To the Editor:
My name is Leonard R. Kantor, a lifelong resident of Bayonne, and I am seeking a three-year term as school board trustee on Election Day, November 3. Please vote 3D.
I am a candidate because I have always opposed a school board appointed by the mayor. They are controlled by the superintendent of schools, administrators, and the mayor. I support the newly created elected school board because it now allows a school board trustee to improve our school system without political interference or obligations.
I support a school system of education, advocate, and eradicate all obstructions to students’ education. Core values for our public schools should and shall be respect responsibility, honesty, and accountability.
I believe that school safety is a priority. School security should and shall be maintained at its highest level. There should be plans to prevent and respond to all emergencies and have all trained crisis teams in every school. Fire, terrorist, and other emergency drills on a regular basis. A school emergency may require a lockdown, shelter in place, evacuation, or a reverse evacuation.
In regard to safety I have found no speed bumps around any of our public schools; the city speed limit is 25 MPH. In all school areas it should be 15 MPH, but none are posted. I have noticed no video cameras on the outside of school buildings. I have noticed the lack of security going into school buildings.
I am not trying to be an alarmist to frighten parents, but we all know what has happened to other schools that had a lack of security. Parents believe that their children will be safe at their school and that their good and welfare will be secure. It is the duty of our school system that their protection will prevail at its highest level.
I also will meet with the PTAs of all our schools because their interest is imperative in what is good and bad in the running of our schools. Transparency should be shown in all aspects of maintaining a thorough and efficient school system. Please vote for Leonard R. Kantor, 3D
LEONARD R. KANTOR