By Rob W.

Voices at the Mic: Highlights from “For the Good of the Cause”

The September 18 Board of Education meeting closed with a powerful “For the Good of the Cause” segment, giving residents and educators the chance to speak directly to district leadership. The remarks spanned farewells, sharp critiques, thoughtful questions, and words of praise — showing how engaged the East Brunswick community remains.

Dom Sclafani Bids Farewell

Longtime resident Dom Sclafani announced that this appearance would likely be his last before the Board, as he is moving out of town.

“I’m so lucky to have grown up here and to have the education that I got,” Sclafani said. “I had the best teachers, friends, counselors, coaches, and mentors, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

He reflected on service to local organizations and closed with a line from Hamilton:

“Legacy. What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see. I hope a legacy is something I’ve accomplished here.”

His words drew warm applause from those in attendance.

Tatiana Jordan Calls for Respect and Understanding

The evening’s most impassioned address came from Tatiana Jordan, a veteran ENL/ESL teacher with 17 years of experience. Jordan spoke firmly about a remark made by Board member Liwu Hong during an August presentation on test scores, and she urged the Board to show greater understanding of multilingual learners.

“Mr. Hong, during that meeting, you questioned the way to access results for English language learners and expressed concern that these students remain in the program after three or even four years, calling it alarming,” she said. “Such a remark not only oversimplifies the challenges faced by multilingual learners, but also demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the language acquisition process.”

Jordan emphasized that acquiring academic language typically takes five to seven years and called for respectful discourse about students and staff alike.

Her remarks also addressed broader issues of Board responsiveness, pointing to past silence over concerns about curriculum choices:

“Your silence as a board is actually more alarming than the WIDA access scores,” she said. “We see through you and Dr. Falco in terms of the math exams — math is no longer universal and as simple as you claim. It is as much an exercise in reading comprehension as it is math.”

Jordan’s statement was a clear, well-supported appeal for informed leadership. Her professionalism and command of research set a high bar for public comment.

Neal Shah Questions Campaigning Rules

BOE Candidate Neal Shah raised concerns about how campaign-related policies were communicated before a recent football game. Shah recounted receiving an email citing a policy number that did not exist, only to be told later it was a typo.

“This is a real intimidation thing that the Board has sent out,” Shah said, questioning whether the policy had been tailored “on the fly.”

He encouraged the district to ensure clear, transparent rules so candidates and the community understand expectations during election season.

Jeff Winston Praises a Shift in Culture

BOE Candidate Jeff Winston struck an optimistic tone, crediting newer Board members for elevating the discussion and doing their own research.

“Tonight’s meeting was so different than any meeting I’ve ever seen from this board,” Winston said. “Dr. Tanious, your questioning is just insane — it’s so spot on. Dr. Figueroa, the right questions. Dr. Braun, fantastic. Ms. Herrick, oh my God.”

Winston applauded presentations that included “planning, measurements, and goals,” and urged the Board to codify priorities with progress dates posted publicly.

“Change the board, change the culture, change the results,” he said, adding that the community should keep the positive momentum going.

Jack Levitt Urges Civility — and the Need for Clarity

During public comment, Jack Levitt voiced concern about the tone of campaigning during the election season, mentioning reports he had heard about an incumbent criticizing others and suggesting social-media “burner accounts” might be in play. Levitt’s remarks reflected a genuine wish for civility and for board members to prioritize their work on behalf of students.

“I was really upset to hear from some friends that one of the incumbents running was trashing and telling lies about other incumbents,” he said. “You’re a board member first and a candidate second.”

While Levitt’s call for respect was well-placed, speculation about burner accounts or unverified conversations can muddy the waters. Clear, fact-based dialogue helps keep election discussions productive and focused on issues that matter to the community.

Fran Snowise Encourages Courage and Training

Fran Snowise expressed appreciation for the Board’s willingness to tackle hard topics.

“I am so excited that we are having the difficult conversations that I have been pleading and asking for for so long,” she said.

Snowise praised high school leadership for addressing concerns after a recent speaker event and reminded staff about deadlines for training on new adaptive testing systems.

Antoinette Evola Examines Class Size and Support

BOE Candidate, Antoinette Evola offered a thoughtful series of questions on class size, Title I resources, and the placement of temporary classrooms. She encouraged the Board to consider whether smaller class sizes or access to tutoring programs might explain performance differences between schools.

Evola also raised a point about including ninth-grade scores in high school data, noting that past decisions about temporary classrooms could affect how results are reported. Her questions underscored the value of steady, data-driven inquiry.

Closing Thoughts

The “For the Good of the Cause” portion of the September 18 meeting showcased the breadth of voices in East Brunswick — from Sclafani’s gracious goodbye to Jordan’s passionate defense of multilingual learners, from Shah’s concerns about transparency to Winston’s praise for a new spirit of accountability. Together with Levitt, Snowise, and Evola, each speaker added to a richer, more engaged conversation about the district’s future.