Vote for Two, Nancy and Stu!

Nancy Muldowney and Stuart Chaifetz are two of the candidates running for the Board of Education in Cherry Hill. With election day quickly approaching, I thought it would be important for people to hear their philosophies and learn what type of board members they will be, if elected. I have gathered their answers to some of your most critical questions. Whether you are for the budget or against it, I encourage every registered voter to get out and exert your right to vote on April 15th!

KM: "I would like both of you to respond to this first question. One of the key concerns of every parent in Cherry Hill is the quality of the education that their children receive, but as taxpayers they are really feeling the financial crunch. How do you balance those concerns to address both issues?"

Chaifetz: "We too, are struggling under the weight of rising taxes. We want all of the children in Cherry Hill to receive the best education possible, but we also desire fiscal responsibility and leadership accountability. We have an incredibly expensive Administration; six of the top Administrators receive salaries and benefits that cost us more than $1,000,000 a year. This does not include our Superintendent, who takes from us an additional $250,000 a year. Over the term of his 4 year contract he will withdraw from our wallets more than $1,000,000 in salary and benefits. Before we even think about raising taxes, common sense cuts to the Administration must be made. Keep in mind that those elected to the Board this year will vote on the next contract given to a Superintendent. "

Muldowney: "The residents of Cherry Hill have been gracious in the face of rising taxes to support our district’s growing financial burdens. We need to be vigilant that our tax dollars are spent benefiting the children of Cherry Hill. By introducing pay-to-play reforms, and making certain that all contracts go out to bid we can save an exorbitant amount of money. We also need to cut administrative costs, which have become an unbearable burden for the taxpayers. We could save taxpayers even more by cutting the high monthly interest rates for contracted services by promptly paying invoices. A combination of these financial strategies will free up funds to go back to our classrooms where they are needed to ensure that every child in Cherry Hill receives the quality education that they deserve. "

KM: "Stu, I have heard from many parents about the Aramark contract. They are concerned with the quality of food, the custodial issues and the draining effect it has had on the budget. I even saw where there was a petition drive started to rid our schools of Aramark. What are your views on the Aramark contract which is up for renewal this year?"

Chaifetz: "As parents who have attended Board meetings throughout this year, we have been appalled at the stories parents have brought forth regarding Aramark, including the recent revelation of just how poor and unhealthy their food choices have been for young children, and how unsatisfactory the cleaning has been in some schools. As parents of special needs children, our ire against Aramark is especially acute, for they have interfered with the ShopWest program. This program used to give disabled children experience in the workplace and prepared them for future employment - until Aramark came into town. I strongly oppose giving Aramark another contract."

KM: "Nancy, realizing that you have a child with special needs, if you are elected, how can we be sure that your interests will extend beyond special education concerns?"

Muldowney: "There is no denying that my attendance and interest in Board of Education meetings originated with an interest and concern for special education issues. However, many of my concerns have been more global. This year I brought forth serious concerns regarding impending changes to Policy 5131, Code of Conduct, to the board's attention and I met with the Administration to work towards a resolution. This policy impacts all students in Cherry Hill."

"During the budget process, I raised concerns that the dollar figure attached to out-of-district placements seemed exceptionally high. This was in fact a Special Education topic, but it impacts all taxpayers. From the preliminary budget to the final budget, this amount was reduced by a total of approximately $1.5 million. "

"If elected to the Board of Education, Stu and I will continue to advocate for all of Cherry Hill's children as we have been doing throughout the past year. We will be champions of fiscal responsibility. We will consider oversight to be the paramount responsibility of our positions on the board, in both fiscal and educational matters. "

KM: "Stu, Pay to Play Reform has been a huge issue in Cherry Hill and thanks to the efforts of the Cherry Hill Reform Committee the township council unanimously approved a Pay-to-Play ban last August. I understand that the school district continues to give out no-bid contracts that cost taxpayers a great deal of money. How do you plan to address this issue?"

Chaifetz: "My top priority as a member of the Board of Education will be to introduce strong pay-to-play reforms. With so many no bid contracts given out, I will demand that proper oversight over spending be executed, so that waste, fraud and abuse not be allowed to occur. As independents on the Board, without ties to PAC’s or large financial donors, Nancy and I will be free to fight for the only special interests that matter; parents and the children of our town."

KM: "Nancy, there has been talk about the possibility of corporate sponsorship for facilities. What are your thoughts on corporate sponsorship?"

Muldowney: "Dr. Campbell indicated during this year's budget discussions that the total cost of our facilities, including rehabilitating and creating anew, could potentially reach $250M over the next ten years. Anything the district can do to obtain funding from external sources to minimize the cost to the local taxpayers should be considered and evaluated. A concern that would need to be considered is that the message or products, of any corporate donation, must be appropriate for school-age children. "

KM: "Stu, why do you feel that you and Nancy are the best candidates to serve on our Board of Education?"

Chaifetz: "Be assured that there are no greater proponents of quality education than Nancy and myself. If you’ve been following the news, then you will have seen us rise again and again in defense of children in our schools. Ours is an indisputable, proven record of fighting for children. "

"Nancy and I have spent the last year attending Board of Education meetings as well as their committee meetings. We know the issues facing our school system more intimately, and more completely, than anyone else who has chosen to run in this election. We have solutions. We know what needs to be done."

"While I have great respect for our opponents, I am deeply pained that they have not attended Board meetings throughout this year, as we have, or have the first hand knowledge of the serious problems that parents face that comes from this. The reality is, if Nancy and I had not run for the Board this year, there would be no election on April 15th, but simply a coronation."


To learn more about Muldowney and Chaifetz, please see the Cherry Hill Unity website at: http://www.cherryhillunity.com/