By David Kilby, Staff Writer
MONROE — While the issue of state aid is on the minds of all of Monroe’s Board of Education candidates in this election, each of the four candidates also have their own variety of concerns.
The candidates up for re-election this year are Kathy Leonard, Kathy Kolupanowich and Ken Chiarella. Former board member Amy Antelis will also be running after spending one year off the board.
Ms. Leonard said one of the issues that the school district may be facing in upcoming years is crowded schools.
”Once the housing market takes a turn we’ll be looking at crowded-ness again,” she said.
She also believes teacher contracts will require a delicate balance in upcoming years.
”We need to settle contracts in a matter that keeps attracting good teachers but is equitable to taxpayers,” she said.
Ms. Leonard has been on the board for more than 15 years and has served as either chair or member of the curriculum, finance, buildings and grounds, personnel and policy committees.
”I care about the children, about taxpayers and I’m an individual thinker,” she said.
She explained why she believes education is important.
”The better we educate our children today the less of a tax burden they will be to the future,” she said. “They’ll be contributors to society rather than people who depend on society.”
She said Monroe’s special education program is geared toward that.
Ms. Leonard had a son and daughter go through Monroe schools from pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, and her daughter was in special education classes in the district, she said.
She has lived in Monroe for 22 years and now lives on Cyprus Drive with her husband and two children.
”I think Monroe schools give children a great opportunity to succeed after graduation and we need to keep doing what we’re doing right and adjust as needed to fit the needs of new residents,” she said.
Ms. Kolupanowich has some similar and some different opinions regarding the district and education in general.
She said an issue the board will continue to face over the next few years is the school district’s budget, which has been turned down at the polls for the past four years.
”We have to educate people about the budget process,” she said.
The upcoming year’s budget presents a new challenge because the district has to pay for opening up the new high school on Perrineville Road and for renovations at the Applegarth School, she added.
”It’s unfortunate we can’t put new initiatives in to the budget,” she said. “You want to go from good to great, but we’re being held back because of the budget cap.”
She said making sure Applegarth School renovations get completed would be a priority for the board over the next few years. Having a high school, middle school and sister school concept in place will help the district as it grows, but Applegarth School needs to be renovated before that concept is fully realized, she said.
Ms. Kolupanowich said she has served as a leader in the school district for the past 20 years, and has been president of the Barclay Brook PTA, the Monroe Township High School PTO, and on the board.
”I’m a hard worker. I’m available,” she said. “People know me because I do attend a lot of functions and district committees.”
”I want to see our school district move from good to great,” she said. “I’ve seen it move from okay to good and I want to be part of the next step.”
”We’re educating our future,” she said. “These are the kids that’ll be our doctors and lawyers.”
She added, “It’s important that they get the education needed to compete for a college seat.”
She said education isn’t just about academics, but also about sports, clubs and other extracurricular activities that teach students leadership and dedication.
As part of that philosophy, she said she would like to see a community service component added to the curriculum.
Ms. Kolupanowich’s three children went to Kindergarten through 12th grade in the district.
”They’re all successful, and it starts with a good education in Monroe,” she said.
Ms. Antelis was on the board for 18 years until Louis Masters defeated her last year. She served as board president from 2008 -10.
She said the board reduced the budget $300,000 two years ago by eliminating an assistant superintendent position and an administrative teaching position.
”I still believe administrative positions need to be looked at,” she said. She said she also supports teacher tenure reform.
”We have a lot of great staff members, but just like every other profession there are those who just don’t step up to the job,” she said.
Unless a teacher committed a crime, it could take up to 10 years for them to be removed, she added.
But she also said she supports teacher tenure to a degree.
”Tenure takes political pressure off teachers sometimes,” she said.
She said she would make a good board member because she had three children go through Monroe’s district, and knows what it’s like to want the best programs for children.
”Now I have the perspective of paying taxes and not having children in school,” she added. “I think every child needs a good education to build a strong community and a strong nation,” she said. “A good education is the best thing we could give our children.”
Mr. Chiarella believes opening up the new high school will be a top priority this year.
He said the district built the new school while he chaired the buildings, grounds and transportation committee.
”We fought hard for that high school,” he said. “I want to be there to help the transition. I want to be part of it and help guide it.”
”I’d like to see the project through,” he added.
He said the current state of the economy will continue to be a challenge for the board.
”From an economic standpoint, I think we’ll be faced with erosion of our tax base,” he said. “We’re going to have people that are really suffering (financially). It’s a new world and, as a board, we have to learn to work with these differences.”
He said he thinks there may be a paradigm shift coming where the district may have to re-orient its focus.
He said if a child says ‘I’m not going to college. I want to start my own business,’ the district should be able to provide the necessary background for that ambition.
”I think we need a voice that is fiscally responsible but understands we still need a great education system,” he said. “I think I’m one of those voices.”
”I think education has to be personalized and specialized,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a cookie cutter for education.”
He said he has a child in Monroe High School, Barclay Brook and Hillside schools.
The polls for school board elections are open April 27 from 2-9 p.m.

