Livingston BOE Candidate Op-Ed: ‘Now Is The Time To Evolve’

LIVINGSTON, NJ — James Calderon, a candidate for the Livingston Board of Education, has released a statement about the district’s plan to reopen for the fall amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Calderon, who is running under the slogan “Change Our Future,” was among four candidates to file for the Livingston Board of Education in the November general election, which will be held mostly by mail due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The other candidates who filed are Jenissa Arnette, Vineeta Khanna and Bridgette Nevola.

• See related article: 4 Candidates File For 2020 Livingston School Board Election

Calderon’s op-ed follows below.

"The morning after always allows us to reflect on the storm. Last night we watched and heard what has become all too common in our democracy, The People being silenced and told what a few have decided for the masses. All too often we hear the screams from our fellow citizens and look the other way. Too often we are ignored, whether on the majority side of an opinion or in the minority. Too often we say, “we have no control, so let’s move on.” And too often on Election Day, The People do not show up. Livingston has 23,466 registered voters yet in 2017, during our last campaign, less than 5,700 people voted; we got 1,942 votes. In 2018 and 2019 even less people voted; last year less than 4,700. So it brings to mind, do The People really deserve representation when The People do not vote?

"Our lack of representation was apparent last night. The continuous resistance against change was present and alive. The 'Group Think' we were warned about in last year’s BOE election has enthralled those whom previously admonished such thought. The lack of courage presented by the administration is worrisome. Our world has changed. National borders are closed. Millions of people are unemployed. Millions of businesses are closed or closing and those owners are holding on to accumulated debt that will last their lifetime. The People are willing to accept this change and request that the school offer a new model for schooling that moves us forward. This new model may not be perfect, but it will allow us to move in the direction of evolution for the sake of our future. For the moment, the request of The People has been denied.

"The denial by few to provide the services our future is entitled to and funded by the labor of the community is beyond disappointing. It is our future that most concerns The People. The question is: are we willing to stand for them? Are we able to put ourselves in their shoes and truly do what we strongly believe is best for them? Will we stand by them as they plead for themselves against the injustice that is being served to them? I am a believer in the principles of this nation, and the promise it made to my parents who immigrated to this country so that generations after them can live by the principles of freedom and justice for all. It is our generation’s responsibility to not only benefit from these principles but stand against those that try to oppress them.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly changed each and everyone’s world. No one has been excluded from its reach. No one has been excluded from making tough decisions. Tough decisions and grit is what makes us evolve. Last night, the leadership of this school district, from the administration and Board Of Education announced that they are not ready to evolve. They announced last night that they are not ready to lead. They announced that they are not ready for change; instead they want to leave the reins of our future in the hands of others. Instead they want to hibernate until it is safe to come out again. Why? Because, We The People allow it.

"Now is the time to evolve. It is the time to move forward and take control of our future. This will be a long process, with no overnight solutions. We must sow seeds now so we may reap a bright future tomorrow. Silence is no longer an option."

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