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SCHOOL NEWS CLIPS - APRIL 2005
Buena Regional ready to address budget issues 4/27/05 BUENA VISTA -- Officials of the Buena Regional School District, Buena Borough and the township plan to meet in private Thursday to start salvage work on the district's proposed 2005-06 budget. Voters defeated the spending plan last week, turning over decision-making to municipal officials. The defeat and the electoral turnout were topics of lament at the school board's meeting Tuesday night. Newly elected board President David Anderson noted three of Atlantic County's 18 school districts were unable to get their proposed budgets approved at the polls. "And we can raise our hand as one of the three," he said. The board's annual, post-election reorganization was at the top of the meeting agenda Tuesday night, starting with oaths of office being administered to re-elected member Louis Rainear and newcomers David Capizola and Gregory McAvaddy. There was competition for both the president and vice president posts. Anderson, now in his 28th year on the board, faced off against Rainear for the top position. Anderson, nominated by outgoing President Barbara Jargowsky, picked up seven votes to Rainear's four. Rainear was nominated by Barbara Caselli. McAvaddy abstained from voting on Anderson's nomination, but voted for Rainear in that roll call. Member Lynda Gazzara then nominated Rainear for vice president. She faced off against Douglas Adams, who picked up eight votes to her three. Each candidate's nomination was given a separate roll call. Candidates also voted for themselves. In other news, the district remains at odds with the state Pinelands Commission over plans to build a new middle school near the stadium at Buena Regional High School here. A bond referendum is scheduled for Sept. 27. For 15 years, the district has wanted a replacement for Cleary Middle School. It has been arguing with the commission about the project for five years. Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo said the district first was stymied by not having enough acreage for the project. It addressed that by securing a donation of 207 acres. Since then, she said, the commission has come up with other conditions. The district believes those have little to do with the project itself, but are a way of pressuring the Buena Municipal Utilities Authority to quit discharging into a local creek. "They've been mad at the borough for a long time," DeGiacomo said. The district has the commission in state administrative law court to force a resolution. A decision is expected by May 7.
Officials face change of plans - Meeting with state education commissioner delayed 4/25/05 BUENA -- A May 5 meeting where local officials wanted to implore New Jersey's education commissioner to send extra money to the Buena Regional School District has been called off. Mayor Joseph Baruffi last week sought the urgent meeting, saying the district faces a "financial crisis" because the state refuses to designate it as an Abbott, or special-needs, district. That label would qualify Buena Regional for millions of extra state dollars. The state quickly agreed to the request. But now, Baruffi said, he and other local officials have been told they must first meet with Daniel Loggi, the Atlantic County superintendent of schools. A meeting with the education commissioner would come sometime after that, he said. The change of plans is not a setback, Baruffi said. "I would want Dr. Loggi on board with us, and I would think after a meeting with him that he would reach the same conclusion -- that we should be considered for special funding," the mayor said. The meeting with Loggi hasn't been scheduled yet, Baruffi said Sunday. Representatives from the borough, Buena Vista and school district as well as 1st District state legislators are expected to attend. They ultimately want to convince Commissioner William Librera to reverse his decision to deny Abbott status to Buena Regional. The district has appealed Librera's ruling, but that effort languishes while taxes rise. Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, D-1, said he'd like to see Librera change his mind but "would not be hopeful of expecting any kind of immediate relief." Residents in Buena Vista and Buena last week voted 957-450 to reject a 2005-06 school budget that would have increased taxes by hundreds of dollars for most homeowners next year. Meanwhile, officials from the two municipalities are scheduled to meet behind closed doors Thursday with school representatives to discuss ways to slash that spending plan. Baruffi was studying the budget over the weekend in search of financial fat that could be trimmed. "I wish as I go through this thing there is something that would pop out at me," he said. "That is not happening."
