Brick Township School Board Election 2023: Michael Blandina

BRICK, NJ — Election Day 2023 is near, and Brick Township voters will be choosing members for the Board of Education in addition to other candidates at the local, county and state levels.

There are two, three-year terms on the Brick Township Board of Education up for election, and four candidates for the two seats.

Patch sent a questionnaire to all of the candidates seeking their responses. Here are the replies from Michael Blandina.

Your Name: Michael A. Blandina

Age (as of Election Day): 59

Campaign Website: None

Family: Mother, Josephine, 84 years old. I am her caretaker.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for. None

Education: Graduate of Brick Township High School and Ocean County College

Occupation: Retired from State of New Jersey. Current owner of Total Package Party Planning and Event, LLC for 10 years. It is a party planning business.

Previous or current elected or appointed office: Member of the Brick Township Board of Education; commissioner on the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority.

Why are you seeking elective office?

To continue to help the school district that I graduated from. I am a Brick Township Boy and am seeking office again because of my love for this town. Also, to continue the fight I began 3 years ago to get our school the full funding we deserve. I have supported and have urged others to support and contact the governor and members of the state legislature when bills in Trenton were put forth to provide our school district with additional fundings.

What do you see as the role of the Board of Education?

One of our most important responsibilities is to hire the Superintendent of Schools. During my tenure on the board, we have finally brought stability to the position by engaging Dr. Farrell in the position for the next 5 years. That stability is essential to guiding the District’s efforts for student achievement, employee professional development and morale as well as fiscal responsibility for taxpayers. We no longer have a revolving door when it comes to a superintendent.

Additionally, a Board member is responsible for the development and adoption of policy to guide the District’s operations in a way that is compliant with the law and meets the mission of the District’s role of educating our students in a way that meets the needs and desires of Brick Township families. My slogan has always been and will always remain BRICK FIRST.

Lastly, a Board member is the eyes and voice of the people of Brick Township. As a Board member, I have and will continue to act in the best interests of all of Brick Township students, parents and grandparents. Seniors on fixed incomes are especially important to me as I have my 84-year-old mother at home, who I care for and is on a fixed income. I will continue to openly and honestly communicate with those residents about the positive efforts being made by the District to do more for students with less money from the State.

State funding has been cut consistently for the Brick Township Schools over the last 7 years. How would you address that?

As mentioned prior I will continue the fight I began 3 years ago to get our school the full funding we deserve. I have supported and have urged others to support and contact the governor and members of the state legislature when bills in Trenton were put forth to provide our school district with additional fundings.

What do you believe is the most important issue for students and families in the Brick Township Schools?

I feel parental involvement and notification of parents in all aspects of their child education is most important. Additionally, I am against state mandates and for home rule. I believe the local district should decide what is best for their students. These decisions locally should include discussions with teachers, administration and most importantly with parents. Reading, writing and arithmetic should be the priority in Brick Township Schools.