Your Turn

John Barrett
Guest Column
Superintendent’s school budget proposal is ambitious, but not realistic

‘This is like déjà vu all over again," is a quote by famed baseball player Yogi Berra. If Yogi lived in Brick for the past few years, he may use the same quote after hearing about the proposed school budget that will jack our taxes up 18.7 cents.

I was shocked that the "Scarpelli Team School Board" would be so asleep at the wheel not to remember that last November’s election was a referendum on the public’s refusal to pay increased taxes. When asked about why the school tax rate was rising so sharply, school board President William Boyan may have borrowed one of Yogi’s quotes when he said, "It’s going up a lot of money, but quite honestly it’s going up a lot money because it needs to go up a lot of money." The majority of the school board members have endorsed Mayor Scarpelli in recent elections and now it’s time for the public to remember how cozy the relationship is between the mayor and school board. Together they spend 75 percent of the tax dollars raised in Brick. Let’s thank the county government who lowered our taxes this year and years past.

I have campaigned for freezing property taxes and cutting spending where it’s needed in municipal government. When dealing with school budgets, it can often be an emotional choice that can split a community between seniors and households with school-age children. Being in the latter category, I appreciate the education my children receive in the Brick school system and I realize that costs rise over time. I realize why Superintendent Thomas Seidenberger has been crisscrossing the community, trying to convince anyone and everyone his budget is as sound and forward-thinking as it gets. Come on Mr. Seidenberger, do you really think this budget will pass? I’m voting against it because I agree with my former running mate, Frank Pannucci, who stated that it may be ambitious, but it’s not realistic.

Seeing an election day slaughter, two incumbent school board members are doing what they can to save face with the public. One incumbent opposed the budget and the other chose not to show up to the recent meeting. It doesn’t take a genius to see how the political process infiltrates the school board. If you tune to Brick’s public access channel 20, you can clearly see how those in power can manipulate the system. Nearing the annual school board elections, the school puts on their 24-hour streaming show, "Meet the School Board Members," which shows their photos and biographies. You will never see the photos and bios of those challenging for a seat on the board.

This year I’m voting for two people who I believe will work hard for the people of Brick. They have heard the voices of the community and have stepped forward to represent those of us who are tired with the Scarpelli team school board members who turn on a dime when it suits them to win an election. I’m endorsing John Talty and Sharon Kight as leaders who will fight taxes while providing the necessary resources to educate our children. They have the independence to lead our school board away from the Scarpelli regime and restore the board to a body that listens to the voices of the residents and acts in the best interest of our children. I hope you join with me and vote for change that is positive and caring. Vote for John Talty and Sharon Kight because it’s what’s best for Brick.

John Barrett is a former Republican mayoral candidate and a resident of Brick.