Candidates for April's school board elections

[Michele_bell]

HOWELL: Two incumbents and seven challengers are running for three three-year terms on the Howell Township Public Schools Board of Education. The candidates are:
John C. Hein, 54 Allenwood Road; nine-year incumbent Mary Cerretani, 39 Cherry Tree Circle; incumbent Stephen M. Levine, 24 Poplar St.; Suzanne Brennan, 59 Camelot Drive; Jeanette Smith, 28 Mouse Creek Court; James P. O'Brien, 42 Conifer St.; Maureene Abbe, 18 Mistaire Place; Vincent Lazzara, 10 Southgate Drive; and Lawrence Knutson, 4 Nelson Court. Board President Patricia Blood is not running for re-election.

FREEHOLD REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL: Four candidates filed for three three-year seats on the board. Three incumbents filed: Ronald G. Lawson, of 421 Winterberry Court in Howell; Elizabeth Canario, of 17 Hamilton St. in Englishtown; and Kathie Lavin, of 24 Brook St. in Farmingdale. Challenger Michael C. Dymyd, of 24 Mistaire Place in Howell, also filed.

[Phil_Sanfilippo]

 Term limits need to be imposed.
                                             phil

[Jody_Branin]

No Rob Nicastro or Amy Fankhauser?     I had really hoped that they would try again.  Bummer!

Not sure who I will be voting for but I'm sure of a couple that I will NOT be voting for. 

[Michele_bell]

Jody, I agree.  I just wish I knew more about the new comers....anyone have any insight??

[Jeanette_Smith]

Michelle, I am one of the candidates. I've lived in Howell for 17 years. I have three sons, all  attend/attended our public schools. I've been a citizen member of HTBOE committees for the past ten years. I have a degree in economics and business administration and worked as a mortgage underwriter until the birth of my second son. I have also been active in various PTA's/PTO's since moving to Howell in 1993.

Is there anything else you would like to know?

[Michele_bell]

Thanks Jeannine. Your background seems to be exactly what we need. Plus I know you have always been active based on your posts here.  You have my vote!

[Phil_Sanfilippo]

Michelle,
            With the high cost of taxes and run away spending by the current and past Howell board Of Eds. what recomendations will you make to trim waste and avoid future tax increases. Will you support freeze of all wages  and elimination of VP in K-8, 100% busing  as well as negotiating with the teacher union to reopen contract and  and have membership contribute to health benefits. In addition will you support closing an additional school. the taxpayers are taxed to the hilt by school taxes.
                                                                                         thanks

[Fran_Albury]

Is there anything else you would like to know?

How come elimination of courtesy busing is always presented as an all or nothing option to scare people into thinking kindergartners are going to have to walk 2 miles to school?  Hasn't anyone ever suggested limiting buses to kids that live a mile or more away from school (unless they live closer but there are safety issues like crossing route 9) ? 

[Jeanette_Smith]

Phil, I am the candidate for the BOE . . . Jeanette Smith . . . not Michele. But maybe she will run next year?

To answer your question, my goal is to bring a budget to the taxpayers that represents no increase in property taxes while maintaining the quality of education for our students. We have exceptionally talented and creative people working in our school district and I believe that if we work together we can find a way to identify cost savings and create efficiencies to reach that goal.

There are two other candidates running this year that have similar goals . . . Larry Knutson and Suzanne Brennan. Larry is a retired banking executive with 4 young children. Suzanne has a law degree and also has 4 young children. We have decided to run for the BOE together as Residents for Change.

The BOE sets policy for our schools and the budget is the boards policy statement to the community. For years the community has told the BOE that we are not in agreement with the boards' fiscal policy. Larry, Suzanne and I understand the communities message to the board and will work towards presenting a fiscal policy that the community can agree to.

Fran . . . I've never understood the scare tactics either. Courtesy busing is not an all or nothing situation. Busing children whose homes are adjacent to school grounds is a complete waste of taxpayers money. Busing children that would have to travel along high traffic roadways to school is necessary for their safety. This is an issue that needs to be evaluated, among many others, with common sense prevailing.

[Ray_Spengler]

Hmmmm.... a common sense approach with straight forward answers.  What's not to like about that?

I have a question to all 3 members of the "RFC" and the other candidates running for the BOE:

Does anyone have family working in the school's union?  IMHO, we are all human and this would bias one's cost cutting decisions no matter how objective/fair one tries to be.

It seems the RFC has 3 who have children in the school system and Jeanette has shown in many, many posts since Marty and Rick owned this forum that she is very capable of making informed decisions that will impact the students in the most positive way possible.  IMHO their education will not take a step back with Jeanette in the BOE.

I look forward to seeing the RFC in the BOE!


Ray

[Phil_Sanfilippo]

Jeanne,
           Thanks for your comments and I will give serious consideration toward your and your running makes. I know quite a few voters in Howell  3 in my house alone and will encourage them to read your post. I need to remind you however that being a canidate and being on the board is quite different.Many well intentioned folks  talk a good talk but after getting on the board fall  line with the status quo. I trust you will not do the same. I challange you to take risks and not fall to intimidation by the others. In regards to busing. I will never advocate eliminating busing entirely. What I propose is that when a school is within walking distance their is no reason for busing.  I support school crossing guards as means to providing safety to the children. I wish you luck in the campaign and look forward to saying hello at canidates night. I urge you to continue  to post. the viewer base on this site covers a lot of diverse groups you care about Howell and vote in our elections.
                                                                       God Bless
                                                                       Phil

[B. Sandow]

Ms. Smith, I am thrilled to see you are running for the BOE this year! 
Vote RESIDENTS FOR CHANGE.

[Gene_Tanala]

Jeanette:

Thank-you for asking Kathy about registration.

As a citizen, I am happy to see Ms. Jeanette Smith runing for the BOE. She is a very dedicated person who attends most meetings and serves on various committees. She is a very hard worker and a concerned parent.

There are many new candidates to choose from this year, and I applaud all . Jamie O'Brien,  Maureen Abbe, and John Hein, are just a few.

Incumbents Mary Cerratinni, and Dr. Steven Levine are outstanding members of the board of Education and are involved in several community functions.   Despite the climate being anti-BOE, these two individuals deserve to be re-elected.

Respectfully,

Gene Tanala   

[Phil_Sanfilippo]

Not this time Gene. All I have seen this BOE do in the past 17 years is rise my taxes through the roof and not care one bit about the taxpayer. Perhaps some new faces will stand up to the status quo and demand fiscal responsibility. I will make one exception if you you running you would get my vote.
                                                                   phil

[Phil_Sanfilippo]

Gene,
        Perhaps the people running and the present BOE needs to be reminded whats in the Strategic Plan. You know the part about fiscal responsibility. It was like pulling teeth to get that part put in when we created that document.
                                   phil