"Former draftsman draws solutions for Matawan"
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/10/06
BY BRIAN LEE
KEYPORT BUREAU
MATAWAN — It's been more than five years since Carolyn J. Williams made the passing remark. The 54-year-old Cliffwood resident and longtime volunteer at area youth clubs had grown weary of friends complaining about the nine-member Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education.
'Next time a seat is up for grabs,' Williams told them, 'I'm going to run.'
Now in the midst of a second term since her 2001 election, the retired Verizon engineer draftsman said she wants more minorities speaking up for the township's schools.
Williams, who negotiated current contracts for teachers, administrators and transportation workers through 2007, said the district has made progress on racial inclusion in recent years.
But there's still room for improvement in some areas, she said:
Minority parents should be better attuned to school issues and actually face the board at meetings, she said.
Another minority board member should be elected.
Most importantly, more diversity is needed among the district's teachers and administrators.
Robert Rodgers, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said 10 of the district's 20 minority teachers have been hired in the past two years.
'I think Carolyn's been successful in getting the board and administration to realize that the goal for diversity is a serious one,' said Kathy Zavorskas, a member of the Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education. 'They're all aware of the needs, and she's been very successful in helping to expedite it.'
But overall, 94 percent of their 306 teachers are white, while 16 percent of students are black, 10 percent Hispanic and 6 percent Asian.
Diversity among faculty is important 'for minority students to have role models, and for faculty to underst"
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/10/06
BY BRIAN LEE
KEYPORT BUREAU
MATAWAN — It's been more than five years since Carolyn J. Williams made the passing remark. The 54-year-old Cliffwood resident and longtime volunteer at area youth clubs had grown weary of friends complaining about the nine-member Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education.
'Next time a seat is up for grabs,' Williams told them, 'I'm going to run.'
Now in the midst of a second term since her 2001 election, the retired Verizon engineer draftsman said she wants more minorities speaking up for the township's schools.
Williams, who negotiated current contracts for teachers, administrators and transportation workers through 2007, said the district has made progress on racial inclusion in recent years.
But there's still room for improvement in some areas, she said:
Minority parents should be better attuned to school issues and actually face the board at meetings, she said.
Another minority board member should be elected.
Most importantly, more diversity is needed among the district's teachers and administrators.
Robert Rodgers, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said 10 of the district's 20 minority teachers have been hired in the past two years.
'I think Carolyn's been successful in getting the board and administration to realize that the goal for diversity is a serious one,' said Kathy Zavorskas, a member of the Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education. 'They're all aware of the needs, and she's been very successful in helping to expedite it.'
But overall, 94 percent of their 306 teachers are white, while 16 percent of students are black, 10 percent Hispanic and 6 percent Asian.
Diversity among faculty is important 'for minority students to have role models, and for faculty to underst"
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