Candidates seek seats in local school board elections

Candidates for Bordentown Regional, Northern Burlington County Regional, North Hanover and Springfield districts are profiled.

By: Scott Morgan and William Wichert
   Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part look at candidates seeking positions on area school boards on April 19. Last week profiled candidates from Chesterfield, Florence, Mansfield and New Hanover.
   As the April 19 school election nears, local residents are set to cast their votes for the 27 men and women running for school board seats across northern Burlington County. Below are the profiles of incumbents and newcomers looking to fill school board seats in the Bordentown Regional, Northern Burlington County Regional, North Hanover and Springfield districts.
   Each of the candidates was given a candidate profile questionnaire to fill out and send back to the Register-News.

BORDENTOWN REGIONAL



   Three incumbents are running unopposed for three-year seats on the school board that represents Bordentown Township, Bordentown City, and Fieldsboro.
   Incumbent Christine Trogdon is looking to be one of the township’s representatives, Pauline Glenn is running to represent Fieldsboro, and Joann Dansbury is running for re-election on behalf of the city.
Christine Trogdon

   Ms. Trogdon, 42, has been a resident of Bordentown Township for 14 years. For the last five years, she has lived on Ticonderoga Drive with her husband, Chuck, and two daughters, Rebecca and Lauren, who attend school in the district.
   Ms. Trogdon received her associate’s degree in business administration from Mercer County Community College in 1990, and her training and development certification in the training design and delivery program at Bucks County Community College in 1997. She hopes to complete her bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Phoenix at the end of this year.
   A vice president and senior learning relationship manager for Wachovia Bank, where she has worked for 23 years, Ms. Trogdon manages the training for the general banking group for five states, including New Jersey.
   From 1997 to 1999, she served as the PTA president at Peter Muschal School and as a member of the Bordentown Regional School Superintendent Advisory Board.
   Ms. Trogdon said: "As an active member of this community with two children in the school district, I am focused on several key issues for this term: 1) ensure that the building of the high school continues on track for a September of 2006 opening; 2) maintain reasonable class sizes during the building process; 3) support the continued enhancement of quality education programs and activities for the students of BRSD without increasing costs to taxpayers."
   "This continues to be a challenging task since the district’s state aid continues to be frozen for the fourth consecutive year," she said. "This results in significant under-funding for the district based on the number of enrolled students."
Pauline Glenn
Ms. Glenn did not return her questionnaire to the Register-News before press time. Ms. Glenn lives on Front Street.


   Joann Dansbury



   The Register-News did not receive Ms. Dansbury’s questionnaire before press time. Ms. Dansbury lives on Farnsworth Avenue.
NORTHERN BURLINGTON



   Two newcomers and two incumbents are running unopposed for four open seats on the Northern Burlington County Regional Board of Education. The district includes a middle and high school for students from Chesterfield, Mansfield, North Hanover, and Springfield townships.
   First-time candidate Linda Pastore is running for a two-year Springfield seat, which was recently created, and incumbent Kermit Pigott is vying for nre-election to his three-year Springfield seat.
   Incumbent Thomas Sensbach is also looking for another three-year term as a Mansfield representative on the school board, and Roy Johnson, a former board member, is running for a newly created three-year seat for North Hanover.
Linda Pastore



   As she completes her 31st year as a health and physical education teacher at Springfield Township Elementary School, Ms. Pastore, 52, is looking to serve on the regional school board for the next two years.
   A 48-year Springfield resident, Ms. Pastore has been living on Craig Drive for the last five years with her husband, Carmine; 14-year-old daughter, Brielle; and several pets.
   After graduating from the College of New Jersey in 1973, she began her career at the elementary school and soon joined many other community groups.
   She is a member of the Springfield Township recreation program, the Springfield Home & School Association, and the Parent/Teacher/Student Connection at NBCR High School. She is also chairwoman of the Springfield Halloween Fest.
   "Being an alumnus of Northern Burlington (County Regional) High School and an active member of the Springfield Township community, I would like to see the continued growth in the improvement of the education system," said Ms. Pastore.
   "The ‘desire for continued growth’ should be directed towards the growth of the individual student and educational process, rather than the physical growth of the environment," she said. "I’d like to emphasize a holistic approach to communication as an intricate part of that process."
   "My pride in my school and community urges me to seek the position of a Northern Burlington County board member representing Springfield Township," said Ms. Pastore.
Kermit Pigott



