Field expresses views on board, school issues
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

MONROE - Three incumbents and four challengers running for Board of Education recently discussed their qualifications and what they plan to bring to the board if elected.

The group is vying for three seats on the nine-member board in the April 17 school election.

Board Vice President Lew Kaufman and longtime members Amy Speizer and Carol Haring have experience and records that voters can evaluate in their search for the best candidate. Both Kaufman and Haring, however, said they see a need for changes in how the board operates.

"I believe that this Board of Education is broken, and needs to be fixed," Haring said.

A 12-year board member, Haring cited poor planning in terms of the new high school project, as well as a lack of respect for the public and among fellow members as problems in need of resolution. She proposed debate session meetings, where the public would be given more of a chance to voice opinions and concerns. In addition, Haring suggested more community outreach to get residents more involved in and informed on happenings within the district.

Kaufman, who is finishing his second term, said there are board members who have personal agendas that guide their actions, something he takes issue with.

"I have not, nor will I, ever be a party to this type of policy-making practice," Kaufman said.

Though Speizer, a 15-year veteran of the board, did not criticize the current board, she said one of her goals is to offer as many educational programs as possible for students. She cited her role in creating summer enrichment programs in the district, and said she strongly advocates extending the normal school year through the summer months.

Ira Tessler, a trustee of the Monroe Education Foundation and member of Kids First, also said he hopes to initiate more programs in the district if elected. One proposal he shared was reaching out to the senior community on a larger scale. He said having senior citizens as guest speakers would be one way to do that. In involving this community with the school system, he said, it could become easier to pass budgets and referendums in the town.

Ken Chiarella also advocated for community outreach, as a way to unify what he said he sees as a divided town. Suggesting a need for change in the board's community relations committee, Chiarella expressed the importance of fostering a greater sense of community in getting budgets and referendums passed. Chiarella is an executive board member of the Barclay Brook/Brookside PTA, as well as a member of the legislative action committee and the principal's committee.

"The main point will be to rebuild the culture of Monroe so that its character is not based upon division," Chiarella said. "We all have a great deal to offer each other."

Russell Boyd said the way to align the community is by having greater communication and transparency within the board. Too many decisions are made behind the scenes, leaving the public out of the process, Boyd said. He also criticized the board's decision-making processes.

"This board is extremely reactive, not proactive," Boyd said.

Boyd added that he has done his homework in the district, attending more than 80 percent of board meetings since 2005, as well as volunteering for the Barclay Brook/Brookside PTA, and bringing science into classrooms with the Merck Institute for Science Education.

Bjornsen, who served on the board from 1998-2001, noted that the board controls 59 percent of homeowners' property taxes in town. She said she has long been involved in ensuring that township money is well spent on her son's and other Monroe students' out-of-district educations because of special needs.

Like others in the race, Bjornsen said she sees a need for change on the board. She said she would like to see all of the incumbents removed.

"The present board should be an independent body," Bjornsen said. "It has decided, willingly or foolishly, to become involved in a political quagmire. I think it's time to rain on their parade."