In Your Opinion: School Board Member’s ‘Good Of The Order’ Comments

by Ardaman Singh, Board of Education Vice President.

I would like to bring to the attention of the general public,our public school parents and staff, that post the Parkland Shooting, we have all been on high alerts and have had our Superintendent give us nearly hourly updates via phone and emails about each and every situation at our schools, so as to keep our kids and staff safe and secure.

Social Media comments during this time by several parents have disheartened me to an extreme situation where at one point I was starting to wonder, if we are not doing enough.

Upon several discussions with many parents, staff, board members, and administration, I have come to realize that many of us use Social media as a venting ground. It is very easy to blame a situation upon the people in charge.

I can confidently state that all nine members of the Franklin Township Public School Board of Education have the interest of OUR children when we make or approve Any and All decisions and policies. We are in this not for MY CHILD but ARE IN IT for OUR Children. I do sincerely hope that next time when you post a negative comment about us – think twice – what if – you were in our shoes.

Participation is when you come to a Board meeting, speak at Public Session and then wait to get a response from our Board President or Superintendent, if not related to any confidential or personnel matter. Come join hands and volunteer and lets raise these tender children together. It is rightly said that we need a village to raise a child. And we do have several involved parents who put in more than their free times towards our students and staff welfare, these are our PTOs and PTSOs. They will welcome your attendance and participation at their monthly meetings, where you should raise your concerns for your individual school needs and share ideas. These leaders can communicate them to us and we will make all efforts to get you an answer or a solution. I know this works as I myself started as a PTO parent and have reached on this Board because of asking those questions, getting the responses, and seeing the positive changes happening in Franklin.

I do want to recognize Jerijah McCay and all other FHS students – I had tears in my eyes when I saw the Franklin Reporter’s Facebook Live and heard you speak at the podium on March 14th. I am and I believe the parents of each of these students are proud of you all and have their head held up high. We are surely doing something right here parents. Lets be proud together.

I am excited to share that our schools were positively recognized by the NJ DOE for our incredible work the district is doing to ensure student growth. I want to congratulate our awesome staff and administration for their continuous role in taking our district ahead each day.

I want to congratulate Ms Ana Washington on winning the State Leadership Award by the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators.

I also once again want to congratulate Nancy our Board President, and Terri Seggio our dear SGS Play Teacher for their Somerset County Outstanding Women Awards. The county recognition and dinner was held this past Monday and it was amazing to hear from some wonderful women in Somerset County.

I want to congratulate Ms Tania Kelly on her new position at FMS Hamilton Street campus as Vice President. I have known her since she was a teacher at FPS and am proud to see her move up the ladder and kudos to our school administration and central administration once again for promoting talent within.

Finally I enjoyed the MacAfee Road School Living History Museum presentation this past Monday. These 3rd and 4th graders did a wonderful presentation under the guidance of Ms. Stacey Resnick and Ms. Kim Rollinson. I want to thank Laurie our Board representative for MacAfee for giving me the opportunity to attend this event on her behalf. It is humbling to see the work going on in our schools and is a constant reminder and encourager to me – of why I am volunteering on the School Board, and this is for our Children.

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