Meet The 2019 Montville Board Of Education Candidates

MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Three seats are open on the Montville Board of Education this year, and Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the general election.

Four candidates are running for three open three-year terms on the board. We asked all candidates the same four questions:

• Why are you running for Board Of Education?
• What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?
• What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?
• What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

All candidates were sent the questions at the same time, and were given the same deadline to submit them. They were asked to keep answers to a maximum of 200 words each. Answers were submitted by email and are presented here as submitted.

Christine Fano

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

I really want to give back to our schools and our great community that has served my family so well; including my own two children and my 13 nieces and nephews who went through our public schools. With 68% of our taxes going to the school budget, this is a significant job. It has gone unchallenged for far too long, leaving the position to be filled by long-time incumbents or anyone who steps up. I offer a fresh perspective and a better choice for voters.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

To keep and improve Montville's academic excellence along with athletics, arts, and other extracurricular programs while maintaining financial responsibility to Montville taxpayers. I plan to address this by keeping a dialogue with administrators but especially during the budgeting process when I will scrutinize all new spending initiatives.
Also, mental health awareness, drug awareness, and prevention are very important, and I plan on engaging parents and professionals to help implement policies that support our students, staff, and families.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

As someone described me on a recent birthday card, I believe I am: Caring, Courageous and Hospitable.

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

Being a successful and profitable small business owner will serve me well as a school board member. I have built and managed two successful business, so the word "budget" is part of my vocabulary. My leadership skills and successful consensus building will certainly be applied if I am elected. I don't believe in spending funds, just because they are available or spending funds I don't have. Thoughtful examination and leadership in this regard are one of the things I do best.

I have also been an advocate and volunteer for disabled children and families over the last 18 years. I have worked side by side with teachers, administrators and board members trying to improve the lives of this special population while being extremely mindful of the financial impact it has on the community. I was a PSO (Parent Staff Organization) President for 4 years and Vice President for 2 years and I vigorously supported and fundraised for essential programs. I successfully advocated for policies giving parents and teachers a greater voice.

John Morella

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

I have been a member of the Montville BOE for nine years and still truly enjoy serving for the district. I feel with my background as a Lieutenant for the West Orange Police Department and have been heavily involved with the West Orange School District as the Liaison and as the commander of the School Resource Officer Program lends itself as an individual on the board with a specific expertise in the areas of School Security, Active Shooter Response and The Memorandum of Understanding between Law Enforcement and Education. I made the push for Montville’s School Resource Program getting off the ground and I am happy to say it is thriving. I also graduated from Rutgers University with a Finance Degree and over the last nine years of being on the board, I have a firm understanding of the budget process when it comes to a school district. I consider myself fiscally responsible not only for the students and staff of our district but also for Montville’s tax-payers. I have two children and one niece in the district and had six other nieces and nephews graduate from the district, which makes me thoroughly invested and want only the best for the district.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

As always, everyone is concerned about the rising cost of healthcare for the employees of the district and it is something that's hard to control, but if you were to look at this current board's track record we have kept a good lid on the rising cost. I plan to keep fighting to keep that cost at bay, while still providing our staff with the health care that they deserve.

Another challenge is the Safety and Security of our children and staff members. As you look around the country the senseless violence that happens in our schools has become an epidemic. Our children are our most precious resource and although education is extremely important, their safety is paramount. I will fight for the district to utilize the most up to date training, consistently look to improve the security through available grants and funding, along with enhancing the education of staff and students on what red flags to look for to hopefully pre-empt violence.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

The three words I would use to describe myself are:

Driven, Team Player and Broad Minded

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

As I mentioned in the first question my profession as a Lieutenant in the West Orange Police Department, specifically in the areas of schools for 20 years, has made me to be a perfect fit as a Board of Education member and it allows me to give a different type of perspective than most people because of my background and expertise. Along with this, I have supervised many men and women throughout my career which has spanned nearly twenty-five years. I am seen as an expert in the areas of School Security, Active Shooter Training and Response, School Resource Officer Programs along with being very well versed in The Memorandum of Understanding between Law Enforcement and Education and have been sought out by the Department of Homeland Security to conduct Large Scale Mock Active Shooters for Schools, Businesses’ and houses of Worship. My Leadership abilities are very self-evident and I have been lent out by my department to train other school districts and police departments in the areas mentioned above. I also was the Co-creator of the New Jersey Association of School Resource Officers and held Vice President and Presidential offices for eight years.

Michael F. O'Brien

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

I have been involved with the Montville Township School System, in varying roles and capacities, serving continuously, for over 51 years. Being part of the educational system in our community is a natural fit for me; and other than my family, our school system has been my life's work. The safety and welfare of our young people remains my highest priority. Each student is entitled to the opportunity to have a through and efficient education, and it is the role of the Trustees to insure the availability of this entitlement. I consider being involved with the oversight of our school system a high calling and a special responsibility.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

The condition of society today poses special challenges for educational systems everywhere.

