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Public hearing, Thursday, July 16, 2026. We thank all of you for being here.

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We appreciate

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that you've all taken of your very, I'm sure, busy, hectic, beautiful summer to sit with

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us this evening and we do respect that you are here, each and every one of you, because

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you find our issue today to be of the utmost importance.

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So thank you very much for being here.

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Let's please stand and pledge allegiance to the flag.

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Do we enroll call this evening?

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Please thank you.

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Good evening.

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This meeting is being held in conformity.

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I'm sorry, Mr. McBride is the assistant, the acting BA.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Good evening, this meeting is being held in conformity with the Open Public Meetings Act.

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NJSA, 10 call, and 4-6 at sec.

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Proper public notice of this meeting was caused to be sent to Eldiario.

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La Pranza and the star ledger newspapers and posted on the district's official website.

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I will now take the roll call.

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Trustee Dr. Blum.

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President.

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Trustee Iofi.

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President.

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Trustee Muhammad.

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President.

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Trustee Patel.

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Trustee.

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Trustee Resabala.

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President.

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Trustee Richardson.

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President.

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Vice President Morris.

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President.

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President Velasquez.

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Here.

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We have a quorum.

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Thank you very much.

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Our council is going to communicate how we're going to open this meeting today because we have a couple of items, a couple of voting items and we're going to start with the candidates.

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Good evening. So the board president has asked me to read the names of the individuals who submitted resumes to fill the board vacancy which I will do so.

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So I'll read those names so that if those individuals are here we're going to ask that you identify yourself and you'll have an opportunity to speak to the board for three minutes.

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Once I conclude listening to names and then the board will convene into executive session and there'll be a discussion regarding executive session items and then come back out and address.

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Yes, the remaining items on the agenda which have to do with the superintendent's contract,

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as well as potentially filling and addressing the vacancy that's on the board.

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Okay, so would you just read, if anybody is here that have submitted, we have seven resumes.

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They were submitted by yesterday.

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If you're here and you submit it, you'll have an opportunity, as the council said, to speak

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I'm three minutes, so please call the name and if they're not here, that's okay as well.

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We're going to move with the business at hand nonetheless.

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That's your after

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allow it, please the speakers and then we will communicate with the board, the speakers I just ask.

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I have the resumes in front of us, we are going to address the resumes in close session.

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I'm putting it on the record before the names come out.

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put anything you want on record, we're not going to start this meeting with your drama.

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Let's go ahead. Please, first of all, if I didn't see the resumes, I had a time.

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I said that's a thing. No, let's move on.

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No, none of us actually meet. Mike, Mike, microphone,

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check. One, two. For everyone that's been here, in order to speak at the meeting while you're

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sitting as a board member, you have to be recognized by the board president.

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So I'd ask that you adhere to our bylaws and our rules for running the meeting.

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So just wait to be recognized.

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And if you're not recognizing that you're not able to speak as a sitting board member.

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And I'll just remind members of the public that that haven't been here is that we do ask that

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you try to be as quiet as possible while we're convening the meeting.

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And that you also please refrain from speaking out or being disruptive because it's hard for

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for us to hear each other and maintain order the meeting.

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So the first name is Vanessa Rodriguez.

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If you are here, please raise your hand.

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There's Vanessa.

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Please step up.

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You want to start?

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Yes, please Vanessa.

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It should be on.

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Good evening, members of the board.

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My name is Vanessa Rodriguez.

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And I'm here to request to be considered

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for appointments that they entrust you in position.

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I believe I offer a unique combination

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of professional experience, a lifelong commitment

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engineering city and a first-minute experience as a parent navigating our public school system.

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Professionally, I put my career in public service over seeing budgets, personnel, operations,

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and regulatory compliance. Every day of the decisions that require transparency, accountability,

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collaboration, and responsible use of public resources. Those are the same principles that

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brings this forward. My children are the fourth generation of our families to attend to

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to see both the schools. This district helped shape me and now it is shaping my children.

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That legacy gives me an appreciation for where we've been and strong to the community and

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to where we're going.

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I also bring a perspective that is deeply personal as a parent as a child with special needs.

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I have experienced our school system through a different lens.

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I understand the importance of individualized support, inclusive classrooms, collaboration

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between educators and families and ensuring every child regardless of their abilities has

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as the opportunities to succeed.

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Those experiences have taught me patience, perseverance,

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and the value of listening before making decisions.

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My experience as a public servant,

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adjective instructor, a parent, and an advocate

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allow me to see issues from multiple perspectives.

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I understand the importance of balancing educational excellence

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and fiscal responsibility because both are essential

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to providing students with the opportunities they deserve.

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If selected, I will ask the hard questions,

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make data-driven decisions

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and always keep students at the center of every vote.

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My goal is simply not to serve on the board but to help strengthen, trust, improve outcomes and ensure our district remains strong for future generations.

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I am not seeking this position for politics or recognition, I am seeking it because I believe in giving back to the community that helps shape me.

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Serving on this board would be both an honor and a responsibility that would be taken very seriously.

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Thank you for your time.

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I'm sorry, can you speak the answer?

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Yeah, now it is.

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Thank you.

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Thank you, everybody.

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To save something brief.

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My name is Brendan Duhan.

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I grew up in Jersey City.

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I live up in the Heights.

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My son is a student at PS28.

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We're Dr. Hernandez-Gutter-Start.

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I'm running, I put my hat, my name in the ring,

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to fill match-nighters shoes.

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One, because the children's education is very important to me.

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I think now more than ever, many good independent leadership to help make some tough decisions so that our kids can have great outcomes.

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I'm not doing this for political gain or for any kind of other advantage.

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More just doing it because really from the bottom of my heart, I really feel for these children.

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And they deserve a fair and great education that I know this administration can give them.

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So I know, you may have some ideas about who I am, but just from Jersey City, I'm trying

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to do the best I can.

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And if I was granted the position, I would feel the big shoes of match-nighter and be

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as objective and as hard-working as I could be.

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Thank you.

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Thank you very much.

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Next.

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Next up, Patrick Sprinkle.

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Again, Patrick Sprinkle, seeing none, moving on.

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Next up, Melanie M. Cruz-Burgos,

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Melanie, nope.

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Scott Mittman.

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Scott Mittman,

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Christina Mamonging-Kiss Evans.

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Okay, please pronounce it for us, and we apologize for messing it up.

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Can you hear me?

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please don't apologize. My students called me Miss M for a reason and my husband

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said you could have had it so easy but you chose not to. I have I'm clearly a

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newcomer compared to others who are asking to fill this slot. I've been in

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Jersey City for 15 years and I want to raise my kids here long term. I like

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others before me have slightly different experience. I am an educator. I taught for six years at Livingston

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High School. I'm an English teacher. I adjuncted for a year at Essex County College in between having

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my two kids. I have a almost two-year-old at home and I have a five-year-old. We just moved from

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PS3 where she attended pre-K4 and we moved. We all know what it's like in the rental market.

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to Cordero's district, we'll be, she'll be going to kindergarten in the fall.

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I might not be the most experienced one here, but as an English teacher, my goal has always

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been to teach my students how to think critically, how to read critically, how to listen critically,

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how to write critically, and that's missing so much, that's missing from so much of our

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discourse today, not only in the classroom but in spaces like this, to say nothing of needing

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to bridge the divide. It's quite apparent that there's a divide. And if I've learned anything

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from being a teacher, from being a parent of little children, it's about patience,

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It's about picking your battles and it's about compromise and finding common ground because at the end of the day

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We are all here for the same reason. We are here for the children of Jersey City

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Who all deserve a quality education every single one of them

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So I asked to be considered because I care because I have unique experience

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because if you talk to anyone who know me I do everything 110% to my own

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detriment and I would love to be able to serve my community in this way.

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Thank you for your consideration. Thank you very much.

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Sandra Robinson Green.

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She's here.

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Good evening everyone. My name is Sandra Robinson

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in Green, I am a lifelong resident of Jersey City,

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born and raised in Book of Sea Washington

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apartment.

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I am currently the founder and CEO

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of the Connective Iron Mentoring Support Organization

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and also on the Advocate for Educational Advocate

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for the juvenile justice commission

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and parent advocate for truancy court.

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So to the president and trustees,

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I am asking that you make a, I'm sorry, I'm asking that you please, if you would, postpone the decision for the superintendents contract?

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I'm sorry, why should your recommendation for being on the board?

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Not recommendation on the board is basically to bring forth transparency when you earn.

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To public trust, you definitely will have the opportunity to speak with them and allow informed

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decisions, transparency, and also allowing them to ask the right questions. The board of

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trustee is to our trust and belief in the fact that knowing that we're doing the right

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thing when it comes to parents, when it comes to teachers, when it comes to the budget,

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when it comes to funding across the board, not allowing any uninformed decisions to

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be made and not allowing mismanagement and misappropriation of funding.

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And as we can see, the students and the youth that I see in the community, there's a large

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population that is being left out.

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I actually grasp the kids that are graduating from high school and or in detention and they

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come out and they're not allowed back in school.

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So just trying to transition them back into the public school system has been trying.

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I've even requested transcripts from detention centers to find out if what type of scaling

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they use in order to grade the child so that when they do come out that would give me an idea of

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where they are 9th grade 10th grade 11th grade or 12th grade. We cannot gauge that because what

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I did find out is that the transcripts are non-existent. So part of that is trying to

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implement some type of system that where all children are inclusive and no child is left behind.

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I am the youngest and only living child of Betty Ernestine Robinson and of course, thank you.

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Okay, thank you very much Miss Robinson.

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I think this concludes our list and we will take a few minutes to go in close session,

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go over the resumes and come out and choose a candidate.

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And we want to be very clear that the invitation was sent to everyone.

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But again, this is summer, people are on vacation, people are out with their children.

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People have other things they have not planned for this.

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Therefore, everyone, be here or not, will have the same opportunity and

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And the same chance to be chosen.

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Thank you all, and can we have motion to go into closed session, please?

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Secretary.

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You have to call the vote.

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I mean, not the vote, I'm sorry.

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Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA, 10 coal and 4-12.

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Jersey Board of Education will now be going into closed session for the purpose of discussion.

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Please call a roll, Mr. Bright.

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Trustee Dr. Blum.

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President.

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Trustee Iofi.

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President.

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Trustee Muhammad.

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President.

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Trustee Patel.

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Trustee Resabala.

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President.

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Trustee Richardson.

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President.

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Vice President Morris.

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President Velasquez.

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Here.

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We have quorum.

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Thank you.

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Okay.

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Okay, once again, thank you for waiting.

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We did discuss and length our two issues of the evening, one being the superintendents contract and

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the other being the new appointed member to our board.

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We're going to be for public speaking.

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We're going to move 5.01 up to number two so that we can vote on the appointed member.

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And then we'll have public speaking prior to voting on the superintendent's contract.

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Mr. Vice President, we're waiting for you.

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That's okay.

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It's still daylight.

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To

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change.

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To change.

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Okay.

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So

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do you have to go over the issue with regards to the new board member and then, okay?

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00:20:38,220 --> 00:20:44,460
No, the superintendent will be after the speakers, this is the new board member and then we

242
00:20:44,460 --> 00:20:47,860
We will vote on a new vote member and we'll move on.

243
00:20:48,100 --> 00:20:52,900
Okay, so on the agenda at 5.0 is the appointment of a board trustee that's been moved up.

244
00:20:53,400 --> 00:21:00,800
There are requirements in our bylaws that require that there be a motion and a second to advance a candidate.

245
00:21:01,340 --> 00:21:05,280
If that candidate does receive a second, there can be brief discussion.

246
00:21:05,940 --> 00:21:11,720
But once the members vote, if that member receives a five affirmative vote that new person receives five affirmative votes,

247
00:21:11,720 --> 00:21:17,960
They are then appointed to fill the vacancy, and that concludes the process of filling the vacancy.

248
00:21:21,010 --> 00:21:27,910
So I will take nomination for a candidate, yes, Ms. Ayofi?

249
00:21:28,150 --> 00:21:28,590
Through the chair.

250
00:21:29,090 --> 00:21:29,250
Yes.

251
00:21:29,550 --> 00:21:32,570
I would like to nominate Melanie Cruz-Burgos for the vacancy.

252
00:21:33,570 --> 00:21:33,890
Second.

253
00:21:35,390 --> 00:21:36,550
Now we call the vote.

254
00:21:37,070 --> 00:21:37,510
Discussion.

255
00:21:38,010 --> 00:21:38,530
Discussion?

256
00:21:40,030 --> 00:21:41,690
Any discussion further?

257
00:21:42,190 --> 00:21:42,350
Yes.

258
00:21:45,950 --> 00:21:53,590
I ran in 2024 against Melanie and it was a pleasure to do so, she is phenomenal, she is

259
00:21:53,590 --> 00:22:00,050
extremely smart, she comes with a very great legal background and she can hold her own.

260
00:22:00,770 --> 00:22:07,570
But I am not going to lean in that direction because while Melanie is a phenomenal and brilliant

261
00:22:07,570 --> 00:22:13,810
person, I just was a little bit more gravitated to Brendan Duhin, who is a parent at PS28.

262
00:22:14,590 --> 00:22:20,350
He is the president of the Riverview Neighborhood Association, he is very active in our city.

263
00:22:20,450 --> 00:22:22,190
He's been here for 15 plus years.

264
00:22:22,750 --> 00:22:29,390
He recently raised a large sum of money for a student in our district that lost their life.

265
00:22:30,030 --> 00:22:36,990
And so that's where I was, but I wanted to say this because I don't want to take away from

266
00:22:36,990 --> 00:22:40,150
the person that Melanie is, which is a phenomenal person.

267
00:22:41,550 --> 00:22:42,350
Thank you.

268
00:22:42,810 --> 00:22:43,470
Anyone else?

269
00:22:44,190 --> 00:22:45,450
Any other discussion?

270
00:22:47,090 --> 00:22:48,010
Yes, Mr. Richardson?

271
00:22:48,250 --> 00:22:49,250
Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair.

272
00:22:50,970 --> 00:22:55,410
I also agreed that I will be voting against the candidate.

273
00:22:55,810 --> 00:23:00,570
I feel that all gone a little biased because Brendan ran with me.

274
00:23:01,970 --> 00:23:05,990
And we didn't know each other, but we got to know each other as we campaigned.

275
00:23:05,990 --> 00:23:17,670
And the two things that stuck out for me, you know, in considering him was one, he's a parent in the Jersey City Public Schools, so he's invested, completely invested.

276
00:23:18,370 --> 00:23:21,490
And number two, he also ran in the most recent election.

277
00:23:23,420 --> 00:23:25,280
Thank you. Anyone else?

278
00:23:25,740 --> 00:23:26,340
Through to Chair.

279
00:23:26,760 --> 00:23:26,880
Yes.

280
00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:32,160
Yeah, and I just want to piggyback on what my colleagues said and I thank you very much for your comments and for your counters as well

281
00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:35,200
It is important and I hope everyone understands that we did discuss

282
00:23:35,740 --> 00:23:37,880
Genuinely every single candidate that was

283
00:23:38,820 --> 00:23:42,260
Presented so full disclosure. I ran with Melanie Cruz-Burgos in the

284
00:23:42,260 --> 00:23:46,940
2024 election for the school board for the office of the school board. She was the next runner-up

285
00:23:47,540 --> 00:23:54,040
in that particular school board election she received 18,000 votes and that's not the only reason why I am

286
00:23:54,700 --> 00:24:14,200
qualifying her in this case, or nominating her in this case, and we will have an opportunity to also add reasons as we provide our votes, but I think it's important to acknowledge our relationships and the way that we value our running mates and the people who established themselves during these races and the way they dedicate themselves for this particular role.

287
00:24:15,120 --> 00:24:15,500
Thank you.

288
00:24:16,160 --> 00:24:18,200
Thank you, anyone else?

289
00:24:21,700 --> 00:24:24,420
Okay, Mr. McBride, please call the vote.

290
00:24:25,360 --> 00:24:26,440
Trustee Resabelle?

291
00:24:27,720 --> 00:24:28,320
No.

292
00:24:28,880 --> 00:24:29,860
Trustee Iofi?

293
00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:35,280
I vote yes, because I believe that Melanie Cruz-Borgos is extremely qualified.

294
00:24:35,500 --> 00:24:36,520
She is a corporate attorney.

295
00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:39,180
We've all had a chance to review her resume.

296
00:24:39,840 --> 00:24:42,260
She handles things like corporate mergers.

297
00:24:42,260 --> 00:24:48,940
She has very strong operational knowledge to, not just my knowledge, but to public knowledge.

298
00:24:48,940 --> 00:24:52,080
She is a public school student from Perthambois.

299
00:24:52,140 --> 00:24:57,100
She is a kind of a story that we like to tell about our students here in Jersey City.

300
00:24:57,200 --> 00:25:03,140
And I know that she will put her heart and soul into serving this district as best as she can, for the time that we give her.

301
00:25:03,980 --> 00:25:04,760
Thank you.

302
00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:05,960
Yes.

303
00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:07,180
Trustee Richardson?

304
00:25:09,470 --> 00:25:09,950
No.

305
00:25:11,490 --> 00:25:12,290
Trustee Muhammad?

306
00:25:12,290 --> 00:25:28,390
Yes, I believe she will be on bias perspective to the board trusty Patel. Yes, and I think we need a person an outsider looking into our dress dress. So I vote for Melanie.

307
00:25:29,550 --> 00:25:30,070
Dr. Blunt?

308
00:25:30,230 --> 00:25:31,170
Trustee Dr. Blunt?

309
00:25:32,250 --> 00:25:33,290
I vote yes.

310
00:25:33,910 --> 00:25:36,550
She has a very serious legal background.

311
00:25:37,530 --> 00:25:39,090
She attended Duke University,

312
00:25:39,930 --> 00:25:41,290
as well as Rutgers University.

313
00:25:41,490 --> 00:25:44,850
I think on this board we need as much legal help as we can get.

314
00:25:45,330 --> 00:25:46,230
And so I will vote yes.

315
00:25:48,500 --> 00:25:49,320
Vice President Morris?

316
00:25:50,860 --> 00:25:56,580
I vote yes, because obviously I just think she's a better candidate than what we've seen.

317
00:25:56,580 --> 00:26:03,420
And not only that, but the public thinks so as well because she came in number fourth in the last election that she ran in.

318
00:26:03,960 --> 00:26:09,300
So based on the totality of the vote from the community and based on the resume that we reviewed,

319
00:26:09,300 --> 00:26:13,540
I think that she would be the best suitable person for this position.

320
00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:14,320
So I vote aye.

321
00:26:17,950 --> 00:26:18,690
President Falsquence.

322
00:26:18,970 --> 00:26:19,470
Thank you.

323
00:26:20,250 --> 00:26:27,910
First of all, let me thank everyone that took the time to submit an application,

324
00:26:27,910 --> 00:26:33,650
a resume, and you're desired to actually continue to serve your community.

