Hoboken Dual Language Charter School Is first Middle School in NJ to earn College Board Approval as AP Spanish Program

Students at Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (“HoLa”) are about to become the state’s first middle schoolers to sit for a college-level Advanced Placement (AP) exam.

Beginning this spring, eighth grade students will graduate with an AP designation on their high school transcript. Upon successful completion of the AP exam, which students in eligible programs across the country will take on Wednesday, May 11, these students will qualify to begin high school with college credits already in hand.

“Our kids are ready to show that they’ve achieved college-level Spanish language skills...This is what’s possible when children enter an immersion environment from Kindergarten, and learn to read and write in both Spanish and English simultaneously.” -Jen Sargent, Executive Director of Hoboken Dual Language Charter School

Because HoLa’s dual language program begins in Kindergarten, students develop high levels of bilingualproficiency by the time they reach 8th grade, and are prepared for the challenging content required of CollegeBoard approved coursework. Historically, AP classes are only available to high school students.

HoLa’s newly approved Advanced Placement Middle School curriculum was entirely developed by HoLa’s faculty and instructional leadership, an incredible accomplishment for a school that was chartered by the NJ Department of Education just eleven years ago. The New Jersey Department of Education has since designated HoLa as a Model Dual-Language Program, making HoLa a resource for schools both within New Jersey and nationwide who are looking to create a dual-language program.

“HoLa’s commitment to the Spanish language and culture makes their bilingual program a model for others across the country,” said Nuria Algar Pinilla, Education Advisor of the Education Office of the Consulate General of Spain. “We are so proud to continue collaborating with HoLa as we work together to promote bilingualism and cultural awareness.”

This trimester, 8th grade students will be reading Cuando Era Puertorriqueña by Esmeralda Santiago, then they will next move into a discussion of the Holocaust throuigh the novel Quien Cuenta Las Estrellas by Lois Lowry. They will use these novels to drive discussions and cultural analyses of social responsibility on a global scale. Students will draft essays and engage in authentic conversations with Spanish-speaking student counterparts in Spain, answering questions such as “What is our role in society as youths with a voice?” and “How can we advocate and foster change to prevent history from repeating itself?” Teachers will guide students as they read analytically, apply their learning in writing with revisions for technical accuracy, including grammar andstyle, and then engage in classroom discussions about the material and cultures – all in Spanish.

“This accomplishment by HoLa is consistent with decades of research demonstrating that immersion education is the most effective approach for developing high levels of bilingual proficiency among students from diverse language backgrounds,” said Jen Austin, Professor in the Spanish and Portuguese Studies Department at Rutgers University-Newark and one of HoLa’s original founders.

Our teachers, staff, and administrators are among the most dedicated public school leaders in New Jersey,” said Nicole Cammarota, Board President of Hoboken Dual Language Charter School. “Taking AP coursework in high school is an achievement in itself, but studying AP level curriculum in middle school will give our students a sense of achievement and confidence that will prepare them for college and beyond.”

“Hoboken Dual Language Charter School is a model example of how quality, public education sets students up for long term success,” said Harry Lee, President and CEO of the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association. “Being authorized to offer Advanced Placement classes in middle school is a remarkable achievement and we could not be more proud of the educators and administrators who have made this possible for our students.”

All exam fees will be waived for low income students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

HoLa recently took top honors at the Science Olympiad in February of 2022. 

Follow HoLa at: https://twitter.com/holahoboken

Link to Telemundo story: https://www.telemundo47.com/local/escuela-de-nj-lidera-educacion-bilingue-en-ingles-y-espanol-con-novedoso-modelo-de-ensenanza/2269741/

Per Pupil Cost Estimates for Hoboken Charter Schools, Preschool, and Hoboken Public School District for School Year 2022-23

Using data from the Preliminary School Budget/Fiscal year 2022-23 (Figure 1) and the 2022-23 ASSA Report (Figure 2) here are some back of the envelope estimates on per pupil costs in Hoboken for the three charter schools, for PreK education, and for the Hoboken Public School District. The general model used for calculation was the total amount of revenues from all sources allocated for PreK-12 public education in Hoboken, divided by the number of students as determined by the Application for State School Aid (ASSA) or "October 15th district daily enrollment numbers (ADA). 

