Voters to select three for board of ed
By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
With only six days left until the school board election and the budget vote on April 27, the candidates are doing their last-minute campaigning for their chance for a seat on the school board. Six candidates are vying for the three three -year terms.
Voting is from 2 to 9 p.m. at the VFW on Washington Avenue with Manville now having only one polling place for all districts.
Candidates answered their final questions in hopes of letting the residents know a little more about their goals and why the candidates want their votes.
If elected to the school board, what will be your main goal/focus for the district?
Heidi Alles: “My main goal/focus has not changed since the beginning of my first term — putting our kids first. As serious as I have taken all the business and education-related aspects of this position, I will never forget the times that I have felt the impact of our work on the kids; how blessed we are to have children who appreciate what they are given, who want to be leaders someday, who volunteer for our senior citizens and local civic organizations, who want to go to college, who felt like a million dollars on their new field and understood how much it meant to this town and those of us who went to school here. That is what keeps you going, what makes you show up and do the right thing.
”Keeping our expenses in line and making tough decisions all come with the territory, but at the same time, we must always think of the kids first.”
Judy Faulkner: “If elected to the school board I will work with the administration and board to support instructional programs that promote the 21st century skills and support increased student performance and achievement while providing our students with the skills and knowledge they need to prepare them for college and beyond.
”Although our students are my first priority, I realize the importance of keeping within the budget, and providing a thorough and efficient education for our students. I will work with the board and the administration to research alternate funding options through grants, and donations. I will continue to support programs such as the Adopt a Classroom where volunteers work at painting the classrooms to keep our school neat and clean and allowing budgeted monies to remain in the classroom for our students.
”My husband worked last year painting classrooms in Roosevelt and Alexander Batcho Intermediate School and hopes to be one of many continuing this effort again this year.”
Valerie Frank: “If elected to the Manville Board of Education my main goal/focus would be twofold: keep our students competitive with other students in the area of technology and to increase the district’s ability to utilize students’ feedback in a constructive manner to result in improved instruction and programs.”
Jeanne Lombardino: “As an incumbent, having spent three years on the board, my focus was with the quality of instruction and administration. The board hired a new superintendent under whose guidance our Manville School District received above-average ratings when evaluated by the state Board of Education. Manville’s performance was better than the overall Somerset County average in each of five categories.
”My goals, if re-elected, would be to continue to improve 21st century instruction and operations. There are grants available from the county and other sources, such as the recent award of funds to install solar-powered energy and also the funding of our new athletic field at our high school. As resources permit, our board should continue to expand its use of computers in the virtual education arena.”
Sharon Lukac: “My main goal is to work with my fellow board members as a united team to ensure our children always come first, while also ensuring that the taxpayers of Manville have a fair and just advocate working for them on the Board of Education.
”I also would make it a strong point to equally work hard so our teachers and staff are given the proper tools so that they can excel in the rough environment that education has been facing the last few years. I like the fact that our current Board of Education has pursued having our teachers updated on newer techniques and challenging them to bring that knowledge back to Manville and further enrich our entire staff. I truly believe our staff in Manville is tops, and I’d put them up with the best in New Jersey.
”As far as pursuing cost savings, this can be accomplished through even more ‘green’ technologies such as solar panels, the continuing energy-efficient lighting upgrades, and even wind power. These cost savings, combined with strict and studious fiscal responsibility, will ensure our children and our residents are properly represented.”
Kim Richter: “If elected, my main focus will be to work to ensure the focal point remains where it belongs and that is with our children. My main goal is quite simple: to set up and maintain an effective, efficient organizational structure for the district that lets the superintendent and administrators manage the schools, teachers teach and students learn. By doing the aforementioned, we will instill a sense of pride and confidence in our community.”
What do you want the voters to know about you to get them to vote for you?
Ms. Alles: “Being a member of this school board for the past three years has been one of the greatest joys of my life. When I first came on board, the challenges that were ahead of us seemed almost impossible to manage, but we have made great progress. Our re-registration process is in full swing, our buildings have never looked better and by this time next year we will have a new sign for our high school.
”We have managed to see several capital projects through completion in order to keep our buildings and grounds safe and operational despite all the cuts we have experienced. Our guidance program is coming along and our teachers are some of the best in the business. We have a beautiful turf field for our kids to use that did not cost our taxpayers a dime and will see our Solar Panel Project completed and saving us real dollars by the fall of 2010. We passed QSAC with flying colors and our Emergency Management processes have been considered the benchmark for other districts to follow.
