Gutter Style Politics has no place in the Franklin Lakes BOE

I was appalled by an ambush style hit piece sent by my opponents against me in a flyer recently mailed to the residents of Franklin Lakes. This attack has no place in non-partisan campaigns such as boards of education. Is this the example the board wants to set for our children?

When I decided to run for the board it was to change the culture, improve morale among the teachers that is an all time low, work on the budget that is huge challenge and improve communication to the public. I have run on a very positive campaign using my record of accomplishments at the High School as reasons the people of Franklin Lakes should elect me.

I have not attacked any of my opponents in this campaign nor have I made any false accusations against them, yet my opponents and their allies including many members of the board seem to have a personal vendetta against me. This is an example of the mean spirited culture that exists at current board. This cannot stand. Franklin Lakes deserves better.

But enough of my opponents rhetoric lets look at actual facts and results from my record of accomplishments at the High School.

• 1-Over the last three years in Franklin Lakes, the average household had a tax decrease from the high school
• 2-We applied for and received a triple A bond rating
• 3-Refinanced our bond debt when rates were the lowest saving 2.65 million dollars over the life of the bonds
• 4-Participated in two energy auction over the last 6 years annual cost saving of 40K
• 5-When Faced with 33% increase from Blue Cross Blue Shield, had administrators shop rates and switched to Aetna who came in at 12% saving hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• 6- Cut cost on new lease with copier machines.
• 7-Traded in older apple laptops on new machine while decreasing cost.
• 8- Applied and received State grants for Capital projects. (Millions of Dollars)
• 9- Significantly lowed our legal bills.
• 10- Implemented a RFP for banking (Increased revenue per year)

This is what I can bring to the board actual results, what have my opponents accomplished?

If these attacks become the new normal I fear many good people who want to serve on the board will just walk away. If I were aware of these types of attacks my opponents would use just to win an election I wouldn’t have subjected my family to it.

Franklin Lakes is a good town with wonderful people and this type of politics shouldn’t be rewarded. My opponents campaign slogan is "REACHING HIGHER” but if you ask me they cant go any lower than this.

To be clear, I want to serve on our K-8 Franklin Lakes Board to put our taxpayers, students and parents first. My proven record and character speaks volumes. Continued false, negative and misleading information doesn't belong in Franklin Lakes.

I ask Franklin Lakes voters to reject my opponents bullying tactics and change the culture of the board. It's time for decency in Franklin Lakes.

That is why I am asking Franklin Lakes Voters to Please vote for the Truth Transparency and Trust Ticket

Kristen Evangelista

John Butto

Michael Petrino

Thank you,

John Butto

*I am a member of the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education and this posting expresses my opinion as a private citizen that is neither authorized nor written on behalf of the board.