WESTWOOD—Chris Pinto, president of the Westwood Education Association, has written an open letter to the Westwood Regional School District community, received here Sept. 14, “to publicly express our disappointment with the Westwood Regional Board of Education’s decision to remove Trustee Jay Garcia from the Board’s negotiations team and urge board president Michael Pontillo to reinstate him without delay.”
Pinto said, “It’s our belief that all stakeholders—educators, administration, board members and parents—should always strive to do what’s best for students, and the ongoing effort to vilify Mr. Garcia is shameful.”
He wrote, “As the 2023-24 school year kicks off, the members of the Westwood Education Association (WEA) are doing more than just the typical routine of preparing our lesson plans, readying our supplies, and finalizing class lists; we are putting our all into ensuring that every child in our care feels safe, included and in the best educational environment possible—with the best educators possible. After all, if the last several months are any indication, the public school experience is now anything but typical. Educators now find themselves caught in the crossfire of hotly contested debate, and it’s clear we need to do more than the usual.”
He said “it’s with these intentions” that the WEA wants redress on Garcia’s committee ouster.
“Throughout his tenure, Mr. Garcia has been vocal in his support of Westwood’s staff and students amidst continued attacks on these groups, yet Mr. Pontillo in March publicly stated that ‘…no one trusts or wants to work with’ him.”
“WEA members,” said Pinto, “emphatically state that nothing can be further from the truth. It’s our belief the Westwood community voted Mr. Garcia to serve on the Board of Education explicitly because they trust him—and he has proven himself to be trustworthy time and again.”
He said that in his time as a board trustee, Garcia, one of five board members from Westwood (the others represent the Township of Washington):
- Continues to be the voice of reason on a Board of Education that continually fails to live up to the board members’ code of ethics.
- Asks for specifics or data when false claims and rumors abound.
- Refrains from engaging in fearmongering and spreading mis- and disinformation.
- Remembers he is there to support every student and every resident, regardless of gender, identity, or race.
- Demands transparency and clarification on hot-button issues.
- Wants what’s best for all stakeholders, even at the sacrifice of personal beliefs.
“In short, Mr. Garcia is a model board member, and he is an asset to the Westwood district staff, students, and community. At a time when we cannot afford to contribute to the nationwide educator shortage, it’s imperative that as the WEA and Board of Education move through the collective bargaining process over the next several months, we set aside any rhetoric and strive to demonstrate mutual respect between the board and its staff.”
To that end, Pinto said, “We ask the Westwood Regional community to join our call to reappoint Mr. Garcia and urge the Board of Education to work with the WEA to repair the unnecessary damage and mistrust caused by political rhetoric. It’s eroding the foundation our district is built upon, and our students deserve better.”
Against this backdrop, there is no new teachers’ contract and the school board is set to vote Thursday, Sept. 21 on a divisive “parents’ rights” policy that critics say exposes the district to legal action and provides no new protection for students.
In his 2020 campaign Garcia told Pascack Press that he is “a collaborative and impartial candidate” whose previous experiences include coordinator of Westwood’s community center teen night. He said he is “a proud Westwood dad and husband” and that he hopes to “pay it forward” as a school board member here.
“Let’s challenge our students and not only academically. Let’s challenge them to be better to each other and themselves. Together, let’s ensure their experience in Westwood prepares them to thrive, so they look back at their school-aged years as a time when they were encouraged to become their best selves,” he said.
He added, “I want them to excel and then come back to our schools, give back to our community, and inspire others to do the same.”
This Aug. 22, he posted, “I am disturbed to find that Board President Mike Pontillo, in his last months on this board, has removed me from the WWRSD Negotiations Committee, leaving only himself, V.P. Kristen Pedersen, and appointed trustee Irene Fenarjian as the remaining BoE trustees.”
He said, “As a committee member, I looked forward to working with our Westwood Education Association on closing a contract agreement. The next scheduled meeting is this Wednesday, Aug. 23. However, on Aug. 18, a few days after I changed my page cover [supporting teachers] I received an email from Mike Pontillo notifying me that he had removed me from Negotiations, ‘effective immediately.’ I emailed him twice and called, but I have not received any acknowledgment of my questions or any rationale behind his decision to remove me.”
The quote Garcia had posted, ascribed to educator Trevor Muir, reads, “Dear parents, administrators, and while we’re at it, society: Let’s trust teachers this year. I can assure you, 99% are motivated by the success of their students, and that success is much more likely when they have your support. Trust their intentions, their commitment, and their skill, then find ways to support them. You will be amazed by what can happen in the classroom when you do.”
Garcia added, “I am disappointed that President Mike Pontillo has chosen to use his leadership position and power to ensure that I am the only WWRSD trustee with no committee responsibility. Still, I remain firmly committed to helping this district and its students achieve their goals in any way possible!”
He said, “As for my public praise and support of teachers and staff, I am not sorry for showing my appreciation. To WWRSD teachers and educational professionals everywhere who give so much for students in our communities and elsewhere, thank you!”
As of Sept. 21, the board website showed these members of the Negotiations Committee:
- Kristen Pedersen, Chairperson
- Jason Garcia
- Irene Fenarjian
- Michael Pontillo (ex officio)
- Jill Mortimer (liaison)
- Keith A. Rosado (liaison)
- Shelley LaForgia (liaison)