Charter Schools (Hola, Hoboken Charter, Elysian) 

Total Transfer to Charter Schools: $11,942,641

Total Enrollment: 834 students 

Cost per student: $14,910

Preschool Education 

Total Contribution (local and state): $16, 556, 460 

Enrollment: 801 students 

Cost per student: $20,670 

Hoboken Public School District 

Total Contribution = Total Appropriations - (Transfer to Charter Schools + Preschool Education Program) 

Total Contribution = $88,150,524 - ($11,942,641 + $16,556,640) 

Total Contribution = $ 88,150,524 - $28,499,281

Total Contribution = $59,651,243

Enrollment: 2187 students 

Cost per student: $27,275

Figure 1: Preliminary Hoboken School Budget/Fiscal year 2022-23

Figure 2: 2022-23 Hoboken ASSA Report

Skyrocketing Enrollment in the Hoboken Public Schools? Decide for Yourself...

In November of 2021 the Hoboken Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schoolsproposed a bond referendum for the construction of a new high school based on "skyrocketing" enrollment.

During the period from November 2021 to the eventual public vote on the bond referendum, no official enrollment was released by the Board even through the district is obligated to know the official enrollment of the district as of October 15th of the school year. The bond referendum failed. 

Recently, the New Jersey Department of Education released enrollment data for the Hoboken School District (2210) - this is known as the APPLICATION FOR STATE SCHOOL AID (ASSA)- see below for official 2022-23 ASSA Report for Hoboken. 

The following data is from the 2021-22 and 2022-23 ASSA Reports.

I. Comparing TOTAL DISTRICT ENROLLMENT Oct 15, 2021 with TOTAL DISTRICT ENROLLMENT Oct 15, 2020:

Enrollment for 2021-22 ASSA Report was enrollment as of Oct 15, 2020
Enrollment for 2022-23 ASSA Report was enrollment as of Oct 15, 2021

Total District Enrollment (ON ROLL) for Oct 15, 2020: 2238 students
Total District Enrollment (ON ROLL) for Oct 15, 2021: 2187
This was an enrollment DROP of -2.3% from 2020-21 to 2021-22

II. Comparing Oct 15, 2021 with SAME GRADE on Oct 15, 2020:

PreK3: -9.44% FEWER students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
PreK4: -13.67% FEWER students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
Full Day K: -12.3% FEWER students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
Grade 1: -13.67% FEWER students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
Grade 2: +6.7% MORE students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
Grade 3: 0% change students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
Grade 4: -4.7% FEWER students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
Grade 5: -2.3% FEWER students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020

Grade 6: +1.9% MORE students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
Grade 7: 0% change students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
Grade 8: -18.96% FEWER students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
Grade 9: +44.55% MORE students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
Grade 10: -3.16% FEWER students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
Grade 11: +6.89% MORE students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020
Grade 12: -16.30% FEWER students in Oct 2021 compared to Oct 2020

III. Comparing Oct 15, 2020 with NEXT GRADE COHORT on Oct 15, 2021:

PreK3 –> PreK4: -18.67% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
PreK4 –> K: -38.27% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
K–> 1: -22.39% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
Grade 1 –> 2: -19.78% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
Grade 2–> 3: -22.48% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
Grade 3–> 4: -12.96% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
Grade 4–> 5: -16.22% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
Grade 5–> 6: -16.53% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
Grade 6–> 7: -6.73% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
Grade 7–> 8: -3.1% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
Grade 8–> 9: +28.86% MORE students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
Grade 9–> 10: -8.9% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
Grade 10 –> 11: -2.1% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020
Grade 11–> 12: -11.49% FEWER students in same cohort on Oct 2021 than Oct 2020 

2022-23 Hoboken ASSA Report by Tony Petrosino on Scribd

Hoboken Board of Education Meeting February 2022

The following is the Hoboken Board of Education meeting for Tuesday, February 8, 2022. This is the first meeting after the January referendum was voted down by the City of Hoboken. The full detailed agenda follows:

 

