Brick Candidate Profile: John Talty

Profiles of the candidates for the Brick Township Board of Education are being presented for informational purposes.

Responses are unedited.

Candidate’s Name: John Talty

Employer/Job: Retired Chemical Laboratory Technician, Ciba Geigy. Union President Local 8-562.

How long have you lived in Brick? Over 60 years.

Have you ever held elected office or served as an appointee to any government board (where and when)?

Yes, I was elected to the Brick Board of Education to serve a 3-year term in 2004, elected again in 2010, and once again in 2013 (I resigned shortly after heart surgery in April 2014, but I quickly realized my decision was premature, as my health improved tremendously. I tried (unsuccessfully) to rescind my resignation. I am trying to regain my seat for the one year remaining on that 3-year term.).

1. With all the concerns that Brick students are not keeping pace academically with their peers, what do you feel is the best course of action to help them improve?

The best course of action to help students improve academically is to continue to concentrate on strong writing and reading comprehension skills, as well as making sure the district offers math courses, at every grade level, that prepare our students for higher education and the work force.

2. Governor Christie has said he wants to drop the state’s support of Common Core. Do you feel this will help or hurt the goal of improving students’ preparation for college and the working world?

The goal of Common Core is to outline what skills students should master at each grade level. If our district sets high academic standards, and monitors the progress of students, we can improve students’ preparation for college and career, whether the state supports Common Core or not.

3. It’s no secret that residents of Brick (like so many towns) believe we are spending too much in taxes to support the schools. How do you propose to balance the voters’ desire for no increases with the needs of students and the buildings and grounds where they are educated? What is your top priority?

While there are many needs in any school district, it is important to be mindful of the financial burden on the taxpayers. I have demonstrated my commitment to this — while I served on the Brick Board of Education, we were able to make many district improvements and still give a 0% tax increase in 2012-13, less than 1% of a tax increase in 2013-14, 0% tax increase in 2014-15, and a property tax relief of $1.3 million to the taxpayers in 2011. As I have done as a member of the board before, this can be done through grants, energy savings, and other creative means. My top priority is always the safety of our students.

4. Why (in 75 words or fewer) are you the best candidate for the school board?

I am a Certified Master Board Member, after many hours of classes and training taken over my years as a board member. As a resident of Brick for over 60 years, I understand our town, our people, and our needs. I have a demonstrated record of voting for full-day kindergarten, technology upgrades, and over $6 million of facilities improvements (with less than 1% tax increase in 3 years). I would greatly appreciate your vote!