Danielle Carlomagno, Robbinsville
As a Robbinsville resident, I supported moving school elections from April to November and admittedly did not understand the opponents’ concern that a November election would “politicize” our schools. Now I get it! Our school elections are already becoming politicized.
A Board of Education candidate is being sponsored by our mayor, four Township Council members and our state assemblyman. This sets a tone in our town that Board of Education candidates will need to be politically aligned, and it will transform school elections into major political campaigns with a significant focus on fundraising. This is not the focus I want for our schools.
Further, two of these council members are NOT public school supporters. Two years ago, they ruthlessly slashed the school budget. This resulted in eliminating 13 teaching jobs on top of the 13.5 that had already been planned. In that same year, they approved a municipal budget that resulted in a 25 percent increase to the taxpayers. We need board candidates that are supportive of our children and have the financial acumen to balance competing priorities based on economic realities.
These six politicians have planned a major fundraiser for this candidate. Over 300 invitations have been distributed with many to politicians and non-Robbinsville residents. What is their interest in our schools? We need to keep politics out of our schools. Board members should be committed to our children; not politicians. Send politicians a strong message: Stay out of our schools!
In November, parents NOT politicians will be getting my vote. I’ll be voting for Costanza & Kochberg.
Danielle Carlomagno
Robbinsville

