New school board greets Washington residents

Armenti criticized for campaign stand.

By: Cynthia Koons
   WASHINGTON — The newest member of the Washington Township school board took some heat at his first meeting Tuesday night for his outspoken effort to defeat the school budget.
   About 75 people attended the board’s first meeting since its budget failed in the April 15 public vote. Incumbents Florence Gange, Faith Silvestrov and Pat Foti were sworn in along with new member Joe Armenti, a member of the Citizens for Affordable Education group that campaigned against the $24.1 million budget.
   A few members of the public spoke out against Mr. Armenti and his group by criticizing his viewpoints on the budget and the group’s successful attempt to defeat it. Of the 2,120 township voters who turned out on April 15, 1,186 said ‘no’ to the budget and 896 said ‘yes.’
   Joanne Zapicchi, a parent, spoke on behalf of the student winners of the Destination ImagiNation contest from Pond Road Middle School. Two winning groups qualified for the global finals in Tennessee, which will be held from May 20 to 25.
   "The students worked diligently for seven months," she said. "From what I understand this is an awesome experience."
   She said the children’s win coincided with the budget’s failure.
   "The vote ‘no’ was urged by the Citizens for Affordable Education," she said. "The same week that the budget was defeated … sharp realities set in (that money may not be available for the trip)."
   The contest winners now are looking for sponsors to help them raise the $7,000 needed for the Tennessee trip. Ms. Zapicchi urged Mr. Armenti and the members of the Citizens for Affordable Education group to donate $1,000 — the same amount they spent on campaign signs.
   "Mr. Armenti, won’t you please say yes," she said. "Our children are counting on you not just for their future, but for now."
   Other members of the citizens group were in attendance, including school board candidate Lou Koushel, who was unsuccessful in his run for a seat on the board.
   "This was supposed to be a school budget meeting — not a political meeting," he said. "We did not stop any programs."
   He said he still believes in his campaign to defeat the budget.
   Ms. Gange, who was unanimously reappointed to the position of board president Tuesday night, said she supports the budget wholeheartedly in its current form.
   "The one thing (the Washington Township Committee) won’t get from us is the recommendation of any cuts," she said. "As far as this board is concerned, there is no fat in this budget."
   The Township Committee has scheduled a meeting with the Board of Education tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 at the municipal building to discuss the defeated school budget.
   Because the school board cannot attend in its entirety, members of its finance committee will represent the board. Board members David Pethybridge, Kevin Schick, Mark Setaro and Pat Foti will be speaking on the board’s behalf.