Meet The Montville Board Of Education Candidates

MONTVILLE, NJ — Four seats are open on the Montville Township Board of Education this year, and Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the general election.

Karen Cortellino, Charles Grau, and David Modrak are running for three year terms, and Michael Rappaport is running for a one year unexpired term. We asked all three-year term 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.

Grau did not respond. Patch was unable to contact Rappaport, who is running unopposed.

Karen Cortellino, 3 year term

Why are you running for BOE?

It has been a privilege to serve on the Board of Education for 12 years. I love participating in the successes of our students, the advancement of our educational programs, the retention of superb faculty and staff, the maintenance and improvements to our seven school buildings, and the thoughtful consideration of our taxpayer who funds all of this.

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

A significant challenge has been maintaining excellent schools in the face of chronic underfunding by the state. The Montville Township school district has effectively participated in shared services and efficiently managed district finances without hurting the classroom.

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

To answer this question, I turned to a couple of experts—my children. Their three words were dedicated, hard-working and a good listener.

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

I was elected to the Board in 2006 and immediately began to attend as many training programs sponsored by the New Jersey School Boards Association as I could. I became Montville’s first Certified Board Member in 2008, first Master Board Member in 2014 and first Certified Board Leader in 2015. I served as the Board of Education president from 2010 to 2016. I have served on every standing committee of the Board, various Ad Hoc committees, and numerous Negotiations Committees. I currently chair the Board’s Finance and Facilities Committee, the Board’s negotiating committee with the MTEA and the Communications Committee.

I served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Morris County School Boards Association from 2008 to 2010, was elected Vice President from 2010 to 2013, and have the honor of currently serving as the Morris County School Boards Association’s president since 2013.

I currently serve as the Board’s Delegate to New Jersey School Board’s Association. I serve as a member of the County Association Leadership Committee, the NJSBA Legislative Committee, the NJSBA Resolutions Sub Committee. I have been a New Board Member Orientation Group Leader. I was invited to serve on the NJSBA Strategic Planning Committee, the NJSBA Governance Committee and the Charter Schools Committee. I have been honored twice with nominations by my Board member colleagues for School Board Member of the Year. I strongly believe in, and attempt to emulate, the tenants of an effective board member. I strongly believe effective Boards positively impact student achievement. All members on our board believe the same and it is rewarding to watch our students succeed in school and beyond.

Charles A. Grau

• 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?

David Modrak

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

Being on the BOE is a way to give back to the community. Schools are the bedrock of any community and one of the most important government functions. One of the strengths of our schools is that they continue to grow and innovate. I want to encourage and support the administration as they set about achieving their goals, while bringing the voice of the community to the administration.

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

Money. As the cost of education continues to rise far above our ability to increase revenue, we will need to look for novel means of addressing budget shortfalls. Good schools – teachers, facilities, and administration – require adequate funding. The challenge will be to identify how best to use the available resources and communicate that to the community. Fortunately, we have a great superintendent and administration who understand these issues, and the residents of Montville, generally, support our schools.

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

Objective, reasonable, approachable.

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

As a scientist, I come from the point of view that facts and reason are critical to solving problems and growing as a society. I am open to opposing viewpoints and believe that, through honest dialogue and respect, we can tackle any problem that arises.

All candidate images submitted by the candidates and used with permission.