325
00:26:34,210 --> 00:26:35,550
Thank you again for that.

326
00:26:35,890 --> 00:26:48,070
Every resume was outstanding in its own value, however I lean towards Melanie as well.

327
00:26:48,410 --> 00:26:53,930
My vote is yes for Melanie, because of her professional background, I think that she would be

328
00:26:53,930 --> 00:26:55,230
and ask it to this board.

329
00:26:55,790 --> 00:27:00,030
I also think that her life experience

330
00:27:01,080 --> 00:27:05,950
is something that many of our children are also experiencing.

331
00:27:06,690 --> 00:27:10,450
And coming from the background that she comes from

332
00:27:10,980 --> 00:27:14,350
and the district that she was raised in

333
00:27:14,350 --> 00:27:19,550
and to have such a prestigious position today in life

334
00:27:19,550 --> 00:27:30,050
It is really a testament of what public schools do for children and our children need to see that kind of success.

335
00:27:30,790 --> 00:27:33,730
So, it's an eye for Melanie.

336
00:27:34,370 --> 00:27:35,330
Motion passed.

337
00:27:38,520 --> 00:27:39,360
Congratulations.

338
00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:43,040
Congratulations, Melanie, wherever you're at.

339
00:27:47,160 --> 00:27:47,320
We,

340
00:27:50,870 --> 00:27:51,970
thank you all.

341
00:27:51,970 --> 00:27:59,010
We, oh my goodness, or you know what it is when y'all clap my phone that it finds itself.

342
00:27:59,550 --> 00:28:00,470
I'm sorry.

343
00:28:01,890 --> 00:28:04,670
That's how I find it at home by clapping.

344
00:28:04,890 --> 00:28:05,490
I'm sorry.

345
00:28:14,250 --> 00:28:14,930
Anyway.

346
00:28:16,670 --> 00:28:26,750
Anyway, we will not obviously be swearing in Melanie this evening, but make sure that you're

347
00:28:26,750 --> 00:28:28,330
at the next meeting in August.

348
00:28:28,930 --> 00:28:30,490
That'll be the first thing we do then.

349
00:28:30,990 --> 00:28:31,650
Thank you all.

350
00:28:31,890 --> 00:28:34,990
And again, I also want to thank the board members

351
00:28:34,990 --> 00:28:38,410
because the discussion that we had was very professional.

352
00:28:39,290 --> 00:28:44,750
We looked at every single resume without bias

353
00:28:44,750 --> 00:28:46,270
with a lot of respect.

354
00:28:47,970 --> 00:28:52,390
And I think we were pretty much all on the same page

355
00:28:52,390 --> 00:29:00,710
as far as how we want this board to, what is the kind of person that we need on this board and how we want this board to proceed.

356
00:29:01,110 --> 00:29:03,850
So thank you again to all of the board members.

357
00:29:11,210 --> 00:29:11,630
Yes.

358
00:29:19,810 --> 00:29:28,750
We're going to have now public hearing and after the public hearing, we will hear presentation by the superintendent.

359
00:29:29,250 --> 00:29:31,350
We should have her presentation first.

360
00:29:31,350 --> 00:29:32,890
You would rather?

361
00:29:33,670 --> 00:29:35,810
Oh, you don't have a presentation, I thought.

362
00:29:36,470 --> 00:29:37,430
I'm sorry about that.

363
00:29:37,670 --> 00:29:37,990
Okay.

364
00:29:41,190 --> 00:29:45,330
After then we will vote on the superintendent's contract.

365
00:29:45,570 --> 00:29:48,250
So please read the preamble.

366
00:29:49,610 --> 00:29:57,470
So this is the required public hearing relative to the law regarding the contract

367
00:29:57,470 --> 00:29:59,970
but the superintendent as well as general public.

368
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:04,160
I will comment for any item as a subordinate. I'm going to read the public comment statement.

369
00:30:06,020 --> 00:30:10,720
Speakers will be called to the microphone in order that their request is received. All statements are

370
00:30:10,720 --> 00:30:17,700
comments shall be directed to the chair. It is the expectation of the board that comments will remain positive and focused around the

371
00:30:17,700 --> 00:30:24,640
best interests of students and the district as a whole. The board will not condone comments that can be received as harassing,

372
00:30:24,640 --> 00:30:27,260
insulting threatening or lacking in respect for civility.

373
00:30:28,140 --> 00:30:33,320
The chair reserves the right to A, interrupt, warn in or terminate a participant statement or comment when it is too lengthy.

374
00:30:33,820 --> 00:30:40,200
Be interrupt or end or warn a participant when their statement is, or comment is abusive of seeing or maybe defamatory.

375
00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:45,840
C, request any person to leave the meeting when that person does not observe reasonable decorum or

376
00:30:45,840 --> 00:30:48,180
present themselves as a danger to others in the building.

377
00:30:48,980 --> 00:30:53,220
D, request the assistance of law enforcement officers in the removal of a disorderly person.

378
00:30:53,800 --> 00:30:58,880
When that person prevents or disrupts the meeting with an act that obstructs or interferes with a meeting,

379
00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:03,780
including threats by words, actions or objects, e-colour recess or an adjournment to another time,

380
00:31:04,260 --> 00:31:06,620
and the lack of public deployment interferes with an orderly conduct of the meeting.

381
00:31:06,880 --> 00:31:12,860
And F, wave these rules when necessary for the protection of privacy or to maintain an orderly operation on the board meeting.

382
00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:13,360
Thank you.

383
00:31:16,100 --> 00:31:17,740
First speaker is Darren Martin,

384
00:31:21,020 --> 00:31:21,880
and Julie Prakash.

385
00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:37,600
Okay, before I address the contract vote, which is why we're all here, I'd like to address

386
00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:41,820
the meeting itself. Tonight, parents are being turned away because the room is too small

387
00:31:42,270 --> 00:31:47,220
to accommodate everyone who wants to attend. Members of public who took the time to physically

388
00:31:47,220 --> 00:31:52,220
show up are being denied the opportunity to participate in public meeting about one of the

389
00:31:52,220 --> 00:31:56,520
most important decisions the board will make and a lot of them signed up to speak. So I

390
00:31:56,520 --> 00:31:59,980
don't know how we're going to deal with that. I have to ask, is this what transparency

391
00:31:59,980 --> 00:32:05,780
If routine board meetings can be held in bigger space, surely a meeting involving a five-year

392
00:32:05,780 --> 00:32:10,620
superintendent contract, an extraordinary public interest merits the same level of public

393
00:32:10,620 --> 00:32:18,020
access and not closing the meeting at 5.29 that was supposed to begin at 5.30.

394
00:32:18,700 --> 00:32:24,340
Jersey City has schools, auditorium, facilities that could accommodate much larger space yet many

395
00:32:24,340 --> 00:32:29,620
members of the public are left outside looking in and the shades are still down.

396
00:32:30,540 --> 00:32:36,380
So I don't know if you recall in 2018-2019 before COVID, we used to hold meetings in MS4,

397
00:32:36,520 --> 00:32:40,920
Dickinson Snyder, PS22, A Harry Moore building.

398
00:32:41,320 --> 00:32:45,480
Trustee Lorenzo, you were on the board and at that time, surely you can validate that piece

399
00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:50,360
of history, we would move equipment, we would live stream, we would take virtual comment.

400
00:32:51,060 --> 00:32:53,440
Transparency is not just about complying with the law.

401
00:32:53,440 --> 00:32:59,060
It's about ensuring meaningful access to the public, and with that I'll talk about tonight's vote.

402
00:32:59,560 --> 00:33:09,200
Over the last several months, parents have repeatedly come before this board to raise concerns about all kinds of things, special education, financial oversight, communication, leadership.

403
00:33:09,820 --> 00:33:12,160
We've watched outed findings emerge.

404
00:33:12,800 --> 00:33:17,540
We've learned more than two million in state aid intended for non-public school students was returned.

405
00:33:18,020 --> 00:33:21,020
We have seen findings serious enough to be referred to law enforcement.

406
00:33:21,020 --> 00:33:23,540
at the same time at the time of speaking,

407
00:33:23,780 --> 00:33:27,600
1,890 parents and community members have signed a petition

408
00:33:28,520 --> 00:33:32,720
asking this board to not renew extend the contract

409
00:33:32,720 --> 00:33:34,820
until there is greater clarity and accountability.

410
00:33:35,400 --> 00:33:38,080
Tonight is not about whether Dr. Fernandez

411
00:33:38,080 --> 00:33:40,120
remains superintendent tomorrow morning.

412
00:33:40,600 --> 00:33:43,460
It is about whether this board should grant

413
00:33:43,460 --> 00:33:45,660
a five-year vote of confidence today.

414
00:33:46,360 --> 00:33:48,600
The responsible course is not to rush ahead.

415
00:33:48,600 --> 00:33:54,760
the responsible courses to pause, allow the facts to come fully into view and earn back public trust.

416
00:33:55,040 --> 00:33:55,780
Thank you.

417
00:34:02,460 --> 00:34:03,980
Bill Jean-Cadae FC.

418
00:34:14,090 --> 00:34:15,090
Bill Jean-Cadae FC.

419
00:34:26,610 --> 00:34:26,970
Debbie?

420
00:34:47,000 --> 00:34:47,980
Why am I time started?

421
00:34:51,670 --> 00:34:52,950
I haven't started yet.

422
00:34:54,150 --> 00:34:55,230
Would you reset?

423
00:34:58,290 --> 00:35:01,370
Senior minister, please hold

424
00:35:06,840 --> 00:35:07,060
on.

425
00:35:07,340 --> 00:35:08,520
Reset the time.

426
00:35:08,600 --> 00:35:11,000
It's mainly whether Dr Fernandes deserves it.

427
00:35:11,000 --> 00:35:11,800
Reset the time.

428
00:35:11,800 --> 00:35:18,840
It is valid, this board will exercise independent judgment before replacing a contract with one

429
00:35:18,840 --> 00:35:23,400
year remaining with a maximum five year agreement through 2021.

430
00:35:24,420 --> 00:35:33,180
Starting at 341,000 and rising by 10,000 each year, before you vote, answer one question.

431
00:35:34,020 --> 00:35:35,500
What exactly are you rewarding?

432
00:35:36,840 --> 00:35:43,120
Serious issues remain unresolved, special education, and non-public services, student

433
00:35:43,120 --> 00:35:48,800
outcomes, overcrowding, facilities, safety, spending, transparency, and months of parent

434
00:35:48,800 --> 00:35:52,200
requested without clear owners, dates or answers.

435
00:35:53,320 --> 00:36:00,820
This is not one small group, more than 1,800 people signed the petition by now, spending

436
00:36:00,820 --> 00:36:07,760
all six awards and 38 Georgia City Public School and Early Childhood Communities. This

437
00:36:07,760 --> 00:36:14,440
is citywide public concern. I support Georgia City teachers. They deserve respect,

438
00:36:15,240 --> 00:36:22,060
safe working conditions, competitive pay and a fair contract. But a fair contract cannot

439
00:36:22,060 --> 00:36:28,540
depend on granting one superintendent five more years if it does something is deeply wrong

440
00:36:28,540 --> 00:36:30,280
with this district's governance.

441
00:36:31,360 --> 00:36:36,920
Is it argument really that the Jersey City cannot negotiate fairly with its educators unless

442
00:36:36,920 --> 00:36:39,240
Dr. Fernandez remains superintendent?

443
00:36:41,160 --> 00:36:48,060
Is the district's labor relationship depend on one individual rather than lawful, competent

444
00:36:48,660 --> 00:36:51,280
institutions, discussions to everyone here?

445
00:36:55,220 --> 00:36:58,560
Six current trustees were elected with J.C.E.A.

446
00:37:00,040 --> 00:37:07,480
Today, the public will see whether they exercise independent judgment or carry out

447
00:37:07,480 --> 00:37:10,540
Jersey City E.A. wishes.

448
00:37:11,840 --> 00:37:15,880
This foreseers the entire district, not one bargaining agreement.

449
00:37:16,920 --> 00:37:23,300
So answer plainly, are you trustees for Jersey E.A. or trustees for Jersey City's children,

450
00:37:23,900 --> 00:37:26,100
families, staff and taxpayers?

451
00:37:26,100 --> 00:37:32,460
If the votes were counted before the public entered this room, this is not a hearing.

452
00:37:33,080 --> 00:37:33,800
It is a theater.

453
00:37:35,020 --> 00:37:35,920
Prove it is not.

454
00:37:36,680 --> 00:37:36,980
Listen.

455
00:37:37,760 --> 00:37:38,740
Question the proposal.

456
00:37:39,440 --> 00:37:40,940
Demand the performance evidence.

457
00:37:41,860 --> 00:37:43,200
Vote independently.

458
00:37:44,240 --> 00:37:48,240
You are also feeling a vacancy without a citywide election.

459
00:37:48,980 --> 00:37:50,120
That calls for restraint.

460
00:37:50,320 --> 00:37:53,100
Not a five-year commitment the public cannot reverse.

461
00:37:53,900 --> 00:38:01,560
The dignity of this office, the independence of this board and the public's ability to trust you are tied to what you do tonight.

462
00:38:02,160 --> 00:38:11,140
If you want, yes, all in it. You need questions or unresolved. You heard more than 1700 petition signers and you choose five more years anyway.

463
00:38:11,860 --> 00:38:12,960
Teachers deserve fairness.

464
00:38:20,970 --> 00:38:21,570
Excuse me.

465
00:38:21,570 --> 00:38:22,570
Neha Sobris.

466
00:38:25,410 --> 00:38:27,190
Excuse me.

467
00:38:27,390 --> 00:38:27,710
Excuse me.

468
00:38:27,930 --> 00:38:30,710
And we gave you extra time.

469
00:38:33,780 --> 00:38:35,660
Next speaker is Neha Sobris.

470
00:38:48,340 --> 00:38:49,040
Good evening.

471
00:38:49,680 --> 00:38:50,740
My name is Neha Sobris.

472
00:38:50,920 --> 00:38:52,620
And I'm a Jersey City parent and resident.

473
00:38:53,420 --> 00:38:55,500
Like so many parents and members of this community,

474
00:38:56,020 --> 00:38:59,500
I am confused and honestly baffled by what seems to be

475
00:38:59,500 --> 00:39:03,120
a self-imposed urgency to discuss the renewal or extension

476
00:39:03,120 --> 00:39:06,520
of superintendent, Norma Fernandez's contract at this time.

477
00:39:07,180 --> 00:39:11,580
At a time, as you're all aware of where, when there are serious concerns about special

478
00:39:11,580 --> 00:39:17,900
education services, non-public school services, overcrowding, technology, spending decisions

479
00:39:17,900 --> 00:39:21,100
and most concerning of all, and ongoing investigation.

480
00:39:21,660 --> 00:39:27,400
At the last board meeting, most of you expressed shock at both the contents of the report and

481
00:39:27,400 --> 00:39:28,460
the timing of its release.

482
00:39:28,460 --> 00:39:33,900
These concerns deserve meaningful answers before the Board considers committing to another

483
00:39:33,900 --> 00:39:36,320
five-year extension or a three-year extension.

484
00:39:36,820 --> 00:39:41,620
Even if your bylaws allow you to hold this meeting and make a decision, just because

485
00:39:41,620 --> 00:39:43,520
you can, doesn't mean you should.

486
00:39:44,260 --> 00:39:46,640
This is your prerogative, not an imperative.

487
00:39:47,400 --> 00:39:49,580
So the question is why and why now?

488
00:39:50,420 --> 00:39:55,400
Why not wait until the investigation is complete, until the public has answers, until we know

489
00:39:55,400 --> 00:39:57,560
what corrective actions are being taken?

490
00:39:57,560 --> 00:40:04,180
why does this decision need to be made today? Please exercise your responsibility. Please put students

491
00:40:04,180 --> 00:40:10,880
in dress first. Please help rebuild stress with this community by doing the right thing. More than

492
00:40:10,880 --> 00:40:16,900
1700 community members have already signed the petition asking you to pause any action on the

493
00:40:16,900 --> 00:40:23,960
contract. Please respect these voices. A contract, so pretend this contract is more than just an

494
00:40:23,960 --> 00:40:29,280
employment agreement. It is a vote of confidence in the leadership of our school district.

495
00:40:29,700 --> 00:40:36,280
And right now, the confidence has been deeply shaken. So please, I urge you to pause any action

496
00:40:36,280 --> 00:40:40,340
on this contract, and the investigation is complete. The findings are fully understood,

497
00:40:40,580 --> 00:40:44,540
and the public has confidence that meaningful accountability has occurred. Thank you.

498
00:40:47,680 --> 00:40:49,660
Next speaker is Jessica Taube.

499
00:41:08,690 --> 00:41:12,530
Okay, good evening. My name is Jessica Taube, and I am the parent of two children in Jersey

500
00:41:12,530 --> 00:41:17,150
city public schools. I want to begin by addressing a narrative that is becoming increasingly

501
00:41:17,150 --> 00:41:23,430
divisive. I am not a downtown parent. I live in Ward B. I organize with parents from

502
00:41:23,430 --> 00:41:27,570
every ward in our city. Some parents attend these meetings more than others for various reasons.

503
00:41:28,170 --> 00:41:32,710
But those of us who come here are for all children, not just our own, and we carry the stories

504
00:41:32,710 --> 00:41:37,390
of others with us. I have spent years working or volunteering in schools across Ward A,

505
00:41:37,710 --> 00:41:41,910
B and F, and I have seen inequities throughout our district. I've also seen the very real

506
00:41:41,910 --> 00:41:45,850
challenges facing downtown schools, including severe overcrowding and facility issues.

507
00:41:46,350 --> 00:41:49,910
I've provided training for staff from every single school in this district.

508
00:41:50,450 --> 00:41:53,930
All the issues are connected and they require connected strategies to address.

509
00:41:54,690 --> 00:41:58,510
I've watched parents from every part of Jersey City come before this board or post social

510
00:41:58,510 --> 00:42:03,830
media to advocate for their children, and many educators and other staff share similar concerns

511
00:42:03,830 --> 00:42:06,250
with me privately because they fear retaliation.

512
00:42:06,670 --> 00:42:08,350
That should concern every one of us.

513
00:42:08,890 --> 00:42:12,830
Attempts to pit parents against teachers and other school staff is also distracting and

514
00:42:12,830 --> 00:42:13,950
unhelpful to our students.

515
00:42:14,450 --> 00:42:18,730
I am proudly pro-union and I fully support fair contracts for our education workforce

516
00:42:18,730 --> 00:42:20,370
across all areas of service.

517
00:42:20,910 --> 00:42:25,930
I love our school staff and many people in this room and people not in this room have supported

518
00:42:25,930 --> 00:42:28,510
me through incredibly challenging times with my child.

519
00:42:28,830 --> 00:42:31,610
They've held me when I cried when my child was in crisis.

520
00:42:32,190 --> 00:42:34,230
This should not be parents against educators.

