Setting the record straight

I served on the Board from 2003 to 2006, so I know that it’s a difficult job. I understand that tough decisions are necessary. I only ask that our Board members are honest and fair with the public, both when serving on the Board and when campaigning.

I’m running for the Board this year because I’m tired of the deception and self-interests I’ve seen over the past few years both from the Board and in campaigns. For example, my opponents this year are saying that they had nothing to do with the former Superintendent’s contract and buyout negotiations. That’s false. In January 2007, with Houser and Taylor on the Board, former Superintendent Dr. McMahon’s contract was opened and a new contract created. In fact, Houser told the Asbury Park Press (1/26/07) that the new contract was a “step in the right direction.” Now, they’re saying that I negotiated that contract when I wasn’t even on the Board. Come on! Houser even bragged that he somehow saved money when he paid out $117,000 to McMahon (12/9/08 Board minutes). It’s all on record and in the papers.

They also said that they cut last year’s budget by $800,000. That’s another flat-out lie. Houser and Taylor, voted YES along with Mitchell, Splendorio, Davis, Germano, Kostka, Dorrow, and Lally for Dr. McMahon’s $50+ million budget. That budget was voted down and the town committee, not the Board of Education, ordered the budget to be reduced. The difference between the proposed budget and final budget was $395,000. Again, it’s all on record and Houser, Taylor, and Adorno are hoping people won’t look at the records.

But far worse is that they are trying to deceive parents by misrepresenting what they have done for the children. Much of their campaign this year is based on their claim that they “Purchased 600 new computers in 2008/2009.” Well, we asked Dean Allison, Barnegat Board of Education, Business Administrator/Board Secretary, and he said in a letter dated 4/7/09 that, “The total numbers of computers purchased for the 2008-2009 school year were 209.”

These deceptive tactics are why the Asbury Park Press (4/26/06) warned Barnegat that, “The three board members’ ethics are in doubt. Voters should closely watch their actions on the board and keep their last-minute tactics in mind when they’re up for re-election.”

I also have a problem when Board members employ their immediate family members. Incumbent Houser’s wife was recently was moved from part-time to full-time, while three kindergarten aids and nine safety aid greeters were eliminated. I’m not saying she doesn’t deserve that full-time position—I don’t know, I’m not on the Board. What I am saying is that it looks suspicious because there is a conflict of interest. My feeling is that it’s not fair to the Board, the public, and family members, to run for the Board when immediate family is employed by the Board. It may be okay from a legal standpoint, but the downside is that judgment is in question and the family member’s job will be in the spotlight.

Then there’s Adorno. Last year he snuck into the high school during a full school day to “test security.” My son was in school that day and I received that email about an “intruder.” My friends and neighbors were extremely worried to the point of tears and panic. Adorno said it was a “spur-of-the-minute idea” to do this. Well, I don’t believe that someone with that type of reckless judgment and impulsive behavior should be making decisions about our schools and tax dollars.

Now look at their budget. It seems okay from the outside, but it’s the same $50+ million budget that the last Superintendent proposed--and there are hidden fees. For example, the Board is charging our own students and community groups to use school facilities. The Mirage Players are being charged $5,485 to use the high school auditorium. I find this outrageous! The schools are built by our tax dollars and community groups should be able use these facilities for free. Another hidden cost in the budget is textbooks. To make the budget look smaller, the Board is leasing textbooks. Leasing textbooks will be far more expensive for taxpayers in the long run. It’s just like leasing a car, it’s less up front and per month, you don’t own it, and the car is never worth the lease buyout at the end, and that’s when they get you for the big money.