February 2022 HBOE Meeting by Tony Petrosino on Scribd

IN THE DEAD OF WINTER, HOBOKEN CITIZENS CAME OUT- Mary Ondrejka, Neighbor

What is important to one person or group can sometimes cause much harm to many other people. The referendum put forth by the Board of Education, for a vote on January 25th, for the $241 million sports complex with a high school attached, to be built on the existing football field, had no public input and therefore was doomed to fail. The harm this project would cause? It was vast. The expensive, overly-large project would have cost taxpayers 30 years of debt with higher taxes and would push old-time homeowners and some tenants out of town. Columbus Park would be permanently harmed by a three- and five-story structure that would tower over it because it would be built smack dab right next to the park, crowding it and casting shadows over it all day. The hockey rink, which would have had to be raised 15 feet above street level due to the flood plain would be expensive to construct and maintain. (Ice is very heavy.) The existing football field would have to be dug up and who knows what toxic ground underneath would have to be remediated. They were not paying attention to that when the field was first built and as they say, when one opens Pandora’s Box, who knows what is lurking inside ready to come out. Sadly athletics was stressed over academics in the new proposed high school. A hockey rink, basketball court, Olympic-sized swimming pool and weight room were stressed as amenities for the building. Is this how you raise math and literacy test scores for Hoboken High School?


Since the Board of Education did not approach this project with what should take priority in a school, or did not bother to include the public in the planning of the school, the people of Hoboken took it into their own hands to vote the project down. The BoE underestimated the anger of the population of Hoboken regarding this secret expensive project and thought that their referendum, held in the dark, cold days of winter, would garner a low voter turnout to allow the ‘YES’ voters of the project to win. But the public had other ideas and they cared that the BoE created this project behind their backs, did not ask for their input and yet expected the public to accept it and pay for it. There was no open debate about what our school system really needs. How do we get the test scores up? What help do our students need? It certainly would not be a cavernous new hockey rink high school.

We will not be taken advantage of anymore. We will not be told what to accept because the political faction in power at the moment desires it. As I have said many times before, the declining Hoboken school population does not warrant any new additional school buildings to be built. They can work with what they have. This is the age of being ‘green’ and recycling. Remember buildings do not teach students. Teachers, parents, tutors and mentors do. Don’t worry the children will be fine.

It’s (past) time to rename JFK Stadium

"Coach Tags" 
Click to Enlarge 

It has been almost 18 months since the Hoboken Board of Education passed a resolution to honor Louis M. Taglieri, Jr. Whatever the reasons, his family and the community deserve to know when or if a dedication ceremony is to take place to honor him. 

The family has set up a page to petition for the renaming to be done as soon as possible. I agree and stand with the Taglieri family in their request.

On August 11, 2020, my Brother, Louis M. Taglieri Jr. tragically passed away. Known as “Coach Tags” by many in Hoboken. He was a teacher, a coach, a father, a brother and a mentor. 

On August 24, 2020 the Hoboken Board of Education passed a vote to rename the current home of the Redwings (JFK Stadium) to be renamed “Louis M. Taglieri Jr. stadium and veterans field. This was then put on hold while the city voted on a referendum to build a new school. Now that it was voted down, on behalf of myself, (his sister Mariann) and his two eldest children, Shayne and Taylar Taglieri, we implore you to sign this petition to have the field FINALLY renamed to honor an amazing man who was bestowed this honor 18 months ago!!

You can support the family and community by clicking here and voicing your concern: https://tinyurl.com/5denvap7

Click to Enlarge

You may also want to email the Board of Education directly: 

http://www.hoboken.k12.nj.us/board_of_education/members

Click to Enlarge

Minutes August 2020- Lou Name Change by Tony Petrosino on Scribd

The Hoboken Board of Education's Letter to Parents and Guardians Concerning the Failed Referendum- and Some Selected Responses From the Community

The following is communication that was sent to the parents and guardians of the children attending the Hoboken Pubic Schools. The letter concerns the vote on a referendum put forward by the Board to the public for the building of a new high school. The referendum was voted down. The Board's letter generated a fair amount of responses on social media. What follows are some selected comments that were posted to social media groups and outlets concerning the Board's letter on the referendum. 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Yesterday the voters of Hoboken had an opportunity to weigh in on a referendum to secure financing for the proposed new Hoboken High School. Over 7,000 voters came to the polls and the referendum did not pass.
We believe that local, long-term investment, which includes community involvement, in our education system, is important and necessary, and we look forward to discussing our plans moving forward.
We will continue to reinforce that our aim is to create an equitable educational experience, with minimal financial impact, including shielding residents in the HHA or in PILOT’d properties from the impact altogether. We also want to reassure our pre-k population that this, or any project like it, would not threaten the free pre/k program.
To our Hoboken Public School District - we appreciate your support and dedication. We, in turn, support you and will continue to ensure that we are providing all the children of this district with challenging and fulfilling opportunities.
To those of you who voted no, or who were unsure, we appreciate your concerns and feedback and we hope to work together further.
We invite everyone to learn more about all of the great things that are happening in our public schools as we continue to progress.
Warm Regards,

