Parsippany Focus submitted identical questions to each Parsippany Board of Education candidate. We print all answers verbatim.
Board Meeting Attendance
How many Parsippany Board of Education meetings have you attended in person during the past 12 months? What have you learned from attending?
I attended most of the BOE meetings throughout the year. I did miss at least a couple of meetings in order to attend town council meetings and to speak on behalf of the school district as a private citizen. Mr. Berrios and me are the only current candidates to lobby the town on behalf of the school district. I attend BOE meetings to stay abreast of the issues facing the school district but also to offer my insights as a former member of the BOE and to occasionally offer constructive criticism.
- Understanding the Role
What is the difference between governing the school district and running it? What are three things that should be handled by the superintendent or administration rather than individual Board members?
The BOE does not “run” or administer the school district. It makes sure the school district is running well and complying with policies and regulations. The Board has one employee, that reports to it and that is the Superintendent, who the BOE is responsible for hiring and evaluating, and the entire school district reports to the Superintendent.
- Three Changes
What are three changes or improvements you would like to see in the district, and why?
One change would have to come from the state legislature in the form of a change in the school funding formula. The 2% cap does not work in an inflationary environment. I have proposed tying annual increases in the school funding formula to the Consumer Price Index.
I’d like to see the abolishment of residential PILOT deals. They provide a financial incentive for the town to extract 95% of a smaller financial pie because under a PILOT deal, the town does not have to share PILOT revenue with the school district.
I would take all digital technology out of the schools. Phones have already been taken out, the results so far have been positive and they will continue to become even more positive. Students must build a foundation of reading, writing and arithmetic and there is no need for any digital technology, including calculators, in those areas. Children can use a dictionary and a thesaurus. The school district is also going back to teaching cursive writing which is another positive development.
- Budget & Taxes
The district is facing significant financial challenges. What areas of the budget deserve closer review, and what would you protect from cuts?
It may not seem like it, but the school district is relatively lean. It covers a huge geographic area, with significant transportation costs, has two high schools, two middle schools and 10 elementary schools. Compare the number of students and budgets against both Wayne and West Orange and one would probably conclude that the fiscal health of the Parsippany school district compares favorably.
- Long-Term Planning
What should the Board do now to prepare for future budgets and avoid addressing financial problems one year at a time?
There is no current mechanism in place for budgets beyond one year. However 2 years ago, it was anticipated the schools would face financial difficulties, in part from the 2% revenue cap, from escalating health care insurance costs and the impact of students coming into the district in PILOT projects.
- Enrollment & Development
How should the district prepare for changing enrollment and new housing when planning class sizes, staffing, transportation, and school capacity?
This problem is more complex than it might seem at first glance. Most, if not all the new housing is on the west side of town. (PHHS). While the organic student enrollment is anticipated to decline, the anticipated growth in student enrollment will surpass the organic reduction. Creative solutions were sought including renovating and leasing existing and unoccupied office buildings and former private schools. The cost to meet public school regulations is prohibitive, to the tune of 8 figures.
- PILOTs & Township Cooperation
What role should the Board of Education have in discussions with the Township about new development and PILOT agreements that may affect the schools?
The school district should have at least equal footing with the town in negotiating PILOT agreements. Right now, the town is under no legal obligation to include the school district in negotiations or even consider the school district.
8. Student Achievement
How should the Board measure student success? What areas of student achievement or opportunity need more attention?
The one objective measurement of student success is the results on the state tests.
- Difficult Decisions
When the Board must make difficult decisions involving taxes, staffing, class sizes, programs, or facilities, what information should guide those decisions?
The school board does not make decisions on taxes. That is a town function. On staffing, the BOE hires one person, the Superintendent. The BOE also evaluates the Superintendent. Class sizes are set by the Superintendent as that is an administrative function.
- Transparency & Accountability
What information should the district provide so taxpayers can better understand how their money is being spent and what results it is producing?
Efforts have been made to provide greater transparency on the budget and spending. I prepared a comparative budget showing the year on year changes in the budget.Most of the budget is spent on teachers salaries. 95% of the budget comes from local, state and federal taxes.
11. Experience & Community Service
What professional experience and community service during the past five years have prepared you to serve on the Board of Education?
12. Three Years From Now
At the end of your three-year term, what specific results would you want residents to use to judge your effectiveness as a Board member?
