Dear Editor:
It looks as though Ward E, Councilman Steve Fulop and his downtown coalition are back in the driver’s seat steering his choices in the upcoming Jersey City School Board Elections into an easy runaway checkered flag to victory. Even the Teacher’s Union is willing to yield, recognizing the old adage, “If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them”.
His political corporation of followers has a rare flare of unorthodox motivations and beliefs, which is not normally found in our great municipality. They actually believe in a clean, honest government dedicated to improving good quality of life.
These characteristics draw numerous volunteers that are willing to extend themselves to his social causes, amazingly without any political pay backs. These ethics are virtually unknown to the normal business as usual dealings within the political circle of dinosaurs presently holding the majority of power. The education of our children is an easy target to improve after years of neglect, political corruption, abuses, incompetence and thievery.
Mr. Fulop has proven during his tenure in office of being incredibly honest, honorable, and trustworthy. He donates his Councilman’s salary, and is a Marine Corp Veteran. We thank him for his unselfish service to our Country.
On the other hand, do these outstanding unique qualities absolutely, positively verify an acceptable blanket vote of approval, to all his anointed School Board candidates?
His effective endorsements of last year’s victors, to the Board, didn’t administer any earthshaking traits of leadership, by establishing any major aggressive changes, or enhancing educational results.
When it came time to approve Dr. Epps’s contract extension as Superintendent, there were mixed results. One had the courage to vote against it, one cowardly abstained, while the other, after months of protesting his disapproval, rolled over, and kissed the ring of the overpaid Superintendent.
If the Councilman’s three choices are successfully elected this year, then he would have obtained a controlling interest in the Board, by hand picking six out of the nine members. The parents, guardians and the electorate are the final determining factors. They must not allow an unrestrained monopoly to manage our children’s educational future.
The Board must be independently dedicated to our children, and never beholding to any special interest groups, or politician. The exploitations of past School Board elections have destroyed any positive potentialities within our system, this must stop.
If Mr. Fulop actually does secure this power, then who will really be the most dominate influential force? Some of his associates are involved in education, leaning towards the Charter School Structure.
Will these individuals use a little arm twisting, to pressure these Board members into submitting to all their wishes and desires? Will they be able to manipulate those votes towards their own agenda? Will our children once again be at the mercy of a select few, continuing this negative cycle?
There should be intelligent alternatives and choices made available to our educational establishment. Diversified knowledge and instruction must be upheld, but not at the expense of our children.
William P. Frasca
Jersey City. N.J.