Hoboken Board of Education


Selected Comments from the Community about the Letter:

"a very underwhelming response from the BOE, they seem to think we got it wrong rather then them"

"they are very arrogant and wasted hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars. They owe the community a formal apology"

"unbelievably patronizing they didn’t acknowledge how many people voted against it, they didn’t acknowledge real concerns of the community and they still are talking about pilot buildings not paying for it"

"But the way the board went about it was unacceptable, unseemly even. The board’s distasteful actions were heightened over the weekend by individual members’ last-ditch effort to woo voters with “personal’' letters that were clearly orchestrated and intended to skirt legal advice that they weren’t to campaign for or against the referendum question. Oddly, the “personal’' letters were sent through Board of Ed email accounts and included the same introductory disclaimer. Hmmm. With a transparent, open, collaborative process, the board could have been celebrating victory today rather than licking its wounds." -The Jersey Journal (January 27, 2021)

"To me the BOE letter to parents was unacceptable. There should have been a letter to the entire city apologizing for the deceitful process and wasting hundreds of thousand of taxpayer dollars. Our November municipal election was definitely affected by this not being disclosed, even though it was already approved by the state. There is simply no valid reason aside from intent to manipulate the municipal election that this was not disclosed last summer. Can someone confirm how much taxpayer money was spent on this proposal & entire referendum process? I believe it was over $300,000 some are saying higher. The personal letters, from the BOE emails, was the final straw in a long chain of unethical behavior. Hoboken residents deserve an apology and a vow by both our BOE and Dr. Johnson to do much better going forward"

"Part of coming together will be holding the school board and our city officials accountable for what just happened. We cannot let this go in the name of unity. If you are an elected official even if you don’t get paid, criticism is part of the job. They failed to tip the scales in their favor by organizing a last minute off-cycle election and giving advocates a preview before the general public so a yes group is more organized than a no group. They sent out a biased press release on “misinformation” that was factually accurate. The school board and superintendent hosted an information session sponsored by the yes group, that only elementary and pre-k parents could attend on zoom. The cherry on top was when 7 out of 9 school board members sent in letters to the paper in support of the bond right before the election supposedly speaking as individual board members. Three of these school board members used board of education email addresses to send their letters to the paper. The school board members may be well meaning and they may be volunteers, but they violated the public trust."

"At this point I do hope that they apologize for what transpired, taking responsibility and accountability for their behavior and honestly, a breach of ethics on their part. Let’s see who’s going to step up from the BOE and be accountable"

Hoboken School Referendum Fails Amid Lopsided Results- Preliminary results of a $241M Hoboken school referendum showed the bond failing 2-1, officials said Tuesday night.

Caren Lissner writing for Hoboken PATCH Reporting: HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken officials said Tuesday night that according to preliminary results, a $241 million Hoboken school bond referendum has failed by a vote of 2-1. 

On Tuesday after 10 p.m., the County of Hudson posted updated results:

   NO: 4,929

   YES: 2,542

   Voter turnout: 17 percent

While late vote-by-mail votes must still be tabulated (they could have been mailed as late as 8 p.m. Tuesday night), the results are likely too lopsided for them to make a difference, insiders said. 

"This was a tough election for Hoboken around a critically important issue, our students," said Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher — one of the few elected officials to publicly endorse a "no" vote — after the votes were tabulated.

Fisher had characterized her stance as "No for now," citing the need to have more discussion on a major issue.

Those on the "no" side ranged from homeowners who were concerned about taxes to parents to tenant activists who worried the impact of rising rents could outweigh the advantages of the plan.

"Every one of us wants to see our student thrive," Fisher said. "I hope we can work together as a community and support the Board of Education on an amazing plan we can call get behind ... Thank you to everyone who came out and voted and advocated on all sides."

