LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, April 11
No understanding of school budget
To the editor:
Montgomery school board candidate Mohamed Kilany says he is "one who knows what is in the budget," (Candidate Forum, April 7) but he gives no evidence he understands it. Most of his assertions are demonstrably or arguably false. It’s obvious to me he knows little about managing an organization with over 680 employees responsible for the growth, education and well-being of over 5,000 students.
"Runaway spending?" The township’s per-pupil costs for 2005 were 16 percent below the state average. The projected 2006-2007 per-pupil expenditure will be about the same when the 2006 statewide budget figures are compiled. That’s not runaway spending; it’s excellent, conservative stewardship.
His remedy for the school-budget increase? Eliminate all those, to him, superfluous "directors and supervisors" which he terms a "rarity." He is wrong in that. The professionals he disparages are responsible for guidance, pupil services, technology, curricula, learning disability programs and more. Some are mandated by the state; others are necessary to keep the district running smoothly. Education is more than a teacher walking into a classroom telling students what to do. As in any sizable organization, the teachers and operations personnel need support, direction and supervision to ensure they do their jobs properly and effectively. To ignore this management necessity and suggest it can be dispensed with willy-nilly, as Mr. Kilany does, is foolishness.
An increase of "100" students? He’s got his facts wrong again; the projection is 151 students, a 3 percent increase. The increase in total teachers is 13.3 full-time equivalents (or 15.8, if you count special education), not 18 that he states. Both figures are in the budget document he says he "knows." The teacher increase is not out of line considering that the district is desperately trying to reduce class sizes in overstressed areas to maintain education quality.
"Undeniable decline in test scores?" Our SAT numbers for the last two years had us ranked No. 2 and No. 1 statewide. There are no meaningful 2006 comparisons released yet, so his stated "1180s" is spurious. Montgomery is No. 1 in the state HSPA and has one of the strongest state AP programs, including a No. 1 world-ranked course. These are not indications of a troubled district.
Mr. Kilany is worried about his property taxes. We all are. The trouble is that he seems to care about nothing else certainly not working with the board to maintain educational quality. His blog shows that last year he petitioned the state to decertify the board and have the state take over our district, a remedy reserved for indigent, failing or corrupt systems. That is how he sees Montgomery; perhaps the No. 1 district in the state and one of the most cost effectively operated. Is that sound judgment?
In my view, one so lacking in comprehension and judgment is the last person we want in any public office, let alone on the school board he denigrates and tried so hard to trash. Perhaps Goethe said it best: "There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action."
Steven P. Heckel
Tall Cedar Court
Montgomery
Kilany will provide necessary oversight
To the editor:
I endorse Mr. M. Kilany for Montgomery Township Board of Education.
On April 18, we have the opportunity to choose the people who will provide the necessary oversight, not only for our children’s education but also the spending of the largest portion of our property taxes. Considering the importance of these issues, I urge my neighbors to take the time to research the school board candidates and go out to vote.
Every candidate will tell you that he or she will represent the best interests of the children and be cost effective, but who will really do it? Mr. M. Kilany will.
Mr. Kilany recognizes that the 2005 budget was trounced by the voters and has suggested cost-effective ways to minimize the tax impact such as assigning our many supervisors some teaching duties. He wants to establish an enrichment program for gifted children with our existing teaching staff and stem the past year’s decline in SAT test scores. He will not accept anything less than the safe busing of our children to and from school.
As a private citizen, Mr. Kilany offered to take a team of people with shop vacuums into the new high school when the roof leaked to suck the water out of the new carpet. Then he challenged the board about why the leak occurred in the first place. He is the man who set up a Montgomery blog, which addresses some of the issues that the school board does not choose to put in their PR announcements. Mr. Kilany is a doer, not a talker.
As a previous member of the Montgomery Board of Education, I realize the time commitment that is required. Some board members don’t realize this and find it easier to rubber stamp the administration because they haven’t done their homework.
Mr. Kilany has proven his dedication by religiously attending school board meetings, studying the complexities of the budget and the policies of the district. He has a strong handle on what’s going on. He also attends the Township Committee meetings and understands interrelated issues of our two governing bodies.
