North Brunswick Board of Education Candidates

At stake: Three three-year terms

Don Adams Don Adams Don Adams

Age: 69

Career: Retired; 41 years as a certified public accountant and chief financial officer

Former member of board: Served for six years – two years as president and four years on the Finance Committee.

Reason for running:

His taxes have risen from $1,800 to $10,000 per year during his 28-year residence in town. “I have never seen a fat-free budget. There is always room to reduce it.”

Main goals:

Budget cuts; increasing public interest and public concern.

Budget concerns:

“I am retired, living on a fixed income, and taxes are eating up my disposable income.” Said he faces either moving out of North Brunswick or staying and helping to hold down the taxes. “In my experience there has never been a budget that couldn’t be cut … and I assure you, if I am elected to the board, I will find a way to cut it.”

Why he should be elected:

Has a financial background and previous experience on the board. “I know what I’m getting myself into.” Said that while he was on the board, budget hearings started without a tax increase, but if that was impossible, the board made limitations and worked backward; looking to implement same policy.

Gail DiPane

                                                 Gail DiPane              Gail DiPane Age: 54

Career: Secretary at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Years on board: 12 years

Positions held: Current president; held position for three nonconsecutive years; former vice president for two years; sat on basically every committee at some point.

Reason for running again:

“I am completely dedicated to delivering the best education to the children of this town. … I’m here for the children and to make sure we have the best education possible. The same education afforded to my kids I want to make sure is passed down to yours.”

Accomplishments during term:

“I think everything I do on this Board of Education is an accomplishment by bringing visibility and concern to the children of North Brunswick.” Most notably worked to initiate girls sports teams and ensure equality among all sports teams.

Main goals:

“I just want to see the high school finished, see the project through to fruition, and make sure the elementary schools are finished. I am proud to be part of enhancing the children’s education.”

Budget concerns:

“It has been a tough year, and believe me, this is going to be a tough budget to sell.” Said $3.5 million is needed to outfit the new wing at the high school, which must be done this year due to the Statutory Growth Limitation Adjustment. “Believe me, we tried hard. The budget was a lot higher but we brought it down.”

On accusations of promoting a closed-door policy:

“I don’t personally feel there are any hidden agendas, and the only time there are closed doors is if it is a closed session.”

On instituting a nepotism policy:

Agrees, but is concerned about speech therapists, which the district desperately needs.

On televising board meetings:

Has been working with board vice president Connie Corbin for more than a year to institute; said current board office is not equipped to handle wiring; would like high school students to tape meetings using their new studio at the school.

Jody Ikuss

                                                 Jody Ikuss              Jody Ikuss Age: 48

Career: Hairdresser

Reason for running:

“My primary reason is the desire to enhance the educational system and maximize the potential of every student in North Brunswick. I will work my hardest to make sure the students have a great education and the taxpayers reap the finest benefits of the school system.”

Main goals:

Rebuilding confidence in the school board; deferring tax increases without compromising education. “I would love to see all of the kids reach their highest potential in the district.”

On televising board meetings:

“I feel it’s important so that everyone has a clear perspective.” Believes meetings should be more open to allow for clearer explanations of meeting topics.

On abstaining from a vote:

Believes it is a personal choice, but “I personally believe it should be a yes or no vote.”

Bruce Kenney

                                                 Bruce Kenney              Bruce Kenney Age: 53

Career: Director of quality improvement at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Years on board: Three and a half

Positions held: Chair of the Finance and Negotiations committees; former vice president; former member of Personnel Committee

Reason for running again:

Reason for running again: “I believe very, very strongly that education is the key for our kids to having successful futures. … I think the school district in North Brunswick is at a crossroads and really needs to show improvement.”

Accomplishments during term:

Worked toward a system of action plan development and assessment through metrics and measures to facilitate learning; discipline improvement; creation of positive learning environments.

Main goals:

Increasing advanced proficiency test scores on state-mandated tests; maintaining an environment conducive to learning; planning and assessment strengthening; ensuring tax dollars are spent with a focus on improving educational outcomes

Budget concerns:

Added costs are needed to operate the high school, including heat, eight new teachers and equipment. Said $2 million was cut out of the budget before the public presentation.

On instituting a nepotism policy:

Agrees, but if someone is uniquely qualified, he is not sure if he/she should be disregarded; positions should not be created specifically for relatives.

On televising board meetings:

Agrees, but “doesn’t necessarily care for them being live” because some people can be showy for the camera

On abstaining from a vote:

Believes it is a strategic tool, not an abrogation of responsibility

Neil Malvone

                                                 Neil Malvone              Neil Malvone Age: 36

Career: Attorney

Reason for running:

“I decided to run for the Board of Education because I am a little concerned with the direction the board has taken recently.” Citing hidden agendas and closed doors, he said, “This town needs to know what is going on.”

