Bridgewater-Raritan School Board Election 2023: Jeff McNally

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Board of Education general election on Nov. 7 has seven candidates running for three open seats representing Bridgewater and one open seat representing Raritan.

Jeff McNally is running for the one, three-year seat representing Raritan. Opposing candidates include incumbent Michael M. Pepe and Umesh Agrawal.

There are also three, three-year full-term seats representing Bridgewater open. Candidates include Barry R. Walker, Rebecca Hassouna, Jarrett Hahn, and Hector Menendez. Harini Rajagopalan withdrew her name and will not be running this year anymore.

Additionally, there is a referendum question on the ballot. Voters previously approved the first part of the District's referendum in March to make significant renovations to district-wide schools and to have full-day kindergarten.

The second question appearing on the ballot in November will ask the two communities to approve the total operating costs of the full-day kindergarten for $2.46 million.

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Jeff McNally

Age: 69

Town of residence: Raritan Borough

Position sought: BRRSD BOE for Raritan Borough

Family: Wife, daughter, and three grandchildren

Education: VoTec Graduate, and four-year Union Carpenter’s Journeyman Night School

Occupation: Owner and operator of A-Sential Well & Pump

Previous or current elected appointed office: N/A

Campaign website: N/A

Why are you seeking election on the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education?

I am a newcomer seeking election as I feel I can give a positive contribution to the School Board. I don’t agree with politicizing school curriculum or activities. We should be focusing on providing a strong and well-rounded education with the best interests of the children in mind. Partnership among parents, teachers, and administration is what makes our schools great. The voice of parents are an integral part of a child’s education and should always be considered. I would be supportive of a parent-school partnership, collaboration, and communication.

The second portion of the referendum will go up for a vote in November. Are you in
favor of this? Why or why not?

This coming November referendum question is a decision that applies to the whole Bridgewater-Raritan community. I will share some thoughts regarding this issue.

The Bridgewater Raritan Regional School District has been offering a half-day kindergarten program for many decades, and we have enjoyed the fame of an excellent Blue Ribbon School District. Our schools have consistently provided a competitive education to students, thus attracting families with school-aged children, who call Bridgewater and Raritan their home. A lot of people don’t realize that currently, NJ residents are not required by law to have a kindergarten
program. NJ districts have the option to offer Kindergarten at half-day, a full-day schedule, or not at all. It is the residents’ discretion to decide as a whole whether to fund a full-time kindergarten program by increasing their taxes. In addition to the financial ramifications, the educational benefits of a full-day kindergarten vs. half-day remains to be proven.

I do have additional concerns about the way it has been proposed for the implementation of a full-day kindergarten. It requires a series of complex moves that include moving the 6 th grade from the intermediate school to a traditional middle school with 7 th and 8 th grades. My concern is that the renovated middle school may not be able to accommodate up to 50% more students while only expanding one wing of the building. In my opinion, an additional wing may not have enough classroom space and common areas to accommodate the additional students. There could be an opportunity for a better solution if people do not like the current proposal. If we are going to do it, let’s do it right.

There could be also more creative solutions to the funding aspects of this question. These include using other revenues such as subsidized tuition. This will help lessen equity problems for children in low-income families and their access to the program, and one that does not burden the general population, including fixed-income residents. Families who want a choice of school by sending
their five year-old children to private school will also not have to pay twice.

When I talk to community members, a lot of people were not clear about what the referendum means. The proposed referendum consists of three (3) questions. Each of the first two
questions asked voters to approve a portion of a tax raise.

Two of the questions were already voted on in March 2023. Question 1 asked for approximately $84 million in funding for infrastructure renovations throughout the district. This amount would be funded through debt in the form of a 25-year bond. This was approved by the public in March with 4,196 votes.

Question 2 in the March vote was about expanding the middle school building to accommodate space for a full-day kindergarten program, with a debt in the form of a 25-year bond for an additional amount of $29 million.

This question only asked for taxpayer support on the construction costs. The added recurring operational cost of the full-day kindergarten program such as hiring more teachers and associated staffing and materials was not included. These additional operational costs are a yearly recurring costs that are determined to be $2.4 million annually. This is what you are voting on in the November Referendum question.

What is important here is that the March Question 2 that was voted on and approved and the upcoming November 7 question are intertwined and related. So although in March, the question passed with 3,548 votes, it is a conditional pass, which means it depends on the November question to also pass, which is to create a full-time kindergarten. If the full-time kindergarten program is not approved that would mean the whole proposal of the additional $29 million project would not proceed. People have a chance to make up their final decision on the issue with their vote on November 7.

Ultimately it is the voter’s decision. I would encourage anyone to study the referendum proposal, look at the issue, and vote.

Transportation is a statewide issue. Do you feel transportation issues are being handled well by the Board? Why or why not? If not, how do you propose improving it?

There have been challenges with transportation for our schools that should be addressed so that our children are transported safely. The school district has not handled it well, and chronically so. Parents came to School Board meetings and mentioned that students were left on a bus, in addition to buses being extensively late. This is not acceptable. We need to secure and improve the transportation for our students. I am glad to see that the current Board has taken actions towards improving this problem with the approval to equip buses with GPS so that parents can monitor their child’s whereabouts. Taking actions should always be done with urgency and priority.

Security at schools remains a high priority. Are you happy with the district's security plan for students and staff? If not, what would be your alternative?

The Board of Education approved the hiring of a District Community Security Team in 2022 as part of an approved school security plan is a step in the right direction. The safety of our children is paramount. I’m willing to listen to anything the hired experts have to say in the future or for that matter any suggestions that the general community may have.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the district?

Other issues I would like to tackle if elected would be to further a collaborative partnership within the school district that’s built on trust and communication.

I also think mental health is very important. There is a high rate of mental health issues including suicidal ideation among the youth which is a serious problem and needs to be addressed. We need to address the mental health concerns for the kids.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

I have a unique background of a tradesman among the current Board Members and candidates. College is great, but it’s not for everyone. We want every student to succeed, college or not. We should make sure the schools teach the fundamental basics of reading, writing, arithmetic, and getting the next generation ready for life to be successful, whatever career path they choose. The biggest problem I hear and see from employers is getting qualified people to fill jobs. It’s important that we also make students aware of a career path working in the trades. I believe I offer a different perspective than the other candidates. Different, but nevertheless important. If elected, I will work collaboratively with other School Board Members and contribute from my unique perspective.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

I’ve lived in Central Jersey for my entire life. I grew up in Branchburg and I am the oldest of 11 children. I have lived in Raritan for nine (9) years. I worked as a union carpenter for 20 years with experience in being a journeyman and foreman. I proudly took part in building the Bridgewater Mall, Johnson & Johnson buildings, and Merck Pharmaceuticals. I have owned my well water conditioning business for the last 35 years with my wife, serving families in Raritan and nearby towns. I am married with one daughter and three grandchildren. Church is a big part of my life. I have lived through life’s ups and downs with both trials and triumphs. As a member of the older generation, I want to share my life experiences with what I have learned with younger generations. Where I have failed may be an example to others so they won’t have to. How I stood up proudly again may be someone’s inspiration. There have been many times I had someone who’s been there done that, who helped guide me through the pitfalls in life. I want to do the same for other people in need and offer a helping hand to the community I live in. I would like to influence our youth in a positive way. With your vote, I would be honored to represent Raritan in helping to decide our children’s educational path. I care deeply about this community.