Next week, on April 17, voters will have the opportunity to select three candidates for the Jersey City Board of Education. Eight candidates are running in this year’s race and the three who get the most votes will become school trustees at a critical time for the Jersey City Public School District. The school board is currently conducting a national search for a new school superintendent and the district is trying to regain local control from the state.
Voters will have the opportunity to replace three incumbents who are not running for reelection this year: Pat Sebron, William DeRosa, and Sean Connors. Connors was elected to the New Jersey State Assembly last year and took his seat in January. Sebron and DeRosa decided not to run for reelection.
The eight candidates running this year are Vidya Gangadin, Jayson Burg, Amanda Khan, Marilyn Roman, Frank Lorenzo, Gerald Lyons, Sangeeta Ranade, and DeJon Morris.
Voters will have the opportunity to select three board representatives on Tuesday, April 17.
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Voters will also have the opportunity to approve the portion of the school board’s proposed $661 million 2012-2013 budget that is supported by property taxes. Depending on the results of a ballot referendum this fall, April 17 could be the last time voters are given the opportunity to automatically approve or reject the annual school budget. This fall, voters may decide to move school elections to November, and would only vote on the budget if it includes a tax increase of more than 2 percent.
Next board to select new super
The Jersey City schools were taken over by the state in 1989 due to poor performance, but are gradually returning to local control. Still, some believe that test scores need to improve further.
At present, the district is conducting a national search for a new school superintendent to replace Dr. Charles Epps, who was appointed by the state and who served for more than 10 years. He left the position at the end of 2011 and Assistant Superintendent Franklin Walker was given a six-month contract to serve as interim superintendent, through the end of June.
In January the state Department of Education appointed Cathy Coyle, a former district administrator, to oversee personnel and curriculum matters, a move some parents fear is an attempt by the state to ease her into the superintendent position. However, members of the current school board and the two firms conducting the superintendent search have insisted that Epps’ replacement will be made by school trustees, not the state.
At various public meetings over the last four months a number of parents have expressed their support for Walker and have stated they would like for him to be given the superintendent position permanently.
“The Jersey City public schools are currently at a crossroads as we look for new leadership,” said Khan, who works in the city’s Department of Public Works. “One of my goals is to make certain that not only are all aspects of the community heard – such as parents, teachers, and community members – but to also bring in the perspective of students and the opinion of educators from teaching colleges to help find the right methodologies and bring the solutions that will succeed in a much needed and neglected environment.”
Other issues facing the district
There are other important issues facing the school district, however, as the candidates themselves have reminded.
“The lives of so many young people are affected when a school district fails to offer them an education that broadens their perspective and teaches them the skills they need to successfully enter the workplace, enter college and take their place as productive members of our community,” said Roman, a retired school teacher. The ‘teach to the test’ method does not offer enough instruction to students and limits their ability to explore their interests and use their minds in creative and innovative ways. That method is probably the least effective way to teach; many of the teachers I have spoken with agree that they would like to expand the curriculum to offer students a fuller educational experience. When they do this, they need to be supported with materials and activities that bring the curriculum to life. This is the 21st century and there is a need to use the tools, methods and equipment that students use outside of school.”
Roman is running on a slate with Vidya Gangadin, and Sangeeta Ranade, which has been endorsed by Ward E City Councilman Steven Fulop.
Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy has not publicly endorsed any candidates for the board.
Gangadin said there needs to be improved communication between the school district and parents.
“Parents do not feel engaged in the school district, even when they try to be active, many feel like their input is not welcomed. The priorities of the district are not what they should be.”
In an interview last month, Morris, a detective with the Jersey City Police Department said, “A lot of times, kids are having trouble in school and are creating problems there before those problems appear in the community on the streets. We need to find better ways to channel their energies and skills so that they are productive in their lives. We need more internships, training programs, summer jobs, so that our kids aren’t just hanging out on the streets after school.”
Another former teacher, Jayson Burg, said the district’s curriculum must “ensure that every child is engaged in self-improvement and self realization, which will enable them to become lifelong learners and good citizens.”
Voters to weigh in on budget
In addition to selecting three board trustees, voters will also have the opportunity on April 17 to approve or reject the portion of the proposed 2012-2013 school budget that is to be paid for with taxpayer dollars.
The school budget for the 2011-2012 school year is $630 million and included a tax increase that added $32 to the annual tax bill for the average homeowner. The proposed budget for next school year is slightly higher, at $661 million.
Earlier this year the City Council approved a measure that will ask voters in November whether they want to keep school board elections in April, or move them to November, when other elections are typically held. If school board elections are moved to November, voters will lose the opportunity to automatically approve the school budget each year. If school elections are moved, residents will only be able to vote on the annual proposed budget if it goes above the state’s 2 percent tax cap.
E-mail E. Assata Wright at awright@hudsonreporter.com.