Change way our schools are funded 4/23/05 Buena Regional School District deserves the second chance it's getting to convince New Jersey's education commissioner the district is in dire need of more state aid. But the chances of local officials convincing Commissioner William Librera to reverse his decision and designate Buena Regional an Abbott school seem slim. An administrative law judge ruled in 2002 that the district should get the designation, which provides a windfall of state money intended to bring schools in poor, urban communities, including Vineland and Millville, up to par with wealthier counterparts. We agree with the judge. Buena Regional doesn't meet the "classic" example of an urban district, but Buena and Buena Vista taxpayers have endured five consecutive years of double digit tax increases and the district is underfunded through no fault of its own. It has a limited tax base from which to draw the required school funding because of Pineland regulations and other land protections that ban or restrict development. The reality, however, is that state officials will look for any excuse to say no --the area is decidedly rural, its student test scores are too good, and Buena Regional has the ability to raise more money for education. In addition, the state is facing its own financial problems -- a projected $4 billion budget gap. There's no question Buena and Buena Vista taxpayers need the property tax relief. They have rejected budget after budget, including overwhelmingly shooting down the district's spending plan Tuesday. We hope our local officials and state lawmakers will change Librera's mind about Abbott status for Buena Regional, but we suspect relief for taxpayers won't come until a constitutional convention, or the state Legislature, changes how our schools are funded. Every student in the state, whether living in a rural or urban area, deserves a "thorough and efficient" education. The state must deliver on that promise while relieving at least some of the financial hardships for schools and property owners that come with our state's overreliance on property taxes for school funding.
Buena gets second shot at pleading for state aid 4/22/05 BUENA -- The state Department of Education is giving local officials another chance to make their case about Buena Regional School District's need for more financial aid from Trenton. Education Commissioner William Librera on Thursday agreed to host a May 5 meeting where officials plan to urge him to reconsider his decision not to designate Buena Regional as a special-needs Abbott district. Such a designation would qualify the school system for millions of dollars in extra aid at a time when taxes are rising and school officials are struggling to provide a quality education. Special needs districts in Vineland, Millville and Bridgeton receive about 75 percent of their school budgets from state aid. By comparison, state aid accounts for about 50 percent of Buena's budget. Mayor Joseph Baruffi on Wednesday sent letters to state legislators imploring them to turn up the heat on the Education Department and set up an urgent meeting. Within a day, he said, Sen. Nicholas Asselta had convinced the education commissioner to hear their concerns. Baruffi didn't expect such a quick response. "It took me by surprise, but it's a good surprise," he said. "It's telling me some people really care and are hearing Buena," Baruffi said. "If we go there and prepare ourselves the way I know we can and make our case, I really believe that the commissioner may reconsider," Baruffi said. Some local officials say the only way for the district to break free from a cycle of huge, crippling tax hikes is for the state to recognize the community is poor and deserves the same support that goes to other financially strapped places like Millville and Vineland.
Buena mayor to meet education commissioner on Buena Regional's finances 4/22/05 Buena
Borough Mayor Joseph Baruffi will it down with the state's education
commissioner May 5 to discuss his school district's financial status.
District ponders next step - Budget veto puts Buena Regional in tight corner 4/21/05 By the numbers Here's what the owner of a home assessed at $100,000
would pay in taxes under the 2005-06 Buena Regional school budget, had voters
approved it Tuesday:
Now that voters have overwhelmingly rejected the tax hikes proposed to run the Buena Regional School District next year, the decision of what to do next lies in the hands of local officials. One of those key players -- Buena Mayor Joseph Baruffi -- is seeking some extra help. He's appealing to local legislators to try to immediately jump-start stalled efforts to have Buena Regional declared a special-needs Abbott district, a move that would provide a substantial infusion of state aid. "This cannot wait. This cannot be put off," Baruffi said. "We're in dire need of help." Residents on Tuesday shot down in a 957-450 vote the school district's spending plan, which would have raised taxes by hundreds of dollars for most homeowners. That means it is now up to the Buena Borough Council and Buena Vista Township Committee to identify budget cuts, which the school district can accept or appeal. That process has yet to begin in earnest. Officials from both municipalities are waiting to hear from the school district, which is expected to provide them with ample details about the spending plan and make a case for keeping cuts to a minimum. "We have to look at it seriously," said Buena Vista Mayor Chuck Chiarello. "That's all we can do. The voters sent us a very clear message." Officials from both municipalities said it's too soon to know what kind of cuts they might make or how deep they would be. Baruffi said he hopes the state will step in quickly so local officials won't be put in the position of having to consider cuts that could be extremely painful. "Buena Regional School District is in financial crisis, and the children's quality of education is very much in danger," Baruffi said in a letter to Sen. Nicholas Asselta and assemblymen Jeff Van Drew and John Gibson dated Wednesday. "Our taxpayers cannot sustain any more increases." Baruffi is calling on the legislators to help set up an urgent meeting with the state education commissioner, William Librera. He said he hopes that will result in the state giving Abbott status to the school district. In 2002, an administrative law judge ruled Buena Regional deserved that special-needs designation. But Librera later overturned that ruling. The district's appeal now is pending before the state Board of Education. Chiarello said he supports Baruffi's effort to push the state for Abbott status, but said he doesn't think it'll be successful. School Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo did not return a call seeking comment Wednesday.
