Gay-Straight group publicly thanks supporters following slur incident

By Geoffrey Wertime and Jessica Ercolino, Staff Writers
   ROBBINSVILLE — A five-person contingent of the high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance has thanked the board and the community for their support over the last several weeks.
   Juniors Laura Sanders, Laura Williams, Emily Rivers, Caitlin Kerka and senior Mike Landolfi drew applause after reading a statement from the group at the Board of Education’s Oct. 21 meeting.
   They spoke out in response to the board’s acceptance of former member Joseph Armenti’s resignation at a special meeting Oct. 13. Mr. Armenti was widely criticized for using the slur “faggot” at a board meeting Sept. 23.
   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.
   ”After hearing that Mr. Armenti condoned the use of derogatory slurs and verbal bullying at last month’s board meeting, we and members of the RHS GSA were appalled,” the GSA’s statement read.
   ”We would like to our express our sincere gratitude to our school administration and remaining board members for their outstanding support over the past several weeks,” it continued. “We hope this experience has helped us to erase hate in our community as we all work to make Robbinsville a town which we can be proud to call home.”
   Last week’s meeting included the last official public forum for residents to speak out on the issue.
   The Board of Education is accepting applications to fill the remainder of Mr. Armenti’s one-year term, which ends in April 2009. The board hopes to interview applicants at its Nov. 18 meeting.
   All applicants must be a resident of the district for at least one year and be a registered voter in order to be eligible for the seat, according to state law.
   To apply, residents must submit a written letter of interest and optional resume by 3 p.m. on Nov. 7. Applications can be sent to School Business Administrator/Board Secretary Louise Davis in the board’s administrative office at 155 Robbinsville-Edinburg Road. Questions can be directed to Ms. Davis at 609-632-0910, ext. 2201, or [email protected].