Dr. Danielle Brown is sworn in as a Board of Education Member. Board Secretary Derek Jess administers the oath.
*Photo by Katherine Massopust
3 Candidates Interviewed
1/17/19 Special Board of Education Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
Ana Mascenik
PERTH AMBOY – Board Secretary Derek Jess personally thanked the School Board of the State of New Jersey. He read a proclamation from NJ Governor Phil Murphy. Governor Murphy indicating that January 2019 is School Board Recognition Month. Governor Murphy wanted to recognize the over 5000 local Board of Education Members who give their service to their perspective communities and the State of New Jersey.
A video was shown recognizing Board President (Police Officer) Ken Puccio who years ago had saved a baby’s life (see article below). Now, that young man was being sworn in as a Perth Amboy Police Officer.
Board of Education Member Milady Tejeda was elected to the Perth Amboy City Council, and therefore had to resign her position on the Board of Education. The Special Meeting on 1/17/19 was held to appoint a Board Member to fill that vacancy. This appointment is effective until the Organization Meeting following the November 2019 annual School Board Election.
There were three candidates: Ana Mascenik, Anthony Bermudez, and Dr. Danielle Brown. The Meeting was held at McGinnis School. Board Member Jesus Martinez was not present at the Meeting.
Each of the Board Members asked the same question to each of the three candidates.
The first candidate interviewed was Ana Mascenik:
Ana Mascenik Opening Statement: I’ve been involved in the Public Schools System in Perth Amboy for 50+ years. What brings me here today are the children of the City: the young men and women of Perth Amboy. I see so many new things they give us. I’ve become excited on what’s happening on the Zoning Board. How is that going to affect the school system? I am always thinking about the children. I can bring the schools together and do it collaboratively. Working together as a Board is a wonderful thing. I’m offering a unique set of eyes as a grandmother. My three children went to the Perth Amboy public schools. Now that I have time, I’d like to serve on the Board.
Junior Iglesia: If given the opportunity to serve on the Board of Education, how do you plan to advocate for a quality education without placing a tax burden on the taxpayers?
Ana Mascenik: We get a lot of money from the State (for the annual budget). We can reach out to the community. We have PTO’s that are very active. We were able to send one class on a trip from fundraising.
Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe: What perspective will you bring to the Board that may not already be present if you are selected to fill the vacancy?
Ana Mascenik: I’ve been resident in this town a long time. When you’re known in this town over the years, there is a lot of love for the children. I’m a very good collaborator. When you have open communication, that makes it easier.
Lissette Lebron: What are your goals if chosen to serve on the Board?
Ana Mascenik: To work with the Board Members and bring clear vision to work together. For example, the new school – What’s the traffic patterns going to be like? Do you have street access? This should be a process that needs to be addressed.
Anton J. Massopust: What do you see as some of the weaknesses of our distract and how would you improve those weaknesses?
Ana Mascenik: Poverty – you have to enrich their lives as much as you can. Many parents work two or three shifts. They are tired. Some parents don’t speak English. For some, it’s a whole new culture for our people. People don’t realize we have immigrant children all the time. Work with parents to give as much support as possible so they are able to learn. We need support on social issues that affect them.
Ken Puccio: The safety and security of our students and staff is important. What ideas can propose help to ensure the continued safety of our students and staff?
Ana Mascenik: That’s a very, very important question. All schools are open to attack and it’s a frightening concept. By practicing drills. Armed police in each school. I don’t know if it’s possible, but it’s a safe thing to do. We need to know the children. Security Guards do talk to the children. Many times, police were waiting where the fights were supposed to happen. The issue of bullying and cyber-bullying – keep track of that with law enforcement. Gangs – we need to make sure teachers and staff are educated on gangs. For example, a student was wearing his gang colors to school. We contacted the police and it turned out that the gang was recruiting.
Ken Puccio: In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing our school system and how would you try to solve it?
Ana Mascenik: Overpopulation. The high school is very, very crowded. By the time we open the new school, it will be full. What will happen in fifteen years? Project into the future and stay ahead of things. Homes were just built where the new school is going. It’s good idea to keep schools in mind during redevelopment. Test scores are important. Children need to be able to achieve. Children need to continue to learn. We have to make sure they learn what they need to learn.