Buena Regional faces more budget tightening 4/21/05
Voters' overwhelming rejection Tuesday of a nearly $34 million Buena Regional
school budget has elected officials looking for ways to rein in spending and
boost revenues.
Buena budget trounced - Nilsen, Girardi defeated by pair of newcomers 4/20/05 BUENA VISTA -- In what School Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo described as "another sad day for the educational system," voters soundly rejected the Buena Regional School District's $29.1 million budget Tuesday. By a 2-1 margin, the district's spending plan was defeated for the fourth straight year. Two incumbents, Sue Girardi and Tobin Nilsen, also lost at the polls. In an upset, newcomer Gregory McAvaddy unseated Girardi, who has represented Buena on the Board of Education for 18 years. McAvaddy said he believes his win was the product of hard work, knocking on doors and sending mailings. "Now is when the real work begins," McAvaddy said. "I'm going to have to work with the rest of the board and see if I can bring some new ideas." In the race to fill two school board seats representing Buena Vista, incumbent Louise Rainear led the pack to retain her seat. Former Milanesi School Principal David Capizola placed second. Nilsen fell short in his attempt to win a second term on the board.. "I will not let the students or the community down," Capizola said. The $11.2 million tax levy proposed in the budget would have cost the owner of a $100,000 home in Buena Vista about $434 more in taxes next year. In Buena Borough, that homeowner would've paid about $329 more.
Budget, 2 incumbents lose in Buenas 4/20/05 Voters
defeated a proposed $34 million Buena Regional school budget and sent two
incumbents packing Tuesday evening in election results that focused on anger
over rising school taxes.
Today, it's your choice; vote in school elections 4/19/05 Silent. That's what your voice will be if you don't go to the polls today to vote in the school elections. Don't think school elections matter? Think again. Voters will decide on about $84.4 million in taxes sought by the 20 school districts comprising greater Cumberland County. If that isn't enough, consider there are 17 candidates running for 10 seats on the school boards in Vineland, Millville and Buena Regional. In Vineland, residents will choose among five candidates to fill three, three-year terms, and from among three people to fill a two-year seat. In Millville, four candidates are running for three, three-year terms. In Buena Borough, two people are battling for a three-year seat, while in Buena Vista Township three candidates are competing for two, three-year terms on the Buena Regional school board. Taxpayers in Vineland and Millville don't face any school tax hikes, but the same can't be said for voters in Buena and Buena Vista. If the Buena Regional budget is approved, most homeowners in Buena and Buena Vista would pay hundreds of dollars more a year in school taxes. These are your tax dollars on the line. It's up to you. Judging from low school election turnouts of the past, enough of you just don't care. If you don't vote, you're letting other people decide what's best for you as a taxpayer and what constitutes a good education for your children. In last year's school elections in Cumberland County, just 7.95 percent of registered voters took the time to go to the polls, a drop from the 9.57 percent who voted in April 2003. That's a far cry from the 65 percent of registered voters who went to the polls in last November's presidential election. If you don't get out and vote today, your silence will be deafening.
Buena Regional gets $2.7M. for after school program 4/19/05 The
Buena Regional School District on Monday announced it had been awarded $2.7
million over four years in grant funding for after-school programs.
