Dear Editor:
I am writing as a Hoboken parent regarding the upcoming Board of Education election on November 4th.
As a parent of two children attending the Hoboken Public schools, I often attend the monthly Board of Education meetings. I find they are a helpful way to learn about activities in the district and decisions that impact my child’s schooling.
During the recent September meeting, I learned great deal about the recently negotiated contract with the Hoboken Education Association (HEA). Dr. Leon Gold outlined the new contract which includes benefits such as: increased parent-teacher conference time, after-school hours for assisting students, a change in high school scheduling that allows flexibility and increase in courses offered, a decrease in half days, a raise for HEA members to make their salaries more competitive, and parking reimbursement for non-resident HEA members.
HEA president Gary Enrico also stood and spoke. He thanked Board members Leon Gold, Monica Stromwall and Tom Kluepfel for their hard work and long hours spent working with himself and his team to negotiate this new two-year contract.
It was apparent to me that night, as well as at other meetings, that serving on the Board of Education requires not only vision and determination, but also the ability to collaborate with others to carry out that vision for the success of Hoboken public school district. Board members must come to the table with inspiration, enthusiasm and a cooperative spirit.
Unfortunately, after these early announcements and discussions, the September meeting seemed to crumble into a political mudslinging contest. Three incumbent seats are up for re-election on November 4th and three of the contenders, Brian Murray, Patricia Waiters and Lynn Danzker, used the meeting to kick off their campaigns.
I was startled by the negativity of their speeches. There was literal finger pointing, fist banging, and incessant repetition of political slogans and phrases. They made accusations, innuendos, incorrect assertions, and presented inaccurate information which had to be corrected a number of times. I did not hear any proposed ideas or solutions for the education of my children and their classmates. I did not see candidates that were ready, willing, or able to collaborate and work with others to move the district forward.
On November 4th, I will be casting my votes in support of three candidates I know are interested, active, and involved parents with proven abilities to work towards a common goal: the ongoing improvement of the Hoboken Public Schools. I am supporting Monica Stromwall, Antonio Gray, and Sharyn Angley and I urge others to do the same.
Sincerely,
Gina Dobson