Lakewood education system
subject of debate at meeting
Community
factions try to find
common ground
By joyce blay
Staff Writer

Despite the best of intentions, a Sept. 3 meeting at the Lakewood municipal building between members of the Coalition of Advocates for Public School Students (CAPS) and Rabbi Moishe Weisberg, a national educator and spokesperson for Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish community, came close to falling apart when Weisberg threatened to walk out.

The purpose of the meeting, which was organized by Mayor Raymond Coles, was to discuss ways the attendees could improve the educational performance of students in Lake-wood’s public schools.

"Together, we can sit down and talk things over," Coles said in his opening address to panel members and the audience in the room. "(We) can get to know each other and then work out the things that seem so insurmountable now; (we can) build some bridges."

In the conciliatory spirit of the evening, CAPS co-chair the Rev. Jimmy Wilcox, also the workshop’s moderator, gave a warm welcome to Weisberg as he greeted the man with whom he had once worked so closely.

"Rabbi Weisberg and I worked together through the years, but we haven’t talked as frequently (lately)," Wilcox said.

Despite the affection in their greeting, the two men have sparred in recent weeks over the issue of courtesy busing for Orthodox children. This night, however, Weisberg tried to mend the rift in their relationship in his opening comments to the room.

"I’m just here today as an individual with an open mind," he said.

Weisberg went on to address the issue of character development by citing comments made by Gov. James E. McGreevey.

"Integrity, respect, honesty ... what can we do to spread these programs?" Weisberg asked.

However, instead of opening the discussion to an examination of how character issues affected academic performance, Weisberg’s comments were instead met with a forceful rebuke by James Walker, president of the Lakewood branch of the National Associ-ation for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

"I have always taken a positive approach in embracing the values of blacks and Hispanics in our community," Walker said.

Walker then went on to discuss the issue of courtesy busing, an issue that CAPS opposes as it now is applied in Lakewood.

Wilcox helped coordinate a petition filed by CAPS co-chair George Osborne with the state Department of Education to protest the policy of courtesy busing. The group has alleged that this policy uses gender-segregated transportation for Orthodox children attending private religious schools in Lakewood when those children are within walking distance of their school.

Although Wilcox said he did not want that issue "litigated in the court of public opinion," many who spoke at the Sept. 3 meeting directed their comments toward the issue.

"Much of those funds (that go to courtesy busing) could go to minority students’ education," Osborne said.

Resident Don Albanese was no less vehement in expressing his indignation at being taxed to support courtesy busing for private school students.

"Many of our residents at Four Seasons have been educators, (but) I think in a way it’s presumptuous of us to make recommendations," he said. "Adult communities (such as ours) are cash cows. I would suggest the mayor shame the (Lakewood Board of Education) into discussing educational programs. My recommendation is to have them do their job. We are 100 percent in support of CAPS."

But while some speakers voiced opposition to courtesy busing, there were some who resisted the urge to do so and instead adhered to the evening’s original agenda.

Bill Hobday, who ran in the June Republican primary for Township Committee and was defeated by a write-in candidate who was heavily supported by the Orthodox Jewish community, was sympathetic to the problems faced by the beleaguered school board, but not to the board itself.

"There are many profound problems with education in Lakewood," he said. "I’m not sure the board is taking this issue seriously."

Larry Simons, a Fairways resident, summed up many of the comments regarding busing by saying, "My final sentence, which is controversial, and that’s just me, is that the people should not have to pay for mandated busing."

Wilcox, abandoning his role as impartial moderator of Coles’ self-described effort to "build bridges" between the factions, asked, "How can you call yourself an educational institution and fail to educate?"

"Let’s be serious about it; the Lakewood school district is not educating its students. We don’t want to get into the race game, but the facts speak for themselves," he said.

Hearing that, Weisberg exploded with anger.

"I’m reading your letter inviting me to this meeting, (but) I’m shocked at your bellyaching," he said. "Stop beating up on the Jews and the Orthodox ... or I’m out of here."

"Every individual here has a right to say what they want," Wilcox said. "This is America. If you want to walk out, leave."

Caught off guard, Weisberg looked surprised, but said, "Just stick to the agenda."

Suddenly aware of the turn the discussion had taken, Wilcox said to Weisberg, "Where did it turn sour, Rabbi?"

At this point Coles interjected, saying, "I understand Rabbi Weisberg’s complaint. A lot of the comments went over the stuff we can’t agree on. Let’s put it aside and discuss the things we can agree on instead."

Asserting his previous contention, Wilcox again insisted that people had a right to express their point of view.

"People have the right to say what they want to say," he repeated as Weisberg once again took his seat.

From the audience, Gail Cunningham, a substitute teacher in the Lakewood schools, said to Weisberg, "I would like to hear some ideas and suggestions from you for improving the education here."

Weisberg’s solution was to suggest interested groups form a 105(c)(3) nonprofit organization that would be entitled to receive government funding to help academically challenged students in the district.

That suggestion was dismissed by Mike McNeil of Solutions to End Poverty Soon (STEPS).

"We can’t wait five or 10 years for these programs," he said. "Something has to be done (now)."

"I don’t have representation on that school board. (School board member) Mr. (Leonard) Thomas is a step in the right direction, but kids (need to) see someone who looks like them up there," he said.

His comments were in reference to the predominance of Hasidic Jews who serve on the school board. With the exception of Thomas, there are few African-Americans with whom minority children can identify, according to McNeil.

It was at this moment that the workshop took a turn toward levity when Antonio Moya asked if Weisberg would enroll Lakewood’s public school pupils in his community’s religious schools.

Following chuckles and an amused Weisberg’s response that as long as any child wanted to study Judaism, he or she could enroll no matter what race or color they were, Barbara Alpert, a resident of Lakewood, got up to affirm her faith in the diversity of the town she loves.

"I grew up in Howell, but I felt that one of the special things about Lakewood was its diversity. That’s why I moved here," she said. "Maybe some of the retirees would like to work with the community, too."

Weisberg noted that 600 people had graduated from his religious schools’ English as a Second Language programs, and he invited those present to work with him, too.

"If anyone wants to be a part of it, that could be a very positive first step," he said. "Let’s consider it a personal challenge."

But Fairways resident Frank Citino said that in his opinion, Weisberg had compromised his credibility through his earlier behavior.

"When you come to this meeting and threaten to walk out, you come with the same attitude we see on the school board," he said. "Sir, you have placed most of the people on the school board. They have only one agenda, that is to make sure you keep courtesy busing."

Michael Inzelbuch, the attorney who represents the Lakewood school board, was also seated in the audience. He said board members are trying to improve their performance in the eyes of the public.

He said the board was attempting to hire minority teachers who would help in putting a more recognizable face on those whom the board entrusted with the job of educating black and Hispanic students. However, he said he also knew that much still needed to be accomplished and asked for patience.

"Rome wasn’t built in a day," Inzelbuch said.

"When everybody’s on the same page, that’s the key to success," Weisberg added.

The workshop concluded with its participants sharing conversation and promises to cooperate with each other. However, at least one panel member responded with less than enthusiasm when asked his opinion of what had been achieved that evening.

"You don’t want to know what I’m thinking," said Osborne.