BOE member resigns over controversial comment

By Geoffrey Wertime, Staff Writer
   ROBBINSVILLE — The Board of Education voted this week to accept the resignation of board member Joseph Armenti after his use of an anti-gay slur drew protests three weeks ago.
   The auditorium was near capacity at Robbinsville High School with about 65 students and 25 community members attending the board’s special Monday morning meeting. All five board members present approved Mr. Armenti’s resignation from his one-year seat, which he took in April.
   ”Our school district will never condone or tolerate any kind of discrimination whatsoever,” said the board president, Michael Reca. “On behalf of the entire Board of Education I want to present our heartfelt apology to all students, faculty and community members for Mr. Armenti’s unacceptable behavior.”
   Mr. Armenti did not respond to requests for comment by The Messenger-Press’ deadline.
   The special meeting came nearly three weeks after Mr. Armenti used the word “faggot” at a public board meeting that was attended by students. The remark was made during a conversation about insults students overhear in district schools, when he said students have the right to use such words under the First Amendment. The situation went on to draw widespread attention to the school board from both residents and the media.
   Mr. Reca said he accepted Mr. Armenti’s letter of resignation last week. The former board member was not present at the Monday meeting, nor were board Vice President Maxine Fox and members Matthew O’Grady and Faith Silvestrov. Carol Boyne attended by phone, and Robbinsville High School Principal Molly Avery also sat in.
   Several students and residents spoke out in support of Mr. Armenti’s resignation at the opportunity for public comment. First among them was Robbinsville High School senior Kevin Stawicki, who sat with the board facing the crowd.
   ”I’ve been given the opportunity as president of the student government to assist in the projection of the voice of the student body here at Robbinsville High School,” he said. “Through these previous weeks that voice has been dynamic. It’s been resonant. That voice has been heard today; nothing but growth and progression shall emerge.”
   High school junior Laura Williams, 16, and senior Pasquale Guiducci, 17, who were present when Mr. Armenti made his comment at the Sept. 23 board meeting, also spoke.
   ”We’re very pleased that it’s been taken as a serious issue,” Laura said as the two stood together at the podium, wearing matching “Erase Hate” T-shirts.
   Pasquale invited everyone to the 2008 New Jersey Gay-Straight Alliance Forum, which Robbinsville High School will host Saturday. He said the forum might help people learn more about the issues gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students face.
   Mr. Reca said earlier in the meeting that both he and Dr. Szabo would attend.
   Margo Saltzman, training committee chair for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, also thanked the board for assembling. “But obviously this is an issue,” she said. “The students are determined to make their school environment safe and respectful, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity expression.”
   She said she found the timing of the remarks “thoroughly ironic” given the forthcoming GSA forum and the high school’s upcoming performance of “The Laramie Project.” The documentary-style play revolves around the death of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was beaten to death 10 years ago this past Sunday in Wyoming, in part because of his sexuality.
   Dr. Szabo has said board members had been made aware of the school’s upcoming activities before Mr. Armenti made the disputed comment.
   Ms. Saltzman said she expected more from the school. “I really do appreciate your apology, but I also would expect that (it) goes to the entire student body, and another be issued to parents,” she continued. “I think that this is a good first step, but I think you need to go a step further and acknowledge this publicly.”
   Mr. Reca said after the meeting that residents would have another chance to speak at the board’s next opening meeting, on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
   ”Hopefully we’ll have community members there, and if anybody wants to say any more about it or have discussion we’ll foster it at that time. If not, we’re going to move on,” he said. “This district has other business we have to do as well.
   ”But we’re more than happy to have a dialogue,” he added. “A constant dialogue.”
   Board Attorney Matt Giacobbe said the board has already issued a letter to students apologizing for the incident, in addition to press releases to the media and bringing the issue up at public meetings.
   The school’s GSA brought in Garden State Equality, a New Jersey gay rights group, to help voice its concerns after the Sept. 23 meeting. Steven Goldstein, the group’s chair, praised the students for their action.
   ”Thousands of Garden State Equality members are bursting with pride over the courage of the Robbinsville High School Gay-Straight Alliance, whose student leaders spoke out against homophobia and never backed down,” he said in a statement released after Mr. Armenti submitted his resignation. “These students are role models for social change for other students across the nation.”
   The board and Dr. Szabo last week released a joint statement condemning Mr. Armenti’s remarks. “The Board of Education, administration, teachers and staff of the Robbinsville Public School District will never condone intolerance regarding race, religion, nation of origin or sexual orientation,” it said.
   ”On behalf of the entire educational community, we are profoundly sorry for any hurt or pain caused by Mr. Armenti’s inappropriate comment. We have worked diligently on an avenue of understanding for the mosaic of diversity which comprises our community.”