Meet The 2019 Lacey School Board Candidates

LACEY, NJ — There is a contested election for Lacey Township's board of eduction. Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the Tuesday general election.

We asked the eight candidates the same five questions:

1. Why are you running for office?
2. What is the biggest challenge you see facing the district and how will you address it?
3. What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?
4. What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?
5. What inspires you?

Candidates were given no minimum or maximum word count, and encouraged to write as much as they needed, or to keep the answers brief if they wanted to.

Here are the candidates:

Three-year term (vote for three)

• Sonia Marchitello
• Shawn Giordano
• Donna McAvoy
• Linda A. Downing
• Ashley Larsen
• Salvatore Armato
• Edward Scanlon
• Gavin C. Rozzi

Two-year term (vote for one, uncontested election)

• Harold "Skip" Peters, Jr.

Here are the answers from all candidates who submitted a response:

Shawn Giordano

My qualifications in business and school finance put me in a position far and above most candidates. I am a proud graduate of Seton Hall University, earing a BS in Management Information Systems from the W. Paul Stillman School of Business. I have spent 25+ years as an executive in the technology industry. As a senior executive of a publically traded company, I assembled a team to double revenues over a 4 year period from $44M to 80M+, managing against a $2M profit/loss budget. I know what it takes to be accountable toshareholders, from a school board perspective, the taxpayers.

I also hold my School Business Administration Certification from the State Department of Education. I understand school finance at a deeper level than most and possess a high level of understanding in curriculum and instruction, and NJ State Law and School policy.

Furthermore, I’m invested in being a board member because I truly care about public education and our students. I’m not coming from a position of being disgruntled or having animosity towards the district as some opposing candidates do.

Given the unprecedented challenges public schools face in New Jersey, the residents, and more importantly the students of Lacey Township deserve the leadership, experience, and integrity.

4. What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

A high performing board acts as a team, a team that works together to debate the issues and come to an agreement that is BEST for students. While we do not always agree on the issues and no single board member has any greater power over another, most of us demonstrate mutual trust and respect towards one another. This is important because we need to be a unified governing body that counts on the input and support of the community.

Currently we have a strong relationship with our township governing body. We have consistent communication with the Mayor and township committee through a monthly liason meeting.

Additionally, we have a strong relationship with the Lacey Township Police Department. Through the partnership, we have been able to provide an armed police officer in every school, implement district wide ALICe training for students and staff, enable construction of security vestibules in each school, and implement our new visitor management protocol.

Currently, we are in the midst of executing our 2nd District Strategic plan that will guide the district forward for the next 5 years. I along with former Board Member Donna McAvoy, were instrumental in driving our first ever district strategic plan 5 years ago. We have encouraged strong community participation in the process. This is critical, as community leaders, parents, students, seniors all need to be involved in order to make our schools the best they can be.

5. What inspires you?

Being elected to, and having served the community as a school board member has been a humbling experience for me personally. As a graduate of Lacey Township Schools, I take tremendous pride in seeing our students graduate and move on to be successful along whatever path they choose to follow in life. Having been raised by an educator I learned early the importance of placing a high value on education.

My inspiration comes from seeing the pride our students demonstrate when they achieve success. From our early pre-school learners to our graduating seniors, each month when we recognize their achievements along the way, that inspires me.

When our graduates become successful business owners, tradesmen, performers, and serve our country, that inspires me.

Many people have asked me why I served, many say it is a thankless job, they would never do it, etc. That inspires me, because as a resident of our community for 48 years, where my parents chose to raise their children and still live, where I choose to raise my children I know my heart is in the right place to do the best I can do working together with others that share the same vision and values that I do regarding our school and our students.

Donna McAvoy

1. Why are you running for office?

I was motivated to run for office because I have a strong desire to make a difference in our school district. I am passionate about children and I want to focus on what is best for ALL students. I recently retired after teaching 29 years in Public Education. I have the time and yearning needed to be an effective board member.

