SOUTH AMBOY – (L to R) Board of Education Member John Dragotta, Board of Education President Patrick Walsh, Former Superintendent of Schools Jorge E. Diaz, Mayor Fred Henry, New Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frederick Williams, Board of Education Member Lynn Kasics, Board of Education Member Janet Kern *Photo by Katherine Massopust
4/20/22 Council Meeting
By: Katherine Massopust
SOUTH AMBOY – The first order of business was the Introduction of the new Superintendent of Public Schools in South Amboy. The outgoing Superintendent Jorge E. Diaz spoke first, “Thank you for the opportunity to address the members of the council. Five years ago, our Middle High School ranked last in New Jersey. There was chronic absenteeism and a poor graduation rate. We did a number of presentations to the community in order to get the entire community behind the school system. There are a number of accomplishments we realize over the years. I want to thank the Board Members for their support which is critical to a Superintendent. Our proficiency in standardized tests went from 85.9% to 96.4%. The State Benchmark is 95%. A lot of the work with students maintained in the term of finances. The School was on the brink of bankruptcy. We needed a plan to get to our teachers. We immediately looked at Special Education and determined that too many of our special education students went out of district. 25% of the district budget was to out of district placements. Why not have your child that is developmentally delayed be educated in our school system? We settled another teacher contract all because of smart fiscally responsibility of the Board. Mayor Henry, you were available to new teachers’ orientation providing guided tours of the community. The support you gave us as a former teacher and athletic director. Council President Gross, anytime I called, you answered. Thank you for your support. Councilwoman Dato, you introduced me to this community. We’ve been friends for a long time.” Councilman Reilly, you were instrumental with the co-op program and Government Club. Your Chief of Police – anytime I called the Chief Lavigne, he was available. He is willing to jump in at all costs. He is an asset to this community. Glenn (Business Administrator Skarzynski), anytime I called, you answered. I cannot thank you enough.” Diaz then stated, “Let the Board President speak. When I met him, he was a student representative. He finished his undergraduate in three years and finished two masters (with a scholarship) at Rutgers.”
BOE President Patrick Walsh said, “With the old Superintendent at Middlesex Vocational School, it was a different partnership to help us through the pandemic. We have a very special school. Our Board was able to complete the process in less than ninety days. In the past, a search for a new superintendent is a strain on a district. It’s a 90-day process starting with the New Jersey School Board Association, a job posting on the website so people can know there is a vacancy. 30 people applied. We looked at the top 15 – what they would bring to the school district. We looked at the candidates and three things: an experienced program, success, and exploring diversity.”
The new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Frederick Williams came up to speak, “It is an honor and a privilege. I will build upon what has been established and continue to move forward. I look forward to working with you.”
Board of Education Member John Dragotta came up to speak, “I want to thank Mr. Diaz for five years. It’s been a great 5-year run. We did a lot for this town. It was a pleasure to work on the Board with you.”
Council President Mickey Gross said, “Thank you, Mr. Diaz, you will not be forgotten.”
Mayor Fred Henry said, “Pat, very well spoken. It’s unfortunate when schools get beat up by people. We’ve had some graduates go to Princeton. All three of my children went to college and got a good start. If you want an education, you can get it. It was a great pleasure to present $300,000 worth of chromebooks. It shows what two entities can do for South Amboy. You have big shoes to fill.”
Councilman Tom Reilly said, “I’d like to start up the co-op again and reinstate the Government Club. We try to extend relationships with the city council. It is up to us as a council, and we are making an effort to work with the Board of Education.”
Diaz then stated that the co-op program and Government Club were put on hold because of the pandemic.
Councilman Brian McLaughlin said, “Welcome Dr. Williams to South Amboy.”
Council Vice President Christine Noble said, “Welcome.”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato said, “I express all my appreciation to Mr. Diaz to our community. Dr. Williams, we believe that the Board chose wisely.”
Diaz came back up to speak, “We have great teachers who really care a promise we made in five years – we passed the very first time the QSAC. We show we have an excellent school system.”
Walsh then added, “When we voted to declare racism as a public health crisis, it was ahead of time. The CDC then declared this.”
Council Comments:
Councilman Tom Reilly said, “I want to thank the Food Pantry (Both Donators and Volunteers) and First Responders. The ballfield will be completed ahead of schedule, and we will also do the softball fields. We need to promote our local businesses. When outdoor dining comes up, I am in favor of it. Anyone who wants to volunteer can come and volunteer. The Business Breakfast – is there someone from county to help revitalize Broadway?”
Councilman Brian McLaughlin said, “Can the sign on Broadway have advertisers?”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski said, “We can feature a Business of the Week.”
Reilly added that local businesses can be featured on the city’s Facebook page.
McLaughlin said, “The American Legion is selling bricks as a fundraiser.” He then asked about potholes and “The Hole in the Wall.”
B.A. Skarzynski said, “If we put speed bumps in the alleys, this is an issue. They will lose their designation as an alley.”
McLaughlin said, “Thank you to the food pantry and volunteers.” He asked what the master plan for parking is and offered his condolences to the McCartney Family. “Pat McCartney passed away. We all wish Dr. Williams good luck.”
Councilwoman Zusette Dato said, “There was another successful Lunch and Learn on Brain Health and Aging. We had an amazing speaker. If you haven’t seen the ballfields, its going to be remarkable. There is a lot of activity at Waterfront Park”
Council Vice President Christine Noble asked when the Ferry is starting.
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski answered, “We meet every Tuesday.”
Council President Mickey Gross thanked the Firefighters. “What you do all year round is a lifelong dedication. We live in the greatest city in the world. The food pantry – great job!”
Mayor Fred Henry thanked the County Commissioners for getting the parks revamped. He stated that there was a Beach Cleanup and more coming up. “Lunch and Learn is a good program for seniors. May 18th there will be a health seminar. I want to thank the Board Members for being here tonight. At Sunday Mass we had an incident and a very quick response from the Police Department and First Aid Squad who took the man to the hospital.”
B.A. Glenn Skarzynski stated that he got the specs for the new ambulance today. “As far as the parking issue, we are aware of an issue in the city. It is not a quick fix. We have some ideas on the table. On June 25th will be Asm. Speaker Craig Coughlin’s Bowling for Hunger at Majestic Lanes.”
Public Portion:
Mary Szaro spoke first, “I’m glad to hear parking brought up. I will add to it. The 2017 Plan current parking model is partially congestive. There should be a public meeting to discuss parking. A great idea is for a Parking Management Survey. It will include residents in the decision-making process. Any possibility the three lots on Broadway expanding? What can be done to serve both residents and businesses? If you don’t take them? (Two are owned privately and one is owned by NJ Transit).
The council went into closed session with no further action taken. All council members were present.
