Party set for district stakeholders

By Chris Sykes, Staff Writer
Board of Education President Anthony “Tony” Vauss is known for being the host with the most when it comes to throwing parties, and his next big event is scheduled to take place Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. at Marlo’s Lounge on Lyons Avenue and every Irvington education stakeholder is invited to attend.
“I met with all the PTAs and parent coordinators and we decided to hold an event for all the faculty and staff and administrators,” Vauss said. “Then I met with the union reps and invited them to come. We came together and I let them decide the date and time and what they wanted to do and they decided to have a karaoke night.”
Vauss said that everyone is “really excited about what we’re doing.” Personally, he said that he is glad that this joint event is going to take place because everyone who has an interest or stake in educating Irvington’s children need to work together for that greater good now more than ever,
“I think all of that helps the students,” Vauss said. “Going forward we’re going to need to do more of this because of cuts in funding and changes in education policies and priorities by the state. If we want to help the kids, then everybody has to be on the same page.”
Vauss said that each school’s parent coordinator and PTA is reaching to the parents. All the presidents of the unions are reaching out to their people too, he said, and of course the administration is supportive of anything that benefits kids.
“I said this is your party. You tell me how you want it to be, and we’re going to be giving away door prizes and it should be a really nice event,” Vauss said. “If you need more information go to my Facebook page — Tony Vauss — and you can see the flier there. Anyone else can call a school, speak to a parent coordinator; talk to a PTA member; or call Assistant Superintendent Of Business Reginald Lamptey’s office at the Board of Education building.”
Even though he is known for his parties, Vauss said the upcoming Feb. 22 event promises to be something special.
“This type of event has never been done before,” Vauss said. “This is going to involve everyone in the district that we call education stakeholders.”