2. What is the biggest challenge you see facing the district and how will you address it?

The biggest challenge facing our district is the funding cuts imposed by Gov. Murphy. Our district has been cut an exorbitant amount of money and more cuts are on the way. It is difficult to provide quality programs, excellent staff, positive opportunities and new initiatives with these cuts. To address this problem, I would work tirelessly with the administration to find creative ways to fund what is needed to make our district run efficiently. I would be in favor of partaking in rallies and organizing buses to go to Trenton to make our voices heard.

3. What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidates?

I am fervent about every aspect of education, from the administrative framework to the preschool student. I love children, I have good intentions and I’m willing to serve for the right reasons! I am the right person to elect because I have board experience. I previously served a three-year term before my parents got sick. During my term, I originated many new initiatives that ultimately helped our district move forward. I was a strong advocate for ALL children and a friend of education. I always displayed fairness, integrity and dignity dealing with any issues presented to the Board for decision making. I was an instrumental part of the first Strategic Planning process and served on many committees. I learned so much about the positive impact an effective board plays in a school district. I have worked in education for the majority of my professional career. I have an understanding of child development which gives me an advantage over the other candidates. I am able to look for solutions with the greatest impact on our number one priority- OUR STUDENTS! All three of my boys attended Lacey Schools, from kindergarten to twelfth grade, so I also bring the knowledge of being a parent in our district for 16 years. I was able to see many positive and negative practices that encourage me to be an advocate. I’m proud of the life experiences my boys received and I want other children to receive the same. I would like to support an initiative to bring ROTC to our district. ROTC is a military regulated program whose purpose is to aid students in developing the abilities and attitudes that will make them academically successful while teaching leadership and self-confidence. I would also like to see more Work Readiness & Employability classes offered in the high school. It is important to me to advocate for additional Drug Awareness and Mental Health classes and programs brought into the schools. I have the motivation to research Best Practices from other districts and bring their Best Practices to Lacey Township. I will hold myself and our board accountable for advancing our mission to educate ALL children fairly and equitably.

4. What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

I believe in the proverb, “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child.” This means that an entire community of people must interact with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. To facilitate communication in our community, I would continue to listen to anyone in our community who would like to talk to me and offer their opinions, feedback or positive solutions to improve our district. I am heavily involved in Lacey Township and have been for 26 years. I feel with my involvement; I am able to see first-hand that an entire community is needed to ‘raise a child.’ I served many years on the Executive Board of Lacey Roller Hockey and Lacey Lightning Travel Baseball. I coached soccer when my boys were young. Presently I am an active member of the Lacey Task Force and I helped to organize four successful Red Night Outs. I have worked determinedly with this committee because I feel it is necessary to educate our students and parents about the dangers of illegal drug use and prevent the abuse of legalized and prescription drugs. Our Task Force works tirelessly to bring speakers and programs into the schools to encourage living a healthy lifestyle. I also volunteer on a regular basis with Hope Sheds Light. Our organization is dedicated to educating families on the disease of addiction by creating awareness, providing resources and instilling hope to support our community. I am also very active with the Lacey Food Bank, Lacey Elks and Rotary of Forked River. I love living here in Lacey Township and I want to give back to my community and be a positive role model.

5. What inspires you?

I am passionate and motivated to do good in this world. I have a strong desire to help others. I believe in the value of public education in a safe environment for all children, and in these challenging times, communication, leadership and above all, accountability need to be the hallmarks of the Lacey Township Board of Education. I want to bring a new energy to the Board, an energy that encourages educational goals, listens to the resident’s concerns, works with parent organizations, researches issues and supports full disclosure as allowed by law.

Linda A. Downing

1. Why are you running for office?

After being elected for nine terms on the Lacey Township School Board, you may wonder why I am running again. First and foremost, I am a mother, grandmother, and an educator. I have been a Lacey resident for 38 years. I retired after 44 years as a teacher and administrator from the Toms River Regional School District. I have also worked these past six years as an Interim (Principal, Supervisor of Science and Supervisor of Special Services) in Toms River, Medford, and Beach Haven, staying abreast of new curriculum and new policies in education. My daughter graduated and attended Lacey schools K-12. My three grandchildren presently attend Lacey Schools. Over the past 27 years, I was fortunate to serve with some very intelligent, respected, and good people who worked together as a TEAM for the students of Lacey.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world" (Nelson Mandela). Our students deserve an education where they can grow and become well educated, independent adults. They are the future! I would like to continue my role as a board member working together as a TEAM to ensure that Lacey schools continue to improve and maintain their reputation as a great school district with good teachers and staff.

