Here Are 4 Takeaways From Long Valley's Board Of Ed Candidates' Forum

LONG VALLEY, NJ — There are six candidates vying for three seats on the Washington Township Board of Education, five of them participating recently in a forum hosted by the PTAs of the Old Farmers Road and Long Valley Middle Schools.

Candidates on the ballot in attendance at the forum on Oct. 19 at Valley View Chapel included incumbents Carmine Capogrosso and José Lorenço, as well as candidates vying for the seat, Cynthia Field Ruggiero, Walter Curioni and Robert A Waskis, Jr.

While write-in candidate Sarah Gruenwald was permitted to introduce herself, she did not participate in the question and answer period.

Each candidate had a two-minute introduction, with a "15-second grace period" to finish their statements, said Mary Jean Jones, a Long Valley parent who moderated the event on behalf of the PTAs.

The questions, Jones explained to the audience, could be asked to candidates on the panel, but couldn’t be attacking and if they were inappropriate, candidates weren’t required to respond, though they could if they opted.

1. One question from a teacher asked the candidates what they would do to ensure the district progresses in teaching critical thinking? His comments stemmed from hearing comments at board meetings and on social media that children were being indoctrinated, rather than taught to be critical thinkers, something that bothered him, especially as a non-political person teaching the children.

The candidates all agreed that none of the teachers were behaving in a way as some had commented in board meetings and on social media.

Waskis answered that with the pandemic parents were able to observe teachers and he didn’t notice any appearing as the teacher had commented. He said the board is there to create policy, set objectives and goals, focusing on the resources available to the district.

Ruggiero said many teachers live in the community and want to see children flourish, some having grown up in the community, “with the freedom, with the education, with the community involvement, with the love of the town and each other.” She said people always come together in the town when there’s an issue.

Curioni named some teachers and said they “exceeded his expectations,” in terms of how they are in the classrooms. As a former history teacher, Curioni said that he would often have students role play and take the opposite stance, to teach them to think critically, which he believes the district’s teachers are empowering children to do.

Capogrosso said there’s “no room for politics in education,” but that children should be taught to critically think and “to be good citizens within their community.” He feels community service should be part of the curriculum, with helping out those with disabilities and the elderly, among examples. He described the district’s teachers as “dedicated, hardworking individuals.”

Both Curioni and Capogrosso commended the teachers for how they operated during the various phases of the pandemic, including remote learning, when answering this question.

Lorenço echoed the sentiments of the four candidates, describing his son has a “fervor and zest for school,” because of the teachers. He said doesn’t see politics in Washington Township Schools. He said teachers are “on the right track,” in teaching children to think critically.

2. Another question had to do with the loss of state funding, asking candidates what they think "should go" if there is less money to work with?

Waskis answered about the importance of conducting a “stakeholder analysis,” to prioritize, including parents and staff at all levels, to come up with a long-term plan.

Ruggiero said she couldn’t answer what to cut, without a look at the full picture and instead suggested building up teacher salaries, even at entry-level, because she “wants a district that attracts the best.”

Curioni said he doesn’t trust that state aid lost would be reinstated, with Washington Township was the second hardest hit countywide. Where he's an administrator in Randolph, he said he's created programs that have grown, among students from out-of-district, that have brought in tuition for that district.

Capogrosso said he’d get the teachers together to determine which programs are essential, which “on the cusp,” the ones that he would to cut. However, he’d retain staff and essential programs without cuts. Shared services, including busing and performing maintenance on other districts’ equipment, he said could be some ways to increase revenue.

Lorenço, a member of the board’s Finance and Facilities Committee, said the budget is “crafted from the bottom up,” with teachers telling principals and their leads what their needs and wants are. From there, the budgets make its way to the Superintendent’s team. He agreed staffing is essential, with staff cuts a final resort. He said the teachers are burdened enough and shouldn’t face more cuts or take on more students.

3. One social studies teacher expressed her concern with teaching, a curriculum that involves slavery and early America, because of words like "indoctrination" that she's heard from board meetings, referring to parents' questions about Critical Race Theory and concerns classrooms were politicized. She asked how the candidates would support her curriculum, which aligns with New Jersey standards?

Ruggiero explained that “a good teacher teaches the facts,” discussing that the country wasn’t and isn’t perfect, with the country having learned from history, which she said kids need to know. She likened it to Germany where she said German students are brought to concentration camps to learn from the past, their history not hidden. In turn, Ruggiero said she’d support teachers who are teaching the facts.

Curioni told the teacher that as a former history teacher himself, the teacher had his full support.

Capogrosso said teachers offer their input, collaborating "when curriculum is written.” He said slavery, the Holocaust and Hitler, are all part of history; and that he’d support the teachers on what they’d teach or chose as part of the curriculum.

Lorenço said he’d support whatever was appropriate, as long as it complied with the state’s guidance. During a bit of a dialogue with the teacher on Critical Race Theory during the forum, they agreed CRT isn’t in the curriculum, but is a college-level course and concept. He also said he doesn’t believe children can comprehend any of it and it makes race a “defining characteristic," rather than who someone is as a person.

Waskis said he learned in teaching adults and he believed the same for children, it would be important to have a robust curriculum developed. As long as a teacher is following statutes and there is a way to improve on the curriculum, ways to improve should be explored. He also addressed Critical Race Theory, saying those conversations should take place among college-level students, but “it probably shouldn’t be had in a kindergarten class;” and feels that likely many won’t disagree.

4. One parent said they believe COVID is being overused and kids have suffered, especially those with special needs. She asked about accountability for board members, the superintendent and teachers, pointing out a teacher, who she said was a union representative, who referred to parents on social media as "unhinged."

Curioni said he’s the COVID liaison in Randolph and even when schools were closed, students with IEPs were still able to come in for in-person learning. He said the district needs to be creative and can keep schools open in a safe and effective manner.

Capogrosso said Board Members could stay accountable through a vote. Mask-wearing, he said, is now the law and those schools that don’t follow it, could lose state aid. Capogrosso said he stays off social media, but called it “disrespectful” and “wrong” what had happened.

Lorenço said school boards are just “starting to realize what your normal will be,” with transitioning back. He also called it “unacceptable” that a teacher would be writing something that goes against their code of conduct on social media; and they should be held accountable.

Waskis said regarding COVID “everything involves risk and it needs to be mitigated to appropriate levels,” to educate children safely. In terms of dealing with a teacher's comments, Waskis commented that the Board of Education’s only employee is the superintendent; and it should be routed through him.

Ruggiero agreed that the worst of COVID is in the past and while there are variants, people need to move forward. She suggested outdoor facilities be built with monies the school that were supposed to spend on shields, especially for special education students. She said with many vaccinated now, “people should take charge of their own lives” when it comes to decision-making for families.

Click here to watch the full forum.

RELATED: Watch: Washington Twp. Board Of Ed Candidate Forum

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.