Candidate Profile: Ernest Huggard

Galloway Township residents will go to the polls next Wednesday, April 27, to vote in the

While the race itself is uncontested—there are three candidates running for three open seats—it is important for voters to get out to the polls and vote on the budget, a $53,729,135 budget that calls for a tax levy of $28,338,076. It translates into eight-tenths of a cent tax increase, or $16 a year on a home assessed at $200,000.

Last year, the school system was forced to cut a lot of its sports, clubs, programs and services for budgetary reasons, and many of those things will be brought back if the budget passes this year.

As for the school board races, Galloway Patch will present a profile of each candidate running over the next three days. We asked each candidate the same five questions, and will be running their answers through Friday of this week.

We began our profiles on Wednesday with current School Board President John Knorr.

On Thursday, we examined School Board Vice President George Schwenger.

We cap things off with former School Board President Ernest Huggard.

Patch: Why are you running?

Huggard: I previously served on the Board of Education from 1998 to 2010 and obtained extensive experience on board matters. I enjoy working with the taxpayers and children of Galloway. I continually strive to improve our school system. 

Patch: What do you feel are the most pressing issues?

Huggard: Financial stability/funding remain the number one issue. Every year the State of New Jersey changes the amount of funding that Galloway receives, which causes uncertainly within the district.

Patch: What changes would you make to what the current board is doing?

Huggard: I believe the current Board of Education is doing a superb job in managing the taxpayer’s money along with educating the children of Galloway. 

Patch: What are some of the positive things you feel the current board has done?

Huggard: First has been the allocation of next year’s budget and re-hiring of several staff.  The next success was managing this year’s budget with all the re-educations that were required from the dramatic cuts from the State of New Jersey last April.

Patch: Tell us a little about your personal background.

Huggard: I have lived in Galloway for 28 years with my wife Mary and three children Doug, Drew and Catie.  I am also a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of New Jersey.