521
00:42:34,230 --> 00:42:40,450
However, supporting our workforce does not require us to ignore inequity, corruption, retaliation,

522
00:42:40,790 --> 00:42:45,810
deteriorating facilities, failures and special education, or lack of positive school climate in some of our schools.

523
00:42:46,210 --> 00:42:47,790
We can and we must do both.

524
00:42:48,510 --> 00:42:53,270
As this board considers extending the superintendent's contract, I ask that you just slow down and

525
00:42:53,270 --> 00:42:54,990
allow the public to see the full picture.

526
00:42:55,530 --> 00:43:03,410
Dr. Fernandez, with whom I have a positive relationship, has served as superintendent since 2022 and was deputy superintendent for years before that.

527
00:43:03,410 --> 00:43:11,170
The recently released Special Education Procedures Report examined 2022 through 2024 during the current administration's leadership.

528
00:43:11,550 --> 00:43:16,690
In a punitive environment, accountability sometimes feels like punishment or a personal attack, but it is not.

529
00:43:17,150 --> 00:43:21,650
Asking the board to delay extending this contract is not a personal attack on superintendent Fernandez.

530
00:43:21,870 --> 00:43:23,430
It is simply a call for accountability.

531
00:43:24,170 --> 00:43:29,250
The public deserves answers, have all individuals involved in fraud or misconduct been identified and removed.

532
00:43:29,250 --> 00:43:32,690
What happened with the CASPER audit when another director was walked out?

533
00:43:32,850 --> 00:43:34,490
Will that report be presented publicly?

534
00:43:35,070 --> 00:43:40,090
Has there been an audit of Title I because we've seen some disturbing things about the way the money's being used?

535
00:43:40,510 --> 00:43:47,370
And where is the most recent evaluation of the superintendent and what evidence demonstrates that extending the contract now is in the district's best interest?

536
00:43:48,430 --> 00:43:55,210
Finally, if the board does choose to move forward with an extension which they may do if they vote on it, I am not in favor of a salary increase.

537
00:43:55,510 --> 00:43:58,110
I am always in favor of paying people fairly.

538
00:43:58,110 --> 00:44:01,250
But we have teachers on the ground who are not making enough.

539
00:44:01,530 --> 00:44:04,110
We have vacant positions that are not going to be filled this year.

540
00:44:04,490 --> 00:44:12,650
And we have directors who are already making six figures who were given increases at the last meeting with absolutely no opportunity for public comment.

541
00:44:13,170 --> 00:44:14,990
Those things were put on the agenda at the last minute.

542
00:44:15,210 --> 00:44:15,530
Thank you.

543
00:44:18,680 --> 00:44:20,560
Next speaker is Gina Verdebello.

544
00:44:33,860 --> 00:44:34,700
Good evening.

545
00:44:36,200 --> 00:44:38,820
President, members of the board and members of the community.

546
00:44:38,820 --> 00:44:44,040
My name is Gina Verdebello and I'm a former member of this Board of Education.

547
00:44:44,700 --> 00:44:52,020
I'm a former parent, my second daughter just graduated from McNair, oh thank you and but

548
00:44:52,020 --> 00:44:58,040
I'm also a taxpayer and I'm here tonight and I want to also say that this is not a personal

549
00:44:58,040 --> 00:44:59,980
attack on anybody. I'll.

550
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:29,960
I have really good relationships with a lot of everybody in this room, but it's more of a concern of what I've been seeing. And I know I haven't been here in a while, but I have been following what's been going on. And to be honest, it's not good. And this is an example of what I always fought for was facilities. And the fact that your elevator's broken, there's no air conditioning in here is already telling me lots of things. Anyway, my first, I'm here to express my opposition to renewing

551
00:45:29,960 --> 00:45:35,600
this contract. Only because my question is why now. The current contract doesn't expire

552
00:45:35,600 --> 00:45:39,800
until next year. If there is no urgency, why is the board rushing to approve a new

553
00:45:39,800 --> 00:45:44,820
fire contract tonight? The public deserves a clear explanation for why this decision

554
00:45:44,820 --> 00:45:50,660
cannot wait. The proposal also sends the wrong message to taxpayers. The board recently

555
00:45:50,660 --> 00:45:54,900
voted to raise taxes, explaining that the district needed additional resources to serve

556
00:45:54,900 --> 00:46:00,080
our students. Yet now we are discussing another long-term contract with more than a million

557
00:46:00,080 --> 00:46:03,720
dollars while administrators continue to receive raises. Whether or not this is legally

558
00:46:03,720 --> 00:46:07,460
permissible, it's difficult to justify the families who are paying more and expecting

559
00:46:07,460 --> 00:46:12,160
measurable improvements in student outcomes. The real question is not whether the superintendent

560
00:46:12,160 --> 00:46:16,020
is entitled to a contract. The question is whether the district's performance justifies

561
00:46:16,020 --> 00:46:20,400
it. And we're all on continuous decline. Student achievement remains below where it should

562
00:46:20,400 --> 00:46:24,880
be. Graduation rates below the state average. These are not statistics that are represented

563
00:46:24,880 --> 00:46:26,840
that the opportunity is available to our students.

564
00:46:27,300 --> 00:46:29,460
Before extending a contract years in advance,

565
00:46:29,660 --> 00:46:31,240
the board should be able to point significant

566
00:46:31,240 --> 00:46:32,460
measurable progress.

567
00:46:33,240 --> 00:46:34,460
When I served on this board,

568
00:46:34,620 --> 00:46:36,720
we made difficult decisions including raising taxes.

569
00:46:36,900 --> 00:46:39,380
We did so because our community supported it in our schools

570
00:46:39,380 --> 00:46:41,860
and because the district fully needed those resources,

571
00:46:42,040 --> 00:46:44,240
but with that investment came an expectation

572
00:46:44,240 --> 00:46:46,360
of accountability and responsible stewardship.

573
00:46:46,880 --> 00:46:48,860
Today, taxpayers deserve the same accountability.

574
00:46:49,480 --> 00:46:51,100
In the nonprofit sector where I work,

575
00:46:51,660 --> 00:46:53,960
we do more with less every day.

576
00:46:53,960 --> 00:46:57,780
Leaders understand that compensation increases are earned through demonstrated results.

577
00:46:58,180 --> 00:47:01,380
Imagine the message it would send to the superintendent voluntarily to

578
00:47:01,380 --> 00:47:05,620
client to salary increase until the district demonstrated stronger academic outcomes

579
00:47:05,620 --> 00:47:09,720
and financial stability. That would reflect a shared sacrifice in leadership.

580
00:47:10,360 --> 00:47:13,640
Instead of proving a fire contract now creates the appearance that decisions are

581
00:47:13,640 --> 00:47:18,120
predetermined rather than carefully evaluated. The board's responsibility is not to simply

582
00:47:18,120 --> 00:47:22,020
approve recommendations as responsibility to exercise independent oversight on behalf of

583
00:47:22,020 --> 00:47:23,380
students, families, and taxpayers.

584
00:47:23,980 --> 00:47:26,420
This community visitors transparency, accountability,

585
00:47:26,700 --> 00:47:28,360
and leadership that earns public trust,

586
00:47:28,540 --> 00:47:30,320
and that earns this board to postpone the vote.

587
00:47:30,700 --> 00:47:31,000
Thank you.

588
00:47:32,020 --> 00:47:32,860
Thank you.

589
00:47:33,600 --> 00:47:35,260
Next speaker is Renee Perna.

590
00:47:40,330 --> 00:47:41,310
Joel Carwas.

591
00:47:45,750 --> 00:47:46,770
Diane McKay.

592
00:47:56,540 --> 00:47:58,840
Good evening, members of the board.

593
00:47:59,800 --> 00:48:01,460
My name is Joel Carwas.

594
00:48:01,460 --> 00:48:06,100
I stand before you tonight, not just as an executive board member of our union,

595
00:48:06,660 --> 00:48:10,340
but as a proud product of the Jersey City public school system.

596
00:48:10,760 --> 00:48:15,620
I grew up in the heights and graduated from PS28 and McNair Academic.

597
00:48:16,280 --> 00:48:21,020
I have had the privilege of serving this community as a teacher for the past 22 years.

598
00:48:21,720 --> 00:48:24,060
I know this district inside and out.

599
00:48:24,360 --> 00:48:30,280
This is why I am here tonight to strongly urge you to renew Dr. Fernandez's contract.

600
00:48:30,280 --> 00:48:39,280
In fact, Dr. Fernandez, her phone might start chirping, Dr. Fernandez is one of us.

601
00:48:39,460 --> 00:48:43,780
And by us, I mean those that have deep roots here in Jersey City.

602
00:48:44,320 --> 00:48:48,540
She has dedicated her entire career to the children of Jersey City.

603
00:48:49,040 --> 00:48:52,560
She didn't just parachute into her current position.

604
00:48:53,100 --> 00:48:58,240
She walked the path from the classroom to now leading our entire school system.

605
00:48:58,240 --> 00:49:09,340
She understands a unique heartbeat of our city, the challenges our families face, and the immense potential of our students because she has lived it alongside us.

606
00:49:10,760 --> 00:49:15,600
We are here today because of the outside noise calling for a national search.

607
00:49:15,800 --> 00:49:23,480
Let me be clear, we do not need a national search when the exactly we need is already doing the work.

608
00:49:23,480 --> 00:49:24,400
And

609
00:49:30,130 --> 00:49:38,050
we should all do ourselves a favor and recall what a national search brought because we have been down this road before.

610
00:49:40,300 --> 00:49:52,400
So what happens when outside interest driven by a desire to tap into our district's public funding rather than a commitment to our kids try to plant their own person at the top?

611
00:49:52,400 --> 00:49:59,080
We remember a specific, previous superintendent who didn't even bother to visit our 40 plus

612
00:49:59,080 --> 00:50:07,420
schools to meet the stakeholders, that fundamental disrespect and disconnect, as well as with

613
00:50:07,420 --> 00:50:10,280
other reasons, forced us onto the picket lines.

614
00:50:11,020 --> 00:50:18,020
We had to strike to protect our students from an administration that didn't know us and

615
00:50:18,020 --> 00:50:19,820
quite frankly didn't care to.

616
00:50:21,100 --> 00:50:26,720
We cannot afford to go backward. Right now, what our district needs most is stability.

617
00:50:27,420 --> 00:50:32,540
Under our current superintendent, the morale of our staff and our students is strong.

618
00:50:33,680 --> 00:50:39,140
There is a trust in our buildings because our educators know they are being led by someone

619
00:50:39,140 --> 00:50:40,820
who has stood in their shoes.

620
00:50:43,330 --> 00:50:52,310
outsideers. They see a budget to be managed or exploited. We, the collective here, we see our

621
00:50:52,310 --> 00:50:57,990
hometown, our children's futures. I urge you to reject the

622
00:51:04,360 --> 00:51:06,900
next speaker is Diane McKay.

623
00:51:15,560 --> 00:51:24,560
Good evening. Board members, Dr. Fernandez. Imagine dedicating 44 years of your life in a career in

624
00:51:24,560 --> 00:51:28,160
in the same city, moving up the ranks, teacher, supervisor,

625
00:51:28,800 --> 00:51:31,960
VP, principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent.

626
00:51:32,820 --> 00:51:34,880
It's rare to see, which makes it so impressive.

627
00:51:35,600 --> 00:51:39,800
A Latina woman, the head of the second largest school district

628
00:51:39,800 --> 00:51:40,380
in the state.

629
00:51:41,500 --> 00:51:44,440
Now, I know I've heard of the petition,

630
00:51:44,760 --> 00:51:49,180
1600, 1800 signatures, cute, but not impressive.

631
00:51:49,640 --> 00:51:52,320
In a district with 29,000 students,

632
00:51:52,320 --> 00:52:02,950
That doesn't even reach 10%, but I'm all for petitions, your tax payers, you have a right to question where your money goes.

633
00:52:04,370 --> 00:52:13,650
I encourage it, as you sit here, outraged, are you outraged with the $200 million that went to charter schools?

634
00:52:14,710 --> 00:52:16,930
Where is their accountability?

635
00:52:18,210 --> 00:52:30,730
One of the questions put forward is Dr. Fernandez's salary, $1.5 million over five years, which will end 49 years of service.

636
00:52:33,150 --> 00:52:42,270
That's for considering at City Hall just hired five new positions and it's to $1.5 million.

637
00:52:42,270 --> 00:52:42,650
dollars.

638
00:52:45,530 --> 00:52:53,590
First year jobs. Solomon appointed a deputy mayor at $200,000. And we're talking

639
00:52:54,310 --> 00:53:01,670
track record. She just bolted from a West Orange school district where there were 77 ESPs laid

640
00:53:01,670 --> 00:53:09,210
off and a complete cancellation of all middle school sports. How many layoffs this year under Dr.

641
00:53:09,210 --> 00:53:21,040
Fernanda's zero and she didn't and she didn't beg Trenton for a bailout. Look I

642
00:53:21,040 --> 00:53:26,460
could go through how her pros outweigh her cons but I'll let you Google it.

643
00:53:26,740 --> 00:53:32,060
Better yet speak to some of the educators and the power professionals here. Is she

644
00:53:32,060 --> 00:53:38,440
perfect? No and I'd be the first to criticize as superintendent. But are any of us

645
00:53:38,440 --> 00:53:38,880
Is this perfect?

646
00:53:39,320 --> 00:53:39,640
No.

647
00:53:40,560 --> 00:53:45,780
I just know I picked someone familiar with the city, the staff, most important, the students

648
00:53:46,360 --> 00:53:47,960
over a nationwide search.

649
00:53:48,600 --> 00:53:49,920
We've been down that road before.

650
00:53:51,480 --> 00:53:57,000
Now I hear you say the JCA gives retaliations to teachers who speak out.

651
00:53:57,840 --> 00:53:59,740
I want you to know that is not true.

652
00:54:00,680 --> 00:54:03,000
You have an option to be a member of a union.

653
00:54:03,460 --> 00:54:04,420
You don't have to be.

654
00:54:04,420 --> 00:54:14,980
The crumbling schools, that's not nearly what it was, because more facility repairs in the past three and four years than every four of the Dr. Fernandez.

655
00:54:15,320 --> 00:54:15,860
We know.

656
00:54:25,360 --> 00:54:27,060
Next speaker is Kevin Reed.

657
00:54:32,990 --> 00:54:34,270
Next speaker is Terry Fox.

658
00:54:45,990 --> 00:54:48,250
One simple question. Why the rush?

659
00:54:48,850 --> 00:54:55,130
Why are we rushing to renew the superintendent's contract and improve a significant salary increase at this time?

660
00:54:55,130 --> 00:55:03,450
This decision deserves careful review, transparency, and meaningful public input, not an accelerated timeline.

661
00:55:04,110 --> 00:55:09,950
With three board seats up for election in November, I believe it would be more appropriate to allow the next board

662
00:55:09,950 --> 00:55:18,930
or at the very least a broader cross-section of the community when families return to the fall to participate in a decision of this magnitude.

663
00:55:18,930 --> 00:55:24,210
Delaying this vote would give more parents, teachers and staff the opportunity to be heard,

664
00:55:24,770 --> 00:55:29,750
and would allow the public to review a comprehensive performance evaluation before any long-term

665
00:55:29,750 --> 00:55:30,790
commitment is made.

666
00:55:31,430 --> 00:55:36,230
Many families have experienced ongoing issues within the district that they feel have gone

667
00:55:36,230 --> 00:55:37,070
unresolved.

668
00:55:37,550 --> 00:55:43,530
We continue to hear concerns about accountability, communication, and the overall direction

669
00:55:43,530 --> 00:55:44,450
of our schools.

670
00:55:44,450 --> 00:55:51,210
These concerns deserve attention before rewarding leadership with a new contract and a higher salary.

671
00:55:51,990 --> 00:55:59,530
This proposal also comes as the district continues to face serious questions following the recent special education audit,

672
00:55:59,930 --> 00:56:05,650
which reportedly identified significant issues requiring further review with law enforcement.

673
00:56:06,510 --> 00:56:12,730
At a time when public confidence needs to be rebuilt, rushing a contract renewal sends a wrong message.

674
00:56:12,730 --> 00:56:21,030
This is not about one contract, it is about trust, transparency, and putting students, educators, and taxpayers first.

675
00:56:21,710 --> 00:56:28,310
I respectfully urge the Board to postpone this decision at least until fall, when more families can participate.

676
00:56:28,670 --> 00:56:31,410
When we could get a bigger room, y'all, it is hot in here.

677
00:56:32,250 --> 00:56:40,530
The superintendents' performance can be fully evaluated in public at that time, and that this community can have confidence that the decision being made

678
00:56:40,530 --> 00:56:43,190
in the best entrance of Jersey City's children.

679
00:56:43,670 --> 00:56:44,470
Thank you.

680
00:56:47,330 --> 00:56:47,890
Oh,

681
00:56:51,640 --> 00:56:53,160
no, you didn't have a minute left.

682
00:56:53,340 --> 00:56:55,860
I just want to let you know and let everybody know

683
00:56:55,860 --> 00:56:58,660
that we did evaluate the superintendent

684
00:56:58,660 --> 00:57:01,660
as it's our duty to do on a yearly basis

685
00:57:01,660 --> 00:57:03,740
and she did really well.

686
00:57:04,080 --> 00:57:04,680
Thank you.

687
00:57:08,020 --> 00:57:09,800
Next speaker is Ron Greco.

688
00:57:15,810 --> 00:57:19,130
The attorney can speak with regards to the evaluation.

689
00:57:19,130 --> 00:57:20,330
It is not public.

690
00:57:20,330 --> 00:57:23,990
So through the chair and we normally don't go out of order like this

691
00:57:23,990 --> 00:57:30,310
But I think the board president's one to address an item that's come up the superintendents evaluation has to be done by June 30th of every year

692
00:57:30,310 --> 00:57:38,870
And it was done. It is a personnel document. It's a confidential document that is not released to the public like many other personal records

693
00:57:38,870 --> 00:57:44,970
So but it that's the law that requires that and protects us as well as protects our rights. Thank you

694
00:57:47,910 --> 00:57:48,290
Ronnie

695
00:57:49,050 --> 00:57:50,150
All right good evening

696
00:57:50,810 --> 00:57:59,380
excuse me. Good evening, President, Velazquez and the members of the board. I see the cabinet

697
00:57:59,380 --> 00:58:05,460
here, members of the community, and folks that have come out, educators and parents. It was said

698
00:58:05,460 --> 00:58:09,860
earlier, but thank you for coming out on a hot, smoky night because the democratic process is

699
00:58:09,860 --> 00:58:16,120
important. It's important to have civil discourse, and it's important to hear everyone's side and how

700
00:58:16,120 --> 00:58:24,440
they feel. Everybody wants to be heard in society. In the world of social media and tweeting

701
00:58:24,440 --> 00:58:29,800
an Instagram, you could put your thoughts out in a minute, including whoever occupies

702
00:58:29,800 --> 00:58:34,360
the White House, whether you agree with them or not. But that is the world we live in.