Please join me in voting for Mr. Kilany for the Montgomery Township Board of Education on April 18.
Leslie Orsini
Harlingen Road
Montgomery
Three care deeply about Montgomery schools
To the editor:
In just a few days, Montgomery voters will elect four members to the Montgomery Township school board.
Dr. Reginald Luke, who has served on the board for 18 years, is running for an uncontested one-year seat. For the remaining three seats, I support Mark Conforti, Lisarenee Benz, and Christine Ross. They care deeply about Montgomery.
They are dedicated to having a school system we can be proud of and we can afford. They aren’t running for the school board because they have a particular agenda. They aren’t running against either the existing board or even the other candidates running for the board. They are running to provide their skills, experience and time to work with the rest of the board to meet the challenges facing the district.
Mr. Conforti brings a strong financial background to the board which will continue to be important in overseeing the budget. Ms. Benz’s experience in engineering and process development combined with her extensive knowledge of the schools adds a useful perspective to the board. Finally, as an educational policy researcher at Mathematica, Ms. Ross knows the importance of gathering data and asking questions to understand how to maximize the effectiveness of our schools.
Each of them has unique talents but together they share a vision of the importance of great schools.
Our school district is one of the unifying forces in our township. It is the reason many residents moved here and a reason why our home values have continued to increase. This year’s budget doesn’t have new initiatives to divide the community. The major addition is targeting some additional teachers to reduce excessive class sizes something we can all support.
Many of us have read the Department of Education reports which show our district operates efficiently. Our problem is that the cost of our schools is borne almost exclusively by residential taxpayers. To maintain the educational excellence of our district while relieving the tax burden, Mr. Conforti, Ms. Benz and Ms. Ross are committed to having the board work closely with the Township Committee and other organizations to correct the funding imbalance.
Mr. Conforti, Ms. Benz and Ms. Ross also know the importance of working collaboratively providing ideas, asking questions, and working together with the rest of the board to engage the community on school issues. Many decisions will be made this year from hiring a new superintendent to crafting a fair contract with the teachers.
Mr. Conforti, Ms. Benz and Ms. Ross are dedicated to help meet these challenges and I hope you will join me in electing them on April 18 by voting at the Elks Club Lodge on Route 518 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Jane and Andrew Pedinoff
Coddington Court
Montgomery
Katz a major asset to WW-P board
To the editor:
Stan Katz, the most senior member of the West Windsor-Plainsboro school board, is running for re-election in West Windsor on April 18.
He was a longtime contributor to our district through community and district committees before joining the board. These experiences, as well as an amazing professional background in finance and a doctorate in applied economics, have been a tremendous asset to the board over the past decade.
Mr. Katz’s expertise and experience will be extremely important to the district as we implement the facilities referendum to upgrade our older schools, plan for any possible future growth, continue to review curriculum and quite possibly conduct a superintendent search if Dr. Robert Loretan retires in the next three years.
Mr. Katz has chaired the Finance Committee many of his years on the board. He has used his financial expertise and commitment to fiscal responsibility to help lower the district’s inflation-adjusted per-pupil cost every year over the last five years. He has guided several refinancings of the debt, resulting in considerable savings for the district with no loss in services. He carefully monitors all budgeting and financial reports, and isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions.
Several years ago, Mr. Katz used his statistical expertise to create a model of student enrollment specific to the West Windsor-Plainsboro district. This has served as the foundation for very accurate enrollment projections and has been a tremendous planning tool. As the township considers plans for the redevelopment of the train station area, his ability to analyze the impact on the schools of various proposals will be of great value to the entire community.
Over the last decade, Mr. Katz has helped to oversee renovations at several of our schools and the construction of four new district facilities, ensuring that they were built on time and within budget. These skills will be of great benefit to the district as we implement the recent facilities referendum.
I had the privilege of serving on the school board with Mr. Katz from 2001-2004. I can attest to the fact that he devotes tremendous time and energy to the district. In addition to the various roles he plays with finance, planning, and negotiations, he is always willing to assist with the multitude of ad hoc committees and special projects that arise. He truly believes in the concept of excellence in public education and does all he can to ensure that our district remains committed to that vision in a fiscally responsible way.
