Carmine Capogrosso Long Valley School Board Candidate

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The Washington Township Schools Board of Education has a contested election this fall, with five candidates who filed to run for three available, three-year seats.

Carmine Capogrosso is the one of two incumbents to put his hat back into the ring.

The other candidates on the ballot include:

• José Lourenço
• Cindy Field Ruggiero
• Walter Curioni
• Robert A. Waskis Jr.

Editor’s Note: Are you a candidate on the ballot? Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the General Election. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) may contact jennifer.miller@patch.com.

Carmine Capogrosso

Name: Mr. Carmine Capogrosso

Town of residence: Washington Township

Position sought: Washington Township K-8 Board of Ed (Re-Election)
Family:Married to wife Audrey for 49 years. Have two grown children; Kristen, a local attorney and Matthew, Director of Football Services for the NY Jets. I have three grandchildren; Francesca, a 4th grader at Flocktown School in Long Valley and twins, Leighton and Jude, 4th graders in Chester.

Education: B.A. and M.S. in Elementary Education from Long Island University MAEEE (Masters of Arts in Economics and Entrepreneurship from University of Delaware

Occupation: Retired Teachers of 40 years

Previous or current elected appointed office: Board of Education Member

Why are you seeking to run for school board?
I have plenty of unfinished business that was not addressed for a year and a half due to the pandemic. We were working on developing articulation and collaboration between high school teachers and grade eight teachers to ensure student success and address any gaps between the curriculum. Developing a public speaking component during ELA starting with grade 5. Finishing the Math audit for grades K-8 so that the curriculum addresses the needs of all students including accelerated students in a meaningful way. Organizing a STEM Fair with the cooperation of the Junior Women’s Club for grades K-8 students. Develop a long range facilities plan for FKS and Middle School to include A/C, upgrades to electrical and ventilation systems. Creating a user friendly web site that is easy for the community to navigate to search for information. These represent a few of the unfinished items that we will address in the coming year.

What is your stance on masks in schools?
With Executive Order 253, the Board of Ed is required to follow the mask mandate unless a parent produces a legitimate medical reason for a child. Should the spread of Covid decrease to level green in NJ, then the district would follow the medical advice of the Department of Health, school nurses and the district doctor. The executive order this year is less restrictive than the one the previous year. (No wearing masks outside or during gym and breaks during the day).

Should schools offer a virtual option?
A virtual option is offered for those affected by Covid 19, whether recuperating from the virus or quarantining.

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in the school district?

• More transparency to the community with weekly bulletins and power point presentations at meetings on topics like new curriculum items, budget, special services, report cards, etc.
• To create a stipend Public Relations person at each school or parent volunteers to ensure media and print coverage for maximum exposure of our district.
• To improve G/T program to involve more students that are not only academically gifted but artistically as well. Recognize students and teachers at board meetings showing off special talents or activities completed in class to the Board and community.
• Utilize assessments to ensure every child receives necessary support services to address the deficiencies discovered in the assessment process. Organize a school wide STEM fair in conjunction with the Junior Women’s Club from grades K-8.
• Promote more Board presence at school activities, namely, Night of the Notables, Junior Honor Society Ceremony, Concerts and special programs at schools, Inventors’ Night, Cook off etc.

What sets you apart from challenging candidates?
I feel I have the experience of being on the Board of Education for three years. I have attended many workshops and webinars given by the NJSBA on topics like:

• Governance I New Member Weekend Orientation
• Governance II Finance
• Governance III School Achievement
• School Law Essentials
• Effective Board Communication
• The Middle School Student
• Policy, Regulations and By-Laws
• Workshop 2020 Virtual
• Best Practices for Effective Committees just to name a few.

I have been fiscally responsible during my three years on the board with regard to expenditures (budget at 2% or lower for three years, negotiated a budget friendly contract for administrators and voted NO to extend superintendent’s contract). I have been part of choosing a new superintendent for the district and meeting one on one with him to discuss future plans of the district.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?
I have had 40 years of teaching experience in the capacity of classroom teacher, teacher of math and science, Economics and Entrepreneurship, Gifted and Talented, Educational Technology and Technology Coordinator for the school. My teaching experience runs from grades Pre-K through 8 including Special Ed and Autistic classes. During my 40 years as a teacher, I devoted my time to the community by organizing senior citizens trips with the children, supporting our veterans, coaching an environmental group of 4th and 5th graders to restore a dirty vacant lot to a beautiful eco garden for students and community, canned food drives, organizing parent activities like Family Science and Math, creating a parent room in the school for the community to use for developing resumes and personal business.

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