703
00:58:35,140 --> 00:58:41,480
So everyone's opinions should be respected. Everyone's opinions should be valued. And again,

704
00:58:41,480 --> 00:58:50,440
Again, the people that came out on this unhealthy evening, I give you kudos for doing that and speaking your part no matter what position you have.

705
00:58:51,120 --> 00:58:56,240
I will say in terms of the funding in the taxes here, I'm also a taxpayer here in Jersey City.

706
00:58:56,880 --> 00:59:01,940
And I have some elderly relatives, not many left, but who are suffering under the burden of taxes.

707
00:59:02,740 --> 00:59:09,880
The city's bankrupt, we need a bailout from Trenton, from 1,600 Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C.

708
00:59:09,880 --> 00:59:14,020
to West State Street in Trenton, to 280 Grove Street.

709
00:59:14,380 --> 00:59:17,280
No matter who the politician is, no matter who the party is,

710
00:59:17,780 --> 00:59:21,540
no matter who the affiliation is, they're after public tax dollars in education.

711
00:59:22,160 --> 00:59:24,240
It's a pot of money that everyone wants to grab.

712
00:59:24,840 --> 00:59:34,120
From investment companies to pension profiteers to consultants to the medical group to charter school chains.

713
00:59:34,660 --> 00:59:46,660
I can say here what we've done this year, and I had the ability, I had the opportunity to sit with human resources and the superintendent and a lot of other staff to come to zero layoffs as a miracle.

714
00:59:48,120 --> 00:59:58,600
With the budget cuts that we have faced, I was here in 1998, I was here in 2009, I was here in 2012 and 2019.

715
00:59:58,600 --> 00:59:59,960
Again, went down.

716
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:28,460
Thousands of parents and many of you could test that, marched in the streets with educators for reform and to oust superintendents from the outside. Now, as my time is running short, whether you agree with me or not, this is my piece what I have to say. Norma, Dr. Fernandez started here in 1982. She has longevity here. Sometimes people you say when the hell they're going to retire. It's not her time yet. She walks the walk. She talks the walk. She's in the school buildings.

717
01:00:28,460 --> 01:00:30,740
She's in many of the communities in the churches.

718
01:00:31,220 --> 01:00:33,400
Yes, there are people that are not going to like her.

719
01:00:33,600 --> 01:00:35,460
There are some days that I don't like her.

720
01:00:35,700 --> 01:00:36,980
But we agree to disagree.

721
01:00:38,020 --> 01:00:41,180
My opinion is, and most of the educators here

722
01:00:41,560 --> 01:00:43,660
and across the district, right now,

723
01:00:44,540 --> 01:00:47,400
Dr. Fernandez is the woman to lead us.

724
01:00:47,520 --> 01:00:49,480
This is her time and this is her place.

725
01:00:50,040 --> 01:00:50,480
Thank you.

726
01:00:55,250 --> 01:00:57,710
Next speaker is Renee Pernah,

727
01:01:01,580 --> 01:01:03,320
Renee Pernah,

728
01:01:05,340 --> 01:01:13,300
next speaker is Sandra Robinson Green,

729
01:01:22,320 --> 01:01:23,060
she's in the hallway,

730
01:01:26,700 --> 01:01:28,280
seven, she was in the hallway.

731
01:01:28,280 --> 01:01:28,320
Okay,

732
01:01:35,420 --> 01:01:52,720
Mr. Okay, what we'll do, Mr. McBride, after Mr. Renee speaks, if anyone is not here when you call their names, let's just go through the whole list and then at the end, we'll call again for those that may have just return. Okay? Thank you.

733
01:01:52,720 --> 01:01:55,120
Next speaker Sandra Robinson-Green.

734
01:01:57,580 --> 01:01:58,620
Good evening once again.

735
01:02:02,640 --> 01:02:06,020
I came before the board earlier

736
01:02:06,020 --> 01:02:17,760
in regards to the repositioning or appointment of the of Matt Schneider. Now I come before

737
01:02:17,760 --> 01:02:23,220
you speaking on behalf of the Board of A contract.

738
01:02:25,560 --> 01:02:27,580
I stand before you today respectfully.

739
01:02:27,580 --> 01:02:36,140
As this board asking this board to postpone the vote on the superintendent's contract until further notice.

740
01:02:36,580 --> 01:02:39,960
This request is not about any one individual.

741
01:02:40,620 --> 01:02:47,300
It is about honoring the process, demonstrating good governance, and maintaining the public's trust.

742
01:02:48,100 --> 01:02:54,760
The Jersey City Board of Education is entrusted with making decisions that shape the future of our students,

743
01:02:54,760 --> 01:03:02,780
educators and taxpayers. A superintendent's contract is one of the most significant decisions

744
01:03:03,060 --> 01:03:10,240
this boy will make. It deserves careful consideration, adequate public review, and thoughtful

745
01:03:10,240 --> 01:03:18,880
discussion, not an accelerated timeline. When major decisions are made before the established

746
01:03:18,880 --> 01:03:27,480
or expected timeframe, it can create the perception that outcomes was predetermined or that the

747
01:03:27,480 --> 01:03:35,780
public's voice is an afterthought. Even if that is not the case, perception matters. Public

748
01:03:35,780 --> 01:03:44,780
confidence is built when boards follow transparency procedures and allow significant time for questions,

749
01:03:44,780 --> 01:03:50,800
feedback and informed decision. Postponing this vote does not prevent the

750
01:03:50,800 --> 01:03:56,880
board from fulfilling its responsibility. It demonstrates a commitment to

751
01:03:56,880 --> 01:04:03,020
accountability, fairness and transparency. It sends a message that the board

752
01:04:03,020 --> 01:04:08,720
values due diligence over expenditure and welcomes meaningful public

753
01:04:08,720 --> 01:04:13,780
engagement. Our students deserve leadership that begins with integrity.

754
01:04:13,780 --> 01:04:20,820
our educators deserve confidence that decisions are made thoughtfully and our

755
01:04:20,820 --> 01:04:27,920
community deserves to know that its elected representatives respect both the

756
01:04:27,920 --> 01:04:34,320
process and the people they serve. I respectfully urge the boy to postpone the

757
01:04:34,320 --> 01:04:40,500
superintendent's contract vote until further notice so that the important

758
01:04:40,500 --> 01:04:47,060
decision is made with transparency, deliberation, and public conflict it deserves.

759
01:04:47,620 --> 01:04:51,300
Thank you so much for your time and your consideration.

760
01:04:51,940 --> 01:04:58,580
And as stated before, I honor the landmark case of Robinson versus Christmas.

761
01:05:02,140 --> 01:05:04,140
Next speaker is Sarah Gaural.

762
01:05:08,660 --> 01:05:10,880
Next speaker is Eunice Barcooch.

763
01:05:16,040 --> 01:05:18,280
Next speaker is Lenny Shulgan.

764
01:05:46,190 --> 01:05:51,750
Good evening, Board. My name is Lenny Shogun. I live in Ward F. I'm here to discuss

765
01:05:54,850 --> 01:05:59,710
Superintendent Fernandez's five-year extension. I personally have not seen her performance evaluation,

766
01:05:59,710 --> 01:06:05,890
so you know what? I'll do my own evaluation. And since Dr. Fernandez is a former teacher,

767
01:06:06,230 --> 01:06:10,790
it only makes sense to give her a report card. So you have been the CEO of the school district for

768
01:06:10,790 --> 01:06:15,950
four and a half years, so we're holding responsible, completely directly accountable for the following subjects.

769
01:06:16,610 --> 01:06:24,550
Reading, 45% of students in the Jersey City School can read a grade level, compared to 53% statewide.

770
01:06:25,050 --> 01:06:26,090
That is a D.

771
01:06:28,620 --> 01:06:31,960
Math, 31% compared to 41% statewide.

772
01:06:32,320 --> 01:06:33,080
That's another D.

773
01:06:35,920 --> 01:06:41,420
A graduation rates, 78% compared to 92 statewide, third D in a row.

774
01:06:41,420 --> 01:06:41,480
So,

775
01:06:44,570 --> 01:06:50,710
okay, economics, the budget is over $1.1 billion per year.

776
01:06:51,090 --> 01:06:57,830
Spending per student is up 68% in the last six years, all coming from taxpayer pockets.

777
01:06:58,330 --> 01:07:00,490
That's not a D, that's an F.

778
01:07:04,060 --> 01:07:10,200
A law, it took you five years to start a special education audit, three more years to finish it,

779
01:07:10,440 --> 01:07:14,100
and the results are so bad that it's going straight to law enforcement, that's an F.

780
01:07:17,170 --> 01:07:22,890
Communication, I have repeatedly seen you discourage public comment and fail to engage

781
01:07:22,890 --> 01:07:24,930
with constructive feedback, clear F.

782
01:07:29,250 --> 01:07:34,310
Respect, arresting and charging a single mom for advocating

783
01:07:34,310 --> 01:07:38,890
for her special needs child and her community is all that needs to be mentioned.

784
01:07:39,310 --> 01:07:39,550
F,

785
01:07:43,640 --> 01:07:47,220
overall, you get a D minus.

786
01:07:49,250 --> 01:07:52,770
And that's being generous. To quote a previous speaker,

787
01:07:52,770 --> 01:07:54,170
That's not impressive.

788
01:07:56,560 --> 01:08:01,180
Now, would you graduate a student with a report card that looks like this?

789
01:08:01,720 --> 01:08:08,880
Why are we even considering retaining, let alone extending and giving a raise to a superintendant like this?

790
01:08:09,480 --> 01:08:10,040
Thank you.

791
01:08:13,540 --> 01:08:20,160
Next speaker is Casey Hauer, next

792
01:08:23,040 --> 01:08:24,900
speaker is Melissa Keary,

793
01:08:29,970 --> 01:08:31,530
next speaker is Sabrina Herald.

794
01:08:31,930 --> 01:08:32,170
Good

795
01:08:43,690 --> 01:08:46,430
evening trustees and members of the public.

796
01:08:46,430 --> 01:08:51,910
Today, tonight you're being asked to take formal action extended Superintendent Fernandez's

797
01:08:51,910 --> 01:08:55,550
contract for five years through June 30th, 2031.

798
01:08:56,470 --> 01:08:59,530
Before you vote, I want to raise two things.

799
01:09:00,050 --> 01:09:02,050
One procedural and one substantive.

800
01:09:02,830 --> 01:09:08,590
First, the procedural problem, under state law, a board must give at least 30 days public

801
01:09:08,590 --> 01:09:13,610
notice before acting to extend, amend, or alter a superintendent's contract.

802
01:09:13,610 --> 01:09:18,770
The legal notice for tonight's hearing was published on June 17th.

803
01:09:18,770 --> 01:09:21,610
30 days before tonight is June 16th.

804
01:09:22,330 --> 01:09:24,610
That notice was published one day late.

805
01:09:26,390 --> 01:09:32,690
Superintendents, Fernandez's current contract doesn't expire until June 30th of 2027.

806
01:09:33,130 --> 01:09:35,910
She was only two years into a three year term.

807
01:09:36,270 --> 01:09:39,390
This isn't a routine renewal of an expiring agreement.

808
01:09:39,390 --> 01:09:45,430
It's an early extension on defective notice and it deserves to be done right, not rushed.

809
01:09:45,970 --> 01:09:49,770
Second, the substance and what you're being asked to reward.

810
01:09:50,250 --> 01:09:55,950
41 days ago, a superior court judge permanently affirmed the jury's finding that this district's

811
01:09:55,950 --> 01:10:01,710
leadership engaged in intentional, especially egregious retaliation against a whistleblower,

812
01:10:02,150 --> 01:10:06,750
executed with actual malice, that finding was unlimited to one employee.

813
01:10:06,750 --> 01:10:12,450
It describes conduct unauthorized at the highest levels of this organization.

814
01:10:13,120 --> 01:10:17,890
In the weeks since that ruling, this district has not paused to reflect on it.

815
01:10:18,330 --> 01:10:24,030
A 3.78 million payment went out the door in 2024 without proper documentation or board

816
01:10:24,030 --> 01:10:29,870
approval under Superintendent Fernandez's direction, according to the district's own

817
01:10:29,870 --> 01:10:31,290
former business administrator.

818
01:10:31,290 --> 01:10:37,790
A special education audit set on the shelf for over a year before this board ever saw it.

819
01:10:38,050 --> 01:10:42,910
And three weeks ago, this board promoted the HR director at the center of that mallet

820
01:10:42,910 --> 01:10:47,910
finding to assistance superintendent on the superintendent's own recommendation

821
01:10:47,910 --> 01:10:53,050
through an agenda item that told the public nothing until after the vote was already taken.

822
01:10:53,530 --> 01:10:59,110
I'm not asking you to make a decision about superintendent for Nandis' character tonight.

823
01:10:59,110 --> 01:11:12,550
I'm asking you to do something much simpler, follow your own notice requirements, and take the time to actually weigh what's happened in this district over the last year before locking in five more years on a rushed timeline.

824
01:11:13,410 --> 01:11:27,550
Delay this vote, cure the notice defect, give the public and yourselves the time this decision actually deserves that's not too much to ask before committing millions of taxpayers dollars for the next five years.

825
01:11:27,550 --> 01:11:29,370
Thank you very much, have a great evening.

826
01:11:32,120 --> 01:11:34,300
Next speaker is Danielle Bider.

827
01:11:38,610 --> 01:11:39,830
Next speaker is Mike Greco.

828
01:11:48,840 --> 01:11:49,300
Good evening.

829
01:11:50,160 --> 01:11:55,200
I am here to express my strong support for extending the contract of Dr. Norma Fernandez,

830
01:11:55,200 --> 01:11:57,500
a superintendent of the Jersey City public schools.

831
01:11:58,300 --> 01:12:02,380
I do so not only as an educator with more than 22 years of experience,

832
01:12:02,380 --> 01:12:05,840
who is fortunate enough to educate in the community where I grew up,

833
01:12:06,100 --> 01:12:09,300
but also as a proud Jersey City public school father.

834
01:12:09,300 --> 01:12:14,560
I have witnessed Dr. Fernandez's leadership from both perspectives, and I firmly believe

835
01:12:14,560 --> 01:12:16,880
she is leading our district in the right direction.

836
01:12:17,520 --> 01:12:21,940
Dr. Fernandez inherited a district facing significant challenges.

837
01:12:22,400 --> 01:12:27,620
She took the helm following years of instability while our schools were still grappling with

838
01:12:27,620 --> 01:12:32,760
the academic learning loss and mental health struggles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

839
01:12:33,180 --> 01:12:38,280
At the same time, the district has continued to face the devastating effects of New Jersey's

840
01:12:38,280 --> 01:12:42,680
unfair state school funding formula forcing difficult decisions.

841
01:12:43,260 --> 01:12:49,420
Despite these obstacles, Dr. Fernandez had slid with professionalism, integrity, and compassion.

842
01:12:49,840 --> 01:12:55,280
She has restored confidence and significantly improved staff morale throughout the district.

843
01:12:55,700 --> 01:12:59,940
Her leadership has empowered educators to do what they do best.

844
01:13:00,360 --> 01:13:04,320
Teach with empathy, build meaningful relationships with students and

845
01:13:04,320 --> 01:13:06,760
and focus on educating the whole child.

846
01:13:07,200 --> 01:13:12,240
Unlike previous administrations that often placed an overwhelming emphasis on standardized

847
01:13:12,240 --> 01:13:17,480
test scores, Dr. Fernandes recognizes that our students are more than just data points.

848
01:13:17,900 --> 01:13:23,320
She understands that true educational success comes from supporting students academically,

849
01:13:24,100 --> 01:13:25,360
socially and emotionally.

850
01:13:25,760 --> 01:13:31,140
By fostering a culture that values the whole child, she has helped create learning environments

851
01:13:31,140 --> 01:13:33,540
where students and educators can thrive.

852
01:13:33,540 --> 01:13:52,880
The progress our district has made under her leadership has been achieved despite circumstances that would have challenged any superintendent her steady leadership vision and compassion or the reason why you have a room full of educators here in July saying that we want Norma Fernandez as the captain of our ship.

853
01:13:53,500 --> 01:13:59,900
For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Board of Education to extend Dr. Norma Fernandez's contract as superintendent,

854
01:13:59,900 --> 01:14:03,020
and then continue her leadership and to finish the work

855
01:14:03,020 --> 01:14:07,180
which we as a team started and which we will gladly finish

856
01:14:07,180 --> 01:14:08,220
with her as our leader.

857
01:14:08,840 --> 01:14:10,960
For those of you saying, why the rush?

858
01:14:11,400 --> 01:14:12,320
I think that's clear.

859
01:14:13,120 --> 01:14:16,260
City Hall has made its intention clear.

860
01:14:16,620 --> 01:14:18,880
When you, not a point, because when you a point you vote,

861
01:14:19,120 --> 01:14:22,000
you anoint someone from a community far away

862
01:14:22,000 --> 01:14:24,420
who can't even find PS15 on a map.

863
01:14:24,800 --> 01:14:27,040
This is why we're rushing the search.

864
01:14:27,700 --> 01:14:31,840
We will not go through that again, thank you.

865
01:14:36,820 --> 01:14:38,940
Next speaker is Cheryl Mays,

866
01:14:42,280 --> 01:14:44,020
next speaker is Kevin Zahn.

867
01:14:44,340 --> 01:14:45,840
She's right there, and she's right there.

868
01:14:52,770 --> 01:14:57,990
Tonight I just want to talk about out of title, Assign Instance and how it affects the budget.

869
01:14:58,690 --> 01:14:59,970
Tonight I want to address what I'm-

870
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:29,980
I believe is a long-standing issue involving how to title assignments and the improper use of custodial employees. As custodians, we already have a tremendous workload during the summer. Yet despite this workload, custodians are routinely expected to paint still else and other areas of our buildings. Even though painting is not a part of the civil service law specification for a custodian, the district employee's painless, whose title specifically includes painting, duties and whose compensations reflect those specialized skills.

871
01:15:29,980 --> 01:15:34,360
the district will also maintain an overtime budget for painters to perform this work.

872
01:15:34,900 --> 01:15:40,160
It painters, it painters overtime funds exist, but it not being utilized, it is difficult

873
01:15:40,160 --> 01:15:45,740
to understand why custodians are expected to perform painted duties at custodian wages.

874
01:15:46,260 --> 01:15:51,320
This is not merely a staffing decision, it is a compensation issue and a fairness issue.

875
01:15:51,700 --> 01:15:55,920
Recently, I raised a concern with my union and was advised that painting is not a part

876
01:15:55,920 --> 01:16:02,420
of the custodial specification in these assignments raised legitimate out of concern, out of titles.

877
01:16:02,600 --> 01:16:03,780
I'm sorry, out of title concerns.