Matt Majer, who founded a group called Concerned Citizens Information Exchange (which largely supported the "No" vote), said, "I want to thank all my teammates who helped shed a light on this 6-week referendum and get the vote out. But our efforts don't end tonight on a couple of major fronts — one of them being to work collaboratively with our neighbors on an improved plan focusing on our priorities over privilege, and academics over athletics. I thank everyone who came out today during a pandemic in the middle of winter and exercised their right to vote."

Want to talk about the results? Email Hoboken Patch or Post your own letter on Patch using these guidelines for posting an article. High school students did it; you can, too!

What Was The Referendum About?

The Hoboken referendum asked voters to decide on a $241 million bond to build a new Hoboken High School with rooftop athletic complex, and move Hoboken Middle School to the existing 60-year-old high school building. The century-old middle school building would become an elementary school.

Read more about that plan, and letters from students and others, here.

During the two months of debate, parents came out on both sides, as did architects, activists, and even Hoboken High School students who wrote letters in the last few days. There have also been personal attacks, which prompted Fisher and others to call for more civility in discussions.

More About The Plan

The $241 million project was introduced to the public a little over two months ago.

The district said the proposal was long needed to address enrollment trends and aging school buildings (ranging in age from 60 to 110 years old). 

Critics said the plan needed more discussion and would raise taxes for homeowners ($491 per year on average) and on some renters, including those under rent control. (The city's longstanding Rent Control Ordinance allows landlords to split tax and utility increases among tenants).

Past Patch Coverage, Letters, And Voter Information

Post your own letter on Patch using these guidelines for posting an article. 

• Board addresses 'misinformation': Read more
• Post a letter: How To Post A Letter About The Hoboken School Project On Patch
• Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher And Emily Jabbour Explain Their Stances: Councilwomen Weigh In On Opposite Sides
• Councilman Ruben Ramos Jr. Supports 'No' Vote
• Jan. 11 Board of Education meeting: Watch It Here
• READ MORE: More Residents Submit Letters
• District Q&A: The district has answered 22 questions from the public about the project, including about costs and timing. Click here.
• The district released a new video about the project over the weekend. Click here. 
• Check the school district webpage for updates.

New Jersey.COM Coverage : CLICK HERE 

Hudson County VIEW: CLICK HERE 

Hudson County VIEW: CLICK HERE (timeline) 

Jersey Journal: CLICK HERE 1/27/22

Op-Ed: JE: Click Here 1/27/22

Is Enrollment at Hoboken High School Declining, Steady, or Increasing?

Some questions are fairly easy to address. I was asked this question recently-- the Board is saying that "Enrollment at Hoboken High School IS NOT declining" -- Is that true? 

First, let's look at the official enrollment data not current "claims" of enrollment. The source of data is the last 11 years of ASSA Reports. This is data all schools districts (including Hoboken) must report to the New Jersey Department of Education for allocation of state aid.

Data includes Choice Students 

NINE = 9th grade enrollment; TEN = 10th grade enrollment; ELEVEN = 11th grade enrollment; TWELVE = 12th grade enrollment; SPED = special education students enrolled in Hoboken High School; TOTAL = total students in 9, 10, 11, 12, and SPED  

Click to Enlarge 

Sometimes it is difficult to see a trend with just raw data. Although here, we color coded each cohort so you can see enrollment for an individual cohort over the 4 years of high school. For instance, according to the 2011-12 ASSA Report, the 9th grade in 2011-12 had 114 students. They picked up 2 students during their sophomore year to get to 116. By their junior year of 2013-14, the cohort was down to 96 students and by senior year there were 91 students. Note: we do not know what specific grades the SPED students were in so we simply assume they were equally distributed. 

Next, we placed the above data in a chart in order to view the data more easily. 

Click to Enlarge 

Enrollment at Hoboken High School over the past decade has been decreasing. 

Comments on the Proposal for a New Hoboken High School

 Aight Hoboken some of y’all are getting it twisted about the new Hoboken High School proposal. First and foremost the children of Hoboken deserve and are entitled to a new High School, period. In 2017ish, I advocated for a new High School as a racial equity issue. Some of y’all forget what life was like for students during that time.

A decision was made to basically warehouse middle schoolers at the high school, mainly as cost savings to taxpayers. The district had a gifted and talented program to help segregate predominately white children from the impacts of this decision- sort of. There was basically no principal, high teacher absences and turnover, and academic and social dysfunction. Meanwhile the high school students felt like the lack of supervision and academic and social programming undermined the culture at the high school.

