It was my understanding that the 2 candidates who "chose not to speak" had withdrawn their applications and are no longer under consideration. The 5 who spoke all seem to be excellent candidates. it will be interesting to see who gets the nod..

We have to wait until April 11th to find out who the new board member will be? Is the board isolated in a conclave at the ed center and should we be waiting for white smoke to come out of the chimney?

But I can understand the board's dilemma because these are all very impressive candidates. It's interesting that 3 out of the 5 no longer have children in the schools and want to dedicate their time to help our district. I don't think we have a board member whose kids have already gone through the system and college, so it may be important to have a board member representing that part of the community. Especially since that part of the community is the larger share of the town. Don't you think?

Hope the new candidate feel courage and empower to speak.
1. What are you envisions Millburn district schools for systemic changes? What will you work to achieve that vision? What strategic to monitor current reforms changes?
2. What policies and your visions would you initiate to improve student achievement?
3. What is student achievement?
4. What level of skills should high school students have upon graduation?
5. Do you support voting process of the local government and from community building?

Most importantly, be sure to educate yourself about the issues and encourage others in your community to do the same. It is great to know that candidate had good analytical, leadership, collaborative skills to move the district forward. A good candidate is interested to focus about the success of all schools in the district.

Hope the new candidate feel couraged and empowered to speak.
1. What are your envisions to Millburn district schools for systemic changes? What will you work to achieve that vision? What strategies use to monitor current reforms changes?
2. What policies and your visions would you initiate to improve student achievement?
3. What is student achievement?
4. What level of skills should high school students have upon graduation?
5. Do you support voting process of the local government and of the community building?

Most importantly, be sure to educate yourself about the issues and encourage others in your community to do the same. It is great to know that candidate had good analytical, leadership, collaborative skills to move the district forward. A good candidate is interested to focus about the success of all schools in the district.

There are numerous boe members who have gone through the system and have college age children. Waters, Wenik' Chapman, birnberg,s graduate this year.

There is an ethical dilemma and maybe even a legal problem here. Do any of these "candidates" intend to run in the November election? By being appointed to this interim board position, they will be given an unfair advantage over other candidates running in the regular November election. I would hope that if they do intend to run, they have the ethical sense to take their name out of consideration for this interim role that expires when an elected board member is seated after November's election. This position should be filled by someone who wants to fill a gap and not use this appointment as a platform to get an advantage over others in November. Pease could each one of you indicate your intentions?

This is a valid point. Why so quick to dismiss?

It is invalid. Do you mean that any time a member of the House of Reps or Senate is appointed to fill a seat by the governor to fill a vacancy that the appointed person should not run for office when the general election is held? That seems to make no sense at all.

MILLBURN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Section 0000 - Bylaws
0143//Page 1 of 1
0143 - Board Member Election and Appointment
The election and appointment of Board of Education members will be conducted
in strict compliance with law.
The Board shall neither favor nor give the appearance of favoring one candidate
over another.

It is a point past BOE's have taken into consideration. Past BOEs have appointed a former board member to serve until the next election and the former BOE member promises not to run. But its a Catch 22 for the BOE because some see this approach as a type of cronyism and can be perceived as an attempt by the BOE to recruit someone they know in advance will always agree with them. There is no perfect answer. This BOE made its decision. The candidates who have applied were top notch. No reason to think they won't do an excellent job.

I wonder if it matters who the board appoints. We have 5 members who vote as a bloc, support the administration without question and do not hold the superintendent accountable for anything. Chapman brought up very valid points about the amount of surplus hidden around the budget, yet only one board member took interest. A few years ago, the chairman of the finance committee trotted around to all of the schools stating that we needed to spend down the then existing surplus each year in order to be in compliance with State law. Now the board is proposing budgets that result in surplus each year. How about using some of that money to fund educational initiatives and reduce class sizes? This board needs to look at what has happened to the quality of education in the district under this Superintendent and stop rubber stamping his budgets.

I understand there is a move toward eliminating school boards altogether and now I understand why. There really is no local control by citizens if this is how a local school board operates.