MANVILLE: Candidates get few queries at forum

By Eileen Oldfield, Staff Writer
   Sandy Matteson, of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, prompted the approximately 20 people attending Monday night’s Board of Education Candidate Forum, asking whether any residents had questions for the three board candidates at the forum.
   ”Did the PTA cover all of the issues?” Ms. Matteson asked. “I’m hearing a whole lot of c’mons. These don’t have to be earth-shattering questions. They could be what helps you decide.”
   A single resident rose with a query for the candidates.
   ”I wanted to ask if you have any family members that are involved in the schools that would compromise your vote,” Lynne Whitenight, of South 21st Avenue, said.
   All of the candidates present — Ned Panfile, Cathy Wiedwald and Andrew Zangara — responded they did not. The three, and Sharon Lukac, who was unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict, are running in the April 21 election to fill three, three-year seats on the board currently held by Mr. Panfile, Mr. Zangara and Herman Brunn.
   In response to Ms. Whitenight’s question, Mr. Panfile explained his son is a teacher in the Mendham school district, and Mr. Zangara stated, while his wife is a substitute in the district, substitute teachers are not covered by the teachers’ union or state laws.
   The public question session followed a brief presentation on the 2009-10 school budget, made by board member Heidi Alles, candidate introductions and six questions selected by the Weston School Parent Teacher Association. The candidates received the questions last Friday and had the weekend to prepare for the forum.
   The PTA asked candidates to detail their strengths, the most important issues the district will face and the district’s strengths. In addition, the PTA asked candidates their opinion on sharing a superintendent with a neighboring district.
   None of the candidates supported sharing a superintendent with another district, noting the job demands someone be in the district to address problems that arise on a day to day basis.
   Noting the upcoming teaching contract negotiations, the PTA asked Mr. Panfile, Ms. Wiedwald and Mr. Zangara how they intend to handle the next round of bargaining. The teachers contract expires in June 2010, though it was only approved earlier this year.
   ”I’m sure I could be fair,” Ms. Wiedwald said. “I’m experienced with pricing and contract negotiations, and I’m sure I could deliver a fair agreement.”
   Mr. Zangara, who served on the board during the most recent negotiations, noted the bargaining process is more involved than many people realize.
   ”It’s not one person who sets the tone,” Mr. Zangara said. “It’s nine members who all have a say. It’s the community and the budget constraints … All considerations have to be made when dealing with teaching negotiations.”
   For Mr. Panfile, the students should be the top priority during contract negotiations.
   ”We have to start early and continue to negotiation with one thing in mind,” Mr. Panfile said. “We have to keep the students in mind.”
   The PTA’s final question involved a state-mandated preschool program that, if required, would cause the district to restructure grade levels and students in each district school.
   ”Our biggest problem in this school district is that we have limited space,” Mr. Zangara said. “Our biggest problem right now is that a preschool will have to happen in this Weston School, and there are constraints.”
   Mr. Panfile agreed with Mr. Zangara, noting the constraints the state places on the space districts can use to house the preschool students.
   ”They have to look at the available space and secure a space in an elementary environment,” Mr. Panfile said. “… It’s difficult as far as space is concerned.”
   Ms. Wiedwald felt the district needed more information from the state, including funding available for the preschool programs.
   ”At this time, we need to get a little more information from the state,” Ms. Wiedwald said. “We would have to put some additions on the schools and look to taxpayers finances and look at our funding from the state.”
   Residents at the forum attended for a variety of reasons and found it allowed them to hear and meet the candidates.
   ”It was very informational,” Katie Anne Chromowsky, of Harrison Avenue, said. “I don’t actually have any kids in the Manville school district, but I have a niece in kindergarten. I came out because of my niece, and I have nieces and nephews who will go through the school system here, and we (Ms. Chromowsky and her husband) plan to start a family within a year. I wanted to see who would be running things while they’re going through school.”
   Ms. Chromowsky said the forum helped her learn about next year’s school budget and how the money would be used.
   For Ms. Whiteknight, the forum allowed residents to meet the people on the ballot and determine how the candidates would handle the district.
   ”I’m very appreciative of the candidates who came out and said what their objectives are,” Ms. Whiteknight said. “I think it’s important for all citizens in Manville to know what they are voting for. While they’re (the Board of Education) voting, they’re voting for you because you voted them in.”
   Like Ms. Chromowsky, Ms. Whiteknight said the budget presentation answered many of her questions and thinks the candidate forum should be an annual event.
   ”I think it’s something that should be done on a yearly basis,” she said. “Anytime the seats open up, there should be a candidate forum so we can be educated voters.”