From Mary Caffrey, Robbinsville.
To the editor:
I must respond to last week’s letter (“Politics Intrudes in Robbinsville BOE Race”), as well as online ads that have characterized Robbinsville’s school board election as “parents vs. politicians.” This race is really about status quo vs. change. Some current board members did not anticipate a well-run, energetic campaign by Shaina Ciaccio, even though she promised just that when she interviewed for a board vacancy back in May. So, it appears the strategy is to criticize not only Ms. Ciaccio, but also long-time supporters of the board’s own initiatives because we haven’t fallen in line.
Sadly, I must finally speak out about this practice. I am a longtime supporter of our schools. I have campaigned for school budgets and for the 2010 bond referendum. I will support December’s question to build new classrooms. Supporting public education should not obligate me to endorse every action this school board takes, but I know speaking out has a price. Regrettably, in May I did not question the process when former board member Matthew O’Grady, who was still living in Ohio, flew back to Robbinsville to reclaim a board vacancy. I stayed quiet to avoid bad publicity for the district and to avoid being tarred with the dreaded “anti-education” brand, which, given my history, should be ridiculous.
My disgust has nothing to do with Mr. O’Grady’s prior service — he was an excellent board member — but with something that happens too often: Convinced it is doing the “right” thing, this board pays little attention to how actions appear to those outside the schoolhouse bubble. In this case, it appeared then, and still does, that Mr. O’Grady was recruited to block the candidacy of Shaina Ciaccio. This suspicion was fueled by a departing board member who told the other candidates before the interviews that the seat would go to “the guy from Ohio.”
Last week, Ms. Ciaccio’s supporters were treated to the tagline, “Parents, not politicians” in online ads. Talk about a double standard. Some of the same people chastising Ms. Ciaccio for inviting local elected officials and an assemblyman to her fund-raiser don’t hesitate to ask the politically experienced for help getting a meeting, writing a letter, or resolving a crisis. Rubbing shoulders with politicians is the norm at the annual Robbinsville Education Foundation dinner, where we have honored Mayor Dave Fried and Councilwoman Chris Ciaccio, thanked Councilman Rich Levesque for taking part in our poker game, and asked Senator Linda Greenstein and Assemblyman Dan Benson to present proclamations. Foundation officers include two school board members, and most board members and school officials attend our events. Any politics here?
Shaina Ciaccio is being opposed because she upends the status quo. She failed to “wait her turn.” The criticism is misguided, because as someone who knows Shaina, I see only a bright, well-educated self-starter with a great ability to connect with young people. I also see a person with the potential to reach two difficult voting blocs: young couples who have not yet enrolled children, and long-time residents who have doubts about the system’s needs. If we want to engage “future stakeholders” to pass the December referendum, electing Shaina Ciaccio would be a great start.
Mary Caffrey
Robbinsville

