Last night, the Board of Education unanimously passed a non-binding resolution requesting that all landlords provide safe and habitable living conditions where Lakewood public school students reside.
“These are our kids, we need to help them,” said Board President Moshe Bender.
General Counsel Michael Inzelbuch stated, “All of the empirical studies and mere logic tells us that students who live in safe and habitable apartments perform better at school. We take no position as to who is at fault but we do demand that our students have the same rights as other economically better off students to a warm bed, a roof that is not leaning over their table, etc.”
At the Board’s request, Inzelbuch, President Moshe Bender and Superintendent Laura Winters met with approximately 100 tenants, representatives of the Township – including the Township’s Fair Housing Officer, and representatives of Latino groups to facilitate a resolution as soon as possible.
During the meeting, Inzelbuch stated, “The Township, especially Mayor Coles and Mike McNeil, are on top of the situation. As usual, Mayor Coles has proven that he is the Mayor of ALL the people of Lakewood.” Inzelbuch also noted the great work of Aljejandro Morales and Oscar Orellana who effectively advocate for the local Latino population.
Its a shame one has to have a meeting to get this accomplished.
Non-binding= hot air
The Latino population makes up 85% of our public schools student body. The board adding a resolution to their busy schedule to show solidarity with them and to try to bring our community together is a nice thing to do.