Editor’s note: To help voters get to know the candidates for the school board, The Manville News has asked each of the candidates for the three, three-year terms to submit answers to three questions. Incumbents are indicated by an asterisk.
Biographical information
Stephanie Cornelson: As a parent of a child in the school system, I would like to have an active voice in my son’s education. My son, Matthew, is currently in the fifth grade and will be attending ABIS next year.
I also have a 3-year-old daughter, Holly, who will be attending Weston in a couple of years.
I have been volunteering in the school system for five years. I have been the president of Roosevelt PTA for the past two years. I also have been attending the curriculum meetings, which is made up of staff from all four schools and attend the Board of Ed meetings.
Last year, I attended a community workshop where parents, teachers, administrators and Board of Ed members met to discuss ways we could improve our school system.
During my time as a volunteer, I’ve helped to organize community events such as the Back to School Carnival we had last year and I’m currently involved in the planning of the Harlem Wizards Community Event which will be at the high school on April 28th.
I’ve also helped to raise money for the Roosevelt Library, which is in the process of being reinstated. I’m currently part of a planning committee for a Spaghetti Fundraiser Dinner that will be held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars on April 20th. Hosted by the Manville Education Foundation, it will be raising money for the libraries in all four of our schools.
Gary Cortelyou*: I’m married to Meg, with three children two attending college and one is attending Manville High School.
I’ve been a lifelong member of Hillsborough Reformed Church, and am a former deacon.
I graduated from Middlesex County College and the Rutgers certified Public Works Program.
I have worked for the County of Somerset for 32 years most of time as construction engineer for the county’s Engineering Department.
I’ve served on the Manville school board for the last three years.
My experience in pubic works and engineering has prepared me very well to serve on a school board. I am experienced in construction, public bidding laws, budget preparation, and what is necessary to maintain our building and grounds.
Ken Lessing*: I’m married to Sheila, and we have two children Holly and Shawn, both MHS graduates.
I’m a retired Somerset County sheriff’s officer, a life member of the Manville Youth Athletic League, a NYSCA youth sport coaching instructor, member of the Manville Seniors Club, associate member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290, the Somerville Elks, and the Manville Board of Health.
Prior to being an officer, I owned and operated my own service station. Being a former business owner I know how important each dollar of our school funding is to our daily and yearly operation.
I want to help keep our spending in line with our budget and save some funds.
Louis H. Petzinger Jr.*: I am 52, and a graduate of Rider College employed by Allstate Plastics Inc since 1977.
I’ve been a resident of Manville since 1980. I’m married with two sons, both of whom are Manville High School graduates. Michael will be graduating from Ramapo College in May, and Scott will graduate from RVCC, also next month.
I have served the last six years on the board, including as president the last two years. I am a Certified Master Board Member by the New Jersey School Boards Association. I’ve served on all committees during my tenure on the board, and am currently serving on Finance and Facilities, Curriculum and Instruction, the Student Activities, and the Negotiation committees.
I’m also a member of the Manville Technology Committee and Manville High School Athletic Booster Club, a former treasurer of the Manville Music Organization (Band Parents), Scout leader and recreation soccer, basketball and baseball coach.
Amy Stapleton: Being a lifelong resident of Manville, I’ve had the opportunity to go through the Manville school system myself. I decided to run for the Board of Education so I may be a contributor to providing a quality education, maintaining a high caliber of teachers as well as determining the most appropriate allocation of budget dollars, all for the benefit of our children.
I have two children in the schools now, a first-grader at Weston and sixth-grader at ABIS.
I have been on the board of PTAs in Roosevelt and ABIS and try to be as active in the school community as possible.
Since I will be involved in the school system for a while to come, I would like to do what I can to have a positive impact on the future of my children and their peers.
Question 2: What topic would you focus your energy on as a school board member and what would you hope to accomplish in the next year?
Stephanie Cornelson: Some of the topics I would focus on would be to help promote parental involvement and community awareness.