   A resident of Meetinghouse Road in Springfield Township for the last 18 years, Mr. Pigott, 52, is running for re-election to a fourth term on the school board.
   Mr. Pigott graduated from Northern Burlington County Regional High School and went on to receive his a bachelor’s degree in finance from Rider University, and a master’s degree in telecommunications from Southern Methodist University. He currently works as a manager for AT&T.
   If re-elected, he said he would continue to work to control costs and be sensitive to the local taxes.
   "School budgets are at the center of all property tax debates," said Mr. Pigott. "I have worked along with other board members to control spending. We have supported many measures to cut costs and save money in the areas of transportation, telecommunications, energy purchases, and out-of-district tuitions."
   "School districts are required to work within the program mandates and the funding methods provided by the state and federal governments," he said. "Since 2001, Northern’s student population has increased from 1,400 to 2,000 (43 percent)."
   "Yet, state aid is still frozen at 2001 levels. The state has again mandated a 3 percent spending cap. What has been the net result? Increased property taxes. What does Northern do to meet the 3 percent cap? We increase class sizes, eliminate programs, delay purchases of equipment, supplies, and textbooks, and postpone maintenance work," he said.
   "When budgets fail, these areas are reduced even more," said Mr. Pigott. "I am going to ask that you put the children first and support your school’s budget. Realize that it’s the state funding formula and not your local schools that are responsible for your property tax increases. And, I will continue to lobby our state representatives to fix the school funding method."


Thomas Sensbach



   A 17-year resident of Hockey Drive in Mansfield Township, Mr. Sensbach, 48, is looking for a second term as one of the board members representing the municipality.
   Mr. Sensbach, who graduated from William Paterson University in Wayne, is a sales manager for CertainTeed Corporation. He and his wife, Debra, have two children, Erika and Krysta.
   An avid fan of biking, golfing, and skiing, Mr. Sensbach was named as one of the 2000 Who’s Who of Professionals, and he was appointed to the National Ski Patrol.
   "With the increased population growth of the district, freezing of state aid, S-1701 and the rise in property taxes, it is becoming very difficult to add additional programs to the curriculum," said Mr. Sensbach. "The Board of Education needs to continue to be vigilant with spending and maintain efficiency to ensure that existing programs challenge all students, provide positive experiences and enhance test scores at Northern Burlington."
   "Twenty-five years of experience in the business world, along with being a member of the Board of Education for the past three years, has provided me with the understanding and knowledge base to make educated decisions that affect students and the community," he said. "I will continue to be committed, dedicated, and work diligently to ensure that the needs of all students and taxpayers are met."
Roy Johnson



   Mr. Johnson, 56, is hoping to return to the North Hanover seat that he held before it was eliminated three years ago. He served on the regional school board from 2000 to 2002.
   A special education teacher at the Atlantis School on McGuire Air Force Base, Mr. Johnson has lived on Yorkshire Terrace for 15 years with his wife, Paulinea, and his two daughters, Leslie and Hope.
   He received his bachelor of science degree in education from Trenton State College, and his graduate courses and certificate in special education from Georgian Court College. He has been teaching in the North Hanover Elementary School District for 18 years.
   Mr. Johnson said one of his hobbies was woodworking.
   "If I am elected to serve on the Board of Education from North Hanover Township, I hope to accomplish a balance between the education of our children and fiscal responsibility to our taxpayers," he said. "How this is done is not always an easy task, but it is not impossible."
   "The paramount objective is the education of our children," said Mr. Johnson. "Providing the courses, activities, and experience needed, will reap rewards not only for the students, but also for our communities."
   "Athletics, fine arts performances, and in-school clubs are also an integral part of the educational process. These different avenues allow our children to pursue interests outside of the academic setting while educating them in the areas of teamwork, individual responsibility, and a diversion from the rigors of the classroom," he said.
   "I believe that the responsibility rests on the shoulders of the board members to pay for these programs," said Mr. Johnson. "Using the resources that are available sometimes requires hard choices to be made. I feel using my past experiences will help me in those choices."
NORTH HANOVER



   Incumbents Michael Crawford and Michael Grant are running unopposed for two three-year seats on the five-member school board.
Michael Crawford



   After winning a one-year run on the board last year, Mr. Crawford, 41, is looking to serve his first full term. An eight-year resident of the township, he has lived on Myron Boulevard for the last two years.
   Having received his bachelor of science degree in workforce education from Southern Illinois University and his master of science degree in administration from Central Michigan University, Mr. Crawford works as an instruction systems specialist for the U.S. Air Force.
   He is also on the North Hanover Township Economic Development Advisory Committee and he is a coach/manager of a Challenger baseball team at McGuire Air Force Base.
   "First, there’s no hope in accomplishments. There’s the self-dedication to carry out to the best of my abilities in developing sound BOE policies and practices that ensure that the elementary students of North Hanover Township are receiving an appropriate education," said Mr. Crawford.
   "While we all want to (push) that appropriate education to higher levels, a BOE member must be a good steward to the community," he said. "This stewardship requires a financial balancing act after meeting the objectives in delivering appropriate education."
   "As a BOE member, I will continue to support the efforts to equip our staff to meet these educational challenges through training, technology, and support," said Mr. Crawford.
   "As the construction continues on the district’s new upper-elementary school, the BOE will be faced with many new challenges in the coming year as we integrate our fifth- and sixth-grade students from two separate schools. These logistical challenges will be met," he said.
Michael Grant

   Mr. Grant did not return his questionnaire to the Register-News before press time.


