Kushnir postpones resignation to Sept. 6
Last month’s Board of Education (BBOED) meeting saw the sudden resignation of Trustee Barry Kushnir. His letter, issued on July 27 and citing “professional reasons” as the cause of his departure, was proffered to Superintendent Patricia McGeehan following his vote to not renew her contract. His resignation was “effective immediately,” except that it was postponed to September 6 at last week’s BBOED meeting.
The board has 65 days to fill his vacancy, and was set to interview a number of candidates in the third week of August, but the postponement will now allow the board until November 10 to decide who will replace him. This comes four days after the November election, effectively allowing the voters of Bayonne to choose.
Kushnir is a union chairman and employee of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. He is the fourth trustee to resign in an eight-month period.
Board President Joseph Broderick said at the time that Kushnir resigned because “his job is getting very busy.” He said, “I enjoyed working with Barry. He brought a lot to the table, and he is a man of his word. I’ll personally miss working with him.”
Teacher promoted to administrator
After Bayonne Board of Education Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Robert Craig announced his retirement last month, the board promoted Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Kenny Kopacz to Craig’s position. Kopacz’s former position was given to current Administrator of Assessment/Title I/Curriculum Dennis Degnan. The board voted last week to promote Alaina Desjardin, a teacher, to Degnan’s Administrator position.
Adrian Lopez wake
Family and friends gathered for the wake of Adrian Lopez, 5, on August 25 at the Bayonne Memorial Home on Avenue C. Adrian Lopez was killed in a car crash on August 20 while in the back seat of his father’s Saturn Ion when the vehicle was struck by a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck on the New Jersey Turnpike near exit 14A. He was about to start school at Horace Mann Elementary this fall and loved the sport of basketball.
International Children’s Festival
The Bayonne Hispanic Association hosted its Second Annual International Children’s Festival at DiDomenico Municipal Pool on Sunday, August 28. The festival featured a talent show, a clown performance, cultural dancers, music, and free pizza. “The most important part of the day is to teach our children to share and enjoy their cultures while also bringing us together as a community,” said Bayonne Hispanic Association founder Abett Hernandez. “Education is the only way to stop violence and discrimination between people.”