I would also like to continue to help expand and upgrade our libraries.
If elected, one committee I would like to be a part of is the curriculum committee. Manville schools are in the process of upgrading and improving the curriculum.
Since the students will be undergoing a transitional period during this time, I feel its important that a parent be involved in the process.
Gary Cortelyou*: I would like to focus my energy if elected on improving the public image of our school district, a lot of good things are happening in the Manville Schools.
Our High School test scores in English were the top of the state for our economic level. Which is wonderful, some other areas could be improved but the school personnel is working on these areas and I am sure with the support of the Board and parents we will be on the top in these areas also.
I would also like to continue working with the boro on shared services, as the town of Manville and the Manville Schools are true leaders in the state of New Jersey in this area the cooperation we have in this town is unknown in other towns throughout New Jersey. Shared services saves our town many hard earned tax dollars.
Another area I would like to focus on is the sidewalks and parking lots around our schools. Many areas need repair and improved handicap assess is needed. With funds from our long-term capital improvement fund we can hopefully addresses some of these problems in the near future. I would serve on any committee that I am asked to serve on by the president of the school board.
Ken Lessing*: I have served on the Finance and Facilities, Personnel, Negotiations and Policy committees during my board service. I would be interested in working on any committee where my knowledge, experience or vision would help improve our schools.
I would like to work on getting more parent involvement. Parents need to be involved in our monthly board meetings, public budget discussions, joining the PTO, volunteering at their child’s school events/functions. What can I as a board member do to get more parental interest in coming out?
Parent involvement is crucial to the overall education of the kids. I would work on getting their attention, opinions and interest.
Lou Petzinger Jr.*: As a member of the negotiation committee my first concern will be to work to reach a settlement on the teachers’ contract.
Also, I will use my experience to continue to work with the administration to insure we get the most value from our budget, to provide a thorough and efficient education for all our students while keeping our taxpayers concerns in mind. Also, we need to continue to raise the bar for both the students and staff and to retain our excellent teachers and to attract additional equally qualified staff.
Amy Stapleton: If elected onto the board of education, one of my goals is to be a liaison between the schools and the community.
I believe as a parent, the more knowledgeable you are with respect to your child’s schooling, extracurricular activities and social circles, the more likely they are to succeed.
As for the board committees, they are all very important, but I am most interested in personnel and curriculum committees.
I would like to be able to contribute to what our children will be taught or have a voice in who will be teaching it.
Question 3: What is the best idea you have heard to improve Manville schools?
Stephanie Cornelson: I want the students in our schools to be able to have the best educational experience in the best environment we can provide them.
I feel one of the best ways to provide this is to promote more parental and community awareness and involvement in our schools.
It is important for our students to know that parents and school staff members are working together to help provide them with a positive and successful educational experience.
Gary Cortelyou*: One of these ideas I have heard lately is that boards of education around the state have a school boards member adopt a school in the district and maintain contact with the school to hear what’s happening in that school and report this information back to the other board members.
I feel a program such as this could open new lines of communication between the school board parents and our schools.
Ken Lessing*: Our children’s test scores are on the rise and we want to keep the upward momentum. By ensuring that the kids have the best teachers and the proper materials we can keep the children heading toward a brighter future.
Lou Petzinger Jr.*: The best I idea to improve Manville schools is twofold and we have already implemented. Number 1 is the revamping of the curriculum, we are now on a cycle where the curriculum is continually reviewed and revised. Along with this is the hiring and retention are educators you are energetic and enthused about educating our students.
Amy Stapleton: Manville schools are up and coming and have greater diversity than ever.
We have a more challenging curriculum in place and the children have access to use advanced technology such as smart boards and laptops. I think that the ideas that were implemented prepare our children not only for the foundation of obtaining a successful education; it also prepares them for success in life.
If elected to board, I look forward to continuing the contribution to that growth and success.