878
01:16:03,780 --> 01:16:09,880
At the same time, the school where I currently work, PS15, remains grossly understaffed by five

879
01:16:09,880 --> 01:16:15,920
custodial positions at night. custodians are always stepped, custodians have always stepped up and done

880
01:16:15,920 --> 01:16:20,880
what was needed to get the schools ready for students for the new year.

881
01:16:20,880 --> 01:16:28,060
But there comes a point where helping out becomes sub substitute for another title or together on a personal level

882
01:16:28,060 --> 01:16:31,480
I believe custodians have been exploited in this regard for many years

883
01:16:32,200 --> 01:16:32,800
Respecting

884
01:16:32,800 --> 01:16:36,340
Draw titles protects employees tax payers and

885
01:16:36,340 --> 01:16:42,480
Protects the integrity of the system itself if the district needs painters then the painless should paint if additional work

886
01:16:42,480 --> 01:16:49,060
For this then the painless overtime budget should be utilized and if it's not we're so money going and if employees are expected to

887
01:16:49,060 --> 01:16:50,840
before I'm due these outside of the title,

888
01:16:51,080 --> 01:16:53,580
then they should have their compensation provided

889
01:16:53,580 --> 01:16:56,080
for under the under title provisions

890
01:16:56,080 --> 01:16:57,820
because there is something in our title.

891
01:16:58,040 --> 01:16:59,500
I mean, it's something that I've booked this Saturday.

892
01:16:59,940 --> 01:17:02,060
And I also want to say something about this broken system.

893
01:17:02,260 --> 01:17:04,420
It's not broken because if it's fixed,

894
01:17:04,960 --> 01:17:07,840
all these bad practices couldn't continue.

895
01:17:08,020 --> 01:17:09,240
So trust, it's not broken.

896
01:17:09,240 --> 01:17:11,660
It's working exactly the way y'all want it to work, please.

897
01:17:15,610 --> 01:17:17,230
Next speaker is Kevin Zon.

898
01:17:21,580 --> 01:17:22,780
Next speaker is Elena Little.

899
01:17:22,780 --> 01:17:22,820
Hello.

900
01:17:35,760 --> 01:17:36,300
Hi.

901
01:17:36,560 --> 01:17:36,940
Good evening.

902
01:17:37,280 --> 01:17:38,220
My name is Elena Little.

903
01:17:38,540 --> 01:17:42,100
I am a wardee council person for the City of Jersey City, but I'm speaking tonight in

904
01:17:42,100 --> 01:17:43,060
my personal capacity.

905
01:17:44,160 --> 01:17:50,560
I am here to propose the rush to oppose the rush five-year contract renewal for the superintendent.

906
01:17:51,240 --> 01:17:56,420
I want to first thank everyone here who is here tonight to participate in the democratic process

907
01:17:56,420 --> 01:17:58,960
whether we disagree or agree on this issue.

908
01:18:00,370 --> 01:18:02,220
This is what community engagement looks like.

909
01:18:02,220 --> 01:18:07,680
And I want to be clear, I fully support the teachers who are here tonight, they deserve

910
01:18:07,680 --> 01:18:11,760
a fair contract, but that is a separate question from the question at hand.

911
01:18:13,180 --> 01:18:17,960
A vote to extend the superintendent's contract for five years, more than the previous renewal

912
01:18:17,960 --> 01:18:22,040
of three years, is a commitment to the same direction for the Jersey City public schools

913
01:18:22,040 --> 01:18:23,920
from now until 2031.

914
01:18:24,680 --> 01:18:25,820
It is a vote of confidence.

915
01:18:26,340 --> 01:18:31,740
And while I thank her for her decades of service, in my opinion, the significant ongoing issues

916
01:18:31,740 --> 01:18:35,040
in the district do not warrant a rushed five-year commitment.

917
01:18:35,500 --> 01:18:37,620
They deserve careful and thoughtful consideration.

918
01:18:39,380 --> 01:18:41,880
Less than a third of our students are proficient in math,

919
01:18:42,240 --> 01:18:44,660
only 41% are proficient in English language arts,

920
01:18:45,080 --> 01:18:47,800
and our high school graduation rate is only 78%.

921
01:18:48,200 --> 01:18:50,460
And the latest part of the special education audit

922
01:18:50,460 --> 01:18:53,240
that was delayed for seven years was so bad,

923
01:18:53,660 --> 01:18:55,920
it was sent straight to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

924
01:18:57,180 --> 01:19:00,120
Further, the Jersey City Board of Education has increased their tax

925
01:19:00,120 --> 01:19:03,280
It's levied by over $200 million in just the last two years.

926
01:19:03,980 --> 01:19:12,660
Our superintendent is currently the second highest paid in the state, and I believe this five year contract will make her the highest paid in the state earning nearly $400,000 a year.

927
01:19:13,720 --> 01:19:14,200
No?

928
01:19:15,440 --> 01:19:27,520
So, well, that was based on what I looked up earlier today, so in any case, I urge the board not to rush, to take your time and

929
01:19:27,520 --> 01:19:33,260
And to make sure that the decision that is being made is the best decision for the very real issues are district faces.

930
01:19:33,760 --> 01:19:34,200
Thank you.

931
01:19:39,290 --> 01:19:39,990
Next speaker.

932
01:19:40,310 --> 01:19:42,030
I'm sorry, Mr. B.A., could you just hold for a second?

933
01:19:43,710 --> 01:19:46,010
I just have to make this perfect hooker.

934
01:19:46,190 --> 01:19:53,230
I find it absurd that you will come in here, Madam Councilwoman, and

935
01:19:53,230 --> 01:20:01,070
criticize our governmental process on renewing our superintendent's contract when you voted in favor of the

936
01:20:01,070 --> 01:20:06,750
200,000 dollar contracts is for the deputy of education who does absolutely nothing compared

937
01:20:06,750 --> 01:20:07,530
to education.

938
01:20:10,180 --> 01:20:18,700
In addition to that, you talk about seven years of failure that we had, well how about

939
01:20:18,700 --> 01:20:25,780
you're supporting an initiative for a mayor that's trying to do a 20% increase and now 15%

940
01:20:26,050 --> 01:20:30,310
to the council and then you have the audacity to come up here and try and tell us what we're

941
01:20:30,310 --> 01:20:36,810
supposed to be doing when you admit it on the record that you would vote for 20%, so you have the

942
01:20:36,810 --> 01:20:41,210
audacity to do that. I think you need to tend to the business of the city and let us tend to the

943
01:20:41,210 --> 01:20:42,410
business of the Board of Education.

944
01:20:48,490 --> 01:20:52,590
Excuse me, sir, you're out of line. You can't do that. You gotta go.

945
01:20:52,670 --> 01:20:56,130
You gotta leave. You gotta leave. You gotta leave. Goodbye.

946
01:20:58,990 --> 01:21:00,830
You can't do that. You can't do that.

947
01:21:04,850 --> 01:21:09,090
Ms. Little, Ms. Little, Councilwoman, give me a second, please.

948
01:21:09,730 --> 01:21:12,090
And we usually do not,

949
01:21:17,310 --> 01:21:18,570
we usually-

950
01:21:18,570 --> 01:21:21,930
Wait a minute, before you continue, what's happening over there?

951
01:21:22,990 --> 01:21:24,730
And is he being arrested again?

952
01:21:25,050 --> 01:21:26,810
The police are over there, they can handle it.

953
01:21:27,210 --> 01:21:29,250
The police are over there, they can handle it.

954
01:21:29,870 --> 01:21:34,990
I just want to communicate, I just

955
01:21:37,650 --> 01:21:38,670
want to communicate,

956
01:21:38,670 --> 01:21:47,170
miss little that it's not the norm that we break into your conversation and to

957
01:21:47,170 --> 01:21:53,910
discuss or to rebuttal but because you guys did not even stay here had the

958
01:21:53,910 --> 01:21:59,810
decency to listen to us the last time that we had a meeting you guys spoke we

959
01:21:59,810 --> 01:22:05,130
allowed it we smiled and when it was our time to speak to you you all left so

960
01:22:05,130 --> 01:22:13,150
I'm allowing this board to take it upon themselves and communicate with you before you decide to run away again. Thank you.

961
01:22:16,430 --> 01:22:17,990
Let's move on.

962
01:22:19,430 --> 01:22:22,070
Next speaker is Sam Solia.

963
01:22:22,430 --> 01:22:23,390
Thank you.

964
01:22:35,920 --> 01:22:36,660
All right, all right.

965
01:22:37,460 --> 01:22:38,440
What a drama, right?

966
01:22:39,140 --> 01:22:40,320
It's everything is scripted.

967
01:22:40,800 --> 01:22:41,220
Perfect.

968
01:22:41,580 --> 01:22:42,300
Pictures.

969
01:22:43,020 --> 01:22:43,940
We have producers.

970
01:22:44,360 --> 01:22:45,000
We have directors.

971
01:22:45,920 --> 01:22:46,600
Actors.

972
01:22:47,460 --> 01:22:48,520
Everything is scripted.

973
01:22:49,140 --> 01:22:55,080
before this meeting begin right they know what's gonna happen they have to select

974
01:22:55,080 --> 01:23:03,080
one person to appoint it as a broad trustee everybody show up here to and they

975
01:23:03,080 --> 01:23:06,520
pitch them why they need to be selected and they selected one person who didn't

976
01:23:06,520 --> 01:23:11,580
show up here and she's not even a mother she don't have kids in the public school

977
01:23:11,580 --> 01:23:18,090
this is what happened here because you know what it was all scripted swear

978
01:23:18,090 --> 01:23:24,950
God put a hand in your heart, tell me that he didn't receive any instruction from the union bosses who we go into select

979
01:23:25,530 --> 01:23:26,710
We all know that

980
01:23:27,510 --> 01:23:31,370
We also know that and of no matter what we say here

981
01:23:31,370 --> 01:23:35,550
You still gonna extend the contract which is absolutely not necessary

982
01:23:36,470 --> 01:23:39,190
but I will still ask you some questions and

983
01:23:40,270 --> 01:23:41,270
Our my question is

984
01:23:41,270 --> 01:23:48,270
This contract is $2 million altogether approximately and she gonna come in the control for more than

985
01:23:48,270 --> 01:23:51,430
a $6 billion for next five years for our taxpayer money.

986
01:23:53,110 --> 01:23:59,110
So the question is and we know that why you're doing it because in January everything going to change.

987
01:23:59,290 --> 01:24:06,370
This color is going to change. There are four seats up for the election which is 45% is going to change and that's why you are doing it.

988
01:24:06,810 --> 01:24:08,950
So my question is trustee Patel.

989
01:24:09,650 --> 01:24:16,490
What's going to happen after January, if we decide to put a motion, no confidence on

990
01:24:16,490 --> 01:24:18,630
a superintendent, what are you going to do with the $2 million?

991
01:24:18,990 --> 01:24:20,790
Is she going to walk away with the $2 million?

992
01:24:21,270 --> 01:24:22,170
Did you have this question?

993
01:24:22,350 --> 01:24:22,930
Did you have a thought?

994
01:24:23,490 --> 01:24:23,950
No, right?

995
01:24:24,230 --> 01:24:24,670
I don't think so.

996
01:24:24,730 --> 01:24:25,410
You think about it.

997
01:24:26,450 --> 01:24:28,610
I want to ask you a lot of things about the trustee Iofi.

998
01:24:28,710 --> 01:24:33,490
She came yesterday, sitting home meeting and telling that, oh, we are so transferred and

999
01:24:33,490 --> 01:24:33,790
honest.

1000
01:24:33,790 --> 01:24:34,970
We let people to speak.

1001
01:24:35,610 --> 01:24:36,650
Speaking is not important.

1002
01:24:36,650 --> 01:24:40,830
Thank you for giving us a three minute listening listen to us listen to your heart

1003
01:24:40,830 --> 01:24:47,750
What we are trying to tell you you give us a reason one and a half year ago to raise a superintendent salary because she is not

1004
01:24:47,750 --> 01:24:52,850
And top-file making super in a salary. Bayon superman is making more money than heart

1005
01:24:52,850 --> 01:25:00,910
That was a reason that superhuman intelligence reason that we can't understand that only she understand that she tried to explain

1006
01:25:00,910 --> 01:25:06,150
The budget line. She was reading nobody's explaining my son can read all the budget line the numbers

1007
01:25:06,830 --> 01:25:12,990
Telling council person to love our own councilwoman early on a little they understand no, they don't understand that

1008
01:25:12,990 --> 01:25:17,390
They are just listening it. Please don't use that. She has a reason just telling us

1009
01:25:17,390 --> 01:25:23,490
You know, we cannot put their conditioning because you know our electricity is sold so now 15 second lab

1010
01:25:24,150 --> 01:25:28,410
I want to tell you God bless all of you and make God

1011
01:25:29,310 --> 01:25:31,910
Forgive you what you are doing today. Thank you very much

1012
01:25:31,910 --> 01:25:32,790
The

1013
01:25:41,820 --> 01:25:47,500
last speaker, Frances Whitman, submitted an email in your folder that exhausts the speakers list.

1014
01:25:53,110 --> 01:25:55,590
We thank you for providing the email.

1015
01:25:55,990 --> 01:25:59,050
We don't read the emails, but we'll accept it, thank you.

1016
01:26:00,550 --> 01:26:01,070
And

1017
01:26:04,460 --> 01:26:08,820
please call on those that we're not here when you first call them.

1018
01:26:08,880 --> 01:26:13,820
If they're here, we'll hear them now, and then we'll move on to our vote.

1019
01:26:13,820 --> 01:26:15,500
Darin Martin,

1020
01:26:19,140 --> 01:26:19,740
Renee Perna,

1021
01:26:22,530 --> 01:26:23,110
Kevin Reed,

1022
01:26:25,820 --> 01:26:26,640
Sarah Garal,

1023
01:26:29,400 --> 01:26:30,620
Eunice Farcouche,

1024
01:26:33,370 --> 01:26:33,790
Casey Hauer,

1025
01:26:36,330 --> 01:26:37,230
Melissa Kirin,

1026
01:26:39,610 --> 01:26:40,430
Danielle Byter,

1027
01:26:42,650 --> 01:26:43,410
Kevin Zon,

1028
01:26:46,010 --> 01:26:47,250
that concludes the speaker's list.

1029
01:26:48,190 --> 01:26:49,210
Thank you.

1030
01:26:52,940 --> 01:26:53,080
Okay.

1031
01:26:53,800 --> 01:26:57,340
Yes, I am now open to board comments, please.

1032
01:27:00,010 --> 01:27:00,830
Madam President.

1033
01:27:01,210 --> 01:27:01,470
Yes.

1034
01:27:01,470 --> 01:27:10,770
Yes, I just want to say, you know, we've heard several members from the community talk about the vote of confidence for our super attended.

1035
01:27:12,250 --> 01:27:30,170
After we did the superintendent's evaluation, and I know, I'm going to just say this, I know it's personnel, but her evaluation was close to almost amazing because the board

1036
01:27:30,170 --> 01:27:33,450
with the exception of a couple of impediments,

1037
01:27:33,690 --> 01:27:36,190
agreed that our superintendent is not perfect,

1038
01:27:36,630 --> 01:27:39,390
but she is dealing with the, she's dealing

1039
01:27:39,390 --> 01:27:41,450
with what she has and she's making the best of it.

1040
01:27:41,970 --> 01:27:44,570
We talk about this special education investigation

1041
01:27:45,090 --> 01:27:47,190
and all of the corruption that was revealed

1042
01:27:47,190 --> 01:27:50,050
through the review and the audit,

1043
01:27:50,510 --> 01:27:52,990
but you fell to realize that the superintendent,

1044
01:27:53,990 --> 01:27:59,150
under my presidency, she initiated this audit

1045
01:27:59,150 --> 01:28:07,390
because she came in contact with some information that said, hey, something's not right here and she took the initiative to start that investigation.

1046
01:28:07,990 --> 01:28:11,430
It wasn't easy because obviously we knew who was involved.

1047
01:28:11,850 --> 01:28:17,790
So let's be very clear about this superintendent's leadership and what she's done so far.

1048
01:28:18,290 --> 01:28:22,310
I hear people talk about this petition with all of these signatures that was online.

1049
01:28:22,810 --> 01:28:27,170
Those signatures are not verified that they are actually Jersey City residents that signed that petition.

1050
01:28:27,170 --> 01:28:35,210
And further, a petition does not even exist if it's not presented to the people who are actually making the decision on what's going to happen with the superintendent.

1051
01:28:35,710 --> 01:28:37,390
So it's great that you have a petition.

1052
01:28:37,870 --> 01:28:41,870
Congratulations, but unfortunately, you didn't give it to the people that are actually supposed to have it.

1053
01:28:43,790 --> 01:28:46,690
Personnel matters don't need public review.

1054
01:28:47,250 --> 01:28:55,470
So in regards to the assistant superintendents, that is a decision of the board, which is why we did it in closed session.

1055
01:28:56,390 --> 01:29:00,010
And then I heard someone talk about an inheritance.

1056
01:29:00,710 --> 01:29:02,890
The superintendent did inherit a mess.

1057
01:29:03,490 --> 01:29:06,970
You think this special education just started two days or two years ago?

1058
01:29:07,190 --> 01:29:08,130
No, it was inherited.

1059
01:29:08,590 --> 01:29:13,470
But she handled it with tenacity and she made the decision for it to go to the prosecutor's office.

1060
01:29:14,070 --> 01:29:19,190
Maybe she didn't let the board know but at the end of the day I would have preferred that she did that and tell us later

1061
01:29:19,190 --> 01:29:22,810
then to allow people who have committed corruption to continue to exist.

1062
01:29:22,810 --> 01:29:27,210
So you talk about leadership and what she's done. Let's pay attention to what she's done.

1063
01:29:27,590 --> 01:29:33,890
The only thing that I hear in our board meeting that has been spared with nuts about negativity is all of the negativity about

1064
01:29:33,890 --> 01:29:42,850
special education, but none of you came out prior to even knowing about the investigation and also some information being leaked from

1065
01:29:42,850 --> 01:29:50,430
insiders. So let's be very clear. And most of you that get up here and talk about the special education, I don't recall any of your

1066
01:29:50,430 --> 01:29:56,170
scholars losing any funding any funding to support their initiatives and you know

1067
01:29:56,170 --> 01:29:59,750
how I know that because when I was president I signed over 400

1068
01:30:06,960 --> 01:30:26,240
So, let's be very clear. We're doing this today because we know that the superintendent is not only qualified and to echo Mike Greco. She's homegrown. She came from preschool teacher all the way up to the superintendent. And I would rather have that than have somebody from out of town to mess up our school district again.

1069
01:30:26,240 --> 01:30:27,340
Any,

1070
01:30:41,170 --> 01:30:44,910
uh, yes, Ms. Patel, did you want to say?

