HOWELL — The Howell K-8 School District Board of Education will see some changes in its membership after the Nov. 4 election, as two members of the board will not be in the race.
According to the Monmouth County Board of Elections, Denise M. Lowe, Albert Miller, James A. Moretti Jr. and Anthony Rafaniello will be running for three, three-year seats on the board.
Miller is currently a member of the board.
Board President Dr. Stephen M. Levine and board member John Van Noy are not running to retain their seats.
Spending more time with his family is one reason why another term is not in his future, according to Levine. He is serving his fifth year on the board.
“The school system has done significant things like [implementing] full-day kindergarten,” Levine said.
“Our finances have been in great condition and [we have] initiated the iPad process with the children, so I feel there was a lot done during my time on the board.”
Speaking about his fellow board member, Levine said, “Mr. Van Noy has been a great individual in getting the New Jersey School Boards Association to be more responsive with our board.”
He said decisions that were made by the board during his time on the panel were made after careful consideration.
“Everything that was decided upon with the board was done with never having the intention of creating a burden on our taxpayers, and I believe this will continue with an incredible hire in [Joseph] Isola as our new superintendent, following the retirement of Enid Golden,” Levine said.
Van Noy has served on the board for more than three years, serving as the chair of the finance committee for the majority of his term.
“On the committee, my contribution was to make a responsible three- to fiveyear plan for looking at the budget, and I also ensured the allocation of about $6 million for the technology task force.”
Van Noy said he feels blessed to have been part of the board, and he extended his gratitude to several individuals.
“I would like to thank our former Superintendent of Schools Enid Golden; our current Superintendent of Schools Joe Isola; Assistant Superintendent Patricia Callander, who is a brilliant student services superintendent; our Business Administrator and Board Secretary Ron Sanasac; and the staff and principals I encountered along the way, because I feel I learned more from them and they were an absolute delight,” he said.
As to what advice he would offer to a new board member, Van Noy suggested that a resident who serves on the panel should remain humble.
“It is better for a new board member to come in, take courses and learn from others, because that is what makes it all worthwhile and made it a joy for me that I will truly miss,” he said.
School board members in New Jersey are not paid for their service to the community. Polls will be open 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 4.
Contact Taylor M. Lier at [email protected].