First, and most prominent, is to secure the safety of our student population. In the last several years the Board of Education in partnership with the Township Committee, has taken steps to recruit trained professional personnel and implement policies to enhance the safety of our facilities. This is an ongoing process which will be continuously evaluated, supported, and improved as necessary.

Secondly, in an advanced technologically oriented economy it is necessary for the skills and knowledge being provided to our young people to keep pace with societal needs. Therefore, in addition to what may be termed “traditional learning” it is essential to provide the personnel and resources to remain current and competitive with the advancing expectations for both higher education and workforce readiness.

Third, the school years need to be a time for each student to pursue their dreams and abilities in a safe, pleasant, bullying free environment. Students should have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, sports, the arts, music, and other productive endeavors. The challenge is to provide these opportunities in a fiscally responsible manner. The current Board with the work of an effective administration has faced this challenge and brought in budgets well under state recommended caps. It is our goal to continue to do so.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Dedicated, approachable, friendly

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

Education:

• B.S. Secondary Education, Fairleigh Dickinson University
• M.A. Education Administration, New Jersey City University
• Additional graduate work, Drew University, Montclair State University, University of Bridgeport
• Certifications:NJ, Secondary School Teacher - Permanent
• NJ, School Supervisor - Permanent
• NJ, School Administrator – Eligibility

Employment includes:

• Montville Township B. of Ed. – Montville Township High School Teacher (40+ years)
• Montville Township B. of Ed. & Boonton B. of Ed - High School Coach
• County College of Morris - Instructor
• Appraisal Associates of NJ - President
• Kramer U.S. Pharmaceutical - Manager

Community Involvement:

Served on the following:

• Montville Township Youth Services Commission (12 years}
• Montville Township Drug Awareness Council (3 years)
• Montville Township Earth Day Committee (3 years)
• Montville Township Education Association (President – 5 terms)
• Montville Township High School Project Graduation (10 years / founders’ group)
• Montville Township Historic Preservation Review Commission (18 years / including 6 years as Chair)
• Montville Township Democratic Committee (25+ years / including 10+ years as township chair)
• Towaco Civic Association (charter member)
• Served for 35+ years as volunteer coach for CYO, Montville Recreation, Boy’s & Girl’s Club,and AAU teams in: Baseball, Basketball, Lacrosse, Soccer

Currently Serving:

• Montville Township Board of Education Trustee (6 years)
• Montville Township High School Hall of Fame Committee (charter member)
• 1 Montville (charter member)
• Montville Township High School – Voice of the Mustangs (20 + years)

Currently Employment:ESS Source 4 Teachers

Michael Rappaport

Why are you running for Board Of Education?

I have been on Montville’s BOE for just over a year and half. In my time on the BOE, we have seen marked forward strides for our district, as evidenced by our rising rankings. Our High School moved up 30 places to rank 18 in the NJ Monthly rankings. Not only have we been implementing enhancements in academics, but also in the athletic, music, and arts programs as well.

My family and I have lived in town for over 16 years, our children were born here, and I am proud to be part of the positive changes that have been made in our schools since I’ve been on the BOE. I am proud to be part of this District as both a parent and a BOE member, and I am looking forward to continuing the improvement of our schools and doing more to deliver success for our children. My goal is for the District to provide a broad range of opportunities for our children of all interests and learning styles to grow and to be prepared for college, their careers, and their life after school.

What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

The safety of all of our children is of paramount concern. Since I’ve joined the BOE, we have allocated District funds and negotiated with Montville Township to provide two security officers for our schools. These officers are tasked with security and outreach/education for our students.

Additionally, as a member of the BOE, I have listened to the students and parents, and our dedicated faculty and administration about their concerns. I believe it is important to make sure we listen to our entire community as we continue striving to improve our programs.

What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Caring, Resourceful, Conscientious

What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

I have worked for a Fortune 50 company and for smaller organizations, managing significant budgets ranging into the multiple millions of dollars, eliminating waste, and delivering tangible results. I’ve tailored my experience towards the needs of the District, our terrific employees, and our thousands of amazing students. I have been through several budget reviews for the District and have put my business experience to work to make sure that while we remain fiscally prudent, our budget remains aligned with our children’s priorities.

My unique experience from the business world, along with my own family experiences of two children with distinctly different learning styles, has given me a unique perspective. I can see how our District works for our thousands of students while still enabling each individual student with their own learning style and needs. Through my two daughters, I’ve personally experienced many sides of what the District does for our children, from the work our Special Services team does with students with learning differences to the highly competitive honors programs at Lazar. I chose to join the BOE to be part of this team that helps our children to succeed in all phases of their learning.

Editor's note: Not all candidates chose to submit a photo.