1071
01:30:45,830 --> 01:30:52,470
I just want to say, you know, I find it insulting that we had one person saying that just

1072
01:30:52,470 --> 01:30:57,730
because someone isn't a parent or have children that they're exempt from running for the board,

1073
01:30:57,990 --> 01:31:02,810
nowhere nationally anyone exempt from that, anyone can run for the board.

1074
01:31:03,170 --> 01:31:10,230
That is our right nationally, so it's insulting when someone says that, second, when I ran

1075
01:31:10,230 --> 01:31:14,890
for the board and everything. I'm an outsider looking in. There's nothing wrong with that.

1076
01:31:15,030 --> 01:31:19,570
I went to private schools from Christian schools and everything. And many of the

1077
01:31:19,570 --> 01:31:24,710
Heights residents as well as other awards supported that because you need someone from outside

1078
01:31:24,710 --> 01:31:30,610
looking in because they're sometimes ton of vision and everything. And when I met Dr. Fernandez,

1079
01:31:30,930 --> 01:31:35,990
I heard a lot of good things about Dr. Fernandez. Remember, I never went to public school.

1080
01:31:35,990 --> 01:31:39,810
So the only time I went to public school was when I had to vote.

1081
01:31:42,430 --> 01:31:46,070
School number 27, I knew nothing about that facility.

1082
01:31:46,330 --> 01:31:48,690
So I had to learn from scratch about this.

1083
01:31:49,070 --> 01:31:53,870
And how do I learn about it from everyone in the community and every war, parents, teachers,

1084
01:31:54,110 --> 01:31:58,010
instructors, principals, superintendents, board trustees, and anyone else.

1085
01:31:58,510 --> 01:32:03,050
And also I participate in conferences within the state of New Jersey and

1086
01:32:03,050 --> 01:32:08,250
outside because I'm because I want to improve our school district. So it's

1087
01:32:08,250 --> 01:32:14,850
insulting when people criticize outsiders. That is not right. Everyone has to

1088
01:32:14,850 --> 01:32:19,830
write to run for the board nationally. Women are not exempt. People are

1089
01:32:19,830 --> 01:32:24,490
calling out exempt. People from different colleges or schools. They're not

1090
01:32:24,490 --> 01:32:31,230
exempt. We the people have the right. So it's insulting. And you know what? I voted

1091
01:32:31,230 --> 01:32:37,350
for Melanie Cruz because she is an outsider. She is an outsider. We need people that are going to look

1092
01:32:37,350 --> 01:32:44,790
at the district. So this is all I have to say. But I support our Jerry City Public School as an

1093
01:32:44,790 --> 01:32:50,570
outsider who went to Christian schools from kindergarten all the way to college. So that says

1094
01:32:50,570 --> 01:32:57,690
something right there. So I want to say that I support our public schools nationally. 100 percent.

1095
01:33:05,630 --> 01:33:10,630
I've had the pleasure of working and I call to the pleasure of working with Dr. Fernandez.

1096
01:33:11,990 --> 01:33:17,550
When I like she answers every phone call, she visits every school.

1097
01:33:18,610 --> 01:33:25,690
She is a home grown as you would say, coming from teaching to administration to assistant

1098
01:33:25,690 --> 01:33:29,830
superintendent, deputy superintendent, and then she probably becomes superintendent of schools.

1099
01:33:29,830 --> 01:33:34,470
She is just what we need. She has been a serious servant.

1100
01:33:35,290 --> 01:33:44,010
We respect her and so does this community respect her. And so my vote for her is going to be because of the way in which she works.

1101
01:33:44,630 --> 01:33:48,790
The way in which other people see her and one person made a comment that

1102
01:33:49,910 --> 01:33:58,070
We've been down that road of going outside trying to get someone else. We need to stay home and support Dr.

1103
01:33:58,070 --> 01:33:59,490
Thank you for that. Thank

1104
01:34:03,460 --> 01:34:14,060
you a five to the chair. Is that guy, the last speaker, the one that took our flyer and put his face on it when we were running for the board?

1105
01:34:15,320 --> 01:34:26,100
That's that same guy. So we're fraudulent, but he's not. All right scripted. I think not. We think for ourselves here. Pretty much.

1106
01:34:28,000 --> 01:34:39,940
And Dr. Fernandez, it takes time to see the results of either destruction or building

1107
01:34:39,940 --> 01:34:41,200
or when it comes in education.

1108
01:34:41,840 --> 01:34:47,080
We've watched in this city, I'm from Jersey City, born and raised here, been through Jersey City Public Schools,

1109
01:34:47,480 --> 01:34:48,820
through grammar school, through high school.

1110
01:34:49,740 --> 01:34:54,620
Maybe with a little bit of assumption going to a parochial school for a year or a same

1111
01:34:54,620 --> 01:34:57,120
just for my last two years of grammar school.

1112
01:35:01,070 --> 01:35:05,050
That special education audit and all

1113
01:35:05,050 --> 01:35:10,030
these things that they're talking about where reading and math has failed. The

1114
01:35:10,030 --> 01:35:14,630
students are failing in these topics. This is long before you even got to your

1115
01:35:14,630 --> 01:35:21,390
position. And the things that you put in place, phonics, reading help for

1116
01:35:21,390 --> 01:35:27,350
dyslexic students, and also many other things. The mental health services. We never

1117
01:35:27,350 --> 01:35:33,510
had that growing up. We had to go through school, bullied, and going through life, traumatized

1118
01:35:33,510 --> 01:35:37,630
by everything. Nobody to support us when we got back to the school. And not only that,

1119
01:35:38,370 --> 01:35:43,290
probably even get more teased because you went through something. And I appreciate your work.

1120
01:35:45,030 --> 01:35:46,570
I admire it.

1121
01:35:48,890 --> 01:35:54,030
There's people that have been coming up with the problem, coming up with problems

1122
01:35:54,030 --> 01:35:58,190
and making a solution and also nominate a solution when they both show up together there's a problem.

1123
01:36:02,080 --> 01:36:12,630
I just want to say that dogs don't bark at parked cars, so I'm with you.

1124
01:36:16,060 --> 01:36:20,880
Thank you a far and I tell you I

1125
01:36:23,210 --> 01:36:25,010
wasn't sure if we're going to go in a circle so we're having

1126
01:36:25,010 --> 01:36:30,410
discussion now basically we're having our discussion yeah as well as response to public comment might as

1127
01:36:30,410 --> 01:36:35,230
well. So I was at the City Council meeting as it happens and I know one of our

1128
01:36:35,230 --> 01:36:38,770
speakers said today, you know, they had to be in a hallway where it capacity. So I

1129
01:36:38,770 --> 01:36:42,950
showed up at City Council yesterday at 6.10. I stood in a hallway for almost two

1130
01:36:42,950 --> 01:36:46,370
hours because they were at capacity. They had a hot meeting too yesterday, as you

1131
01:36:46,370 --> 01:36:52,410
know. And I was signed up to speak. I was number 54. And thank you for the

1132
01:36:52,410 --> 01:36:56,270
minute. How you say, very selective quote, Mr. Celia, but I spoke about a lot

1133
01:36:56,270 --> 01:37:01,330
more than just transparency. I made a point of, you know, congratulating the Council

1134
01:37:01,330 --> 01:37:05,230
of finally receiving their budget from the administration, you know, we received

1135
01:37:05,230 --> 01:37:09,270
their budget from the administration, or at least the preliminaries, conversations

1136
01:37:09,270 --> 01:37:14,190
between February, March, and then at least three public hearings on the budget. But the

1137
01:37:14,190 --> 01:37:17,670
fun fact that I shared with the Council, and I think it married, it's also sharing today

1138
01:37:17,670 --> 01:37:22,910
with our educators. So the City Council, the mayor announced their budget at $886 million.

1139
01:37:23,870 --> 01:37:30,790
total. Well, everybody knows that our budget is $1 billion, $96 million. However, if you take away

1140
01:37:30,790 --> 01:37:37,790
the charter school payout of $210 million, we end up with the same $886 million. So currently,

1141
01:37:38,390 --> 01:37:43,770
the Board of Ed and City Council matches in their budgets. And I also, you know, mentioned yesterday

1142
01:37:43,770 --> 01:37:52,870
day that our $886 million goes to pay for almost over 5,000 employees, six bargaining

1143
01:37:52,870 --> 01:37:58,770
units, 30,000 students, 50 plus buildings, more than half of which are over 100 years

1144
01:37:58,770 --> 01:38:04,650
old and then some. Not to mention operations, facility maintenance, and everything, transportation,

1145
01:38:05,310 --> 01:38:10,890
special education and on and on and on and on and on and on. So having said that, I want

1146
01:38:10,890 --> 01:38:15,550
to remind everyone who perhaps have forgotten. I've seen things, the level of misinformation

1147
01:38:15,550 --> 01:38:21,490
that has been circling around prior to this meeting has just been astounding. Starting

1148
01:38:21,490 --> 01:38:26,810
from the hype headlines of a million and a half dollar salary, you know, which is obviously

1149
01:38:26,810 --> 01:38:33,710
over five years, but still you put that in a headline, it kind of sends a message. So a few

1150
01:38:33,710 --> 01:38:40,450
days ago, someone opened the city salaries. As some of you may have noticed and they created

1151
01:38:40,450 --> 01:38:44,950
and eat little spreadsheets, you know, listing all the salaries and I'm not necessarily knocking

1152
01:38:44,950 --> 01:38:49,390
those salaries. That's not my purpose here. But first of all, the fact that someone had to

1153
01:38:49,390 --> 01:38:55,610
over them is indicative because all of our laundry is out there, which is what allows the public

1154
01:38:55,610 --> 01:39:00,170
to constantly criticize us. And that is a good thing that is part of the democratic process,

1155
01:39:00,230 --> 01:39:06,510
whether there is a raise or a contract, everything is out there for all the world to see and to examine

1156
01:39:06,510 --> 01:39:11,710
in to dissect and that's a good thing. So thankfully the folks who

1157
01:39:11,710 --> 01:39:16,550
operate the city salaries I noticed that if you add up the entire municipal

1158
01:39:16,550 --> 01:39:21,050
council budget which encompasses the city council members and their staff is

1159
01:39:21,050 --> 01:39:25,390
approximately $1.4 million. Again I'm not knocking that number in itself they're

1160
01:39:25,390 --> 01:39:29,450
people they have staff but I also want to put it on record because I'm not sure

1161
01:39:29,450 --> 01:39:33,410
how many people take it for granted from the public is that this governing body

1162
01:39:33,410 --> 01:39:39,950
does not have a salary or staff or offices or cars or anything we get a

1163
01:39:39,950 --> 01:39:44,870
tray of sandwiches and a takeout for our monthly meetings which is fantastic

1164
01:39:44,870 --> 01:39:52,050
we also get compensated for training and sodas for training conferences which

1165
01:39:52,050 --> 01:39:57,050
is what keeps us knowledgeable knowledgeable about our job we're mandated to be

1166
01:39:57,050 --> 01:40:01,990
trained and so having said that you know one could also argue that by not getting

1167
01:40:01,990 --> 01:40:07,530
paid, this governing body saves the taxpayers $1.4 million a year. So if we're saving the

1168
01:40:07,530 --> 01:40:12,590
taxpayers $1.4 million a year, surely we can afford a million and a half over five

1169
01:40:12,590 --> 01:40:18,190
years for our one employee. Literally we have one employee. That's it. That's the only

1170
01:40:18,190 --> 01:40:23,710
person that we can direct communicate with and ask things off. So a lot of people made a

1171
01:40:23,710 --> 01:40:30,570
point why she's so highly paid. She spent 44 years as an educator. And that makes her pretty

1172
01:40:30,570 --> 01:40:35,210
much. If you, you know, Google, what have you? Dr. Fernandez happens to be one of the longest

1173
01:40:35,210 --> 01:40:41,370
serving educational administrators in the state of New Jersey. Hence the salary. Do you know what I mean?

1174
01:40:41,470 --> 01:40:46,010
It's not some arbitrary number that this board just draws on the white board this side. Do you know what?

1175
01:40:46,130 --> 01:40:50,630
We're just going to bestow this bag of money on this person. It's the years that come with the salary.

1176
01:40:50,790 --> 01:40:59,930
That is the public sector system in not just in the state, but in the nation if you will. We don't make

1177
01:40:59,930 --> 01:41:04,410
with it and we multiply it on the merits and the evaluations. And I do want to speak to the evaluations.

1178
01:41:05,050 --> 01:41:09,830
And thank you for the explanation of how evaluations are not published. They've never been published.

1179
01:41:10,190 --> 01:41:14,790
Why suddenly, after all these years of board meetings, people are demanding to see the evaluations.

1180
01:41:15,270 --> 01:41:21,290
Which other superintendent has been asked the same demand? But nevertheless, people ask a fair question,

1181
01:41:21,290 --> 01:41:26,650
what are the criteria? How do we evaluate this individual? You know, people talk about being

1182
01:41:26,650 --> 01:41:28,090
being careful, being thoughtful.

1183
01:41:28,290 --> 01:41:29,370
Why are you rushing into this?

1184
01:41:29,730 --> 01:41:32,590
Do you really think that this governing body

1185
01:41:32,590 --> 01:41:37,170
is arbitrarily bestowing awards on an individual

1186
01:41:37,170 --> 01:41:39,230
without going through a rigorous process?

1187
01:41:39,430 --> 01:41:42,470
We are governed by a body too, which is the NJSBA.

1188
01:41:42,710 --> 01:41:45,870
And I urge you, it is a publicly available document,

1189
01:41:46,570 --> 01:41:47,690
NJSBA.org.

1190
01:41:48,070 --> 01:41:51,690
There is a link describing in detail the criteria

1191
01:41:51,690 --> 01:41:54,970
to evaluate every single superintendent in the state.

1192
01:41:54,970 --> 01:41:57,010
And that is the criteria that we follow.

1193
01:41:57,490 --> 01:42:02,670
Now whether or not we agree each of us to which extend this to print and meets that criteria,

1194
01:42:02,810 --> 01:42:06,850
that's a separate story, but clearly, as the Vice President point out, the majority

1195
01:42:06,850 --> 01:42:11,570
of us to agree sufficiently to move this individual to the next level.

1196
01:42:12,030 --> 01:42:18,850
Now, I want to speak to a very important operational point in history with regard to Dr. Fernandez

1197
01:42:18,850 --> 01:42:23,150
that no one remembers, and that's another astounding fact because again,

1198
01:42:23,150 --> 01:42:25,770
and everything's about money and taxes and everything hurts.

1199
01:42:26,530 --> 01:42:29,690
So Dr. Fernandez became permanent superintendent in 2022.

1200
01:42:32,400 --> 01:42:36,740
She, after that, she presented two subsequent budgets

1201
01:42:36,740 --> 01:42:38,820
to the board, both of those budgets.

1202
01:42:39,000 --> 01:42:43,340
The 2023-24 budget and the 24-25 budget

1203
01:42:43,340 --> 01:42:45,600
had absolutely no tax increase.

1204
01:42:46,340 --> 01:42:48,680
And if you don't believe me because last time I said this

1205
01:42:48,680 --> 01:42:51,300
in our budget town hall, profanities were hurled at me.

1206
01:42:51,300 --> 01:42:58,960
I urge you to look up Jersey City Times article from April 26, 2024 that says B.O.E. passes

1207
01:42:58,960 --> 01:43:01,500
budget with no tax increase for second year.

1208
01:43:02,180 --> 01:43:04,740
So don't take my word for it, take our own press.

1209
01:43:05,600 --> 01:43:10,000
It's also reflected in our budget presentations, which is another thing I mentioned to the council.

1210
01:43:10,520 --> 01:43:12,240
We are transparent enough.

1211
01:43:12,380 --> 01:43:14,280
You may not like us and that's okay.

1212
01:43:14,460 --> 01:43:16,540
You may not like our process and that's okay.

1213
01:43:16,820 --> 01:43:18,420
Please run for the board.

1214
01:43:18,920 --> 01:43:19,700
Sit with us.

1215
01:43:19,700 --> 01:43:25,820
take our seats. We are expendable temporary people. That much is true. You know, please come

1216
01:43:25,820 --> 01:43:30,300
take our place. See for yourselves what this is like. You know, enjoy the sandwiches.

1217
01:43:31,460 --> 01:43:40,200
No. And the warm soda. But the bottom line is that we know what we've been working on for the

1218
01:43:40,200 --> 01:43:46,480
last four years. And so people ask why the latest increases for the last two years, right?

1219
01:43:48,940 --> 01:43:49,500
Let's

1220
01:43:49,500 --> 01:43:55,100
tenure. Let's focus on the worst, the ugliest possible thing, the increase, the tax

1221
01:43:55,100 --> 01:43:59,600
hike. Well, why? I'll tell you why. For those who have been paying attention, and

1222
01:43:59,600 --> 01:44:04,820
for those who have been following our meetings, prior year, the state cut equalization

1223
01:44:04,820 --> 01:44:11,280
aid of $98 million. Almost immediately after, they added $50 million additional

1224
01:44:11,280 --> 01:44:16,040
tab on an existing charter school payout. That's something that comes, if you think of

1225
01:44:16,040 --> 01:44:19,160
how much money the state gives the school district,

1226
01:44:19,560 --> 01:44:21,140
which is $125 million,

1227
01:44:21,460 --> 01:44:25,380
and then makes us pay $210 million out of that $125.

1228
01:44:26,140 --> 01:44:27,960
Consider where your tax levy really goes.

1229
01:44:28,600 --> 01:44:30,160
Consider where your payroll tax goes,

1230
01:44:30,360 --> 01:44:33,000
where the bank cap is not even gonna cover

1231
01:44:33,000 --> 01:44:34,260
our charter school bill at this point,

1232
01:44:34,480 --> 01:44:35,440
on top of the state aid.

1233
01:44:36,000 --> 01:44:37,640
So that is the bottom line.

1234
01:44:38,040 --> 01:44:39,160
I wanna talk about the money

1235
01:44:39,160 --> 01:44:40,720
because this is what people have come to here.

1236
01:44:40,820 --> 01:44:41,540
I'm almost done.

1237
01:44:41,720 --> 01:44:43,580
That's literally the last point I'm trying to make.

1238
01:44:43,800 --> 01:44:45,720
Okay, the last thing,

1239
01:44:45,720 --> 01:44:49,440
is that continuity. Our teachers talked about that.

1240
01:44:50,220 --> 01:44:53,540
We have comparable school districts in this state, right?

1241
01:44:53,760 --> 01:44:57,000
I know people like to talk about graduation rates, and where do we fall?