If re-elected, I would like to see Developmental Kindergarten and/or Transitional First back in Lacey Schools. Both programs give the students the "gift of time" to be better prepared for educational successes. We need to address the whole child keeping in mind their developmental ages and abilities. I truly believe with interventions in place, a revised Intervention & Referral Services process (I & RS), and either DK or Transitional First, our classification rate for Special Education could be reduced.

2. What is the biggest challenge you see facing the district and how will you address it?

The biggest challenge facing our district and many other districts is the outrageous cuts from Governor Murphy. His unfair school funding formula is shortchanging Lacey Township taxpayers. This year $623,156 was cut from Lacey's school aid; approximately $4.8 million over 6 years! This means less programs for our children and higher taxes for our citizens. We are in litigation with seven other school districts trying to get the money restored. Though letter campaigns need to continue, more face to face contact is important. We will not give up this fight until our money is restored.

The other challenge is our rising number of Special Education students, not only in Lacey, but in the entire state. As I said previously, we are working to put initiatives in place to meet the needs of the struggling student and cutting down on the number of classifications.

3. What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidates?

My experience and qualifications make me the right person to vote for. I have volunteered my time for 27 years serving this district.. This is an unpaid position...totally volunteer work and I couldn't think of a better way to spend my time. I have proven to work as a TEAM player, collaborating with my fellow members and working for the children of Lacey. Those who know me know that I have dedicated my heart and soul to this district. There is no room on any Board of Education for bickering, self-righteousness or resentment. That infestation of negativity only causes disarray and blocks progress.

4. What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

Communication is the key for a school district to gain respect and support. First and foremost, I have always been open and eager to listen. My past experiences prove that. If you are a TEAM player, the word I should never be communicated. There is no "i" in the word TEAM and no one person alone represents the board. It takes a majority of the board to take action. We may not always agree on things, but respect and collaboration prevails. That is so important. Also important is to have board of education meetings that are positive and follow protocol. Negativity, name calling, and the "gotcha attitude" is not something that should be present at a school board meeting where decisions are being made for children! What example is that?

5. What inspires you?

Children. Within each and every child is the desire to succeed. It is our job as adults to help children strive to be the best they can be by providing a safe and nurturing environment in which to learn.

I hope you will vote for me and my team: Downing, Giordano, McAvoy and Peters. Thank you for your time.

Ashley Larsen

1. Why are you running for office?

As a former student that has attended four schools in Lacey Township for the majority of my life, I have a personal understanding of the everyday struggles our students face. Lacey Schools nurture the academic growth of thousands of students, all skilled and bright in their own individual ways. When I graduated, I realized how deeply I care about the well-being of my peers and the future students of Lacey Schools. I was interested in running for many reasons, but the main issues that motivated me to run were our diminishing proficiency, poor reputation amongst other districts, and prioritizing mental health in our schools.

I was a student who struggled myself, alongside countless students across the district. Students have never been more stressed out, the pressure for success has never been higher, and they feel they “just have to deal with it.” The issues facing our district, negatively impacting the well-being and proficiency of our students, will only continue to worsen without intervention. I am one of the only candidates focused solely on proficiency improvement, mental health, and effectiveness of the student voice in our district. Students have been speaking up for years, it is time they are heard.

Ultimately, I am running to reignite lion pride in Lacey and shine a light on some of the most important citizens of our town - the students of Lacey Schools.

2. What is the biggest struggle you see facing the district and how will you address it?

Lacey Schools have an average proficiency of around 50% in reading and writing and 36% in mathematics. While there is a 90% graduation rate, the numbers show students are not leaving K-12 prepared for college. The average test scores have continued to decrease over the years, alongside our district rankings. We see these numbers despite increased standardized testing and college preparation programs. I believe this is one of the most concerning struggles facing our district, as it directly impacts the futures of thousands of our students. How can we prove more proficient? How can we increase our ranking amongst other school districts and help the students who are struggling?

