Bret Schundler, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, got more than a music lesson when he came to visit two schools in Bayonne last week; he got to hear the concern of local school officials about the deep cuts in school aid that the state made this year.
Apparently, he listened, too, holding private meetings with principals of School No. 14 and Washington Community School, where he asked for input and expressed his own concerns to school officials about the possible impact the cuts might have on two of Bayonne’s most prestigious schools, as well as the rest of the district.
“He has to balance the interests of the taxpayers with the interests of the schools.” – Dr. Patricia McGeehan
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Overall, Hudson County schools are expected to receive 6.2 percent less state aid than last year. Some have responded by proposing staff layoffs, others have used up their surplus funds.
Still, Hudson County fared better than certain other areas, like Bergen County, which is set to lose 41 percent of its aid.
Individually, Bayonne saw a loss of $5.6 million or about 10.3 percent from last year.
Two schools won awards
In response to questions from the Bayonne Community News, Schundler said he had come to Bayonne to listen to local concerns and to visit two of the schools that most recently won the federal No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon distinction. The award is given to schools with certain demographics that show improvement in test scores.
But he noted that the two schools differed in that one was a brand new state-of-the-art facility and the other was nearly 100 years old. He said he had come to see how they managed to accomplish this distinction.
“On one hand, you have a brand-spanking new school, and here [Washington School] you have an old school that is more costly to maintain,” he said.
Schundler visited an art class in PS. No. 14 and a music class in Washington School, pausing to look over the artwork and to ask questions about the music instruction.
Schools Superintendent Dr. Patricia McGeehan said Schundler seemed to be savvy about the arts, and appeared to have a genuine interest in what was being taught in these classes.
The 51-year-old commissioner had apparently not planned a second tour of Washington School, but surprised even his own staff when he decided to look around.
Practices in musical scales rose from the Instrumental Music Class of teacher Andrew Rosciszewski. Schundler was drawn in, trailing a pack of TV cameras and reporters, whom he teased about throwing a curve.
Rosciszewski told Schundler that the class was preparing for a graduation ceremony next month, and since students with stringed instruments tended to struggle with flat notes, they were practicing them.
“What music are they going to play?” Schundler asked.
Rosciszewski said “Pomp and Circumstance,” as well as a medley of Western themed tunes.
Schundler told the students that he had taken up trumpet and piano early in school, and later in college, he studied guitar.
“I wish I had kept up with them,” he said. “My friends who did are very good today.”
Visiting extracurriculars
Schundler, who is a Harvard College graduate, asked questions about the stand-up bass and how it was transported. Then, he asked about the lessons, talking about his own family members and their interest in music as well as the use of the bass in jazz.
Dressed in school uniforms and sashes of their rank, members of the school’s Student Council greeted Schundler, posing for pictures with him, teachers, and members of the Bayonne School District.
During Schundler’s private audience with Washington School Principal Peter Anatas, the students talked about their impressions of the commissioner.
“He seemed really nice,” said School President Jacqueline Keenan. “I really liked his tie.”
Schundler wore a radiant green tie with his otherwise conservative suit.
The politically astute student Government Secretary Stephen Hladick said, “This is really a great honor.”
While not revealing any privileged information that might have been exchanged during the private meeting with Schundler, Principal Anatas said the commissioner had come to talk about the state of education and to express his own concerns about the impact of the cuts.
“He said we are facing some hard times, and that he is very concerned about what is happening to education,” Anatas said. “But he also said that to stay with the way things are would make matters worse. He seemed very genuine, and I felt better after speaking with him.”
Dr. McGeehan said she was also relieved after his visit, saying that Schundler seemed sincerely concerned about the impact.
“He is in a tough place,” she said. “He has to balance the interests of the taxpayers with the interests of the schools. I believe he intends to do the right things.”