Board Votes “Yes” To Revote On Naming Of School
By Afaf Muhammad
During the August 25th Jersey City Public School Board of Education’s Citywide meeting the P.S.34 Naming Committee stood before the Board Members to request that they reconsider their decision on the naming of their school which occurred during a Caucus meeting earlier in August, a decision that was expected to occur during the August 25th Citywide meeting.
Due to the early vote, there was a bit of a conflict concerning the name voted in during the Caucus meeting. Prior to the submission of P.S.34 Naming Committee’s name recommendation there were already a few other names that were requested by other members in the community. This conflict caused the P.S. 34 Naming Committee, and community leaders to return on September 15th to request that the Board reinstate their vote on the agenda for a revote.
The P.S. 34 Naming Committee, with the support of community leaders, students, parents, and staff, desire their school to be named after current President Barack Obama, as they believe having a school named after such a prominent figure will boost the morale and outlook of the students and the community. One of the other names that were to be considered was current Board Member Marilyn Roman, which was pulled from the petition by current Board Member Gerald Lyons during the roll call discussion on the decision to add the recommendation of the P.S.34 Naming Committee to the agenda at the September 15th meeting.
Gerald Lyons and Monique Andrews of Jersey City were the first to submit a name for P.S. 34, two years ago, choosing current Board Member Marilyn Roman; a person that both have witnessed helping many students progress academically. However, supporters of the P.S.34 Naming Committee believe that by the board allowing a revote on the name chosen by the students, parents and staff present, instead of moving forward with their prior decision, would send the message that the students and parents do have a voice and that the Board is for the people they serve and that will be directly effected by their decisions.
Although the Board has voted “Yes” to reinstate the recommendation to be revoted on, there is still a possibility that the P.S.34 Naming Committee may be challenged by the other community members that have submitted name recommendations.
P.S. 34’s Parent Council President Maureen Rios during public comment for school naming
Councilwoman Diane Coleman during public comment for school naming
student speaks during public comment to state why P.S. 34 should be named after President Barack Obama
A father speaks during public comment to state why P.S.34 school should be named after President Barack Obama
Supporters of P.S. 34 Naming Committee
P.S.34 Naming Committee supporters (left to right): Councilwoman Joyce Watterman, Principal Shante Jones, Superintendent Dr. Lyles, Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, and Councilwoman Diane Coleman
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