One summer while I was in college, I worked as a janitor in a local elementary school.  Spending eight hours a day scrubbing desks and scraping off dried bubble gum offered vivid evidence that a school district stays busy even during the hazy days of summer.

Summer is a time for taking stock, anticipating challenges, and setting goals to ensure our school district continues to provide one of the best public educational systems in the country.   It’s a time when the Board of Education and the school administration collectively sweat out the details about the coming school year, in part because we turned down the air conditioning to save on costs.

I guess we can afford a little humor, but sadly not much else.  Every indication suggests that next year’s budget will require all of us to consider difficult choices, and so setting goals is particularly important right now.  School districts have an obligation to make sure that everyone in their communities knows where they stand and why.

Over the last few months, many people have framed the discussion about public education in New Jersey around dollars and cents, but shouldn’t we also consider the issue of dollars and sense?  Here’s what I mean.

During a recent Monmouth County School Boards Association workshop on educational leadership during difficult times, the main speaker, Dr. Gerald Woehr, offered a provocative point—public education should not be viewed as an expense, but as an investment.

Dr. Woehr’s comment raises an interesting challenge.  The burden of proof falls on the Board of Education to demonstrate we are indeed spending taxpayer money wisely.  We recognize that the resources of the district are limited, but we also believe a commitment to excellence represents a better value than an acceptance of mediocrity.

Good schools mean we are preparing our children to succeed in a competitive world.  Good schools mean we can recruit the best educators available to ensure a continuum of excellence across generations of students. And good schools mean higher property values, because they attract people who want to live here and are willing to pay top dollar to do so.

As a new school board member you find your idealism confronted by reality on a regular basis, and I admire the veterans on the board who retain enthusiasm and confidence in the face of multiple challenges—from budget cuts to staff reductions to changes in administration.   That’s why goals are so important; they provide focus when distractions abound.

As a board, we approve two sets of goals.  Our first set of goals, the district goals, guides our administration, establishes priorities, and offers the community something tangible to judge.  We established five district goals last year, and will probably end up with the same number this year, too. These goals will align closely with our mission statement—a 63-word paragraph that sums up our commitment to excellence.

The mission of the Holmdel Township Public Schools is to provide a comprehensive and caring educational environment that will develop the potential of every student into achievement.  In partnership with our community, the School District will support all of our student’s efforts to meet and exceed the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, and to become responsible and resourceful citizens and life-long learners.

I think special attention should be given to the phrase “in partnership with our community.”  We’re not saying in partnership with the parents of the Holmdel, but with all residents, because building and sustaining a superior school district is a ‘team sport.’ Good school districts work hard to get as many active participants as possible.

Our second set of goals guides the actions and aspirations of the Board itself.  While they reaffirm our commitment to the district’s goals, they also continually challenge us to consider ways to improve the way we govern—by keeping the lines of communications open, by striving to consider diverse opinions, and by encouraging everyone in the community to become involved.

We expect both sets of goals to be posted on our Holmdel District web site by the time the new school year begins in September.

One of the fascinating aspects of the recent World Cup tournament was how so many teams worked so hard with so much coordination just to score one goal.   And usually that one goal was the margin of victory.   Our goals will require a lot of work, too, and while we won’t have vuvuzela horns to urge us on, we will have the benefit of a solid corps of dedicated volunteers and community activists who want us to score, too.

Have you considered making a commitment to the school district a personal goal for you in 2010-11?  It is certainly easy to do so.  Come to a school board meeting or participate in an event sponsored by a parent-teacher organization.   Talk to your children’s teachers and volunteer in the classroom.  Support the many athletic or artistic activities sponsored by our schools. A good first step is to subscribe to “E-Alert” for our informative series of email alerts through the district web site, which will keep you up-to-date with what’s happening throughout the year.

In the meantime, here’s a goal for everyone to embrace—have a wonderful and safe summer!

Over the last few days, the school district has posted more details about the proposed budget and the staffing cuts that will take place, even if the budget passes.   According to district’s newsletter, 16 positions will be eliminated, including one administrator, 6 teachers, and 9 non-certified staff members.  The Board has also asked all staff members to accept a salary freeze. 

The school district’s home page has more details, including a Q&A document and a “user-friendly” budget.    Check out the top of page 2 of the budget document, and you’ll notice that the proposed operating budget for next year will be slightly less than the current operating budget. 

Polls will be open between 2 and 9.  Voters who have previously used the Fire House to cast their ballots (district 4 and 9) should note that their polling places have moved.  District 4 voters will now vote at the senior center and District 9 voters will go to the Village School.

The last few weeks have been quite a whirlwind for me, and my gratitude goes out to all the people who have been kind enough to contribute to my campaign, put signs on their lawns, write letters to the local papers or simply offer words of encouragement and support.  

Lisa and I are so lucky to have so many good friends.  Thank you.  And don’t forget to vote!

I can’t remember a time when the Holmdel school district faced more financial challenges than it does today.  It looks likely that the school board will need to make cuts  involving not only non-essential services, but possibly more painful cuts in programming and staffing even if the proposed budget passes.  It’s essential that we elect board members who can stay fair and flexible and make decisions that have the interests of the entire community in mind.

That’s why I’m supporting Mike Sockol’s candidacy for the Holmdel Board of Education.

First, Mike has always been fair and reasonable.  We don’t always agree on politics, but he never lets “party lines” affect his judgment.  In fact, I doubt you’ll find too many people who are as open-minded as Mike is. He tries to find compromises that encourage different sides to meet in the middle. Mike really takes the time to listen to different viewpoints, asks questions, and makes up his mind after careful deliberation.  He isn’t afraid to make a decision and stick with it.

Second, I know Mike cares about kids.  He’s been a Holmdel baseball and basketball coach, and he understands the value of youth athletics in the total education of our young people.  As a volunteer in Holmdel youth athletics myself for over 16 years, I’m especially satisfied that Mike supports the prudent use of school facilities for local youth groups when they are available.

Mike has been involved in a wide range of community activities, including the Bayonet Farm Advisory Committee, the Holmdel Environmental Commission, and the Monmouth County Library Commission.  He regularly attends School Board and Township Committee meetings, and has good grasp of the issues facing the community.

You don’t have to work in real estate to know that many people pay a premium price to buy home in Holmdel so they can send their children to our quality school system.  Mike understands that, and even in the midst of the current economic realities, I know he will work hard to make sure Holmdel will continue to provide our kids with the best education possible.

Please join me in voting for Mike Sockol for Board of Education on April 20.

Frank Pento

I was very pleased when I learned that Mike Sockol announced his intention to run for the Holmdel school board. Mike happens to be my son Joe’s HYAA basketball coach, and from the onset, I have been impressed at how he takes the time and effort to give every member of the squad his personal attention. Mike gets it. He understands that these games are for fun, and more importantly, that athletics can be a great way to teach a few life lessons along the way.

I wish I could share with you the excitement that Joe expresses after every game. That’s because he feels like he’s part of a team, and that every contribution he makes is a valuable one.Mike is very fair and has a knack of making everyone feel like a winner, even when they lose.

Mike obviously cares very much about kids, and that’s exactly the quality we need in the men and women who oversee our district. I trust Mike has the right instincts and the right intentions to represent our best interests on the school board. I hope you will join me in supporting Mike on April 20.

MaryAnn Blazer