Re-Elect John Buckley to the Holmdel BOE

As I seek re-election to the Holmdel Township Board of Education, I'm proud to reflect on a first term defined by fiscal responsibility, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment to our students' success. More importantly, I'm prepared to lead our district through the significant financial challenges ahead, challenges that demand experienced leadership, not "on the job training."

The Reality of Our Financial Challenge
Our district faces a $2.5+ million budget gap, not due to mismanagement or reckless spending, but because of pressures beyond our control. We inherited a teachers union contract that includes concessions uncommon in most New Jersey public schools, resulting in expenses that have become unsustainable for Holmdel taxpayers. Combined with the state's S2 funding formula reducing our support, have created significant fiscal challenges. Operational costs, particularly teachers' benefits and transportation expenses, have skyrocketed.

Despite these pressures, Holmdel educates each student for just over $19,000 annually, well below the county average that exceeds $22,000.

In addition, the PILOT tax program granted to the Bellworks development has devastated our revenue stream. Over the past decade, this agreement has cost our schools nearly $18 million in lost revenue, money that would have directly supported our children's education. Unlike traditional property taxes, PILOT payments provide zero dollars to our schools.

Proven Experience in Action
My service on the Budget and Finance Committee has provided me with deep insight into our district's financial operations. I understand every line item, every challenge, and every opportunity. This experience has proven invaluable as I've chaired the critical contract negotiations with our teachers' union over the past year, negotiations that will determine our financial future.
Our negotiating team has worked diligently through mediation to reach an equitable solution. We recently presented what we believe is a fair and reasonable proposal that balances our educators' needs with fiscal responsibility: teachers would retain three additional prep periods weekly while resuming standard contractual duties. Additionally, we've identified pathways to preserve janitorial positions currently under consideration for third-party outsourcing.

This comprehensive proposal would save the district over $1.3 million in the 2026 school year budget, representing more than half of our budget gap. These negotiations require experienced leadership who understands both the financial implications and the importance of maintaining positive relationships with our dedicated teaching staff.

Comprehensive Solutions, Not Just Criticism and Generalities
While my opponents claim they'll "get to the bottom" of our budget gap, we've understood these challenges for over 24 months and consistently communicated them to our community. No Board of Education has been as diligent and transparent with the Holmdel community as this one. We’ve compiled and shared 15 years of historical school data, financial reports, and the full teachers’ contract so that every taxpayer can clearly understand the details.

What we need now are solutions, not investigations. My experience has enabled me to help develop a comprehensive approach:

• Negotiating a fair contract between the HTEA and Holmdel taxpayers that helps reduce our budget deficit.
• Evaluating custodial outsourcing, projected to save over $800,000 annually in salaries and benefits.
• Evaluating the continuation of courtesy busing services, which represent an annual cost of over $600,000
• Working collaboratively with the Township Committee, our strong relationship helped the BOE secure $850,000 for school resource officers and courtesy busing (though this funding isn't guaranteed and needs to be secured again 2026.)

Success Despite Challenges
Despite these financial pressures, Holmdel's academic performance has soared over the past three years. Scores across all schools have risen dramatically, AP results have skyrocketed, and Holmdel High School's ranking has climbed 75 spots. Indian Hill earned the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award, and Realtor.com named Holmdel the #1 most sought-after school district for families in the NY/NJ metro area.

This success reflects the dedicated work of our administration, teachers, & staff and the fiscal discipline of current and former business administrators being backed by a supportive Board of Education. Our educators' excellence in the classroom, supported by strong administrative leadership, has driven these remarkable achievements. The business administrations office efforts built the fund balance that helped us navigate earlier budget challenges. However, that safety net is now exhausted, making sound financial leadership more critical than ever.

Experience Matters Now More Than Ever
My opponents, despite lacking any board experience, tout their professional backgrounds while offering no concrete solutions to our long-understood and documented challenges. Having board members learn on the job during this critical period would be a disservice to our community.
The next three years will be defining for our district. We need board members who understand the complexities of school finance, the nuances of collective bargaining, and the delicate balance between educational excellence and fiscal responsibility.

I've spent nearly three years preparing for exactly these challenges. I understand our budget inside and out, I've built relationships with union leadership and administrative staff, and I've helped develop the strategic plan that will guide us through this difficult period.

Our schools remain strong because of careful planning and experienced leadership. As we face our most significant financial challenge in years, now is not the time for inexperience. It's time for proven leadership that can deliver results.

I respectfully ask for your vote on Election Day. Together, we'll ensure Holmdel's schools continue to provide the exceptional education our children deserve while maintaining the fiscal responsibility our taxpayers expect.

Re-elect Proven Leaders John Buckley and Jeff Mann, and elect Kevin Schroeter to the Holmdel Board of Education for the 3 open seats as we continue working hard to Preserve Holmdel Schools

learn more at preserveholmdelschools.com
paid for by mann, buckley & schroeter for holmdel boe