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Students urge Bayonne Board to keep Latin after teacher vacancy
Summary
Students and parents told the Bayonne Board of Education that the absence of Latin teacher Craig Jacobs threatens continuity for Latin study and may reduce students’ college competitiveness; they asked the board to restore the position and retain Latin curriculum offerings.
Latin students and an incoming junior told the Bayonne Board of Education their studies are jeopardized by the absence of a Latin teacher and urged the board to preserve the language in the curriculum.
"The lack of a Latin teacher has left our Latin students deprived of a well rounded education," read Evelyn Martinez on behalf of Latin students. Martinez said the absence of Craig Jacobs means some students may not be able to complete four years of language study, which they said could affect college prospects.
Martinez, speaking as an incoming junior, said the Latin curriculum "has not only helped my understanding of ancient cultures and literature, but has also greatly enhanced my English vocabulary and comprehension skills." She urged the board to "recognize the importance of Latin in our educational offerings" and asked that the district prioritize continuity for the program.
No district response to the request was recorded during public comment. The issue was raised among other personnel and curriculum items on the board’s agenda; however, no vote or formal board action on the Latin teacher vacancy was recorded during the public-comment period.
Students and speakers asked the board to consider staffing and scheduling solutions that would allow students to complete multi-year language sequences and retain college preparatory opportunities.