1242
01:44:57,560 --> 01:44:59,800
Not only is Jersey City Public Schools

1243
01:45:00,270 --> 01:45:07,110
A district, an exemplary district, and I mean that in, you know, quotation marks, we have been

1244
01:45:07,110 --> 01:45:12,630
the subject of the largest state aid cuts in the state of New Jersey over the last ten

1245
01:45:12,630 --> 01:45:19,210
year, yeah, period, okay? Why and how? That's a separate political conversation, but also

1246
01:45:19,210 --> 01:45:24,430
because of the wealth of our city, or perceived wealth of our city. So, consider being a super

1247
01:45:24,430 --> 01:45:31,050
intended with the largest cuts in the state, who inherits a mess of a business

1248
01:45:31,050 --> 01:45:35,250
department, has to clean it up, has to order multiple audits, see them through,

1249
01:45:35,970 --> 01:45:41,570
introduce, nevertheless, introduce two budgets in a row with no tax increases

1250
01:45:41,570 --> 01:45:48,070
and during that time settle six bargaining units, successfully, that skill and

1251
01:45:48,070 --> 01:45:53,630
that's what we've been observing. And so if you choose to focus on the most

1252
01:45:53,630 --> 01:45:58,710
recent and the most ugliest, the things that stand out to you. I understand why you're

1253
01:45:58,710 --> 01:46:03,290
doing it because it's politics, but you cannot take away from what we have seen and experienced

1254
01:46:03,290 --> 01:46:05,650
on this board. That's it. Thank you.

1255
01:46:06,390 --> 01:46:08,470
Okay. Let's take a breather.

1256
01:46:10,830 --> 01:46:13,170
Did you want to speak also, George?

1257
01:46:13,490 --> 01:46:13,890
No, I'm good.

1258
01:46:14,050 --> 01:46:14,310
Okay.

1259
01:46:14,890 --> 01:46:22,350
Please, let's allow the other two trustees that have not said anything. And then I will come

1260
01:46:22,350 --> 01:46:28,010
back to you. I'm sorry. You're okay. Thank you.

1261
01:46:30,800 --> 01:46:31,600
Trustee Richardson?

1262
01:46:35,340 --> 01:46:37,480
So I'm going to be very brief.

1263
01:46:38,220 --> 01:46:49,140
So I do agree that due to the fear of some board members may not come back and the majority vote

1264
01:46:49,140 --> 01:46:58,080
me or may not be there. That is why this is being done now. I completely agree with that.

1265
01:47:00,180 --> 01:47:06,900
The other thing I'm going to say is, you know, and it's sad because, you know, I've consistently

1266
01:47:06,900 --> 01:47:15,240
been here within this district, you know, whether on this side or on the outside for what, over three

1267
01:47:15,240 --> 01:47:24,680
decades. And, you know, I have to say, I no longer have confidence. I no longer have

1268
01:47:24,680 --> 01:47:25,760
confidence in the superintendent.

1269
01:47:31,630 --> 01:47:35,890
Are you done? That's it. Thank you. Yes.

1270
01:47:38,170 --> 01:47:38,690
Trustee

1271
01:47:38,690 --> 01:47:40,670
Vissa Bella, please. Okay.

1272
01:47:43,250 --> 01:47:46,210
First of all, I want to acknowledge everybody that came out

1273
01:47:46,210 --> 01:47:49,450
here today, whether or not we're on the same side of something on a different side of

1274
01:47:49,450 --> 01:47:55,490
something. It has been a very respectful room, so I appreciate that. I appreciate that.

1275
01:47:56,170 --> 01:48:01,890
No problem. I appreciate that even a few of the people that even if we are not on the

1276
01:48:01,890 --> 01:48:12,030
same side of this have reached out and been very respectful in how they came to their

1277
01:48:12,030 --> 01:48:18,530
decision and what resonates to them. So I'm grateful for every last person that has emailed

1278
01:48:18,530 --> 01:48:21,890
and given a reason why because it's important for us

1279
01:48:21,890 --> 01:48:23,770
to see all aspects of this conversation.

1280
01:48:25,470 --> 01:48:27,330
I've heard a lot about outsiders,

1281
01:48:28,290 --> 01:48:30,870
this person's an outsider, this person's an insider.

1282
01:48:32,610 --> 01:48:34,510
You know, I'm not gonna storytell.

1283
01:48:35,850 --> 01:48:38,050
I feel the same way sometimes.

1284
01:48:38,390 --> 01:48:41,630
I'm born, life resident of Jersey City.

1285
01:48:42,250 --> 01:48:43,930
My mom graduated from 40.

1286
01:48:44,330 --> 01:48:47,310
My grandmother started at Snyder in 1956

1287
01:48:47,310 --> 01:48:48,830
56 and ended at Dickinson.

1288
01:48:50,050 --> 01:48:55,630
My great-grandfather came here with a second grade education.

1289
01:48:56,710 --> 01:49:01,130
He worked as a janitor back when black people were not being hired to be teachers and

1290
01:49:03,970 --> 01:49:10,210
grateful that when the time came my uncle was able to take a position here as a teacher

1291
01:49:10,210 --> 01:49:16,110
in the 60s being a teacher at Lincoln and a track coach from the relationships that my great-grandfather

1292
01:49:16,110 --> 01:49:20,830
built so yeah my family's been here a hundred years and I can get a little

1293
01:49:20,830 --> 01:49:28,210
territorial too when I think that someone's not doing right by this city. At

1294
01:49:28,210 --> 01:49:34,950
the same time I realized that I had to be judicial in my thought process so I

1295
01:49:34,950 --> 01:49:37,750
just want to work through what I thought.

1296
01:49:40,170 --> 01:49:43,270
So first the academic performance I've

1297
01:49:43,270 --> 01:49:44,430
I've been a teacher in the district.

1298
01:49:45,590 --> 01:49:50,190
I will not, the numbers are not going to diminish the work of the teachers and the staff.

1299
01:49:50,610 --> 01:49:52,310
We know what's happening in the classroom.

1300
01:49:52,670 --> 01:49:59,570
We have had classrooms with 40 students, 10 students do not speak English and multi-language

1301
01:49:59,570 --> 01:49:59,910
learners.

1302
01:50:00,130 --> 01:50:03,410
We have five students with learning language disabilities.

1303
01:50:04,030 --> 01:50:09,610
The classrooms are tough and I'm not going to diminish the work that goes into teaching because

1304
01:50:09,610 --> 01:50:15,810
because it wouldn't be, it would be disingenuous to say that the academic scores are just on teachers.

1305
01:50:16,150 --> 01:50:26,910
It is not, but as someone that did teach in this district, I want to ensure at all times that the people that are above us,

1306
01:50:26,970 --> 01:50:34,670
whether or not it's our administrators or the cabinet are the strongest people to guide because as soon as the curriculum changes,

1307
01:50:34,670 --> 01:50:43,910
As soon as we ask for something, and we don't have it in the classroom, that academic performance falls on us.

1308
01:50:44,670 --> 01:50:48,810
And at some point, there has to be someone that has to take responsibility.

1309
01:50:49,490 --> 01:50:51,210
I don't believe that Dr. Fernandez.

1310
01:50:53,380 --> 01:50:54,460
Let her go, please.

1311
01:50:57,040 --> 01:51:03,160
I don't believe that Dr. Fernandez as the CEO of this district has the power to do that.

1312
01:51:03,160 --> 01:51:09,600
But I hope that she puts in a great executive leadership that takes those concerns serious.

1313
01:51:10,100 --> 01:51:13,960
And for as many people that I have in front of me that are championing,

1314
01:51:14,260 --> 01:51:17,280
I have also teachers that have reached out and

1315
01:51:17,280 --> 01:51:19,300
text and said they don't feel supported.

1316
01:51:19,800 --> 01:51:23,460
So to say that I'm in the middle when it comes to that, I am.

1317
01:51:23,920 --> 01:51:29,340
But I definitely agree that everybody here, teachers, parents are all stakeholders,

1318
01:51:29,340 --> 01:51:34,780
life-long residents, outsiders, without children, everyone is a stakeholder in the

1319
01:51:34,780 --> 01:51:39,240
decisions that we make and I don't get to make it just because and let me get

1320
01:51:39,240 --> 01:51:45,780
this. I think Dr. Fernandez is a lovely person. I would never say a cool word

1321
01:51:45,780 --> 01:51:49,980
about her personality but unfortunately I'm not here to talk about

1322
01:51:49,980 --> 01:51:54,460
personality-wise. I'm just here to discuss what I've seen. So the financial

1323
01:51:54,460 --> 01:52:01,120
Those stewardship, the district invested approximately $935,000 in software implementation.

1324
01:52:02,520 --> 01:52:06,280
We were supposed to see link solve those payroll issues.

1325
01:52:06,740 --> 01:52:11,620
We were supposed to have people not come here and discuss that their overtime was not paid

1326
01:52:11,620 --> 01:52:15,700
out correctly, which is concerning when that money is supposed to stay in an interest bearing

1327
01:52:15,700 --> 01:52:17,820
account and paid out within a certain time frame.

1328
01:52:18,340 --> 01:52:21,060
We found out that that was not possible.

1329
01:52:21,060 --> 01:52:24,420
We ask that the money be recouped, that was never answered.

1330
01:52:24,900 --> 01:52:32,200
We ask what would take place in order to support the people that do work that over time, that we're not getting paid in the correct time period.

1331
01:52:32,580 --> 01:52:41,220
The same way that I will advocate for any teacher, I have to advocate for the people that open the doors for our kids, the security that stands there.

1332
01:52:41,520 --> 01:52:48,320
The maintenance that makes sure that the bathrooms are clean so these students can walk in and not feel scared that there's something lying there.

1333
01:52:48,320 --> 01:52:56,700
I want to be able to advocate for everyone and there has not been one month where one person has not come and said they have not gotten paid their

1334
01:52:57,900 --> 01:53:02,720
They're over time. It's concerning and when I thought we put a system in place

1335
01:53:02,720 --> 01:53:04,680
I vote it yes on that civil service audit

1336
01:53:04,680 --> 01:53:13,360
I vote it yes to the introduction of links and then it just went away and the public found out before we did because somebody in central office told the

1337
01:53:13,360 --> 01:53:14,220
the price

1338
01:53:15,420 --> 01:53:16,460
That's disconcerting

1339
01:53:17,260 --> 01:53:21,060
Financial stewardship is not limiting to balancing one budget.

1340
01:53:21,640 --> 01:53:24,040
I've seen enrollment decline, I look at the numbers.

1341
01:53:24,080 --> 01:53:27,440
We've gone from 27,000 to 25,000.

1342
01:53:27,800 --> 01:53:32,880
We said, this year we're looking at $160 million that we paid out in charter, and

1343
01:53:32,880 --> 01:53:35,800
that's being bumped up to 210 million.

1344
01:53:36,300 --> 01:53:39,940
This is because families are making educational choices for

1345
01:53:39,940 --> 01:53:41,840
whatever reason they're making it.

1346
01:53:41,840 --> 01:53:51,640
And I'm not going to knock a parent for doing what's best for their child because we all want the best education.

1347
01:53:52,020 --> 01:53:57,960
Whether or not it's in the Jersey City Public School District where mine are or whether someone else is at a charter school.

1348
01:53:58,760 --> 01:54:06,200
But my responsibility is to recognize that that enrollment affects revenue, which affects staffing and long term planning.

1349
01:54:06,200 --> 01:54:12,460
And I think that by ignoring the trends, we're not fulfilling our fiduciary responsibility.

1350
01:54:13,360 --> 01:54:16,140
The next thing is the executive leadership.

1351
01:54:16,980 --> 01:54:19,700
Your responsibility is to build that leadership.

1352
01:54:20,380 --> 01:54:22,540
And we don't conduct executive searches.

1353
01:54:22,780 --> 01:54:26,280
We don't ask for national searches or roles.

1354
01:54:27,280 --> 01:54:30,580
But we do evaluate your recommendations.

1355
01:54:30,580 --> 01:54:37,700
and I have to say when I continuously see someone that's already here go from

1356
01:54:37,700 --> 01:54:42,000
acting and then we say we're going to open up a requisition later and then

1357
01:54:42,000 --> 01:54:47,280
eventually some months down the line the person just becomes permanent it makes

1358
01:54:47,280 --> 01:54:54,880
me question if we are truly ensuring that we have the best people possible for the

1359
01:54:54,880 --> 01:55:00,800
roles. I have no problem if they are the best person, but I think we should be

1360
01:55:00,800 --> 01:55:05,580
making sure that the recruiting cycle is an equal opportunity for everyone.

1361
01:55:06,040 --> 01:55:10,320
And again, this comes from people that work already in the district saying they

1362
01:55:10,320 --> 01:55:15,180
didn't have an opportunity. I think that's oversight that requires information and

1363
01:55:15,180 --> 01:55:18,040
that information. It's part of our governance.

1364
01:55:20,340 --> 01:55:22,300
I think that the internal

1365
01:55:22,300 --> 01:55:28,680
controls. We authorized an agreed upon report. How many years ago? Now we're saying it's

1366
01:55:28,680 --> 01:55:32,560
not an audit. It's agreed upon report. It has nothing to do with a whole financial

1367
01:55:32,560 --> 01:55:37,460
evaluation. What we heard was concerning. We still don't know exactly what happened.

1368
01:55:37,840 --> 01:55:42,180
I don't know if it actually went to law enforcement. That's all I heard at the meeting.

1369
01:55:44,500 --> 01:55:45,120
Where do

1370
01:55:45,120 --> 01:55:51,540
you think it went? I don't know what I'm saying. You said the same thing. No, no, no. I never

1371
01:55:51,540 --> 01:55:57,200
said that what I said was I can't believe it went without letting us know I'm asking you

1372
01:55:57,200 --> 01:56:01,840
where you just made a comment about you don't know where it went so where do you think it went

1373
01:56:01,840 --> 01:56:06,380
this is a joke where to go this is a joke right it

1374
01:56:10,990 --> 01:56:13,350
is a joke because I've listened respectfully to

1375
01:56:13,350 --> 01:56:19,370
everybody here without without interrupting them so why am I any different why am I any less

1376
01:56:19,370 --> 01:56:21,490
Yes. Why don't I get the right?

1377
01:56:24,910 --> 01:56:28,130
Is there a reason why should I not respect everyone

1378
01:56:28,130 --> 01:56:30,610
else that got up here to speak? Is it that you're right?

1379
01:56:33,320 --> 01:56:35,160
No. I don't know. We don't

1380
01:56:35,160 --> 01:56:42,360
know what law enforcement it was referred to. Point blank. Another thing, placeholder for

1381
01:56:42,360 --> 01:56:46,680
the contracts. We didn't even, I don't even know what we were voting on until we saw them.

1382
01:56:47,300 --> 01:56:54,460
These, this is a lack of communication, it's a, to me, I just think the way that our

1383
01:56:54,460 --> 01:56:57,780
processes are handled, it can be done much better.

1384
01:57:00,020 --> 01:57:08,100
Another thing, you tabled two food pantries coming to 41 and 15, to schools we know that

1385
01:57:08,100 --> 01:57:09,560
the students are food insecure.

1386
01:57:10,500 --> 01:57:13,980
We went around, we discussed it, it passed, you tabled it.

1387
01:57:13,980 --> 01:57:18,080
For me, food insecurity happens now.

1388
01:57:18,500 --> 01:57:19,820
Whether or not the food was bad,

1389
01:57:19,880 --> 01:57:22,040
that was something that we could have checked the day of,

1390
01:57:22,200 --> 01:57:24,100
but they were also giving out toiletries.

1391
01:57:24,680 --> 01:57:26,940
To me, that goes to community access.

1392
01:57:29,600 --> 01:57:32,820
There has been significant things

1393
01:57:32,820 --> 01:57:36,760
that I think we need more time to discuss and evaluate.

1394
01:57:37,320 --> 01:57:39,660
And at this time, I just don't feel comfortable

1395
01:57:39,660 --> 01:57:42,840
going forward with a special educational audit

1396
01:57:42,840 --> 01:57:49,040
that we do not have all of the information yet for and for people sitting in acting positions.

1397
01:57:49,840 --> 01:57:58,160
I mean one of my recommendations was having a CPA as an assistant BA because our district

1398
01:57:58,160 --> 01:58:06,880
is so large and so complex and that was left that. I think that we better communication,

1399
01:58:06,880 --> 01:58:21,640
better long-term financial planning is needed because as we see in Chicago, as they lay off 700 students and 158 aides over 100 people in central office,

1400
01:58:21,780 --> 01:58:26,300
their financial planning, their long-term financial planning was not where it needed to be.

1401
01:58:26,760 --> 01:58:30,380
And I am scared that next year we will face the same pick up.

1402
01:58:30,380 --> 01:58:35,740
I'm asking that we wait and that we have a better evaluation.

1403
01:58:37,180 --> 01:58:39,780
And again, this is not a knock on a personality or

1404
01:58:39,780 --> 01:58:41,960
believing that the job can't be done.

1405
01:58:42,100 --> 01:58:47,680
It is more of, I see a lot of things occurring in real time that just have not been addressed.

1406
01:58:49,040 --> 01:58:50,080
Thank you.

1407
01:58:50,340 --> 01:58:51,260
Through the chair.

1408
01:58:51,880 --> 01:58:52,820
Through the chair.

1409
01:58:53,120 --> 01:58:53,940
Can I have one comment?

1410
01:58:54,320 --> 01:58:54,580
Okay.

1411
01:58:55,480 --> 01:58:57,920
I'm a former Chicago resident.

1412
01:58:58,400 --> 01:58:59,520
I'll tell you something.

1413
01:59:00,720 --> 01:59:06,180
If Dr. Fernandez was in Chicago, she would turn around that school district better.

1414
01:59:06,800 --> 01:59:13,560
And I've also talked to multiple people, the National School Board Association, multiple board trustees,

1415
01:59:14,380 --> 01:59:17,500
and they have said that they have failure superintendents.

1416
01:59:17,880 --> 01:59:18,860
They have low confidence.

1417
01:59:19,420 --> 01:59:22,560
And I would explain about our superintendents.

1418
01:59:22,720 --> 01:59:23,820
They wish they had her.

1419
01:59:24,700 --> 01:59:30,460
Dr. Fernandez would have even gotten a job in town of Seacorkas because town of Seacorkas

1420
01:59:30,460 --> 01:59:36,840
had multiple turnovers for superintendent and nationally she could easily get a job as

1421
01:59:36,840 --> 01:59:42,640
a superintendent. So I support superintendent Fernandez. I know she's doing an incredible

1422
01:59:42,640 --> 01:59:48,060
job because I do talk to other people from other states and I ask them about how their superintendent

1423
01:59:48,060 --> 01:59:53,080
is doing and people are very truthful. They'll tell you that that superintendent doesn't know

1424
01:59:53,080 --> 01:59:59,960
what they're doing. The teachers have the teachers have lack of confidence and principles and everything, so I support our.

1425
02:00:00,720 --> 02:00:29,700
Thank you. Thank you. Now, I'd like to bring, I'd like to, I'd like to speak. Go right ahead. Go right ahead. I'm sorry. Just two, two other statistical points that I forgot. And I'm sorry. I know. I know. I know. It's all right. Nevertheless, we have comparable districts, as I mentioned, such as Newark or Elizabeth. And so it's important to know because we often hear about

1426
02:00:29,700 --> 02:00:45,120
academic progress and how we're not fast enough or we're not, you know, as good as or, you know, lowest in the nation, lowest in the state, whatever, one of the lowest in both Newark and Elizabeth, who are or Patterson or even Union City for some reason, that's one of our comparable districts.