Many Hoboken High School students work, play sports, and take care of their families. Because of a lack of inadequate facilities, they often had to wear their work clothes under their athletic uniforms (for gym and practice/games), which was under their school uniform because the locker rooms are non-existent. The cafeteria is in terrible condition. Many students that are on free and reduced lunch would literally go without lunch. The storied Hoboken football program weight room is not up to par. Because of some developer deal, Hoboken decided to take land away from JFK field to accommodate a residential building and as a result doesn’t have a regulation track. So the high school track team can’t host any meets at home.

After raising holy hell, the district made a decision to give up district offices to make room for a few floors in Demarest dedicated to the middle school students. They had to share recreation space with a pre-k program in the building. They weren’t allowed to use the public park across the street due to complaining residents and racist council members like Tiffanie Fisher (by the way her recent piece about the high school is dog whistle racist garbage). Again, these decisions were made as a cost savings to taxpayers at the expense of children.

It really was such an injustice but because the vast majority of the students impacted were Black and Brown no one gave a damn. So no the children of Hoboken shouldn’t get a Honda, they should get what they deserve- a state of the art high school.

Some of y’all keep talking about the numbers and the burden to taxpayers. As part of the “fiscally responsible” so called reformists, Hoboken has skating its obligation to adequately fund the district for a decade and a half. From PILOTs, to monetizing Black and Brown and low income students to get extra aid from the State of NJ to cover free pre-k, segregate Brandt, and after school programs from the state has already saved Hoboken tax payers lots of money. The most vulnerable and underrepresented paid the price.

Now in all fairness a school alone won’t solve the education inequities of the district. So for those of you pushing for the new high school or those of you questioning the school equity agenda, make sure y’all ask for the district to hire a third party to conduct a education equity audit that includes demographic breakdown, specifically by race. The kids deserve a brand new high school but they also deserve education leadership that doesn’t have a history of marginalization and underperformance. With that being said how much more should the kids have to sacrifice to get what they deserve. Some of y’all have created real wealth from real estate values and suppressed property taxes as a result of underfunding the district. As far as I’m concerned you can all take several seats. -Courtney Wicks

Former Councilman Peter Cunningham Weighs in on the NO Side

 Dear family, friends and neighbors,

As we hunker down with typically the coldest and snowiest days of the year, I'm going to cut to the chase and ask you to join me in voting no on January 25th.

The truth is, The District has more to do to improve the educational excellence, before embarking on such a large capital project - 100% financed by the taxpayer (renters too). Up until the last four year of my City Council tenure, I was quite knowledgeable of former Board of Ed members and their strategic plans. These leaders were working towards the right strategies which in large part wrestled the District away from outside political influence which stifled educational excellence for far too long, and led to Dr. Johnson's hiring.

But the competition is fierce, with many educational options in the area. Our High School has not kept pace and has more work to do. It's not accurate that new facilities translate into educational excellence. Building a $241 million plus facility in hopes parents will send their children is not a strategy. If the educational value vs facilities mismatch isn't enough to vote no, consider the following.

I understand the parents of Hoboken's public school children for wanting to support this project with so many of our local charters and County High Schools making facilities investments. But the community as a whole, including the District parents, should be aware and concerned with Hoboken's political history. The manner in which this plan is being introduced is steeped in Hoboken's ugly past with zero transparency, zero quantifiable justification and a whole lot of voter suppression. It's hard to imagine that we have truly gone back to the days of organized corruption.

Consider the following statements about this plan.

1) BOE (and I believe certain council members) knew about this plan first quarter last year (and earlier - 2019), and consciously chose to hide it from the public

2) inadequate cost justification when less than half the bond amount could renovate existing facilities to meet their needs

3) 100% tax supported (a 20% tax increase, up to $1,500 more on average in school taxes for 25 years per household)

4) referendum slated for an obscure time of the year to suppress voter turnout

I would say the recent NJ.COM article really sums it up, and provides really good statewide perspectives. I encourage everyone to read the article.

https://www.nj.com/.../proposed-241m-bonded-hoboken...

And if this isn't enough, it is shameless that this District leadership, Administration and Councilmembers feel empowered to pit parents of Hoboken's school children against all of Hoboken's taxpayers. As a councilman, I alway felt it was important to bring the community together on divisive measures like this referendum - and trust me, I experienced many of them.

