to come with an open mind.”

The meeting adjourned at 9:48 p.m. Board Members Dr. Danielle Brown and Stacy Peralta were not present.