Town Council Formally Opposes Charter Schools

Councilwoman Deborah Shapiro defended her involvement Monday night as a founder of a charter school seeking approval to open in Livingston. "In my soul there is no conflict,” Shapiro said during the Town Council’s conference meeting.

The council passed a resolution to formally oppose two charter school applications in Livingston, 4-1. Shapiro did not abstain and voted against the measure.

She described the resolution as a "complete non-starter.”

Charter schools have been the talk of the town. Residents are overwhelmingly against the schools opening because of the potential financial drain and fears of segregation. The town council was asked by the BOE to take a formal stance on the issue, according to Deputy Mayor Stephen Santola. (While the town council was meeting, the school board unanimously passed its own resolution against the charter school applicants).

"If we had all the money in the world I don't think anyone would be saying boo," Shapiro said.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Amy Gleicher expressed concern about Shapiro's involvement as a founding member of the Hanyu International Academy Charter School with regards to her position as a public official.

Shapiro emphatically told the resident that she has no conflict of interest and noted that she has no monetary or personal gain attached to the school. She also pointed out that none of her children were eligible to attend. (Shapiro has further defended school choice and charter schools in her ). She then proceeded to ask her fellow councilmen if they believed there was indeed a conflict.

Mayor Rudy Fernandez did not directly answer the question but pointed out that the Hanyu charter school's application requires each founding member to personally commit money to back a line of credit for the school.

The school intends to borrow $100,000 to help it open, according to financial information contained in the application.

"I have not been asked for money and there is no money that I will be contributing," Shapiro said.

Several members of the council suggested that Shapiro seek a legal opinion from Township Attorney Sharon Weiner to determine if there was a conflict of interest. Weiner told the councilwoman that she would have to get back to her.

"In my soul there is no conflict,"concluded Shapiro.

The council will hold its next public meeting on Monday June 6 with a conference meeting set to begin at 7:30 p.m followed by a regular meeting at 8 p.m.