I am happy to take any questions or comments on either side of the issue.

Thanks, Peter Cunningham

Reader Opinion: Just Say No to New Hoboken High School, Former BOE Member Say

The following opinion piece is from Leon Gold as published in TAPintoHOBOKEN on January 19, 2022

As a former Hoboken Board of Education (BOE) Trustee writing this is difficult because I know first-hand all the sweat and toil in trying to improve education for Hoboken’s public-school children, but the current proposal is the wrong way. On January 25 the referendum should be voted down. To be as clear as possible, I am voting NO and you should as well.

As the reasons for doing so are manifold, I present my non-exhaustive list of the top 4 reasons why I, as a former Board of Education elected official, advocate voting NO:

1. Lack of transparency - The job of a BOE Trustee is to represent the community in the interest of educating the public’s children in district schools. This BOE has conflated pushing their desire for a sports complex with a school attached over their obligation to the children and people of Hoboken. For over two years they secretly planned, informing their close clique of supporters, only to tell the people after the November BOE elections and during the holiday season in the middle of winter. While supporters of the plan pretend the BOE had to wait until the State Department of Education officially acknowledged the proposal was added to the BOE’s long term plan, which happened in August of 2021, the fact remains that they hid the information from the public for 3 months to avoid answering any questions during the November BOE elections. Even were this needed for long-term planning (which it isn’t), voters should send a message to every level of elected officials that anti-democratic games in which they purposefully hide things from the voters will not be tolerated.

2. It Won’t Help the Children – Academics and pedagogy are not sports and athletics. The current high school is massively under-enrolled with roughly 435 students (including approximately 125 students from outside Hoboken) for a building that was built with a capacity of 1,506. If the people of Hoboken were asked to spend more tax dollars on lifting the students’ futures and giving educators the flexibility to reach their students, rather than the $330 million sports complex that is being pushed, no one would be able to say no because everyone wants the children to succeed.

3. This Will Endanger the Free Pre-K Abbot Funding – As an SDA (School Development Authority) or former Abbot District, Hoboken receives state aid for the free Pre-K program. At the time of its creation, the program (then known as Abbot Districts) was meant to assist economically downtrodden districts that would otherwise have a problem funding education through property taxes. Even though today roughly 2/3rds of the town are rental units, the situation is different, and Hoboken is the capital of the “Jersey Gold Coast”. Every year support for state education aid in Trenton (in both parties) goes down as does the aid dispersed (the JC BOE just recently lost about $70 million in aid). The amount dispersed by the state for education aid is decided in a political and bureaucratic process and is not something that is guaranteed. Pushing an unnecessary massive BOE tax increase for a sports complex with a high school attached (especially when the current one is massively under-enrolled) will only add fuel to the fire of those in Trenton advocating cutting Hoboken’s state education aid. Moreover, to dampen the impact of the growing Trenton anti-state aid chorus, other SDA Districts will undoubtedly add their voice to the choir as they have an incentive to throw Hoboken under the bus in order to spare themselves additional education aid cuts.

4. Half-truths – The BOE statistics on enrollment are half-truths meant to create the impression of a growing groundswell of enrollment. Before, during, and after I was on the BOE, people spoke of enrollment booms that never materialized. No one would love for our Hoboken district school enrollment to grow more than I, but the reality is that enrollment is within normal historical fluctuation ranges. Moreover, the alleged overcrowding is existing in only one of our elementary schools and has existed since 2011 (while the other two elementary schools remain under capacity). Just as important to note is that when looking at NJ Department of Education data from the Hoboken BOE, it is the Hoboken BOE that self-reports and determines the capacity level at its schools. The supporters of the $330 million sports complex with a school attached - the people telling others that if we vote “yes” on the $241 million dollar bond referendum question, everything will change are well-intentioned but factually wrong on every level. Those who want fact-based educational improvements for Hoboken’s children understand that leading by example to integrity and honesty is important. Good government and education advocates know that this plan requires Hoboken voters to VOTE NO on January 25th because it will make our town even more unaffordable; because buildings are not a replacement for pedagogy nor a synonym for education; because it rewards fundamentally inappropriate behavior of elected officials; and because it will put in danger Hoboken’s free Pre-K program funded by state aid. On January 25th for Hoboken’s children and commonsense VOTE NO.

Respectfully Yours, 

Leon Gold