1427
02:00:46,000 --> 02:00:50,660
There are superintendents for the most part. It have been in their roles for eight years or more.

1428
02:00:50,660 --> 02:00:54,340
Our superintendent have been in a permanent role for only four years.

1429
02:00:55,040 --> 02:01:00,700
Also, she's coming in after one of the largest turnovers that this district has seen in the last 10 years.

1430
02:01:01,400 --> 02:01:04,460
And that is kind of the answer as to why, why rush, why now.

1431
02:01:05,160 --> 02:01:09,820
So that this individual can have an opportunity for some kind of stability, and not just her, but

1432
02:01:10,580 --> 02:01:12,660
the staff and the students involved.

1433
02:01:13,540 --> 02:01:15,660
So that those are my statistical points.

1434
02:01:15,660 --> 02:01:21,620
And the last thing is about the money, I mentioned it at our last board meeting, you may

1435
02:01:21,620 --> 02:01:26,300
have noticed that the position of Deputy Superintendent have been eliminated as part

1436
02:01:26,300 --> 02:01:27,020
of the cuts.

1437
02:01:27,340 --> 02:01:32,000
And the shortfall, well, that position in itself, the amount of salary that it involves,

1438
02:01:32,380 --> 02:01:39,280
that covers the entire raise of the Superintendent's new contract as well as the raises that have

1439
02:01:39,280 --> 02:01:44,300
just transpired with regard to the non-affiliates as well as the new Associate Superintendent's.

1440
02:01:44,300 --> 02:01:46,880
People are making assumptions online that these are new hires.

1441
02:01:47,000 --> 02:01:48,480
These are not new hires, you know why?

1442
02:01:48,660 --> 02:01:51,160
Because benefits are extremely expensive nowadays,

1443
02:01:51,160 --> 02:01:53,880
especially in the state of New Jersey or nationwide or whatever.

1444
02:01:54,460 --> 02:01:58,160
And so this district is saving this board is saving money on benefits

1445
02:01:58,700 --> 02:02:02,100
by adding responsibilities to existing people,

1446
02:02:02,460 --> 02:02:05,400
including the superintendent and giving them less staff to work with

1447
02:02:06,040 --> 02:02:08,960
and having them do more, but also compensating them a little more.

1448
02:02:09,400 --> 02:02:10,360
And that's it, thank you.

1449
02:02:18,440 --> 02:02:24,980
I want to give a closure, go ahead and speak and then I'll give a closure, please.

1450
02:02:25,580 --> 02:02:32,760
Okay, no problem. I want to be careful when we compare districts. Patterson's at 39,000. We're at 25.

1451
02:02:32,760 --> 02:02:40,460
What do you call it, they also have a huge multi-language learning community larger than ours.

1452
02:02:41,400 --> 02:02:48,780
Another thing is, it's never been about, go ahead, please see, I could continue.

1453
02:02:48,780 --> 02:02:54,320
It's never been about the salary because it's always, I believe in fair and

1454
02:02:54,320 --> 02:02:58,980
competitive pay, especially for women when we get paid 80% less.

1455
02:02:58,980 --> 02:03:07,860
So, with that said, I also believe that salary goes with what you are seeing in the district.

1456
02:03:08,340 --> 02:03:11,060
Now, I am someone that reads definitive proxies.

1457
02:03:11,200 --> 02:03:13,060
I read the DF-14A's.

1458
02:03:13,320 --> 02:03:16,920
There are evaluation methods for how we look at a CEO.

1459
02:03:17,540 --> 02:03:21,720
I'm a person that creates decks for ultra high net worth individuals.

1460
02:03:22,060 --> 02:03:26,820
It is not okay to come with maybe this is resolved.

1461
02:03:26,820 --> 02:03:30,040
maybe that's not resolved, it doesn't work that way.

1462
02:03:30,260 --> 02:03:37,740
We have seen GE, we have seen Disney, all take pay cuts when share prices do not a lot to shareholder wealth.

1463
02:03:39,000 --> 02:03:41,720
It has nothing to do with the pay.

1464
02:03:42,140 --> 02:03:47,460
It has everything to do with the systems in place that have taken place,

1465
02:03:47,680 --> 02:03:53,280
that have remained unresolved, to say that we only care about one demographic.

1466
02:03:53,280 --> 02:04:00,080
and sure what other people are saying is okay and then Tia I don't think I

1467
02:04:00,640 --> 02:04:06,080
think this is why we're discussing it you have an opportunity we have an

1468
02:04:06,080 --> 02:04:11,700
opportunity to say how we feel and I know that you feel that it has to be a

1469
02:04:11,700 --> 02:04:16,300
rebuttal but we don't really have to have a rebuttal this is for us to explain

1470
02:04:16,300 --> 02:04:20,700
why we're going to vote the way we're going to vote and then we're going to move

1471
02:04:20,700 --> 02:04:31,720
one. But thank you for that. Now, before we all melt, I'd like to see if anyone remembers

1472
02:04:31,720 --> 02:04:43,340
Dr. Ross, Dr. Pizzett, Mr. Franklin Walker. I mean, Williams, Elena Scambio, Victor

1473
02:04:43,340 --> 02:04:55,660
Jeremy, Frank Sinatra, not the singer, Richard Di Patri, Charles E. F. T. F.

1474
02:04:58,790 --> 02:05:00,270
Marshall Isles,

1475
02:05:02,380 --> 02:05:03,660
Franklin Walker,

1476
02:05:06,020 --> 02:05:13,040
and then came Dr. Fernandez. Well, let me tell you, let me tell you,

1477
02:05:13,040 --> 02:05:22,390
I was here for all of them all of them and I can tell you now one of them even as

1478
02:05:22,390 --> 02:05:32,170
much as we may love Mr. Walker appreciate Dr. F's not one of these people had

1479
02:05:32,170 --> 02:05:43,250
the credentials that Dr. Fernandez has not one. However today and I have to

1480
02:05:43,250 --> 02:05:53,110
to speak to our mayor with his beautiful yet disgusting letter which we've never had

1481
02:05:53,110 --> 02:05:59,730
from any other mayor. We have had disagreements with mayors. We have had mayors who want

1482
02:05:59,730 --> 02:06:07,190
to come and make the district to their image, but we've never had a mayor put such a disgusting

1483
02:06:07,190 --> 02:06:15,530
letter publicly against the Board of Education, a district that is educating their kids, never.

1484
02:06:16,290 --> 02:06:24,290
And I think that was lower than low, can't go any further.

1485
02:06:25,370 --> 02:06:30,270
But nonetheless, in as much as Michelle says when they go low, we go, hi, I'm going to

1486
02:06:30,270 --> 02:06:39,390
hell because I am sick of this whole thing of let's evaluate her we have she's not doing

1487
02:06:39,390 --> 02:06:46,750
this yes she is where have you been where have any of you been when we really had problems

1488
02:06:46,750 --> 02:06:52,470
where were you when the state took over by the way you know what when the state took over

1489
02:06:52,470 --> 02:06:59,250
I was there thank god they did you know why because today had it not been for the state

1490
02:06:59,250 --> 02:07:02,030
And we would not be able to sit at this table.

1491
02:07:03,130 --> 02:07:05,870
No, they didn't look like us at all.

1492
02:07:06,270 --> 02:07:08,450
Very few women and none of color.

1493
02:07:10,050 --> 02:07:11,810
Okay, and here we are.

1494
02:07:12,070 --> 02:07:16,330
But when we have to sit at this table, be it at any position,

1495
02:07:16,730 --> 02:07:18,870
we have to prove ourselves twice as much.

1496
02:07:19,270 --> 02:07:24,010
As a bilingual person, you have to take more tests than anybody else

1497
02:07:24,010 --> 02:07:25,230
and not just take them.

1498
02:07:25,410 --> 02:07:28,190
You have to pass them in a couple of languages

1499
02:07:28,190 --> 02:07:30,750
and some of us in four languages.

1500
02:07:32,230 --> 02:07:36,870
However, nobody says anything about those credentials.

1501
02:07:37,290 --> 02:07:39,290
A person that comes with these credentials,

1502
02:07:39,670 --> 02:07:44,390
that our superintendent has, actually, is value for two people.

1503
02:07:44,890 --> 02:07:49,310
If you really knew what being a bilingual educator is,

1504
02:07:50,090 --> 02:07:52,190
and that's where Dr. Fernandez started.

1505
02:07:52,450 --> 02:07:54,030
But before we're bilingual educators,

1506
02:07:54,350 --> 02:07:56,630
let me tell you that we have to be monolingual educators.

1507
02:07:56,630 --> 02:08:04,450
we have to learn every method and everything in the second language and then prepare

1508
02:08:04,450 --> 02:08:10,970
ourselves strongly in the first language so that we can give the students the opportunities

1509
02:08:10,970 --> 02:08:16,130
that they deserve in this country which is what we have been doing, what Dr. Fernandez

1510
02:08:16,130 --> 02:08:18,130
has been doing all of her life.

1511
02:08:18,730 --> 02:08:25,070
And then she goes on, not just in the classroom, she goes on to prepare herself again another

1512
02:08:25,070 --> 02:08:30,570
credential so that she can become an administrator and another credential and

1513
02:08:30,570 --> 02:08:36,010
another exam so that she can become the superintendent. Therefore if you look at

1514
02:08:36,010 --> 02:08:42,830
her credentials and put them together Mr. Mayor with the person that you want

1515
02:08:42,830 --> 02:08:51,970
to put in her place no matter how many papers the other resume has it does not

1516
02:08:51,970 --> 02:08:54,150
compete at all.

1517
02:08:56,420 --> 02:09:00,400
And let me tell you and let me tell you another thing.

1518
02:09:03,330 --> 02:09:04,270
We continue

1519
02:09:04,270 --> 02:09:11,790
and I will continue as long as I can breathe. Although I've gotten some emails lately

1520
02:09:11,790 --> 02:09:18,390
that tell me to stop breathing but I ain't gonna happen. As long as I can breathe I will

1521
02:09:18,390 --> 02:09:25,030
continue to promote our own. Why do we encourage our children to do their best to be

1522
02:09:25,030 --> 02:09:30,290
their best to grow to be successful. And when they grow to be successful, you say,

1523
02:09:30,590 --> 02:09:40,370
uh-uh, you can't do it, you don't make it, you don't cut it. How dare, how dare everyone

1524
02:09:40,370 --> 02:09:49,210
coming in here from Timba 2 or wherever to tell us that we are not enough. Where have you

1525
02:09:49,210 --> 02:09:56,940
been. Where have you been when we were going through all of our issues here in

1526
02:09:56,940 --> 02:10:04,180
Jersey City? Where have you been when the teachers had to strike with the

1527
02:10:04,180 --> 02:10:08,420
battery and with Marshall Isles? Where were y'all?

1528
02:10:10,880 --> 02:10:13,200
You're sure? Anyways,

1529
02:10:21,400 --> 02:10:22,420
this is not

1530
02:10:23,320 --> 02:10:33,640
This contract, I am rejecting, rejecting everything that is in that disgusting letter sent

1531
02:10:33,640 --> 02:10:40,960
to all the city, the entire city, by a mayor who should be fixing the city hall and stop

1532
02:10:40,960 --> 02:10:49,000
hiring people that aren't even from here, don't know us, know nothing about actual pedagogy,

1533
02:10:49,000 --> 02:10:56,880
can only open charter schools, yes, they're public schools, but they take away from the public district.

1534
02:10:59,340 --> 02:11:05,320
Take away from those same teachers that they went to vote for me, or maybe in Spanish.

1535
02:11:06,160 --> 02:11:10,160
Seis et Puede. No, no, no, no, no, no. We're going nowhere.

1536
02:11:11,760 --> 02:11:12,480
Anyway,

1537
02:11:17,960 --> 02:11:25,200
I strongly stand by Dr. Fernandez, because I respect her as a human being.

1538
02:11:25,200 --> 02:11:28,100
I respect her as a professional.

1539
02:11:28,740 --> 02:11:30,400
I know that she's doing her best.

1540
02:11:30,840 --> 02:11:35,960
I was here when we were not this far ahead.

1541
02:11:37,360 --> 02:11:39,760
We're not perfect as other people have said.

1542
02:11:40,660 --> 02:11:42,560
We're not there yet.

1543
02:11:43,260 --> 02:11:44,060
And you know what?

1544
02:11:44,500 --> 02:11:46,560
We may never get to the peak.

1545
02:11:47,060 --> 02:11:48,380
Very few people do.

1546
02:11:48,880 --> 02:11:51,640
But we are going up that mountain steady.

1547
02:11:52,080 --> 02:11:53,380
And that's what's important.

1548
02:11:53,380 --> 02:11:59,320
look at the things that we have that the superintendent has accomplished in

1549
02:11:59,320 --> 02:12:06,160
this district. Try to be our partners instead of our adversary we have enough

1550
02:12:06,160 --> 02:12:13,820
adversaries. We need advocates we need partners and we need people that are

1551
02:12:13,820 --> 02:12:19,660
really willing to work with the students for the students and with this

1552
02:12:19,660 --> 02:12:27,800
district and teachers, principles, all of you. You have all come from the ranks. I am so proud to say

1553
02:12:27,800 --> 02:12:34,620
that. I was a supervisor for many of you and even a teacher for some of you. Kindergarten

1554
02:12:34,620 --> 02:12:44,780
teacher, as a matter of fact, but I am very proud to say this city is worth working with to continue to

1555
02:12:44,780 --> 02:12:56,700
improve. No doubt we have room for improvement. But criticism, without solution, does not give improvement.

1556
02:12:57,040 --> 02:12:58,100
God bless you all.

1557
02:12:58,680 --> 02:13:01,840
Through the chair, through the chair,

1558
02:13:04,150 --> 02:13:05,730
going to call the vote.

1559
02:13:05,930 --> 02:13:10,590
Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Fernandez, did you have to, are we calling the voters?

1560
02:13:10,790 --> 02:13:12,050
Through the chair, wait a minute.

1561
02:13:13,050 --> 02:13:16,090
Yes, you want to add the vote?

1562
02:13:17,090 --> 02:13:19,310
Okay, we're going to call the vote.

1563
02:13:19,490 --> 02:13:22,630
Through the chair, I'm speaking.

1564
02:13:23,290 --> 02:13:25,570
And you're not recognized, we're going to call the vote.

1565
02:13:25,950 --> 02:13:28,050
Good, that's the way she speaks to me.

1566
02:13:28,510 --> 02:13:29,130
Yes, yes.

1567
02:13:29,410 --> 02:13:30,170
That's the way what?

1568
02:13:31,950 --> 02:13:34,890
No, I'm not teaching you any motion.

1569
02:13:35,690 --> 02:13:38,170
Remember, you taught in our district and you were fired.

1570
02:13:38,490 --> 02:13:38,810
Motion.

1571
02:13:40,110 --> 02:13:40,590
Motion.

1572
02:13:41,170 --> 02:13:41,450
Go ahead.

1573
02:13:41,450 --> 02:13:46,570
What fired second by blonde it was second by blonde

1574
02:13:47,310 --> 02:13:49,670
Call the vote trusty Richardson

1575
02:13:51,050 --> 02:13:51,550
No

1576
02:13:52,370 --> 02:13:53,450
trusty Patel

1577
02:13:54,370 --> 02:13:57,590
Yes, trusty Muhammad. Yes

1578
02:13:58,370 --> 02:14:02,770
trusty Iofi. Yes, trusty Resabala. No

1579
02:14:03,690 --> 02:14:10,410
trusty dr. Blunt. Yes, vice president Morris. Absolutely. Yes, loud

1580
02:14:16,110 --> 02:14:16,850
yes here

1581
02:14:17,150 --> 02:14:19,570
motion passed if

1582
02:14:52,270 --> 02:14:59,910
I may yes I have to say I am deeply humbled by the Board of

1583
02:15:00,000 --> 02:15:25,440
Education's decision to renew my contract as superintendent of the Jersey City Public School. To my dedicated board trustees, our phenomenal educators, and our school leaders, thank you for your continued partnership oversight and your shared belief in the future of our children.

1584
02:15:26,700 --> 02:15:38,380
Leadership is never a solitary endeavor. I do this with a phenomenal staff. The progress

1585
02:15:38,380 --> 02:15:46,980
we have charted in the significant work Liza had belongs to all of us. Trustees, thank

1586
02:15:46,980 --> 02:15:54,080
you for your governance, your thorough evaluation of the path forward and your confidence in

1587
02:15:54,080 --> 02:16:03,380
my leadership. I respect the gravity of oversight and look forward to partnering with you to

1588
02:16:03,380 --> 02:16:11,380
meet our fiscal goals, enhance transparency, and deliver growth to all of our students

1589
02:16:11,380 --> 02:16:22,120
for all of our students regardless of poverty and family challenges. Educators and administrators,

1590
02:16:22,120 --> 02:16:30,080
teachers, you are the heart of this district. Thank you for your tireless dedication to

1591
02:16:30,080 --> 02:16:39,320
our classrooms every single day. Your daily commitment is what transforms policy and

1592
02:16:39,320 --> 02:16:43,240
works into real-world outcomes for our students.

1593
02:16:46,010 --> 02:16:49,750
This contract is not just a validation of past

1594
02:16:49,750 --> 02:16:58,790
efforts. It's a profound mandate for the future. I hear the voices of our community. As we look

1595
02:16:58,790 --> 02:17:07,170
forward to the horizon, I continue to be committed to working with all different groups to achieve

1596
02:17:07,170 --> 02:17:17,190
outcomes. Our focus will remain on razor shock, on a salarating academic growth. So administrators in

1597
02:17:17,190 --> 02:17:19,130
In August, we'll be talking about that.

1598
02:17:19,990 --> 02:17:31,670
Our focus will remain on boosting academic achievement in all content areas, increasing

1599
02:17:31,670 --> 02:17:39,030
proficiency, and in strengthening the support system for our special education students, and

1600
02:17:39,030 --> 02:17:45,670
many other vulnerable student populations that we welcome into our district.

1601
02:17:45,670 --> 02:17:48,270
Thank you for believing in me.

1602
02:17:48,510 --> 02:17:49,870
I truly appreciate it.

1603
02:17:50,110 --> 02:17:50,570
Thank you.

1604
02:17:55,660 --> 02:17:57,100
Thank you, Madam Superintendent.

1605
02:17:58,180 --> 02:18:02,480
At this time, we need a motion to adjourn.

1606
02:18:03,660 --> 02:18:09,280
Motion by Dr. Blunt, second by Natalia, Mr. Assistant VA.

1607
02:18:09,500 --> 02:18:10,300
Could you call the role please?

1608
02:18:12,770 --> 02:18:13,390
All in agreement?