In addition to the decreased proficiency of our students, their stress only increases. Mental health has never been so imperative, with all public schools across New Jersey soon being required to provide mental health education to K-12 students. Many students will stay silent about their struggles with stress, anxiety, and more for many reasons; mainly they feel it isn’t important to worry about, or they stay silent because of the obvious stigma mental health carries. The increased pressure students face has proven to have negative effects on mental health, which can impact their academics. Perhaps there is a correlation between increased pressure to succeed and the diminishing proficiency of our students.

The first step in solving this issue is acknowledging it is an issue. Students are struggling and we need to accept that. Luckily, we have some of the brightest students in the state of New Jersey, who have been vocal for years about what they’re struggling with. We must allow them to voice their concerns and play a part in finding a solution. Focusing on the individual student, no matter their GPA, placement, or class ranking, will allow our students to find personalized success. We must encourage their individual strengths, allowing them the autonomy to find their own path, whether it be college, a vocation, or a member of our armed forces. We must provide them the resources necessary to succeed, especially when it comes to stress and their mental health. Paying attention to these struggles is key to finding positive solutions. We must listen to our students. As a candidate, I am dedicated to highlighting these concerns. Ultimately, all students deserve an equal opportunity toward success.

3. What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidates?

I have firsthand knowledge on the student experience and I can guarantee students will continue to struggle without this prioritizing this perspective. The student voice needs to be prioritized in order to bring positivity back to Lacey Township. Everything that the amazing people working in our schools do is to benefit them: all the students of Lacey Schools. From the paraprofessionals dedicated to helping the students in our Special Education program, to the teachers waking up alongside their students at the crack of dawn, it is all done to nurture the success of Lacey’s children. As a candidate, I am hoping to highlight the best parts of our schools, while also remaining critical of what must be changed.

Many people think that I am too young to be running for Board of Education, understandably. I believe I have the determination, knowledge, and surprisingly experience to positively change Lacey Schools, despite my age. I am one of the only independent candidates running and I have campaigned with my own money, research, and voice without a team or endorsement. I also have no conflicts of interest in the district. I am certified in over 100 hours of leadership training through my school, I am a former club president and editor-in-chief of Seascape Literary Magazine, and current creative writing instructor at OCC for events such as 2019 Teen Arts and Teachers Convention. I am a volunteer project coordinator for events in Ocean County, regularly involved with my community. I have published six articles on my website VoteLarsen.Education regarding some of the most important issues students face. I encourage anyone interested in these concerns to check out these articles for more information and sources. Most importantly, I am a recent, former student of Lacey Schools who has lived in Lacey Township for the majority of my life.

If there’s one thing I’m especially good at, it’s seeing things from multiple perspectives. This season has had one of the most divisive, politically-charged elections, with a lot of conflict occurring between candidates. As an independent candidate, personally uninterested in talking down about any of my opponents, I believe I stand out as someone capable of mediating the obvious divide between parties in our district. I want help highlight all perspectives and find the best solution to the struggles our students, faculty, and taxpayers face. I care more about bringing attention to these issues than getting elected, so regardless of the results on November 5th, you will continue to see me involved in the fight for change.

4. What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

Many people don't realize how community-based education really is. We all play a role in the progress of our schools. Parents, students, faculty, and taxpayers all have an influence on what should be prioritized. I would love to be a voice for the community that has appeared to have less of a say in the direction of Lacey Schools. I want to facilitate communication through more than just monthly board meetings and Facebook posts. I feel there are multiple ways to accomplish this, which can include using technology, community projects, and simply remaining transparent about what needs to be done to positively change Lacey Schools.

As a candidate, I am dedicated to ensuring the community is involved in the progress of Lacey Schools, as well as encouraged to communicate their questions, concerns, and feedback.

