• History

     On October 1, 2004, the Ignacio Cruz Early Childhood Development Center had its opening ceremony. 
    The new school was named after Ignacio Cruz, the first Hispanic to hold a position on the Perth Amboy Board of Education. 

    Ignacio Cruz
     
    Ignacio Cruz
    Perth Amboy Board of Education
    1970-1973
     
    IGNACIO CRUZ was born, raised and educated in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico.  An Army veteran, Mr. Cruz served during the Korean War.  Afterward, he came to the city of Perth Amboy where he lived the rest of his life- a life that included more than forty years of service to Perth Amboy.  His extensive history of community service includes the areas of education, civic leadership, religion, and politics.
     
    Ignacio Cruz shattered a long-standing cultural barrier when he became the first Hispanic to serve on the Perth Amboy Board of Education, from 1970-1973.  He considered his appointment a tremendous accomplishment for Perth Amboy's growing Hispanic community. 
     
    Mr. Cruz also found time to support the academic and extra-curricular endeavors of his children, who were all Perth Amboy High School graduates.  He was a member of the Perth Amboy HIgh School Band Parents Association and attended all events, be they musical or sports, of his children and grandchildren.
     
    Up until his passing in 1996, Mr. Cruz was still very involved.  He was still volunteering countless hours of time and energy to rebuilding Perth Amboy's social and educational infrastructure years after his children had graduated.  His concern was for all children of Perth Amboy, not just his own, and his commitment knew no time limits.