High-stakes decisions rest in hands of voters 4/18/05 School elections by the numbers
Source: N.J. School Boards Association; staff research
BUENA VISTA -- If the last three years are any indication, Tuesday night's election won't end with cheers about voters passing a budget in the Buena Regional School District. The district, whose $29.1 million spending plan calls for tax increases that would cost most homeowners hundreds of extra dollars, faces one of the region's steepest uphill battles as school systems seek voters approval Tuesday for their spending plans. In districts such as Vineland and Millville, where special-needs status results in increased state aid, voters don't face a prospect of any school tax hike when they go to the polls this week. The 20 school districts in greater Cumberland County are asking voters to sign off on plans to spend more than $84.4 million of their property taxes. Those voters also will choose among 69 candidates to fill 60 seats on various school boards. Many races are uncontested, although incumbents face challenges in Vineland, Millville and Buena Regional. Buena Regional faces looming tax increasesIt's in Buena Regional, a district where voters haven't approved a proposes school tax levy since 2001, where the most may be at stake when the polls close Tuesday night. The Rev. Louis Pinto of Apostles Way Ministry in Buena, who also lives in the borough, said he's against the budget that calls for $11.2 million in taxes. He plans to do his part to vote it down. "The property taxes have been rising quite a bit over the past few years," he said. "We need to stabilize them. I'm angry about the budget." Pravin Patel, a Buena resident who runs a liquor store in town, said he isn't crazy about taxes of any kind but knows the spending plan is necessary to support the schools. "I have two children in the school system," he explained. "They're getting a good education, so to me it's worth the money. But I do think the property taxes are too high." Charlie Reilly, who runs Buena Vista Market off Route 40, said last week he was leaning toward casting a no vote Tuesday. "There's got to be a way to save money in the school district," Reilly said. "Maybe the teachers could contribute something toward their health insurance." Trimming a growing budgetLike most school districts, Buena Regional has seen steadily rising budgets for several years. This year's proposed spending plan calls for a 15 percent increase, which would be its biggest jump this decade. Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo said the district tries its best to hold the line by using overtime as tool to keep from hiring additional full-time personnel. As one example, she cited 11 teachers who each receive a $5,000 annual stipend each to teach an extra class; one teacher is getting $10,000 yearly for two additional classes. In an attempt to trim last year's budget, which residents rejected in a 719-390 vote, the district eliminated a dozen full-time positions. That meant jobs left vacant through attrition, such as retirements, weren't filled, according to DeGiacomo. The impact: Classes increased to an average of 26 to 30 pupils per teacher, leaving educators with less time to devote to each student, she said. When voters reject school tax levies, it's up to the municipal government to recommend cuts. Districts can either accept those revised numbers or appeal to the state education commissioner. After the last three rejected spending plans, Buena Regional accepted a total of $1.32 million in cuts made by the Buena Borough Council and Buena Vista Township Committee. Thomas Kearney, the district's business administrator, said the biggest budget cuts for all three years were in the areas of health and liability premiums, capital improvements to schools and general building maintenance. Lesser items included substitute teacher salaries, supplies, employee travel and utilities. Kearney said he's very concerned about certain line items -- such as a new boiler to replace the 30-year-old one at the high school and a heavy-duty maintenance truck with salt spreader and plow -- being eliminated year after year due to budgetary constraints. "Both the boiler and the truck are very necessary," he said. "If the boiler breaks we'll be in a lot of trouble since we won't be able to pay for it out of our surplus because it's too low. The truck is a necessity because people are always falling on the ice in the parking lots and getting hurt." 'Flat' state aidDeGiacomo said the main culprit for the annually growing gap between revenue and expenses is state aid. "State aid, which we receive each year from the state Department of Education, has been relatively flat for the past five years," she explained. "Between 2000 and 2005, we only got a $566,788 overall increase in state aid, which never goes above the $14.6 million mark." DeGiacomo said the responsibility for the budgetary shortfall should not have to rest primarily on the shoulders of already overburdened taxpayers. "We have to find other ways to fund the school district," she said. "Getting the money from property taxes is not an adequate way of doing it."
BRILLIANCE SQUARED: Twins get school's top two honors 4/18/05
Staff photo/Dongjin Choi
From left: Identical twins Ashle and Britne Bernard, both 18, won the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, at Buena Regional HIgh School. As a graduation gift, the girls will be joining their parents on a Caribbean cruise. Sister, sister Ashle: Britne: Ashle and Britne Bernard are alike in many
ways. The top-ranking students have both been cheerleaders for 13 years and now
serve as co-captains of the Buena Chiefs cheerleading squad. They've also been
managers and scorekeepers for the high school's varsity girls softball team for
the past four years. BUENA VISTA -- Ashle Bernard is just a hair older than her identical twin sister, Britne. And as their high school years come to a close, Ashle is still just a hair ahead. She's tops in the class, earning her the valedictorian title when the Buena Regional High School Class of 2005 graduates in June. But Britne is close behind -- close enough to be the salutatorian. "This is beyond my wildest dreams, them doing so well in school," said their father, David Bernard, a self-employed land surveyor with an office in Vineland who, like his daughters, is an athlete and certified scuba diver. "I'm so proud of them." The 18-year-olds are already making history before they even begin their lives as adults. They're the only identical twins ever to hold the top two academic posts in a graduating class at Buena Regional, said district Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo "Ashle and Britne are fine young women who are not only top scholars but athletes as well," DeGiacomo said. "They're very nice girls who will do well in college." Ashle, who is older than her sister by one minute, is valedictorian with a grade point average of 4.35. Britne, who is the quieter of the duo, has a 4.32 average and is salutatorian. Both are considering careers as biology teachers. Their mother, Nancy, said the twins already have received four-year, all-expenses scholarships to Richard Stockton College in Pomona, where they plan to go in September and major in marine biology. Because of their training as certified scuba divers, the twins each already have earned one college credit apiece. And it looks like they'll be in line for more college credits once they pass an achievement test next month for their Advanced Placement courses in European History and English. They've been intensely interested most of their lives in marine mammals of all kinds, particularly in caring for injured ones. That's why the teens tentatively plan to be biology teachers "with our options open," said Britne, noting they might decide later in their college careers to become marine biologists instead. Throughout their childhood, they made numerous trips to Sea World in Orlando, Fla., Ashle recalls. That's where they became passionately interested in marine mammals and their welfare. "We were four years old the first time we went to Sea World," Ashle said. "We wanted to become dolphin trainers. When we were 11, we trained with two dolphins at Theater of the Sea at Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Two years later, we went swimming with the dolphins at the same place." After graduation, Ashle and Britne will join their parents on a seven-day cruise to Bermuda. "We gave them a choice of a big party or a dream trip as a graduation present," said their mother, a hairdresser in Mays Landing. "So they chose a cruise. We've already got our passports."
