Toms River School Board Election 2020: Christopher Raimann

TOMS RIVER, NJ — When voters go to the polls Nov. 3, they will be asked to choose three people to serve on the Toms River Regional Board of Education.

There are nine people seeking those three seats, which are three-year terms on the board.

Patch asked each candidate to answer questions to give voters information about who they are and their stances on various issues. We are printing their responses in full, unedited except for spelling or punctuation.

Here are the answers from Christopher Raimann, who is running under the Moving TR Forward slogan. His running mates are Bridget Maillard and Robert Onofrietti Jr.

Previous elective office, if any:

Yes, Toms River School Board 2016-2018

Does anyone in your family work for the school district or in politics?

No employees in district or in politics

Education

Bachelor of science, Rutgers University

Occupation

Sheriff's Supervisor, Ocean County Sheriff's Department

Why are you seeking a seat on the school board?

Seeking the TRBOE to provide leadership and transparency regarding finances, hiring, education and student goal orientated. Answer to the people of Toms River, not the BOE or Central Administration. Represent all shareholders.

The single most pressing issue facing our school district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Finances continue to be the No. 1 issue. S2 funding has really cut into our schools and our community. Audit entire budget. Allow the Township of Toms River to conduct a study (free of charge) to determine true waste, efficiency for all matters involving our students and staff. The last cuts should be made in the classroom along with preserving our educators. Look to consolidate in some areas and explore the possibility of selling 1144 Hooper Avenue. Enter into a shared service agreement with all towns (Toms River, South Toms River, Pine Beach, Beachwood). The tax and spending has to stop. Say NO to any administrative raises at 1144 Hooper Avenue. How can you ask people to march to Trenton crying poverty and then hand out 9,000 raises in the midst of an economic crisis along with COVID-19?

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve on the school board seat?

We will be held accountable. We will not be tied to any political party and will hire people based upon credentials, not contributions to people seeking election. We will provide real trust and honesty. Civility is also needed on the board and at Central Administration.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Actually listen to the community and respond back. Accountability still is lacking eight years later. Professional service contracts continue to go to the same large companies who are making millions of dollars on the back of the Toms River taxpayers and impacting our children and teachers' futures. Implement a budget yearly to allocate money set aside for sports, music, arts etc. This would stop the rhetoric and the idle threats made every year about cuts outside of the classroom. Ask the question would you have voted for a referendum for new turf fields if you knew we might be cutting all sports?

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective on the school board?

While on the TRBOE 2016-2018 I voted against the superintendent's new million-dollar contract which was done right after an election knowing full well the board was changing hands. I voted no several times on legal fees which were not in line with fiscal responsibility . Legal fees were very high due to legal matters which were not part of the education involving students. Worked with Central Admin and the Toms River Police on creating the Class III officers in our schools. Chaired Super Safe Committee for three years (drugs, bullying, student awareness). Involved with the referendum project which was approved by the taxpayers to upgrade in and out of the schools.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Lifetime resident of Toms River. Six siblings. Father Robert Raimann was an educator for 35 years with the Ocean County Vo-Tech School. Lifetime member Saint Joseph's Parish (usher). Volunteer member of A Need We Feed, Just Believe.

Married 18 years to Andrea; two children in district, one at Toms River South, one at Intermediate South.

Avid runner. Love the NY Yankees. Ocean County Police Academy Graduate Class 72

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be yourself. Family First!