Meet Chris Aveta, Running For Middletown School Board

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Nov. 4 will be an election for Middletown Township Committee and school board. Early in-person voting starts this Saturday, Oct. 25.

There are seven candidates running for three seats on the Middletown school board:

James Cody, Chris Aveta and Sara Weinstein (running together on the Students, Parents, Taxpayers slate), James Dobis, Erin Torres and current Board members Leonora Lacqua-Caminiti and Joe Fitzgerald.

Patch asked them all the same series of questions, and all seven got back to us. We will be publishing their candidate profiles. Here are Aveta's answers:

Your name, age and office you are running for. Do you currently hold this office and if so, for how long? Both years and terms. Have you ever run for elected office before? Please list all races and their outcomes.

Christopher J. Aveta, running for Middletown Board of Education. I am not a current Board member.

I served on the Middletown Board of Education from 2010-2014. Was board president in 2013.

What is your occupation?

Senior Director of Sales for a Global Provider of Legal Support Services.

What part of Middletown do you live in? How long have you lived in town?

Village section, over 20 years.

Do you have children in the district or did your children attend Middletown schools in the past?

Two children both attended and graduated from the Middletown School system.

What specific skills or accomplishments can you cite that would compel voters to elect you to the Board of Education?

With a Bachelor's degree in Finance, significant experience working with budgets and proven leadership as Board President, I believe I can offer a unique blend of financial expertise and practical experience. As Chair of the Finance committee, I successfully collaborated with the Administration and the Board to balance the districts budget year after year. I consistently kept the budget under the state's mandated 2% budget increase cap while simultaneously prioritizing key investments in our student's future. This included implementing new curriculum, making upgrades to school facilities and negotiating fair contracts with multiple unions — all while maintaining fiscal responsibility. During my tenure, we also made strategic investments by setting aside funds for future facility upgrades in order to maintain long-term sustainability. If elected, I am committed to maintaining this balance of fiscal responsibility and continued improvement and growth for our community's schools.

Please list the 3 biggest issues the Middletown school district is currently facing.

1) Balancing the Budget: Managing the annual budget within the 2% cap while still addressing the growing demands for new curriculum, programs, facility upgrades and contract negotiations.

2) Addressing Facilities needs: Ensuring timely and efficient upgrades to our aging school facilities while maintaining fiscal responsibility and long term planning for future improvements.

3) Negotiating Collective bargaining Agreements: Settling various contracts with various unions, ensuring teacher and staff satisfaction, while keeping the district's financial health in mind.

Joe and Leonora joined a majority Board vote earlier this year to increase the Middletown schools property tax by 10.1 percent. Many residents, notably seniors but also others, pleaded with the board not to increase the tax, and the district also warned it would not prevent the future closure or consolidation of some schools.

To the others not currently on the board: Would you have voted for the 10.1 percent tax increase or not? Please explain why or why not.

No, I would not have voted for the 10.1% tax increase.

There were alternative solutions presented that weren't fully explored, and this $16 Million increase came without any added value. I am a firm believer in responsible budgeting that prioritizes planning, community input and delivering tangible benefits in return for taxpayer dollars.

In the past year, what mistakes has the Middletown BOE made? Or, asked another way: Where could the Board have done better?

I think the Board could have done a better job of engaging the community earlier in the budget process, more thoroughly evaluating any alternative solutions and ensuring any tax increase would deliver clear benefits for the Students, Parents and Taxpayers.

What's your favorite thing about living in Middletown?

The people, sense of community and great location. It really is one of the best places to live, work and raise a family.

Meet Sara Weinstein, Running For Election To Middletown School Board

Meet Joe Fitzgerald, Running For Re-Election To Middletown School Board

Meet James Dobis, Running For Election To Middletown School Board

Mayor, Companies That Do Business With Middletown School District Donated To Students, Parents, Taxpayers Slate