Issue of rising taxes divides 5 Buena Regional candidates 4/16/05
Candidates in the upcoming Buena Regional Board of Education Election differ on
the question of taxes, a topic of controversy for both Buena Borough and Buena
Vista Township residents.
Sue Girard has the experience Buena needs 4/16/05 As two members of the Buena Regional Board of Education representing Buena Borough, we are disappointed and surprised that Sue Girard did not receive The Daily Journal's endorsement. We question the logic of such a decision. With her educational background and her 18 years of experience, she is a better-qualified candidate. She has been a lifelong resident and taxpayer of the borough. Now is the time when we need board members with her experience who understand the needs and the scope of the dilemmas the district faces. Sue is an outspoken advocate of quality education and is not politically driven. We feel that Sue Girard does possess the enthusiasm, energy and dedication, and is an asset to the school board for the benefit of the community. We endorse Sue Girard as a school board candidate for Buena Regional Board of Education. Douglas E. Adams Robert L. James
Overtime payments put district on defensive 4/15/05
Endorsing Rainear, Nilsen and McAvaddy 4/14/05 The Buena Regional School District faces some challenging problems. A new middle school is needed to upgrade facilities and relieve overcrowding. School taxes would jump 44 cents under the proposed budget, but it has no chance of being approved by voters. The district is in dire financial straits, and has no way to get more money except by turning to taxpayers. It will take some innovative thinking for the district to live within its means without lowering the quality of education for students. But it's that kind of thinking we believe Louise Rainear, Tobin G. Nilsen and Greg McAvaddy can provide, which is why we endorse them for three-year terms on the Buena Regional Board of Education. Rainear and Nilsen, who voted against the budget, understand that the district's biggest challenge is providing students with a quality education on a limited budget. It will certainly take a balancing act and some innovative thinking to accomplish this. But with taxpayers repeatedly rejecting the school budget, Abbott funding just a fantasy (although the district more than deserves the designation), and hard-pressed homeowners facing a 20-percent increase in school taxes, the board must get the job done. We believe Buena Vista incumbents Rainear and Nilsen have the experience, knowledge and mental flexibility needed to meet the challenge. McAvaddy also recognizes the financial pressure the schools are facing, and we believe he can and will provide the board with new ways of thinking about and looking at problems. And his vision of stabilizing the tax rate without hurting the district's educational standards is one we share. Susan Girard, a six-term veteran of the Buena Regional school board from Buena, has shown she cares about students and wants nothing but the best education for them. But we don't believe she fully appreciates the district's financial woes and taxpayers' frustrations. McAvaddy does. Rainear, Nilsen and McAvaddy have the enthusiasm, energy and dedication needed to be assets on the school board for the benefit of the community. Editor's note: Tomorrow, endorsements for Vineland Board of Education.
Mayor says Buena Regional budget will probably be voted down again 4/9/05 The
Buena Regional School District's proposed 2005-06 budget could face stiff
resistance from district residents leery of a tax increase.
