By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
Two candidates are running for the right to represent Manalapan on the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education. Voters will elect a candidate on April 15 to serve the three-year term.
The candidates are Manalapan’s present representative on the board, Patricia Horvath, and challenger Allen Forkowitz. Residents of Manalapan and Englishtown vote on Manalapan’s representative.
Horvath is a real estate professional. Forkowitz is a disabled Vietnam War veteran.
Should she win another term on the board, Horvath said, "Consideration of enhanced programs on drug and alcohol intervention" would be her immediate goal for the district.
"The administration and board should encourage township officials to [provide more] support and participation for successful programs. This could [result in] successful programs, safer communities, more parent awareness, additional counseling and help for addicted students," she said.
Horvath said the programs could possibly be funded from grants.
Regarding the establishment of additional learning centers within the district schools, Horvath said she would recommend the study of law, using county offices, the courts and law enforcement facilities in the region.
The candidate also suggested creating partnerships with specialists in medicine, science, technology, law, communication, the arts, and fields related to the various curriculum programs.
Horvath also suggested "continual use and improvement of distance learning to provide students and staff with access to programs from within and from outside the district."
When asked why, over the last few years, many veteran administrators have left the district and taken positions elsewhere, Horvath said, "At times employees feel the need to move out of the district to another position or occupation. There could be any number of reasons; personal, financial, or another opportunity."
Horvath said, "In the past few years, movement has been minimal. Three out of five central administrators have been in the district for over 15 years and principals in the six schools have maintained stability in their position."
The candidate said district administrators have been working on recruiting, recognition and retention of employees.
According to Horvath, a seventh high school for the district is still in the picture, but any plans to build a new school will be determined by the size of the student population, a successful referendum and exploring other options, "which may be cost-effective and a less financial burden on the taxpayer."
"Nothing has been discussed as yet, but we can provide other programs which would alleviate an overcrowded school. That would be one way of doing it," she said.
When asked about holding the line on school taxes, Horvath responded, "Plan-ning and preparing a school budget entails complex issues. Education of all students must be maintained and improved all within the confines of state and federal mandates, funding and taxes."
Horvath said the board and administration recognize the diverse population of the eight towns that make up the regional district — from young families, to retirees and senior citizens.
"Every effort is made not to overburden the taxpayer," said Horvath. "This is accomplished by a lean budget, cuts and elimination of positions that are least likely to have an adverse effect on a sound education for the students in the district."
In making his bid for elective office, Forkowitz said, "What best serves the interests of the children of Manalapan and Englishtown would be my foremost concern as I have a vested interest in the future of the district. I still have four children to go through the system."
Regarding the issue of redistricting, he said, "I hold the opinion that the redistricting that is scheduled to occur in September is not in the best interests of our children and has split our town in two. Poor planning and shortsighted goals do not serve the interests of the towns that make up the FRHSD."
Forkowitz went on to say, "As the brother of a special needs adult, I understand the importance of special education programs and the need to ensure that all of our children are able to reach their full potential. My worthy opponent, in my opinion, has not served to the betterment of the learning environment. I can say this with firsthand experience, having a child in the high school."
Forkowitz said any new high school which may be needed in the future must be built in Manalapan or Englishtown.
"Overcrowding is not acceptable," he said.
Regarding holding the line on school taxes, he said, "Grant money must be pursued vigorously to hold taxes down. We are just not getting the bang for the bucks that we are entitled to."
Forkowitz has coached youth sports in the community and has been an appointed commissioner for the Monmouth Council of the Boys Scout of America. He has also been an active member of the Manalapan Community Alliance.
"I feel it is essential for an effective school board member to be aware of what is happening in town," he said. "It is for this reason that I make it my business to attend Township Committee meetings and Planning Board meetings whenever I can. The FRHSD does not operate in a vacuum."