Main goals:

Televised meetings; maintaining and improving education levels in town; future budget considerations.

Budget concerns:

“I think we need to bring fiscal responsibility back to the board. The board takes for granted that the taxpayers will rubber-stamp these policies … and expect finance, finance, finance without accountability.” Although he does not want to sacrifice the quality of education in the district, he doesn’t think taxpayers should carry a 35-cent tax rate burden.

On the superintendent situation: Although he won’t comment on the details of the matter, he did say “the township is owed more of an explanation, more information than what’s been supplied.”

On instituting a nepotism policy: Supports it. “I think way too many instances of impropriety are going on, and there are too many conflicts of interest.”

On televising board meetings:

“I am very much in favor.”

Claire Padovano

                                                 Claire              Padovano Claire Padovano Age: 46

Career:

Staff assistant at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Public Health

Years on board: Three

Positions held: Current Policy Committee chair; member of Finance Committee for three years; member of Curriculum Committee.

Reason for running again:

“I feel that I’m in the middle of what I wanted to see three years ago.”

Accomplishments during term:

Increased disciplinary control at the middle school with the hiring of Pete Clark and at the high school with the appointment of Sal Mistretta

Main Goals:

Higher standardized test scores; replacing the experience of retiring teachers; handling payment of out-of-district students; improving the district even if she is the “lone dissenting vote.”

Budget concerns:

Said the board spent many, many hours going line by line to decrease the budget. “None of us were happy that the number was that high. We thought long and hard about it, and thought about the high school … and how it would be a shame to have it vacant.” Also said taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund the school budget in New Jersey.

On the superintendent situation:

No comment for the issue as a whole, but said the rule of thumb in other organizations is to keep personnel discussions private; a vote can be taken in open session

On instituting a nepotism policy:

On committee which is looking into this; should not apply to high school or college students on vacation who can work as substitute teachers in the schools

On televising board meetings:

Agrees. Most likely with a tape delay, but issues can be addressed at the next month’s meeting

Gregg Rubenstein

                                                 Gregg              Rubenstein Gregg Rubenstein Age: 32

Career: Attorney

Reason for running:

He said it is “easy for people to sit home and complain,” but he wants to “put his opinions, ideas and reputation on the line” to “step up, face and overcome challenges.”

Main goals:

Making the board more accessible to the public by televising meetings, posting meeting dates more publicly and sending important meeting notices home through the schools

Budget concerns:

“I am not opposed to increased taxes for my schools,” but said North Brunswick should have had the opportunity to review the budget in advance.

On the superintendent situation:

As a lawyer, understands the confidentiality of personnel matters, but believes legal guidelines should have been available to the public with a full explanation of why these matters must be handled in closed session; also believes the position of superintendent should be judged like any other position, and if the standards of the job are not being met, then the employee should be terminated. “They should look at the facts objectively and see what happens.”

On instituting a nepotism policy:

Believes a relative of a board member can maintain a position if they are qualified and can recuse themselves from any conflicts of interest; does not believe jobs should be created for board member relatives.

On abstaining from a vote:

Believes it is important to take a position because board members are volunteers who represent the public through the schools.

Budget concerns:

“I am not opposed to increased taxes for my schools,” but said North Brunswick should have had the opportunity to review the budget in advance.

On the superintendent situation:

As a lawyer, understands the confidentiality of personnel matters, but believes legal guidelines should have been available to the public with a full explanation of why these matters must be handled in closed session; also believes the position of superintendent should be judged like any other position, and if the standards of the job are not being met, then the employee should be terminated. “They should look at the facts objectively and see what happens.”

On instituting a nepotism policy:

Believes a relative of a board member can maintain a position if they are qualified and can recuse themselves from any conflicts of interest; does not believe jobs should be created for board member relatives.

On abstaining from a vote:

Believes it is important to take a position because board members are volunteers who represent the public.

Ermina Tagaan

                                                 Ermina Tagaan              Ermina Tagaan Age: 48

Career: Registered nurse at JFK Medical Center in Edison

Reason for running:

“I’ve seen how teachers influence the lives of young students. … If I could do more to participate actively, I would be happy to spend the time.” Said she wants to make a difference in the community.

Main goals:

“I will help to exercise sound judgment in making decisions.” Wants to offer more incentives to teachers.

Budget concerns:

The money is worth it. “We are shaping our children’s futures. … They are going to be the leaders of our country in a few years.”

On televising board meetings:

Agrees. “We work for the people of North Brunswick, so I think each and every one has the right to know.”

On abstaining from a vote:

“I think you need to be clear-cut in making decisions. You should say yes or no, not be in the middle.”