Meet The Washington Township Board Of Ed Candidates

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — Washington Township voters will head to the polls this November to elect members to both the local and regional school boards. Patch caught up with them ahead of the general election.

Carmine Capogrosso and Justin Kinney are running for three open spots on the local board of education. We asked all candidates the same four questions:

• Why are you running for Board Of Education?
• What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?
• What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?
• What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

All candidates were sent the questions at the same time, and were given the same deadline to submit them. They were given no minimum or maximum word count, and encouraged to write as much as they needed, or to keep the answers brief if they wanted to. Answers were submitted by email and are presented here as submitted. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Joseph Galayda, an incumbent candidate for the West Morris Regional Board of Education, declined to participate, citing his previous experience on the board. David Kennedy, who is also running for the regional board, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Carmine Capogrosso, Local Board

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

As a retired teacher of 40 years with a granddaughter in first grade, I want an opportunity to serve the community, ensure a quality education for all students and provide an opportunity for all stakeholders in Washington Township. I want to improve communication between the board and the community, be fiscally responsible and work toward having more community involvement with the schools. I will bring a student centered approach to the board and provide a fresh insight and vision.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

The biggest challenge facing the board is decreasing enrollment and reduction in state aid to the district. Our district is top heavy. There is no need to have an Assistant Superintendent or Literacy Coordinator in a district with an enrollment of about 2000 students within four schools. The elimination of those two positions would save the district over $250,000 per year. When speaking to community members the two major complaints they have are: taxes are too high and the district is too top heavy. We must act fiscally responsible, fund programs that have a high rate of success and use the most cost effective ways in educating our children.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

The three words that describe me are: dedicated, honorable and confident.

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

My educational background in all areas of the school environment (classroom teacher, special teacher for Math, Science, Gifted and Talented, Educational Technology, and Economics and Entrepreneurship) provides me the necessary insight and tools to be an effective board member.I have worked with parents and provided programs and opportunities for them to get involved within the school (Rutgers Family Science and Math, Oratoricals, workshops for parents after school etc.). Every board meeting should begin with some sort of student presentation showcasing their skills and talents. I was part of the leadership team at my school to complete district, state, and technology reports. I also organized community activities such as, Toys-for Tots, Canned food drives, Desert Storm Yellow ribbon Project, Space Shuttle and 911memorials, etc.I am looking forward to working with the community, teachers and staff, children, administrators and fellow board members to secure a quality education for all students.

Justin Kinney

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

With three young daughters in elementary school, running for the Board presents an opportunity to ensure the continued excellence of our schools for them and for all the children in our community, but also an opportunity to give back to the community in which our family has lived for nearly twelve years.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

I think the biggest challenge facing our schools is maximizing our tax dollars for the benefit of our children to continue to give them opportunities for the best education possible. I do not know that there is any one way to address this and suspect it will take a varied approach. What I can say is that I will keep an open mind to all options and will endeavor to be creative where possible to try to address this challenge.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Committed, sincere, persistent.

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

I think my experience as a law firm partner for seventeen years, and part owner for four years, including of a law firm started in 2016, has not only prepared me to be, but made me, an effective leader.

Head image via Shutterstock. All candidates images provided by the candidates.