Just two candidates file for 3 open seats
Family obligationskeep current board members from running
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

MILLTOWN - Two incumbents on the Board of Education chose not to seek re-election, leaving just two candidates for three open seats.

Incumbent Board President Barbara Pietanza is running in the April 17 school election to hold on to her post, and resident Linda Harold, who ran and lost last year, is up for a spot.

Current board members Neil Marotta and Mary Ann Mangarella, completing their first three-year terms, both said family obligations are a large factor in their decisions not to rerun.

"We couldn't have asked for a better three years," Mangarella said. "Everybody remained an individual. We always agreed to disagree, and we got to work. And it always came back to that one question, 'How will this benefit the children?' "

With a son going into the eighth grade next year, Mangarella said she wants to be available to volunteer for the various events he will take part in throughout the year. She also has a daughter going into the fourth grade. Mangarella said she still plans to pursue other volunteer opportunities in the school system.

Marotta has two daughters, in grades one and four. As an attorney, work demands a large portion of his time as well as family obligations.

"I will still be involved with the schools," Marotta said.

Marotta was a vocal opponent of Valley National Bank's recent application for the Forney Clinic site; he said the traffic that came with it would compromise the safety of children in the nearby school. He attended zoning board hearings regularly to voice his opposition.

"Whether I'll run again in the future, I can't say. I would say that we have a very strong and dedicated board that's dedicated to the people … it has been a very rewarding experience."

Pietanza is running for what would be her third three-year term on the board. Serving as board president for the past three years, she received her master board certification in November.

"I am very sorry to see Neil and Mary Ann leaving the board," Pietanza said. "They were excellent board members, and they worked very hard. They had a lot to contribute to the board."

Mangarella spoke highly of Pietanza as well.

"She was the voice of reason," Mangarella said.

Pietanza said the board as a whole has worked hard, along with the administration. "I'm very proud of that. I truly enjoy being on the Board of Education, and I feel I have a lot to contribute," she said.

Pietanza said one of the board's biggest achievements was changing their administrative government model, which helped to save on administrative costs, allowing more money to be funneled into the classrooms.

"Even though we've had three defeated budgets, our children are still doing remarkably well," Pietanza said. "We raise the bar for student achievement every year, and our children meet it and exceed it every year. They're doing wonderful."

Harold, an eight-year resident of Milltown, has children in both of the town's schools. Her 9- and 10-year-old sons attend Parkview, and her 6-year-old son attends kindergarten at Joyce Kilmer.

"I've always wanted to be involved in my children's education, and I believe I can make a positive impact," Harold said.

Harold, a social worker, voiced a need for change in one area of the board's operations.

"I would like to see a better working relationship between the school board and town council," Harold said.

In communicating with each other, Harold said, the two groups should express their thoughts and opinions more appropriately, allowing for better communication.

As for the third available seat, it is common for a write-in candidate to step forward in cases when not enough candidates have filed, said Frank Belluscio, spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association, which represents 4,700 school board members across the state.

"Every year we do have a few towns where there are fewer candidates than open seats," he said.

If no one wins as a write-in candidate, the county superintendent appoints someone for a one-year term, he said.