5. What inspires you?

As I've mentioned, I was a struggling student in Lacey Schools. As a student who went from having straight A's and taking the SAT in 7th grade to a student struggling to pass, I spent a lot of time reflecting on why this was happening. Did I accept the verdict of my high school GPA? Absolutely not. I went on to community college and relearned what it meant to be a good student. Today I am a student leader succeeding academically, in an honors society, instructing other students in my favorite subject.

What inspires me is the fact that so many other students struggle as I have. Whether it be anxiety and stress like in my case, or anything contributing to a disinterest/ lack of motivation in school, there is always a reason the struggle is occurring. I want to ensure students have the necessary resources to be their best selves, and not have to wait until after they graduate to do so. There is a lot that needs to be changed, and my journey to success has inspired me to pioneer it.

As Albert Einstein once said, "The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." How can we as a community nurture a meaningful, adaptable education for our students with results? I am inspired to focus on the individual student and help them find their own meaningful path.

Salvatore Armato

1. Why are you running for office?

I am running because it seems that the existing board has lost its way. With so much focus on everything except education. I feel that I have the skill set and training to get the incoming board to reset, refocus on education and work towards an effective plan. The plan will be put into place with feedback from the teachers students and community. Only way the district makes a comeback is simply by improving the education the students receive.

2. What is the biggest challenge you see facing the district and how will you address it?

Convincing the remaining board members that the old plan failed and its time for a new plan. Getting the Township to embrace and buy into the new goals.

3. What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?

I listen and respond. We have so many people trying to be heard, but the existing school board doesn’t care what they have to say. We need to listen to them, get them answers and make them advocates of the district and not oppositions of the district. Together with one goal and one focus we can accomplish so much. I will be the candidate that will communicate honestly.

4. What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

Change the format of the town meetings. Start with an update on questions that have been asked prior to current meeting. Respond to emails in a timely manner. Update website often and start a social media page for updates.

5. What inspires you?

Success when others feel it is a lost cause. Our students and teachers inspire me because they want to do so much more and that inspires me to play a role in making sure they achieve their goals.

Gavin C. Rozzi

1. Why are you running for office?

I'm running for a seat on the Lacey Board of Education because I am very concerned about the future of our district based upon the current way the board has governed. Business as usual is failing the taxpayers, teachers and students of Lacey Township. It's time for bold new leadership and a new voice for our community. Numerous incidents have called into question the judgment of the incumbent board members over the years. The first was the mismanagement and fiscal irresponsibility of the district's solar panel project, which was investigated by the state Comptroller's Office and subject of an alert published by their office warning other districts to not make the same mistakes. They found that a lack of oversight from the board and attorney allowed for the unnecessary borrowing of millions of dollars, which Lacey taxpayers will be paying interest on for the next ten years. Lacey needs board members that will provide oversight and not rubber stamp wasteful spending.

Secondly, I was appalled at how the board and administration ran roughshod over the civil rights of two of our brightest students last year when they were suspended for going to a gun range with their parents. The actions of the board and administration in this case rose to unconstitutional heights, as the students were suspended solely on the basis of engaging in fully legal off-campus activity, supervised by their parents. This was an extreme and outrageous punishment and the board overstepped their authority by suspending the students. Where do we draw the line between home and school?

The district now faces a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the ACLU for their actions, and it will likely prove to be costly. Unfortunately, Lacey taxpayers will pay the price for their poor decision making.

In addition to suspending the students, the board's disrespect for the public came to a head when Lacey School Board Attorney Christopher Supsie lashed out at the public and branded concerned parents as a "chicken gallery" at a public meeting held following the suspensions. This struck a chord with me as I have a background in constitutional law, as I previously worked as a teaching assistant for courses in Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties at Stockton University. Their actions not only violated the law, but the way they handled the public backlash only made the situation worse. If elected, I would use my background to protect & uphold student civil rights and avoid costly litigation such as this. Our opponents have continued to defend the suspensions.