The school board is composed of nine individuals, five of whom currently have less than three years experience. As two of the incumbents from Plainsboro are not seeking re-election, there will be at least two new members this year. Mr. Katz’s historical perspective, ability to debate with the best but also form consensus, and deep understanding of our community and the issues will be critical to the board’s decision-making process over the next three years.
Please join me in voting for Stan Katz, and the WW-P school budget, on Tuesday, April 18.
Diane Hasling
Jacob Drive
West Windsor
Rubinstein’s experience qualifies him for board
To the editor:
We have lived in Montgomery for eight years and have never been moved to write a letter to the editor until now. The upcoming election for the Board of Education offers an opportunity for all of us to vote and make a difference in our children’s academic future.
Saul Rubinstein is the candidate that can make the difference. We have known Mr. Rubinstein for four years and witnessed his personal interest in education. He has been a Montgomery resident for 12 years and our young children have shared many classes together. He has personally been in the classroom offering his assistance.
Saul Rubinstein has experience in both the world of academia and business. He is currently a professor at Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations with an MBA and a master’s degree in education from Harvard, and a Ph.D. in management from MIT. Mr. Rubinstein has 25 years of experience consulting to Fortune 500 companies.
As a parent, university educator and Fortune 500 management consultant, Mr. Rubinstein understands what universities are looking for in applicants today and the strengths and weaknesses of today’s high-school graduates entering college.
With the issues facing the Montgomery School District, Mr. Rubinstein has the skills to effectively listen, encourage participation and mediate solutions with parents, other board members, the state, etc. With a young child in the school system, Mr. Rubenstein has a personal commitment to make Montgomery education the best.
Please join us in voting for Saul Rubinstein on April 18 to the Montgomery Board of Education.
Joe and Debra Zimmer
Silverthorn Lane
Montgomery
Four recommendations for Montgomery board
To the editor:
A year after my election to the Montgomery Township Board of Education, many of those supporting me ask two questions.
First, how is the board doing; where must it go from here? Second, among the candidates, who are the best suited to work with the incumbent members to get the job done? These remarks are my personal views.
It has been a busy year. Much has been accomplished. A new high school is online; elementary schools are reconfigured; academic excellence continues to be pursued; a business approach is now applied to the educational process; governance and meaningful involvement by all members was improved.
Yet, much more lies ahead. A new superintendent must be hired; new contracts with teachers and other district employees must be negotiated; management of costs must be improved; and a long-range strategic plan and a five-year financial plan must be developed to assure the sustainability of the MTSD educational system.
We’re fortunate to have bright, interested people contending for the chance to help move the district forward.
My choices are Wayne Fox, Christine Ross, Saul Rubinstein and Reggie Luke, the uncontested candidate for a one-year term.
Mr. Luke’s many years of board experience provides stability, historical perspective, keen intellect and wise counsel to a relatively new board whose next most senior members have served only two years.
Experience and stability will also be enhanced by the election of incumbent Wayne Fox. The knowledge he has amassed since his appointment last May is impressive. Mr. Fox’s tough-minded analytical mind is a board asset we should retain. He has applied boundless energy, a sharp mind and independent thinking to his committee assignments and other district matters.
Christine Ross’ skill evaluating educational programs and policies that affect children provides unique, relevant experience. Her expressed healthy skepticism will also be useful as the board continues to address the overarching issue of confirming and maintaining educational excellence. Ms. Ross’ intention to utilize the best thinking of all interested citizens to address significant educational issues is appealing. Her positions are balanced by a recognition that affordability will often require tough choices among alternative solutions.
Actively involved with board activities for over a year, Saul Rubinstein is no newcomer. I have observed him as one who does his homework. His logical thinking makes me and others think smarter with a better result. Mr. Rubinstein’s experience and applied working knowledge of team building and developing collaborative processes would further improve board effectiveness as well as the interaction among the board, the district and the taxpayers. His legal background would augment the Negotiations Committee whose chair will retire from board activities after next year.
This is an important moment for education in our community. Now is the time for open dialogue about the issues and the candidates. So, I ask you to be involved. Again, "Speak out Montgomery."
Charles F. Jacey Jr.
