SCHOOL BOARD CAMPAIGN CORNER
By:Michael Bruno
As a candidate for the Hopewell Township seat on the school board, I attended the school board meeting on Feb. 26 to hear the recommendations put forth by the athletic consultants regarding football in our community. Clearly, we have a group of interested students and parents passionately asking for this program.
I fully support having a football team for Hopewell Valley Central High School because I view football just as I view music, art, ice hockey, etc. They are all ingredients in an overall school curriculum that meets the needs of as many interests and lifestyles as possible. I believe our school curriculum should be built on diversity and the role of the school board should be to figure out how we can make this happen in an efficient, effective manner.
However, I left the meeting unclear as to the actual cost of operating a football team. The consultants’ report was a good beginning. They did an excellent job of outlining the details involved with the specific needs of outfitting a team (cost of jerseys, chin straps, shoes, etc.); however, I felt the report fell short of building a realistic project plan to actually implement a team when it moves from fielding a freshman team to the varsity level.
Some of the key aspects needed for a first-rate varsity program were not detailed in this report. Let’s think this program out thoroughly so we can present our students with a first-class program that will yield success in the coming years. I suggest we finish the consultants’ report with a project plan that would outline all costs, an appropriate implementation schedule and several options to choose from depending on cost.
Just as the school district developed a strategic plan to guide its direction, whenever we add a program to our curriculum (be it an academic program or sport) we need to fully identify its costs, benefits and implementation requirements. This allows the school board and residents to make sound decisions based on all facts.
I can help the school board with this activity. Through my professional experience, I have planned and implemented many new programs and products. Whether it was a new consumer product, an employee benefit or a reorganization of a manufacturing plant, I have acquired a vast array of experience in planning, analyzing and implementing new programs.
Our school district is beginning an era of change. We have a new elementary school being built, we have many up-coming staff changes, and we have the possibility of additional programs.
Please allow me to use my experience in planning and managing to assist the school board in this time of transition. Please vote for me on April 17.