Central Regional School Board Candidates Respond To Superintendent Letter

A Letter to the Editor from Central Regional Board of Education candidates George Dohn and Jason Mroczka:

After reading a recent Letter to the Editor from the Superintendent of the Central Regional School District; we George Dohn and Jason Mroczka find it necessary to respond. There are additional facts that were conveniently omitted regarding the upcoming School Board Election.

As everyone can agree - it is very important to research the candidates you will be voting for, so you can carefully choose the best candidate(s) that you feel would bring the most value to the students and to the Central Regional School District.

Within the letter, written by Dr. Parlapanides, he stated how important it was that the residents know the facts and have a good understanding of state law in order to make an educated decision when they vote in November. We too, agree. Dr. Parlapanides went on to say that he would “clear the air” and “educate the voter’s” as he further explained the procedures within his letter.

However, Dr. Parlapanides failed to include and educate the voters on a few very important and pivotal facts that may make a difference with whom you consider voting for in November. It is actually quite disheartening that Dr. Parlapanides would leave out such crucial facts; especially since he expressed such importance into knowing the facts before one votes. It appears that he was not very forthcoming when “clearing the air”. Therefore, allow us to do so.

The following facts do not just affect us as candidates; they affect all of the candidates running for School Board this year.

Yes, George Dohn and Jason Mroczka are two police officers running for the Board. Yes, Central does have a shared services agreement with the Township of Berkeley. NO, there is not a direct or an in-direct conflict of interest here. The school and the administrators are not their bosses. This is why the state does allow them to take the oath and sit on the School Board. They too will abstain, just like the other current board members do, when matters arise pertaining to their sports clubs and organizations as Dr. Parlapanides stated.

Unfortunately, the same does not apply for Mrs. Denise Pavone-Wilson, as Dr. Parlapanides led you to believe. This is the disheartening part about the letter. Dr. Parlapanides claims he wanted to “clear the air” and “educate the voters” on the law and the truth.

Actually, he is misleading the voter’s by leaving out some very important truths. The fact is, legally, anyone who meets basic criteria has the right to run for the school board. Yes, Mrs. Pavone-Wilson has the right to run. However, should she win, she cannot take the oath and sit on the school board unless she quits her job at the Seaside Heights Elementary School. This would mean giving up her salary, full medical benefits and a pension to sit on this School Board for free.

The truth is…….Dr. Parlapanides is Mrs. Pavone-Wilson’s boss, in which he clearly stated, due to the shared services agreement between the two school districts. This is exactly what makes her ineligible to take the oath and actually sit on the Central Regional School Board; because if she was to sit on the school board, she would now, technically, be Dr. Parlapanides’ boss.

This conflict here is quite clear. It is this type of situation, as to why the New Jersey Ethics Commission has established Advisory Board Opinions; such as, A11-13 and A06-13 which was established July 31, 2013. It is also an advisory opinion which led Mrs. Pavone-Wilson to step down from the Central Regional School Board, in the first place, back in 2013, when she accepted the position at the Seaside Heights Elementary School.

Based on these facts and the advisory opinions, the same criteria apply. Mrs. Pavone-Wilson has the right to run for school board, but she cannot sit on the Central Regional School Board should she win; unless she quits her job.

To the voters, we are not questioning Mrs. Pavone-Wilson’s ability to be a good candidate. Honestly, we do not even know her. We just want you to know that her eligibility to take oath is in question. If she was to win the election, understand one of two things will happen.

She will resign from her job at the Seaside Height’s Elementary School and lose her salary, full medical benefits and her pension to take the oath and sit on the Central School Board for free.

She decides not to take the oath and keeps her job. This would then allow the current school board to fill the position with whom they choose. Not who the voter’s would have voted for if they knew her intentions, prior to the election.

Again, since having all the facts are very important when voting, we found it necessary to respond. Good luck to all of the candidates.