BOE Meet The Candidates Night 2006

On April 5 2006, the "Franklin Township Public Schools PTO Presidents Council" sponsored a "Meet the Candidates Night". We applaud their efforts and wonder why the present BOE choose not to televise it. The following is a brief synopsis of what the 90 minute event included. There were no bomb shells during the evening. The night however did provide an opportunity for the estimated 100 people in attendance to learn a little about the people on the ballot.

In short the incumbents toted their experience and accomplishments and how much they cared. The challengers talked of change and how much they cared. Mr. Unger was the most specific in how he could bring change citing better planning and voluntarism.

In general the candidates we respectful and spoke only about themselves. Mr. Bonanno alone made negative, though polite comments about others (negative comments if done properly can be appropriate). He stated that the challenging candidates had not been to BOE meetings and that some of there suggestions have already been considered and rejected by the BOE.

For what it's worth Mr. Bonanno was the most articulate followed by Mr. Unger and then Mr. Hernandez. That however can be a measure of public speaking abilities rather than BOE abilities.

Each candidate was given two minutes for an opening statement.

• Bonanno - The school system was a mess when he entered to BOE. It's better now but not perfect. He is proud of the HS. he has learned about the school system by his child being in it.
• LaCorte - She is qualified because of her involvement as a parent and she wants change because she doesn't like what has happened to the schools. Her remarks are contained in her submission to the candidates forum.
• Hernandez - Resident for 7 years, On the BOE for 3. He has two kids and a number of other family members in the school. He is displeased that politics has pitted seniors against students.
• Mettler - She spoke of her background. Her remarks are contained in her submission to the candidates forum.
• Web - He grew up in Franklin. his child started in special ED but now is very successful. He is an advocate for his 7800 kids.
• Unger - He has been on other school boards, in the military, worked for ATT and has to produce for all of them. His background qualifies him to be a facilities manager.

• LaCorte - Discipline/Violence,inappropriate spending, poor communication with the public.
• Hernandez - Communication, people not coming to BOE meetings, too much time focusing blame.
• Mettler - Poorly managed budget, Lack of a data bank to share costs, poor problem solving.
• Web - He doesn't know because things change too quickly. Parents need to be involved, lack of communication.
• Unger - Communication (use technology to help this), Discipline, Building Maintenance.
• Bonanno - Reputation, communication, growing population.

• Hernandez - Passion for education, 25 years of working on budgets.
• Mettler - She cares, she has learned from her kids.
• Web - 28 years with ATT, experience from his children being in the school system, he is an advocate for the kids.
• Unger - He is a facilities manager, experience building teams and his telecommunication experience can find additional savings and efficiencies.
• Bonanno - Doesn't give up.
• LaCorte - Doesn't give up, she has been through the school system, has experience with not for profit organizations.

• Mettler - Change no child left behind, look at other models of success, better discipline in the school, better administrative support.
• Web - Raise the level of professionalism and have merit pay.
• Unger - Create a good environment (indicating the current problem with facility maintenance), good leadership, discipline.
• Bonanno - Trust
• LaCorte - Agreed with others on trust, good environment, communication. In addition teacher report card, recognition of a good job, coaching.
• Hernandez - Trust.

• Web - Strict limits, change security guards to security officers, involve parents.
• Unger - Emphasis role models, identify and fix problems when they are young.
• Bonanno - Start young, there have been very few fights before the recent one.
• LaCorte - Alternative program.
• Hernandez - Parents need to be more involved, better discipline but can't just dump problem kids.
• Mettler - Discipline.

• Unger - A secure environment (discipline), Clearly set the goals and set high goals, support by administration, quarterly recognition for accomplishment, intramural scholastic competition competition.
• Bonanno - Train teachers, focus on instructors.
• LaCorte - Remove distraction i.e. violence, look at successful districts.
• Hernandez - Focus on the material that is taught, tailor teaching to the student.
• Mettler - Change the federal guidelines, approach congress for better funding, reduce distractions related to poor discipline.
• Web - More time on task, Perhaps Saturday school, Enrichment programs, involve parents.

• Bonanno - Yes to both - The finance committee worked 95 hours on the budget going page-by-page, line-by-line. They are getting less money from the state. Approves of the alternative school and pointed out that when the public cut the budget last year they dropped the alternative school from the budget. Fact check
• LaCorte - Hasn't looked at the budget, yes on the question.. Has learned how hard it is to understand the budget. Supports the question on the alternative school.
• Hernandez - Yes to both - His in-laws have had to sell their home because they couldn't support it. Approves of the alternative school and agrees that when the public cut the budget last year they dropped the alternative school from the budget. Fact check
• Mettler - Admits that she doesn't understand the budget. Need to have income tax reform. Agrees with the alternative school.
• Web - Yes to both - He is living on the edge financially (Our interpretation of what he said) but costs are going up so so did the budget.
• Unger - Hasn't analyzed the budget. Yes to the budget this year but spending needs to be cut. No to the alternative school because it should be done internally.

• Unger - If you are happy with the way it is vote for the incumbents, if you what change, if you want a new look, new perspective vote for the challengers. Need to represent quality.
• Web - Believes that he has made progress and that none of the challengers can do ti better then he. He's in it for the long haul.
• Mettler - Here because she is committed to change. She vows to listen to teacher and to parents. Wants to televise BOE meetings.
• Hernandez - Has done his best to keep the budget down. He is an active parent. He thinks he's done a good job.
• LaCorte - Can't stand the lack of communication. She will go the state school board work shops to learn more about. She is a special ED mother. We need to spend smarter. Reach out to people. Televise meetings.
• Bonanno - In 9 years has taken the district and faced it in the right direction. Stated that Mr. Unger has never been to board meetings so how can he lead a team he's never been a part of. Has held down administrative expenses.

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