Meet James Cody, 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.

Cody was on the Middletown school board when it voted down a redistricting proposal in 2017; read what he said at that time: Middletown Board Of Ed. Kills Redistricting Idea (2017)

Meet New BOE Member James Cody (2011, when he was first elected to the Middletown school board)

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 Cody'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.

James Cody, 66, Middletown Township Board of Education. Yes, Middletown Township Board of Education

i. Elected- 2013-2015

ii. Reelected 2015-2018

Board President 2015-2016

What is your occupation?

Retired business owner

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

Lincroft, 63 years

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

Yes, my two daughters attended Middletown Schools, as well as my wife and I. My granddaughter is now in the Middletown school system with two grandsons soon to follow.

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

As a successful and experienced former small-business owner, Board President and Board of Education member, I bring proven leadership and operational expertise. I understand how efficient operations drive results and how fiscally responsible decisions directly impact our community. During my previous tenure, I helped achieve meaningful progress for our schools while minimizing the financial burden on taxpayers. I’m committed to bringing that same level of accountability, collaboration and fiscal responsibility back to the Board of Education to ensure decisions put our students and families first.

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

a. A big tax hike, and nothing to show for it. No teachers, no programs, no repairs to facilities. Overall, no progress.

b. Neglected facilities. Our facilities show the impact of years of neglect and poor oversight.

c. Ongoing communication failures between the administration, BOE and community. The result of mismanaged and outdated technology.

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% increase. The Board was presented with other options that would have lowered the increase and reduced the overall budget.

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

Our Board failed to show the communication, accountability and teamwork needed to secure a better future for our kids.

What's your favorite thing about living in Middletown?

My favorite thing about living in Middletown is the sense of family & community. It is what makes our town unique.

Meet Sara Weinstein, Running For Election To Middletown School Board

Meet Chris Aveta, 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