A coalition of Jersey City community organizations teamed up to hold the first board of education candidate forum at the Franklin L. Williams School in the Heights last night, with six of the seven candidates participating.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
The Education Matters slate consists of Trustee Natalia Ioffe, Ahmed Kheir, and Melany Cruz Burgos, with Trustees Paula Jones Watson and Younass Barkouch not seeking re-election.
The “For Stronger Schools” team includes Matt Schneider and Tia Rezabala, while Sumit “Sam” Salia is running as an independent. While she was advertised for the event, Miriam Tawfiles, the other independent candidate, did not make it to the event.
Nick Lawrence, of the Washington Park Association of Hudson County, and Katie Brennan, of the Journal Square Community Association, served as the moderators for the evening.
Lawrence asked what schools should do to raise revenue.
“None of us want our taxes raised,” Rezabala remarked, calling for a comprehensive audit, as well as securing more federal grants for the district.
“We’ve all been saying about the one percent payroll tax that we need to be sure we’re getting the revenue,” Schneider said. The collection of the payroll tax has been debated greatly since the city council implemented it in November 2018.
“It seems small businesses are more readily paying than large corporations,” Ioffe interjected about the payroll tax.
She said the BOE tried to work with the city and state to collect more money from corporations through the payroll tax, but thus far, their efforts haven’t panned out. However, she remains hopeful.
“The non-profit foundation for our district has been finalized: That could really open doors.”
She also implored the city to share payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) revenue as well, as is proposed for the controversial Centre Pompidou project, a topic that would be posed shortly thereafter.
Cruz Burgos said it should not take 14 years to build a school, and therefore, a lot more outreach in Trenton is needed.
“We really need to better advocate to the SDA (School Development Authority), she argued.
“We have plenty of money,” Salia exclaimed, continuing that it just needs to be managed better, which is why audits are needed immediately.
Brennan asked what the relationship should be between the BOE, developers who get PILOTs for projects like the Centre Pompidou project, and the state.
“This is all about politics. I don’t know how much this museum is going to help us. We need smarter spending … I don’t know what we’re doing,” Salia asserted.
“We should have the local government and the state government and the board of education work together,” Kheir stated.
Ioffe reminded everyone that the state has cut millions of dollars in aid, which has greatly hurt the board’s finances.
She added that while Mayor Steve Fulop has said PILOT revenues could be shared with the BOE, “We have yet to see that happen.”
“We gotta get with the city: We need to be out there really fighting for the school district,” Schneider said, agreeing that the state has to be lobbied harder for additional fundings.
On the next topic, Lawrence brought up Superintendent of Schools Dr. Norma Fernandez getting a new three-year contract that tops out at $341,200 at special meeting in August.
“What qualifications do you have to evaluate the superintendent?” he asked.
Cruz Burgos said she evaluates 60 lawyers every year as part of her job, so she is used to taking a long, hard look at metrics.
Salia noted the superintendent already had a contract that was not going to expire this year, therefore, the new contract was wholly unnecessary.
“Our schools always rank in the bottom 25: It’s completely unfair,” he said.
“I don’t think that metric is being hit. Something needs to be done,” Rezabala said.
To that end, Schneider chided the lack of transparency with the process, noting that the contract was not publicly available before, during, or immediately after the vote.
“If it’s deserving, let’s really justify that,” he stated.
Brennan noted Ioffe voted for the new deal and asked her to explain her vote.
“I specifically asked for the financial analysis … We are the second largest district. Our superintendent was below the top 25 (district superintendents),” she replied, claiming schools had improved under Ioffe and that contracts are not public when negotiations are ongoing.
The moderators also asked what policies they can enact to ensure revenue is equitably spent.
“As soon as students start falling behind, we need to make sure they have the resources: Parent involvement is critical,” Schneider answered.
Rezabala said she wants to help those with special needs. Also, she said there should be more tutors available to students that need additional help.
Cruz Burgos said engaging the alumni base at schools would probably help inspire and motivate them.
“I’m not an expert. Our system is very complex. We need to have money … and resources,” noted Salia.
“You cannot help these students with a cookie-cutter approach,” Ioffe said, seeming to agree. She also called for more ESL and honors classes.
Cruz Burgos said she’d like to improve transparency, noting that the BOE website needs improvement, mentioning that it doesn’t translate well to Spanish.
Furthermore, Lawrence asked the candidates if they supported opening more charter schools.
“I want to have a choice where my son or child goes,” Salia said.
“I definitely support parent choice,” Cruz Burgos answered, adding that charter schools are funded by public school dollars and have less oversight.
Salia asked if Cruz Burgos had kids and was scolded by the moderators for doing so.
“I love public schools: I think there’s no difference,” Kheir replied.
“I’m a graduate of public schools. My mission is to support public schools. Public schools accept all student regardless of their situation. That is their mission,” Ioffe explained.
She said Jersey City gets $136 million from the State, while $175 million goes to charter schools.
“The way the formula works and treats the school district of Jersey City is almost sabotage,” Ioffe declared.
“I don’t think it’s an equal playing field. Charter schools get to choose,” Schneider noted.
He said some charter school administrators make a lot of money. Schneider argued public schools should be made more competitive with charters.
Rezabala explained charter schools fail children who end up in public schools but keep the tax money allocated for them. She said her fourth grade class in the city had 34 students and fewer computers.
Rezabala said she has strong roots in Jersey City and indicated she’s running so that her two kids have better options during her closing statement.
Schneider said the facilities at his kids’ school are poor and that was a major factor for him jumping into the race.
“I love public schools. I know that they’re difficult. I know that they need a lot of lot and care. I believe in working towards it,” Ioffe explained, also touting the credentials of her running mates.
Kheir said he’d like to build a bridge between the athletic and STEM programs, while Cruz Burgos said she loves the city and wants to improve the schools, despite not having kids.
Salia said he is a veteran and small business owner who is running a grassroots campaign.
“I don’t have somebody else funding my campaign … unlike other candidates,” he remarked.
“I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to stand up,” he added about the conditions in the schools, noting that no amount of money seems to be yielding results.
Those who sponsored the forum included the Heights Community Coalition, Riverview Neighborhood Association, Washington Park Association of Hudson County, The Knitty Gritty, JC Social Club, Journal Square Community Association, Leonard Gordon Park Conservancy, Pershing Field Neighborhood Association, JC Heights Parents, Sgt. Anthony Park Neighborhood Association, PS 28 PTA Board, and JC Policy Circle.
