Students Don't Belong in Mobile Trailer, PTA President Tells Board of Ed

The following was submitted by Evelyn Tsugranis, PTA president of School No. 2. The Fort Lee Board of Education meets at the high school auditorium at 8 p.m. Monday night.

The Fort Lee Board of Education is seriously considering placing mobile trailer units in the back of one of their elementary schools, School #2. As a result of recent referendum to build an additional school not being passed, their grand idea is to take preschool kids, and possibly others and house them in the comfort of a mobile trailer unit. The fact that this would create an additional tool in safety, crime, etc. are just minor details they're willing to live with.

Clearly, they have not done their due diligence. Without trying very hard, there are a number of churches, temples other institutions, etc. that would be a far greater choice than this. We've learned that of the entire board, only a handful have even visited the site to determine feasibility. In that there is not one Board of Ed member representing School Two (the other schools are all represented), this is the path of least resistance.

But the Board of Ed quickly learned that there's more resistance than they anticipated. Parents of School 2 children are outraged and disappointed.

"There have been a number of reports that point to a strategy of placing these units behind school two so that you can gain media attention and create a public outcry, and somehow that will motivate the passing of the referrendum. It is inconceivable and embarrassing to think this a strategy that will work." said one very concerned parent.

Another parent voiced her displeasure and frustration, "Do not play politics with our children. We pay enough taxes in this town to demand a more suitable and appropriate environment both for the children you are planning on placing in these units, and for the children already enrolled in School 2.

But the outcry went on and on, "They are elected officials, their job, first and foremost, is to provide the best possible environment for our children—from a learning perspective, safety perspective, and so many other perspectives. If they think that's being done here, then they all need to be replaced. And we will make it our mission to do so. This is just outrageous. And the manner in which they tried to push this through, is at best, unprofessional."

This is clearly an issue that is not going away and these board members have to held to account.

In fact, I would ask the Ft. Lee Board of Education the following: What if tomorrow your employer suddenly said to you, you had to work out of a trailer because their lease expired. There is no doubt that you would expect more from your employer. Well, children should expect more from them. They need to go back to the drawing board and figure this out because this is outrageous and unacceptable.