Lastly, another incident that showed questionable judgment was the handling of the departure of former board member Tom DeBlass. This was another example of the board putting politics above education. As a recent Patch article stated, Mr. DeBlass had to resign because of his business travel schedule prevented him from attending meetings. However, he stated that board members told him it was "no big deal" to be constantly missing meetings. This speaks volumes as to the problems inherent with the culture of the current board, as they failed to treat this issue with the seriousness it deserved. DeBlass did not resign until public pressure forced the board to act after they faced criticism from the public and other board members from as far south as Pleasantville. The resignation conveniently took place over the summer, after the deadline for the seat to go on the ballot and be decided by the people of Lacey Township, rather than appointed by 6 elected officials. I filed an OPRA request that showed that DeBlass's absenteeism was a problem as far back as 2018, yet they waited until the absolute last minute for him to resign so that they could install Frank Palino, a former board member that was previously voted out of office in 2013 rather than have the seat be decided by the voters at the next election. This was a true disservice to the people of Lacey. The occupant of that seat should have been elected by voters, not a handful of unaccountable politicians.

2. What is the biggest challenge you see facing the district and how will you address it?

Threats to school funding are by far the biggest challenge confronting the district. We face state aid cuts, that if left unchallenged will result in more painful cuts and layoffs. We need to advocate at a state level for Lacey's fair share of funding. Another problem for school funding is the PILOT (Payment in lieu of taxes) agreements that were passed by the township committee. These agreements, which are in place for certain development projects, exempt developers from paying the normal property taxes assessed on every other property in the township. They are especially pernicious because rather than divvying up the revenue with the school district, the township keeps all PILOT monies. The end result is to create an unfunded mandate on the school district, as individuals who reside in the development utilize the schools, but no money is being put back into the school budget to offset that demand, meaning that every other taxpayer in Lacey must deal with tax increases to offset the loss. The Lacey Board of Education needs a strong advocate to pursue every available dollar of revenue. If elected, I would encourage a resolution opposing any future tax breaks for developers and work to negotiate with the township to bring PILOT revenue back to the district. I would also pursue advocacy at the state level and working in conjunction with other districts to reform PILOT and other funding challenges. This has been done by other boards, including Waretown, but so far Lacey has refused to take action, perhaps due to the political support the incumbents have received from township political players.

3. What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?

I believe the current board is out of touch with the needs of the community. During during public meetings those with different perspectives have been shouted down, disrespected and gaveled by the incumbent board members. I feel it is important to bring a new perspective to a board that has been historically dominated by one political faction.

As opposed to the other candidates, one of the most important things that I bring to the table is that I have no conflicts of interest. Other candidates have relatives working the district or past ties to teacher unions that make them legally prohibited from voting on some of the most important business that comes before the board, such as labor negotiations and the appointment of the superintendent. I am not tied down by special interests and can vote in the best interest of the district.

Additionally, I bring an unsurpassed knowledge of technology to the board and will use my background to ensure that our schools are prepared for 21st century learning. I've developed tools that increase government transparency in every county in the state, including the OPRAmachine public records service. I've spoken at technology conferences and written open-source software.

4. What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

To facilitate communication with the community, I will make use of social media platforms and share what I can from public meetings. Additionally, I want to explore new ways of increasing public participation, including making use of technology to do this, such as by creating an open data portal to allow residents to view public documents without needing to file an OPRA request. One other idea that I would like to explore is creating a citizens budget advisory committee, where we could appoint concerned residents to solicit feedback on the budget and their priorities for Lacey schools.

5. What inspires you?

I am inspired by how Lacey Township is a unique community. We have dedicated teachers, parents and staff. Despite our differences, Lacey still manages to come together and be greater than the sum of its parts. I am also inspired by my family's history of public service and how they have left their communities better than they found them. My uncle, John Gardi, was the former athletic director and football coach for Lacey and helped cement the tradition of pride in our sports programs. My aunt was a former superintendent and principal in Monmouth County and mentored one of Lacey's former superintendents prior to her working in the district. My great uncle, Samuel J. Rozzi led the Nassau County, NY Police Department as Commissioner and instituted many reforms as well as playing a role in the prosecution of the infamous Lufthansa Heist, and his wife was one of the first women to assume a prominent role in county government.

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