SPRINGFIELD



   Five men, three of whom are running for the first time, are looking to fill three open seats on the township school board this year.
   Incumbents Ralph E. King and Robert Melillo will seek new terms, but board member John Linton Jr. will not run. Mr. Linton’s departure leaves an open seat that is being sought by newcomers James R. Specca, John C. Ainsworth and Sheldon Douglas Linser. All seats are three-year terms.
Ralph King



   Mr. King, 42, a 14-year resident of Main Street in Juliustown, is seeking a third term on the school board. A Rider University graduate who now works as a regional network analyst for LandAmerica Financial Group, Mr. King and his wife, Mary Jo, have one daughter, Sonya.
   "I will work with the same commitment in hours and energy that I had during my past six years for the next three years," Mr. King said. "Our facilities need constant attention so that we can have a good learning environment. Our curriculum will always be a priority.
   "Springfield is a small school and we need to get the most out of our tax dollars to continue as a success."
Robert Melillo

   Mr. Melillo, 51, is a 14-year resident of Paddock Drive, who also is running for a third term on the township school board. Mr. Melillo, who is married and has four children, earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Rutgers University and a juris doctoris from the Rutgers School of Law. He now serves as chief of the Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.
   Mr. Melillo is a lector at St. Andrews Roman Catholic Church and is one of the original organizers of "Pride in Springfield Township Day," a cleanup day. In the past, he has coached recreational T-ball and soccer.
   "If re-elected," he said, "I intend to continue to pursue the policies of excellence in academic achievement and maximum fiscal responsibility that have historically been the primary goals of the Springfield Board of Education.
   "In recent years, the standardized test scores of our students have consistently been among the highest in the county. In 2003 and 2004, the tax rate for Springfield has been the lowest of all school districts in the county, except for North Hanover, which receives extraordinary federal impact aid. In 2004-2005, the percentage of our budget devoted to classroom spending was higher than any other K-6 district in the county.
   "The facts demonstrate that the board, on which I have been privileged to serve for six years, and as president for that last three, has done everything in its power to fulfill its commitments to all of the residents of Springfield."
John C. Ainsworth



   Mr. Ainsworth, 39, is an 18-year resident of Julistown Road where he lives with his wife, Theresa, daughter Hannah and son Max. He is a graduate of West Springfield High School in West Virginia and of the Culinary School of Washington, D.C. He currently works as a coffee roastmaster.
   Mr. Ainsworth also belongs to the Burlington County 4H Club and enjoys recreation around the township. He is running for his first school board term.
   "Springfield Township School District is highly regarded for its academics and for its family involvement," Mr. Ainsworth said. "The school board is responsible for ensuring that high academic standards are maintained. The board also is responsible for providing a sound and safe physical environment for the children. Both these goals must be met without placing an undue burden on our taxpayers.
   "I wish to maintain the level of academic excellence by promoting and encouraging open communication among the members of the school board, members of the school community and residence of the township. It is critical that members of the school board be approachable and accessible to the public. We all must remember that the education students receive today is the foundation of their success in the future."
James R. Specca



   Mr. Specca, 40, a lifelong Springfield resident who lives on Burlington-Jacksonville Road with his wife, Theresa, and daughters, Emily and Jamie, is running for his first term on the school board. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and owns his own garden center in town. He supports a number of youth development and activity organizations.
   "Springfield Township, like almost all townships in our state," said Mr. Specca, "is struggling with ever-increasing school enrollment. I feel it is the Board of Education’s responsibility to accommodate all the students of our community and to give them the best education possible. It also has a responsible to accomplish this without significant spending increase. New laws in New Jersey severely limit school district spending without taking into account rising costs that are beyond the schools’ ability to control.
   "Small schools now have a cap on spending increases which may force many of them to share administrative and other costs. This consolidation will lead to less local control of these schools and cutbacks in many of the programs offered. If elected, I will work to ensure Springfield Township students, staff and residents get the fairest deal possible."
Sheldon Douglas Linser



   Mr. Linser did not return his questionnaire before press time.