As you may already know, Paterson School Board members Kenney Simmons, Manny Martinez, Nakima Redmon, and Oshin Castillo have circulated on social media a campaign-style flyer wishing to honor our Paterson Education Association members by purchasing them  appetizers, and alcoholic beverages for a job well done on June 25th.  This event is scheduled to take place at a local pub.

Based on each of their reprehensible action(s), the union believes that it is entirely inappropriate for Simmons, Martinez, Redmon, and Castillo to believe that they can pacify our membership for the price of appetizers and a few alcoholic drinks.  The flyer indicates that each of the aforementioned board members is “hosting the event.”  At this time, it is unclear on the flyer if members are expected to purchase their own food and drink, if the event is being paid for by each board member, if they are using campaign funds, or worse yet if they are spending valuable District money.

To think that these board members want to raise a tall one with our members is comical.  Where were Simmons and his crew when the P.E.A. pushed to overhaul and repair our aging ventilation and HVAC systems?  Where were Simmons and Martinez when we waited hours for them to attend pre-scheduled reopening meetings in May and June (and they didn’t even have the decency to show up?)  While the pandemic was raging in the city, where were they when the  P.E.A. implored them to protect our essential employees, and instead sent them into unsafe conditions?   Beyond that, where were Simmons and his crew of board members when the time came to hold Superintendent Eileen F. Shafer, Facilities Director Neil Mapp, and the rest of their cronies accountable for their failure to maintain and upkeep our worksites?  Their silence is a major reason why our schools are still in a state of disrepair today.

More than that, however, we are professionals that deserve to be treated with respect. There is serious work to be done to ensure that our worksites are safe for our students and staff in September.  It might be a better use of their time to get out of the bar, and into the schools.

Kenny Simmons, Manny Martinez, Nakima Redmon, and Oshin Castillo have each turned their backs on our entire membership.  Now, it’s time to turn our backs on them!

John McEntee, Jr., President

Paterson Education Association