Richard M. Fitzpatrick, superintendent for the Upper Freehold Regional School District, said it would be better for the community if more voters were engaged in educational issues during the November election.
“I think it makes more sense to get a stronger vote so people know who is making decisions,” Fitzpatrick said in an interview. “School board members are making … critical decisions for kids.”
But Wayne Gottlieb, a school board member from West Milford in Passaic County, said he thinks the education establishment is underestimating political parties’ ability to take over local school districts
“If you think moving school board candidates to a partisan ballot will not result in partisan influence, you’re naïve,” Gottlieb said in an interview. “Partisan starts with a p, like two other words: patronage and plunder.”
Labels: school boards