Buena Regional School Board Election: Fresh face ready to meet new challenges 4/9/05
BUENA VISTA -- If David Capizola were already on the Buena Regional Board of Education, he would try to get more parents and area residents to attend school board meetings. "I believe the school board could hold more open meetings and I would promote this as well as encourage more people to come," said Capizola, 58, who retired last year after spending 16 years as Milanesi Elementary School's principal. "Sometimes there are clashes between members on the board. There must be more compromise. We as a school board must think outside of the box if we're going to change our way of thinking." Capizola was born and raised in Landisville before moving to the township in 1977. Now he's making his first run for the school board in a three-way race for two seats representing Buena Vista. The election is April 19. Capizola is no stranger to the school district. It hired him in 1967 as a teacher, and he worked in various teaching and administrative capacities before leading Milanesi. He said he gleaned much expertise from his teaching career that could benefit the school board, and that's why he thinks he would make a good member of the team. As a homeowner, Capizola said he doesn't like to see property tax increases. But he said he knows taxes are unlikely to go down. "We have to raise some taxes -- it's an issue that can't be helped," he said. "We have a limited amount of commercial ratables due to environmental restrictions placed on us by the state Pinelands Commission, so we're going to have to look for other sources of revenue to help out, such as applying for state and federal educational grants." If elected, Capizola said, he would push for more aggressive grant writing. However, he said, there should be no further personnel cuts or any reduction in building maintenance to balance the budget because both situations impair the quality of education for students.
Former educator primed to teach some lessons 4/9/05 BUENA VISTA -- Louise Rainear retired from teaching in 1998 but still wanted to help the children in the Buena Regional School District get the best education possible. So she ran for a seat on the school board the following year and won. Her prior experience as a teacher in the district she now helps lead gives her an inside track as to what's needed for the students and the Board of Education, Rainear said. "I felt I could bring a lot of information to the board with what I had learned in my teaching career," explained Rainear, 61, one of three candidates seeking two Buena Vista seats up for grabs in the April 19 school board election. "I seem to know what the board needs and I try to make it happen." Rainear said the unique quality she brings to the Board of Education can be summed up in one word: enthusiastic. "I'm willing to get involved in any way I can and to serve on any committee to benefit the school district," she said. "These committees have taught me a lot. Currently I'm on the board's policies committee and its technology committee. I've also belonged to the policy, education, early childhood, gifted and talented (and) Teachers of the Year selection committees, and I was chairman of the board negotiation committee." Rainear gives high marks to the district's educational system. Her son, a successful physician, is a product of it. The biggest challenge the district faces, she believes, is giving students a quality education with limited funding. "The school taxes are out of control," Rainear said, noting the proposed tax increase in this year's budget would cost property owners 20 percent more. A lifelong township resident, Rainear is also an active member of the Buena Regional Education Foundation and the Buena Historical Society.
Candidate seeking second term on board 4/9/05
BUENA VISTA -- Ask Tobin "Toby" G. Nilsen what the Buena Regional School District's biggest problem is and he'll tell you it's skyrocketing school taxes. Nilsen, a local attorney with four children educated in the district's school system, represents Buena Vista on the Board of Education. He seeks re-election to a second three-year term April 19. "There's going to be a 20 percent increase in the school tax this year -- it's 44 cents per $100 of assessed property value," Nilsen explained. "In theory, school taxes should be at the rate of inflation, which was 4 percent last year. We're talking about raising taxes 20 percent -- that's five times the rate of inflation." A major problem the district faces, according to Nilsen, is that Buena Vista and Buena Borough don't have enough taxable properties. "Our industrial development is limited by restrictions placed upon us by the N.J. Pinelands Commission for environmental reasons," he explained. "That's why we lack business ratables and why we're a less affluent school district. We don't have the resources other school districts do. The school board believes the problem can be solved by raising property taxes." Nilsen noted that the school budget was defeated for the third year in a row in 2004, and he fears the latest proposed spending plan will suffer the same fate. "I think that the previous budget defeats are a way of the taxpayers saying that we have to live within our income," he said. "A lot of our homeowners are struggling financially and they're concerned with escalating costs -- especially school property taxes -- and wonder how they're going to pay them. Taxes should be taken into consideration by the board. I voted against the budget because I wanted to reduce it." Nilsen said protecting taxpayers while keeping the educational system a quality one requires a delicate balancing act. He said his expertise as a lawyer allows him to analyze facts and figures, plus gives him an ability to look ahead and examine everything from a legal perspective.
