Salvatore Piarulli: Garwood School Board Candidate

GARWOOD, NJ — The Garwood School Board has four candidates vying for four seats in the upcoming election on Nov. 2.

Incumbent Salvatore Piarulli is one of the candidates running for re-election. The other candidates running for the three, three-year seats on the board include:

• Jennifer Uva
• April Farrell (Children First)

One candidate is also running for one, two-year unexpired seat:

• Tracey Roland (Integrity Positivity Results)

Are you running for office in Garwood? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Clark-Garwood Patch.

Salvatore Piarulli

Name: Salvatore Piarulli

Age: 49

Town of residence: Garwood

Position sought: Board of Education

Family: 2 girls. 2 boys and a puppy

Education: BA - Communications, MBA- Business Administration

Occupation: Operation Management at one of the world's largest communications companies.

Previous or current elected appointed office: Served 3 years on the Garwood Board of Education.

Why are you seeking to run for school board? To be a voice for all families at a time when every decision seems to be one-sided. It is important to have a balance in every aspect of life.

What is your stance on masks in schools? We need to take politics out of our schools. Masks have become a political issue, the government should not be making decisions on education. I believe it should be a parental choice. No more government mandates, especially when it comes to our children. Our government, from local to state to federal does not belong in our schools. Our schools and our children need to be protected.

Should schools offer a virtual option? Yes, again parents should have a choice for their children.

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in the school district? Masks, the possibility of mandated vaccines, a curriculum that may include issues that should only be discussed in the home by parents and of course taxes. The current BOE raised taxes the highest amount in history, doing so during the pandemic. When residents questioned such a high increase, they were met with uncertainty and lack of answers. If elected officials are voting and supporting a budget, they should have a complete understanding of it.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates? We are fortunate to have four fantastic candidates.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign? I have spent many years involved in the community, from coaching little league to soccer to flag football. I have lived in Garwood for 14 years, where I have raised all 4 of my children. They have all either graduated from or are attending Lincoln School. I bring with me to the board of education a sense of business as well as being a father. With over 20 years of business experience ranging from Wall Street account management to marketing research for Fortune 100 companies. I look forward to being elected to the Board of education for a 2nd term, to be a voice for our children.