Randy Convery: Do you think the bilingual program is working? Why or why not?
Ana Mascenik: I think the program is working. They (the students) learn, then learn in English (speaking classes). Any bilingual programs that moves children to English will be effective. We keep getting children form other countries. Perth Amboy is a port of entry; it’s always been. You have to have skills. You have to be literate to live.
Tashi Vasquez: The Perth Amboy Board of Education is comprised of nine members, who work collectively to serve the students, faculty and staff of this district. Can you share one professional or personal experience where you had to work as a team to reach one goal where you may differed in opinion from the group and what was the outcome?
Ana Mascenik: We actually planned for opening of the Wilentz School and Peterson School. We had meetings to work together between each other. We came to a consensus and opened up the doors. In this building there was something going on and I wanted to do it a different way. I didn’t think it was going to work. One of the teachers came up to me and said that the way you came out of the meeting, I didn’t think I would have your support. But it worked.
Ana Mascenik’s Closing Statement: I would really like to serve on the Board. There so much happening.
The next candidate was Anthony Bermudez:
Anthony Bermudez
Anthony Bermudez’s Opening Statement: I want to thank the Board for this opportunity. I served on the Board several years ago. I’ve seen programs work over the years. I’d like to be a part of what’s going on.
Junior Iglesia: If given the opportunity to serve on the Board of Education, how do you plan to advocate for a quality education without placing a tax burden on the taxpayers?
Anthony Bermudez – Most money comes from the State. I don’t like the taxes to increase. There should be a happy medium. We should continue educating for the children of Perth Amboy. The State is going to demand something. We have to raise money.
Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe: What perspective will you bring to the Board that may not already be present if you are selected to fill the vacancy?
Anthony Bermudez: I’ve already been on the Board. I have knowledge on how it works. I was a part of a lot of programs that came to fruition. There are new programs. I can bring knowledge of the Board itself and bring what is necessary.
Lissette Lebron: What are your goals if chosen to serve on the Board?
Anthony Bermudez: I’d love to continue programs going on right now. I want to help out in any way possible. One of my biggest things is community involvement is between us and the City. We need communication in order to make things grow. I want to see Perth Amboy progress in all ways possible.
Anton J. Massopust: What do you see as some of the weaknesses of our distract and how would you improve those weaknesses?
Antony Bermudez: Perth Amboy is growing by leaps and bounds. We have modular buildings. Use these until the new schools are up and running. Overcrowding is the biggest thing.
Ken Puccio: The safety and security of our students and staff is important. What ideas can propose help to ensure the continued safety of our students and staff?
Antony Bermudez: Training. We continue to keep up to par with training. Keep up with the Perth Amboy Police Department. Anything can happen. It could be an irate student or active shooter. The State is advocating Special 3 Police Officers with the school itself. Psychologically part of that knowing someone is there responsible for their safety in order to deal with what can happen.
Ken Puccio: In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing our school system and how would you try to solve it?
Anthony Bermudez: Overcrowding. Use modular buildings in order to make sure that the Teacher/Student Ratio is reasonable.
Randy Convery: Do you think the bilingual program is working? Why or why not?
Anthony Bermudez: The Student graduation rate is 65%-85%. 85% is Spanish or Spanish speaking. Why not speak in their own language? Over 100 kids received the Seal of Biliteracy. It’s definitely working.
Tashi Vasquez: The Perth Amboy Board of Education is comprised of nine members, who work collectively to serve the students, faculty and staff of this district. Can you share one professional or personal experience where you had to work as a team to reach one goal where you may differed in opinion from the group and what was the outcome?
Anthony Bermudez: We all have differences of opinion of what’s good for our district. I was a huge sponsor of Special 3’s. Resolve at increase special training. We can agree to disagree. In the end we came to some sort of answers. I have to take the Superintendent’s word. He is the professional.
Anthony Bermudez’s Closing Statement: I want to thank everyone. I’ve worked with you in the last few years. I am born and raised in Perth Amboy. I’d like nothing better than to see the students succeed. I’ve been a Board Officer before, and I have that knowledge.