”Our school board is being recognized this year by the New Jersey School Boards Association with a Master Board Certification for our training programs and goal setting initiatives.
”I am very proud of what has been accomplished and hope that the voters will consider me for another term on the board so that we can keep the momentum going.”
Ms. Faulkner: “I work in the field of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and have experience working with teams and know the importance of being a good listener and sharing in the decision making process.
:I am currently an active member of the Roosevelt School, Alexander Batcho Intermediate School and the Manville High School Parent Teacher Association (PTA). In addition, I am a member of the Parent Academy and work collaboratively to promote parent involvement within the schools.
”My current schedule allows me the opportunity to be an active member of the Board Of Education. I bring my knowledge and experience working with others to the table in an effort to continue to move our schools forward while keeping the financial restraints we are currently being faced with in the forefront.
”I have three children in three schools in the Manville School District and I would like to see them and all our children receive the best education possible, one that prepares them to be a lifelong learner and a respectful contributing member of a democratic society.”
Ms. Frank: “I am running for the Board of Education because I want everyone to know that our children should be first. Our children do have a voice and it should be heard. Along with providing our students with the proper tools for them academically and socially, we must also consider as a top priority, our students’ safety, cyber-bullying, and security.
”My expectation is that I will be able to use the knowledge I have gained as the parent of a recent graduate to help us address areas where growth is needed, by building upon the successes the district has demonstrated.”
Ms. Lukac: “I would like the voters to know that I am a person that always finishes what I’ve started, and am an extremely honest, responsible person who is deeply committed to our community. Being a ‘stay at home mom,’ I have been blessed to have the extra time on my hands to fully involve myself in our community, whether it be my work with the Somerset County Food Network, my involvement with the PTA, or always being around our schools on a constant basis to just be there whenever help is needed.
”I also pride myself and am guided by the high principle of life that the Order of the Eastern Star, (an organization I’m a member of), expects of its members. The Order of the Eastern Star is one of the largest fraternal and social organizations in the world that not only appeals itself to a refreshing character building process, but also demands a level of high principles that we portray in our lives. The purpose of our organization is; Charitable, Educational, Fraternal, and a high level of moral values. These qualities are the breath of fresh air I bring to our residents, and it is these same qualities that will drive my decisions to properly be a true advocate not only for Every child in Manville, but for our teachers and every resident of Manville as well.”
Ms. Lombardino “My record of service to our community includes three years’ experience as an elected member of the Board of Education and also service at Weston School as a member of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA). At present, this includes serving as president.
”We have resided in our town for more than 10 years. More important is that we have three children attending Manville schools. Involvement is no hobby. Being involved is an investment in our children and in Manville itself. These are some reasons why voters should consider my candidacy.”
Ms. Richter: “Firstly, let me say that a vote for me is a vote for someone that values public education and the educational process as a whole. I am a dedicated, active participant in the educational process serving our children and you can find me on the PTA having served on the board at Roosevelt, ABIS and currently at Manville High School. I have participated in the Harlem Wizards games since its inception six years ago.
”My PTSA board and I have created several innovative events such as our Volleyball GotNet Competition, Somerset Patriots Volunteer Day, and our Vendor/Craft Fair. I am a firm believer in the democratic process and aim to work strategically in the interest of the entire community.
The main purpose of any school board is to establish a vision for the community schools. I want to play a part in Manville’s vision! I have an attitude of respect for diverse points of view and will promote collaboration.
My experience working in corporate america in the customer service field has strengthened me with strong decision-making skills, the ability to balance needs and concerns, the capacity to see the long-term implications of an action and the ability to work well with a team and support group decisions. I have no personal political agenda other than creating a legacy of quality that the Manville School District deserves.
”I will advocate that students are offered classes and programs needed to be able to get into the college or career path of their choice including rigorous courses and education. The pursuit of academic excellence is a high priority as our children need to be able to compete in a global economy.
”I will promote fiscal responsibility to ensure that the taxpayers’ money is used wisely and that every tax dollar spent is not wasted or squandered. In that vein, I will also ensure that taxpayer’ concerns and opinions are not taken flippantly. Everyone in the community deserves to have their voice heard, but for our children, ‘we MUST be that voice.’ Make sure your voice is heard, please come out to vote on April 27 from 2 to 9 p.m. at the VFW Post No. 2290.”