Fresh face says change is good for school board 4/8/05
Greg McAvaddy 
School elections will be held Tuesday, April 19. The
Daily Journal will publish profiles of all candidates in the Vineland, Millville
and Buena Regional races. Here's when the profiles will run: BUENA -- New faces are needed on the Buena Regional Board of Education, says Greg McAvaddy, who hopes to be one of them. McAvaddy, 30, seeks his first elected office in a two-person race for a three-year seat representing Buena Borough residents. The election is April 19. McAvaddy, a father of two toddlers who will be educated in the school district, said he's vitally concerned with the district's educational system. He regularly attends school board meetings and said he has noticed some discord that can be remedied by bringing in new members. "I think we need some fresh faces on the school board," McAvaddy said. "With new members on the school board, you get new ideas, and I will provide a new vision for our community." McAvaddy believes the property tax rate can be stabilized, and the schools can be made better with some hard work -- a challenge he eagerly seeks. "I think the school board could be more helpful in making cuts to the budget," he said. "Last year, they cut a science teacher out of the budget. If they eliminated some of the overtime in other departments they could have kept that teacher." Sharing services with other districts could save money, McAvaddy added. "We need to economize more, and if we can have a joint purchase with one or more local school districts we could save a lot of money," he said. "As one example, we could buy pens, papers and other supplies in bulk with them. Another thing we can do is look for more ways to fund the school system, such as pursuing more educational grants." McAvaddy also said the curriculum at Cleary Middle School should be upgraded because it's not giving the students what they need. "Not every kid is geared toward college," he said. "The school system seems to be dropping everything to prepare all of the students toward entering college." McAvaddy noted he's "not pleased" with Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo and feels the school board could better monitor the job she is doing. "She should be more accountable to the school board," he said. "They seem to rely too much on what she tells them without looking into some things further." ful in making cuts to the budget," he said. "Last year, they cut a science teacher out of the budget. If they eliminated some of the overtime in other departments they could have kept that teacher." Sharing services with other districts could save money, McAvaddy added. "We need to economize more, and if we can have a joint purchase with one or more local school districts we could save a lot of money," he said. "As one example, we could buy pens, papers and other supplies in bulk with them. Another thing we can do is look for more ways to fund the school system, such as pursuing more educational grants." McAvaddy also said the curriculum at Cleary Middle School should be upgraded because it's not giving the students what they need. "Not every kid is geared toward college," he said. "The school system seems to be dropping everything to prepare all of the students toward entering college." McAvaddy noted he's "not pleased" with Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo and feels the school board could better monitor the job she is doing. "She should be more accountable to the school board," he said. "They seem to rely too much on what she tells them without looking into some things further."
Susan Girard BUENA -- For Susan Girard, a lifelong Landisville resident now finishing her 18th year on the Buena Regional Board of Education, overcrowded classrooms are the school district's biggest problem. "Our taxpayers realize that we need a new middle school," said the former teacher, who retired in 1986 as chairwoman of Millville High School's history department after 36 years in education. "The Cleary Middle School is antiquated, and there is no way an addition with extra classes can be built onto it. And the children don't have the labs they need." Also known as Susan Girardi, the six-term incumbent said she now prefers to be called "Girard" -- the name she was known by for many years as a Millville teacher. "On the school board election ballot, they have me as 'Girardi,' but people will know who I am," she said. "My late husband and his family went by either Girard or Girardi." She's one of two candidates competing in the April 19 election for a three-year seat representing Buena Borough residents Girard said she's proud of her educational background, noting it enables her to know what children require. "I also taught on the elementary and middle school levels before I started teaching high school," she said. "I know the needs of children and how to handle them. Every child needs to excel." While she puts a high value on academics, Girard believes extracurricular activities are equally important. "Some children are not good academically, but excel at sports or art," she said. "What I've learned over the years is that you find the thing the child does well, and you encourage them to develop that talent. You don't take a child who's not good at math, and make them go up to the blackboard and solve a problem." Another big problem facing the school district is working with a restricted budget. Voters have rejected the district budget for three straight years. Making any more cuts could seriously compromise the high quality of education for students, Girard noted. April 19 election for a three-year seat representing Buena Borough residents Girard said she's proud of her educational background, noting it enables her to know what children require. "I also taught on the elementary and middle school levels before I started teaching high school," she said. "I know the needs of children and how to handle them. Every child needs to excel." While she puts a high value on academics, Girard believes extracurricular activities are equally important. "Some children are not good academically, but excel at sports or art," she said. "What I've learned over the years is that you find the thing the child does well, and you encourage them to develop that talent. You don't take a child who's not good at math, and make them go up to the blackboard and solve a problem." Another big problem facing the school district is working with a restricted budget. Voters have rejected the district budget for three straight years. Making any more cuts could seriously compromise the high quality of education for students, Girard noted.
