Board incumbments discuss their views on after school activities and sports and Senate Bill S-1701.
By: Elaine Worden
JAMESBURG The two candidates for school board say they want to increase state aid for the district and hope to fight for more in the coming years.
Board President Don Peterson and Vice President Frank Tarulli are running unopposed for two of three, three-year seats on the school board.
Voters will get their say on the candidates, as well as a $10.92 million school spending plan, at school elections April 19. The polls will be open at Borough Hall from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
With just two candidates, the district is hoping the third seat will be filled by a write-in candidate on election day. The seat was held by Frank Hand, whose term expires this month and who opted not to seek re-election.
In preparation for this year’s school election, candidates were asked questions about the budget, state aid and the future of extracurricular activities by The Cranbury Press.
This year’s budget includes spending for after-school sports and activities. The programs carry a $5,000 price tag, including $2,150 to pay for things such as coaches and equipment for soccer and basketball games.
The after-school sports programs had been funded by the PTA beginning in October 2002 this year they were paid for through borough fund-raising campaign after they were cut because of a $228,000 budget shortfall caused by the enrollment of more special education students than expected and an increase in insurance costs.
The district will receive $3,658,172 in state aid for 2005-2006, the same as this year. The state kept the aid flat, meaning that there was no increase or decrease from the current year.
Don Peterson
Don Peterson has been living in Jamesburg for 14 years and has served on the board for six. He works as a used equipment manager and has a son in eighth grade.
He said having a child in the district has helped him understand better what goes on in the district. He also said it gives him a better understanding of how things are working within the schools.
Mr. Peterson said he is seeking re-election because he feels he has more to contribute to the district.
"Since I had done six years already and my son has four more years in the school system, I thought I’d put in one more term," he said.
Mr. Peterson enjoys being a member of the board and helping the district.
"I just like being part of the community, part of the process, and having input with what goes into the education of the children in town," he said.
Mr. Peterson said he supports this year’s spending plan.
"The budget is totally fiscally responsible. There’s nothing in there that shouldn’t have been in there I wish there could have been more in there," he said.
He also said he’d like to look at ways to increase the amount of state funding the district receives.
"Obviously, we’d like to continue to petition the state to fund education more adequately," he said.
He said he would like to get away from property taxes as the primary funding source for education.
"Funding is a state weakness," said Mr. Peterson.
Mr. Peterson says the board plans to continue working with state legislators on addressing funding as well as a new budget cap law, Senate Bill S-1701. The law lowers the maximum spending increase allowed from 6 percent to 2 percent. It also requires districts to use a portion of their surplus to provide tax relief.
"First and foremost, it reduces our surplus to 2 percent. At best we can carry $200,000 with the surplus, and that is a ridiculously small amount," he said.
Mr. Peterson also supports the inclusion of after-school activities and sports into the budget.
"It seemed to be that the people in town wanted it, and by putting it on the ballot this time, we’re giving the taxpayers a chance for their voice to be heard," he said.
Mr. Peterson said things are running smoothly in the district.
"I honestly think the district is running pretty well and our goals are to create an atmosphere where learning is conducive," said Mr. Peterson.
Mr. Peterson says he hopes that the district’s standardized tests scores will increase with the help of a test preparation teacher and the institution of the Terra Nova test for first-graders.
"Our goal is always to improve our children’s scores on state testing, and that’s a direct correlation to how successful we are," he said.
Frank Tarulli
Frank Tarulli has been a board member for eight years and a Jamesburg resident for 18. He works as a signalman for New York City Transit, a job he has been with for 22 years.
He has two children, one attending Monroe Township High School.
Mr. Tarulli said he enjoys "getting involved and being a part a part of the process."
He said he is seeking another term on the board because he wants to help increase state funding for the district.
"I feel that what I set out to accomplish or to do with the board, I haven’t finished yet, so I’d like to stay on," he said.
Mr. Tarulli also supports including sports and after-school activities in the budget.
"Without a doubt. Why should we punish the children?" said Mr. Tarulli. "We’re not doing this to punish anybody, and if they’re really concerned about the kids, and the kids are the foundation of our society, people will pass the budget and let them be kids for now," he said.
Mr. Tarulli plans to keep on top of the state until it responds to the board’s funding requests.
"My main goal would be to have Trenton see the light and have them fund the school systems better," said Mr. Tarulli.
He also plans to keep the public informed about what is going on regarding the district and the state.
"I see money being thrown out of the window every day by the state. They’re thumbing their nose at the people of Jamesburg," he said.
Mr. Tarulli said one of the problems is that smaller districts like Jamesburg often get lost in the mix.
"The other thing is that in a small school district like ours, there’s really no formula on how they fund us," he said.
Mr. Tarulli also said he would like to see the state stop mandating things, and start to understand how their decisions affect each district.
He is also against S-1701.
"I think it’s more politics. It’s Trenton trying to cover their backs. It’s all smoke and mirrors," he said of the bill.
Mr. Tarulli said he would like to see some of the area’s younger parents get involved in the district, especially since the board will be needing new members in the upcoming years.
Overall, he said he wants to continue on the same path.
"We’ve always operated with the best interest of Jamesburg, and it’s an honest board, it’s a dedicated board and a rational board," he said.