Coddington Court
Montgomery
Cahill exhibits sound judgment
To the editor:
Princeton Township residents have the opportunity to vote for a very capable candidate for school board on April 18. I encourage you to vote for Mia Cahill.
As a lawyer, she is able to hear what is said and ask probing questions, while remaining focused on the bigger picture. As a parent she is dedicated to excellence in education. As a longtime resident she knows Princeton, its schools and its history.
I believe Ms. Cahill’s sound judgment will be a great asset as the school board grapples with maintaining/increasing the quality of education in the current climate of fiscal restraint.
Laura Strong
Chestnut Street
Princeton
Fleres, Gharpure have demonstrated commitment
To the editor:
Plainsboro voters have the opportunity, and the challenge, to elect two new members of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional Board of Education. It speaks well for the interest and commitment of Plainsboro residents that we have a full field of four candidates for these two seats. Unlike other years, when few people raised their hands to volunteer to take on the often difficult task of serving as a member of the school board, this year four brave souls have stepped forward. We owe each of them a debt of gratitude for this.
But select we must, and I hope you will join me in supporting Tony Fleres and Anjani Gharpure.
Mr. Fleres’ commitment to this district is well known. His dedication was most evident when he took a leadership role in advocating for our recent facilities referendum. He patiently explained the needs and addressed each question posed. His engineering background will serve us all well as the facilities improvements move from promises on paper to concrete solutions.
Ms. Gharpure’s interest in our schools was illustrated by her involvement in the recent strategic planning initiative, particularly as a volunteer with a talent for measurement. Her finance expertise will also complement the strengths of her fellow board members as they once again regroup to form a new team.
Recent years, unlike the years that preceded them, offered anyone an opportunity to volunteer on a variety of levels in helping to move our district forward. Neither Mr. Fleres nor Ms. Gharpure is running for the board as an initial expression of interest in our schools. Both have demonstrated their commitment, and have an excellent head start in becoming reasonable and effective members of the Board of Education.
I will be proud to cast my vote for Tony Fleres and Anjani Gharpure on April 18.
Michele Demak Epstein
Blossom Hill Drive
Plainsboro
Cahill brings community together
To the editor:
Mia Cahill is the daughter of my longtime friend and colleague, Teena Long Cahill, a respected psychologist known locally as well as nationally. Mia Cahill is currently running for the Princeton Township seat on the Princeton Regional Board of Education. Through her mother, I have known Ms. Cahill for over 20 years, as she completed her education, married, had a family, and settled into the Princeton community, within which she herself was raised.
I’ve been impressed by the creative ways in which Mia Cahill has brought this community together, whether by organizing a cookie party in her home (to which she invited all of her child’s Community Park classmates, as well as their families) to launching the "Bicycle Brigade" so that children of the entire community could participate in the Memorial Day parade.
Mia Cahill’s sensitivity to issues of inclusion and her active and involved sense of community, in conjunction with her commitment to improving the educational experience of children in the Princeton public schools, which both of her school-aged children attend, make her the kind of candidate to the Princeton school board that we all wish for so fervently. Her willingness to serve is something we would all do well to acknowledge by casting a vote for her on April 18.
Wendy S. Matthews
Terhune Road
Princeton
Cahill is best choice in Princeton Township
To the editor:
I am writing to urge the voters of Princeton to do two things on Election Day: Get out to vote and, when you do, vote for Mia Cahill, Princeton Township candidate for the Board of Education.
I have known Ms. Cahill for many years as a friend, as a parent with a child the same age as mine, and as a volunteer for PTO events at Community Park Elementary School. As fundraising chair at the Community Park PTO, she was passionate about the success of the school and eager to work on ways to enhance the opportunities for all children at the school.
Ms. Cahill is an attorney who will bring excellent consensus-building skills to the board. I greatly appreciate Ms. Cahill’s ability to listen with fairness to all sides of an issue and balance that with the need to reach meaningful results.
Princeton schools have an excellent reputation, but we will need leaders on the school board to guide us through the upcoming fiscal challenges. It is my belief Ms. Cahill’s experience and commitment to the Princeton schools make her the best candidate to elect on April 18.
Susan Lidstone
Cherry Hill Road
Princeton

