Q&A with Freehold Borough Board of Education Candidate Paul Ceppi

Question: What is your profession and professional title?

Answer: I'm a Senior Community Development Officer with the NJ Economic Development Authority. My primary role at the EDA, is working with municipalities and developers on redevelopment efforts in distressed communities.

Question: How long have you been a Freehold resident?

Answer:14 years  

Question: Why do you want to be a member of the BOE?

Answer: I'd like to contribute in a more "official" capacity.  I participated in the 2011 Strategic Planning process and worked with the Communication’s Committee through the planning stages and recently began to contribute to the Finance Committee.

Question: What strengths would you bring to the BOE?

Answer: I have a fairly good understanding of financing mechanics and government process, which I feel would be beneficial to the BOE.

Question: What do you consider to be important issues in the school district?  Answer: In no particular order of importance, I feel there are a few things that plague the district: crowded classrooms,dated facilities,negative perception (although getting better), limited funding (which locally is relatively out of the BOE's control)

Question: What is something you would like to see happen while you are on the board?

Answer: Given the current seat that I'm running for is for a short term, I'd like to see steps taken in right direction to address classroom sizes.  

Question: Where would you like to see the BOE in a year from now?

Answer: Further down the path of improving the District. The BOE seem to be very committed in being fiscally responsible, transparent in process and keeping the public well informed of the on goings of the District and I look forward to continuing those efforts.  

Question: Why do you think people should vote for you?

Answer: I'm a committed person who follows through on what I set out to accomplish.  Although willing to compromise, I'm not one to "lie-down" for something I don’t believe in.    

General information: I’m 41 years old; I’ve been married for 12 years and have two daughters in the District, who attend Park Avenue Elementary.