Central Regional School Board Race An Important One

The race for the three Berkeley Township seats on the Central Regional Board of Education is not just another ho-hum school board contest this year.

Many Berkeley residents may not be aware of the power struggles behind the scenes in the election. But many in town do. It's no secret in town that the local Republican organization is backing their selected candidates, even though school board elections in New Jersey are ostensibly non-partisan.

The local Republican organization hand-picked the "Quality Affordable Education Team" in both the Central Regional and Berkeley Township districts. Money was funneled to both teams to pay for the big signs that dot the Route 9 corridor in Bayville and in the senior communities, and the glossy fliers distributed in mailboxes.

There was even a little game of musical chairs this summer. Louis Tuminaro, a current member of the Berkeley Township school board, filed to run for a seat on the Central board. Jennifer Bacchione, wife of Township Councilman John Bacchione, also filed for a Central Regional seat, but withdrew over the summer and became the treasurer of the "Quality Affordable Education Team."

Nine are running for the three, three-year Berkeley Township seats on the Central Regional board.

The three running on the QAET team are incumbent Jennifer Leicht, Tuminaro and Ralph Frulio.

Leicht is a retired Berkeley Township paraprofessional and now works with special needs adults. She is a former coach for the Berkeley Girls Softball League and a former coach for the Berkeley Basketball autism program.

Tuminaro is still a member of the Berkeley Township school board. He is a supervisor with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. He is also a member of the Berkeley Township Board of Adjustment.

He said in a letter to the Berkeley Shores Homeowners Civic Association he thinks Central Regional's School Choice funds should be put towards tax relief in the five sending towns, not spent on improvements to the district's infrastructure.

Ralph Frulio has a master's degree from the University of Central Michigan and a bachelor's degree from Stockton State College. He is a former interpreter in the FBI's anti-Racketeering Unit, former vice-president of the state Casino Control Commission and a retired principal inspector with the commission.

The Central Regional district has roughly 2,000 middle and high school students from five sending towns - Berkeley, Ocean Gate, Island Heights, Seaside Heights and Seaside Park.

Donnie Clyburn Jr. is seeking his first term on the board. Clyburn has lived in Berkeley for 15 years with his wife and five children. He is a media/IT specialist at Ocean County College. He has been a member of the National Guard for former years, coached the Ocean County College's men's basketball team for four yers and is a licensed minister.

Al Aires is running on his own, beholden to no one. He is an assistant principal in the Jackson Township school district and a Central Regional graduate.

"I am funding my own campaign, which will allow me to focus on the issues at hand with having to (be) beholding to any political party" he wrote on the Berkeley Shores website.

Matthew Parks is a Central Regional graduate and attended Middlesex County College. He is a custodian in the Lacey school district.

"I am not running because I have an agenda against Central nor am I running to be a political puppet of the mayor," he said. "I refuse to do any bidding for the mayor against Central. Unlike some people that are running for the Central. Board of Education. "

Newcomer John Paul Sisler is seeking his first term on the board. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and is a licensed financial specialist. He is a senior vice-president with New Millennium Bank.

Sisler coached Berkeley football, wrestling and and baseball. He was the Central Regional assistant football coach and the Central Regional wrestling coach for several years.

Also running are Christine Dwight, Jeannette Street, and Jason J. Mrocza, Mill Creek Road. Dwight previously served several terms on the Central board.

The Central Regional district has roughly 2,000 middle and high school students from five sending towns - Berkeley, Ocean Gate, Island Heights, Seaside Heights and Seaside Park.

Editor's note: Patch incorrectly attributed a quote from Matt Parks to Al Aires in a previous version of this story. We apologize for the error.

by Patricia A. Miller

Image: Patricia A. Miller