The third candidate to be interviewed was Dr. Danielle Brown:
Dr. Danielle Brown
Dr. Danielle Brown’s Opening Statement: I ran for the Board of Education. I have a passion for the City of Perth Amboy. I’d love to join this team.
Junior Iglesia: If given the opportunity to serve on the Board of Education, how do you plan to advocate for a quality education without placing a tax burden on the taxpayers?
Dr. Danielle Brown: A portion of the answer I don’t have. Some intricacies are classified. As what our options are on the Board as a district, consider any option that was presented.
Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe: What perspective will you bring to the Board that may not already be present if you are selected to fill the vacancy?
Dr. Danielle Brown: I am a member of the community. I’m aware of the needs of the community. I’ve also had a history of Boards. I was a three-sport athlete. Teamwork is what I bring to the Board.
Lissette Lebron: What are your goals if chosen to serve on the Board?
Dr. Danielle Brown: Collaborate with Board Members and transparency. Test scores, academic improvement, graduation rates, community involvement.
Anton J. Massopust: What do you see as some of the weaknesses of our distract and how would you improve those weaknesses?
Dr. Danielle Brown: The turnover rate of staff. Large members move in and out of the district. The growing community. The high turnover of staff. The graduation rate could be better. Test scores could be better. This is a transient city. There are needs that may not be determined yet.
Ken Puccio: The safety and security of our students and staff is important. What ideas can propose help to ensure the continued safety of our students and staff?
Dr. Danielle Brown: Security should be qualified. There should be very good hiring procedures where students and staff are involved.
Ken Puccio: In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing our school system and how would you try to solve it?
Dr. Danielle Brown: Student achievement is most pressing. A School Board alone can’t address all these issues. Work in collaboration with all the community to lessen the impact.
Randy Convery: Do you think the bilingual program is working? Why or why not?
Dr. Danielle Brown: We should look at it at a Student to student basis. There are students who excel in the program, but students should not go 12 years and not be proficient in two languages.
Tashi Vasquez: The Perth Amboy Board of Education is comprised of nine members, who work collectively to serve the students, faculty and staff of this district. Can you share one professional or personal experience where you had to work as a team to reach one goal where you may differed in opinion from the group and what was the outcome?
Dr. Danielle Brown: Where I work we don’t always agree. From many perspectives. Collaboration is my life currently. In my place of work, we’re in a transition to create new models. It’s what we do. Millennials/Generation X. I work with people 20+ and 30+ years older than I am. Come to the table no matter what we differ in and what we agree upon, one is to make life better. I’m able to hear and listen with an open mind.
Dr. Danielle Brown’s Closing Statement: I thank the Board for the opportunity to review my submission.
The Board went into executive session to discuss the three applicants at 7:10 p.m. They returned at 8:02 p.m. with their nomination. Board President Ken Puccio thanked the three applicants.
Board Member Tashi Vasquez nominated Dr. Danielle Brown. The nomination was seconded by Board Member Lissette Lebron. Everyone voted “Yes” except for Board Member Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe.
Dr. Danielle Brown was sworn in by Board Secretary Derek Jess. She thanked everyone and stated that she looked forward to working together with everyone.
During the public portion, Perth Amboy Federation President Pat Paradiso read from a statement addressing the high turnover rate in the Perth Amboy School District.
She stated that some staff leaving to other districts because of moving out-of-state. Some staff leave for higher pay elsewhere where they are paid sometimes $10,000 more a year. Paradiso emphasized that many of the staff do not leave because the standards imposed on them are too difficult. “It angers me that they say they can’t hack it.” Paradiso stated that the reason for the high turnover rate was mostly because many of the staff are miserable and unhappy here and they are taking a pay cut accepting positions elsewhere. The main reason most people leave are because of low morale and the fact that the staff are kept out of the loop. She stated that many of the administrators hired year after year have little training. She then added, “There is lack of student discipline. Many of the staff are kicked, punched, etc.” The last complaint was about the working conditions. The buildings are kept either too hot or too cold. “Many times, students are taught with their coats and scarves on because it’s so cold.”
Paradiso handed each Board Member a copy of the survey.
The Special Board Meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
