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Parents and residents press Union Board for more library access, calendar fixes and remote participation
Summary
During public comment at the Sept. 10 worksession residents urged the Board to provide weekly library access at Livingston School, correct a Jewish holiday date on the school calendar and allow remote attendance; the Superintendent said he would meet with his team to follow up.
Residents used the public-comment portion of the Township of Union Board of Education worksession on Sept. 10 to press the district on library access, school calendar accuracy and remote participation options.
Michelle Zatta urged the Board to increase library visits at Livingston School, saying the library is currently scheduled "twice a month" and that students need weekly visits and a full-time librarian. Zatta also returned later in the comments to say she would like the Board to open meetings for broader discussion.
Lisa Krause raised a calendar concern, saying students were listed as off Oct. 4 for a Jewish holy day but that Oct. 3 is the actual date. She added that she has "witnessed and have felt antisemitism" and asked the district to correct the calendar. Superintendent Dr. Gerald Benaquista responded that he will meet with his team to review the date.
Other public commenters called for greater parental involvement in curriculum decisions and expanded access to meetings by phone or virtually. Natercia Lopes said she does "not believe in this Board" and argued parents should be engaged on the school calendar and curricular choices; Dr. Benaquista told the audience he would meet with his staff about these concerns.
Several residents offered thanks and community notes: Melissa Diaz thanked administrator Marissa McKenzie for help; Sol Antencio thanked Ms. Dicxiana Carbonell and urged extension of some initiatives to the high school; Clay McClain urged respectful exchange of differing opinions; and Kathleen Bruns-Meyers highlighted Suicide Prevention Month and asked for extra kindness in the community.
The public comment period also included procedural questions about public participation rights under the Open Public Meetings Act and Policy 0167. No formal board decisions on the public requests were recorded during the worksession; the Superintendent and staff were asked to follow up.
The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