BUENA -- Ever wonder what it would cost to have a school named in your honor? In the Buena Regional School District, the price tag is $1 million as the district seeks the public's financial help to build a proposed middle school. The district is looking for financial contributions large and small. For the right amount, donors' names can adorn parts of the school, such as a classroom (for $2,500 apiece) or cafeteria ($100,000). "If someone wants to give us the money for a big expenditure like an auditorium, they can have it named after them," Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo said. "The state considers the auditorium unnecessary and refuses to finance it." Education officials say Buena Regional is taking a unique approach that has seldom been tried in New Jersey. So far, the district has received more than $110,000 in pledged contributions from area residents, other individuals, local businesses and vendors serving the school system. The Board of Education plans a September referendum to seek public approval for construction of a school that would replace Cleary Middle School, which was built in the 1920s. Cleary would then become an elementary school, and two smaller schools would close. "We're seeking outside help in getting the school built because the state will only finance up to 65 percent of the construction costs. The rest is our responsibility," DeGiacomo said. "Building a school can be very costly, so we're trying to relieve the burden on the taxpayers." The cost of a new 80,000-square-foot school is estimated at $17 million to $19 million and would take a year to build. It's expected to house about 590 students. DeGiacomo got the idea to actively seek outside donors from reading a newspaper article about the Brooklawn School District in Camden County. Three years ago, Brooklawn officials approached their local ShopRite for a donation to add a gymnasium to its school. The supermarket donated $50,000, and its name now adorns the gym. It's a method never before been tried in Buena Regional. "It's a new concept for us and it's gotten a very favorable reaction," DeGiacomo said. She said letters seeking financial assistance were mailed last month to large vendors associated with the school; the district's five parent-teacher organizations; local businesses; the Buena Vista Township Committee; and Buena Borough Council. Parents and guardians of students are also being contacted. Frank Belluscio, a spokesman for the N.J. School Boards Association, said it's highly unusual for school districts to actively recruit financial help from the business sector. "They primarily rely upon state funding and on federal money to a lesser extent when it comes time to build a school," he said. "I know of only two cases where school districts approached either the corporate or private sector. These include Brooklawn, which recruited a local business, and the Moorestown School District, which got support from contributions received from local residents for its football stadium. Most of these kinds of donations go to the nonacademic area." Belluscio said there's been a trend among schools during the last 15 years of looking for ways to supplement building programs without using school tax revenue. Kim Pierotti of Milmay has three sons in the school system and supports the district's plan. "It's great," she said. "Any way they can raise money and lessen the burden on us taxpayers is all right with me." Shelly Damiano, a Newtonville mother of three, approves of the project but is concerned about whether voters will OK it. "My kids attend school in the district and I would love to donate money to help build the school, but we don't know whether the voters are going to approve of building it," she said. "We haven't even had the referendum yet." Buena Vista Mayor Chuck Chiarello is among those who supports the district's innovative way to help fund the proposed school. "If someone is willing to contribute to the overall cost, they should do it," he said. "I think it's a fine idea. Money is so short that any way you can raise it to offset costs is a good idea."
Grant would help launch after-school program 4/5/05 BUENA VISTA -- The Buena Regional School District is preparing for a $2.7 million state grant that will allow it to launch a massive initiative that offers a wide array of after-hours academic help and other activities for hundreds of students. The program, likely to start this summer, would serve students in grades four through eight. Additional help from several community organizations -- such as the Spanish Community Center in Landisville, Comcast and Atlantic Cape Community College -- will make it a success, Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo said. "It will be a collaboration of diverse community partners who will, for the first time, provide educational programs during nonschool hours for students and their families," she said. The district expects to get official word any day now from the state Department of Education that it will receive the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant that will make the program possible. Those funds will be budgeted over five years to form the Buena Regional Out-of-School Time, or BOOST, program at Cleary Middle School. About 200 to 300 students will be able to take advantage of it annually at no cost. The program will operate from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, providing structured activities and enrichment during crucial afternoon hours when parents often are still at work but students are no longer in school. DeGiacomo said activities will include:
Other offerings will include physical education, computer labs and art classes on topics such as origami. "We will also provide help to parents who want to get their high school equivalency diploma and we'll be conducting English as a Second Language classes for families who need help with the English language," DeGiacomo said. "They'll learn practical things, such as how to talk to their doctor." Shelly Damiano, a mother of three from Newtonville, said her 12-year-old daughter, Ariona, would be a good candidate to attend the after-school program. "She'd be interested if they would add music instruction," Damiano said. "They should take a poll of what the kids would be interested in. I think this program is a good opportunity for them." DeGiacomo said district officials are still hammering out details of the BOOST program. "It will probably begin the end of June after school is out, and it will be continued throughout the year," she said. "We'll be hiring for two administrative positions -- a project director and a site coordinator -- and a secretary for them."
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Address: Buena Vista Township
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