To the editor:
I am writing to offer my enthusiastic support for Marty Abschutz in his bid for re-election to the Board of Education.
As a certified public accountant and concerned citizen, Mr. Abschutz began sharing his expertise with the district many years before his election. He served on the board’s Long-Range Strategic Planning Committee. For eight years, he chaired the ad hoc school board finance committee. This volunteer community group of financial experts, working with the district’s professional staff, reviewed, analyzed, and interpreted the options for bond repayment for the district’s major construction projects. Mr. Abscutz, as chairman, helped to demystify all the data for those of us without a background in finance. The committee’s recommendations have resulted in tax savings in the millions of dollars. Mr. Abschutz’s financial credentials will be increasingly important to the board, in view of the continual reductions of federal and state funding for education, for which unfortunately we must be prepared. His dedication to community service is also exemplified in his eight-year tenure as a member of the township Human Relations Commission, the past three years as chair.
As a member of the Board of Education for the past three years, Mr. Abschutz has served on the following committees: Budget (this year as chairman), Policy, Curriculum, Communications, Athletic Oversight, and Web Oversight. He is in his third year in these positions: board liaison to Brooks Crossing Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization, board representative to the High School Planning Team, and member of the New Jersey School Board Association’s Legislative Committee. Mr. Abschutz has worked on a variety of school issues with our state Assembly members, Linda Greenstein and Bill Baroni. He is a tremendous asset to the board, serving with distinction in every aspect of his role. He consistently works to insure that our students are provided a superior education by outstanding faculty and staff, while remaining cognizant of the need to control costs.
Beyond his professional experience, Mr. Abschutz deserves our votes because of his admirable personal attributes, attributes that I have witnessed over the past 20 years. His commitment to the community and to the education of our students, his integrity, and his compassion are exemplary.
On Tuesday, please join me in re-electing Marty Abschutz to the Board of Education.
Marcie Kaminker
South Brunswick
Ms. Kaminker is a former member of the Board of Education.