Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 29, 2014 Letters to the Editor (continued from page 19) As president of the board, I also have a great respon- sibility to the taxpayers, including those citizens without kids currently in our school system. During my time on the board, I have been fiscally responsible by saving taxpayers approximately $1.1 million by operating under the two per- cent tax cap levy that’s permissible by law. For the 2014-15 school year, we had a net tax increase of $0. It has been an honor and pleasure to serve on the Frank- lin Lakes Board of Education these past four-plus years, and to serve as president the past 17 months. I am proud of what we have accomplished during this time and I look forward to a very bright, exciting future for the students of the Franklin Lakes School District. Please vote for me on Nov. 4 so we can continue in this positive direction. Larry Loprete Franklin Lakes (These opinions are my own and do not represent those of the Franklin Lakes Board of Education.) Urges votes for McGowan Dear Editor: I am writing to show support to re-elect Susan McGowan to the Franklin Lakes Board of Education. The board has had several tough decisions over the past four years. I’ve admired Susan’s dedication to sift through each issue displaying the utmost in fairness, professional- ism, and good judgment. Through her leadership, she, along with other board members, has positioned the Franklin Lakes school system to excel to the next level. We have an excellent school system with top leadership in part due to her continued commitment to all of our children. My hope is that you join me in voting for Susan McGowan on Nov. 4. Her re-election will ensure that our schools continue to move in a positive direction. Margaret Raphael Franklin Lakes Voting for independents Dear Editor: On Nov. 4, I will be voting for Holst, Dixon, and Koulik- ourdis. I have been an active parent in the Franklin Lakes School District for 10 years and served two years as a PTA president. I regularly attend board of education meetings and have seen our board in action. While residents can listen to meeting podcasts, nothing replaces being present to witness the conduct and demeanor of trustees. Holst, Dixon, and Koulikourdis are who we need to restore inde- pendent, informed, and respectful dialogue to our board of education. Holst, a bright, successful business owner and parent of two, is active in our schools and community. She regularly attends board meetings and knows the issues affecting our schools. Nobody tells Holst what to think. We need that kind of smart, independent voice at the table. Dixon, a successful account executive with two children in our schools, has also been a presence at board meetings. His calm, respectful style makes him a unifier, something we need on our board. Koulikourdis is an attorney, mediator, and parent of four young children. His skill set and experience, coupled with his always professional and respectful demeanor, will inject a new voice, fresh perspective, and intelligent profes- sionalism we need. I encourage all residents to watch the video of the Oct. 7 Candidates’ Town Hall (available at www.dixon4flboe. com/town-hall/). It shows Holst, Dixon, and Koulikourdis addressing difficult questions from a challenging audience member with the respect and composure we need on the board. In my opinion, Holst, Dixon, and Koulikourdis are not beholden to outside groups. They will represent all stake- holders with the independent, informed and respectful rep- resentation we all deserve and our schools need. On Nov. 4, vote for independents Holst, Dixon, and Koulikourdis. Rebecca Rund Franklin Lakes Voting for Christie & Yudin Dear Editor: We have lived in Wyckoff for 49 years. It was the perfect place to raise our three sons, and it has been the perfect place to retire. This is due to the Republican leadership that Wyckoff has always had. They have always been fiscally respon- sible and responsive to the needs of all of the residents. This year, we have the opportunity to continue that leadership. Doug Christie, our current mayor, is a lifelong resident of Wyckoff and a graduate of our schools. He has been active in many different groups in our community includ- ing coaching recreational sports, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, 25 years on the Wyckoff Fire Department, chaplain for the fire department, chairman of the zoning board of adjustment, and an elder in the Wyckoff Reformed Church. He is a general contractor in town and has worked hard to preserve the small town charm that Wyckoff has. I have seen him as mayor this year lead the township committee meetings and know that he respects and values the opinions and concerns of all of the residents. Susan Yudin has lived in Wyckoff for more than 40 years. She, too, has been active in many different groups. She served on the Wyckoff Design Review Board and is currently a member of the Wyckoff Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Wyckoff Chamber of Commerce. She is a founding member and sits on the board of the Wyckoff Love Fund, an organization that supports local families in need. And she served as president of Temple Emanuel of North Jersey. Her experience in running a business in Wyckoff makes her uniquely qualified to serve on the township committee. She knows and understands the needs of our businesses as well as our residents. Together, Doug and Susan represent all of the residents and businesses that make Wyckoff the special town that it is. We are very fortunate to have two votes each and we both intend to use them to ensure that the values and tradi- tions of Wyckoff continue. Susan and Joel Winton Wyckoff Re-elect Larry Loprete Dear Editor: Re-elect Larry Loprete for BOE. Why? Since we des- perately need people like Larry Loprete on our BOE! At the Oct. 14 BOE meeting, Dr. Furnari, our new superin- tendent, recommended the reinstatement of the middle school flagship advanced math program. This program was eliminated last May based on the recommendation of the previous superintendent and the director of curriculum, despite overwhelming objection voiced by various stake- holders. Eight BOE members voted in favor of eliminat- ing a program that proved itself successful and essential for advanced middle school math students. Only one member voted against it, and that was Larry Loprete! Prior to his election in 2011, Larry promised to protect the programs and look out for all students. Being a man of integrity who has a genuine care for the level of educa- tion provided, Larry voted against the decision to eliminate a vital program, one that ensured our students’ competi- tiveness in math placement and when applying to top high schools. Since Larry’s tenure on the BOE, during which he served as a BOE member and currently as its president, our school district has undergone changes that bring hope to students, parents, and teachers alike. Some of these changes include the hiring of a new superintendent who brings an impres- sive track record and skill set along with sincere care for students. Further, our district has hired a new director of curriculum who collaborates with our devoted teachers to improve the programs being offered to our children. We owe it to the children of Franklin Lakes to continue having Larry on the BOE, as what we need is people like him: capable, dedicated, and ethical people who perceive the betterment of the education provided to all the children of Franklin Lakes to be their true mission. Dr. Tal Millet Franklin Lakes Endorses Dixon & McGowan Dear Editor: In the midst of the upcoming election, I am writing this letter to make my position known that I am endorsing Randy Dixon and Susan McGowan as they run for board of education trustee positions in Franklin Lakes. I believe that a mixture of seasoned board members and brand new board members who can bring a fresh perspective would be the ideal combination at this time. I recognize those individuals who have successfully and graciously volunteered their time to support public educa- tion in our Franklin Lakes community and want to re-elect Susan to the Franklin Lakes Board of Education. Although I have known Susan for only a few years, I know she is a straightforward, independent thinker who is able to make tough decisions. She invests countless hours to dedicating herself to public service, educating herself about issues that are specific to our district, as well as those at the county and state level. Susan is experienced and has a proven track record and unwavering dedication to serving our commu- nity. Susan is a trustee who will continue to be a respon- sible voice on the Franklin Lakes Board of Education. I have known Randy and his family for over eight years and, in that time, I have learned much about Randy’s values for which I have great respect. Randy is not only an upstanding member of our community and very likable on a personal level but a truly dedicated father to his two chil- dren. (I’ll bet that no other full time working father spends as much time volunteering at the schools as he does.) He also exemplifies fairness, honesty, integrity, and thought- fulness. He is enthusiastic about taking on this role as a trustee and as someone who would be new to the current board he will bring fresh ideas and perspective. He believes that the board is not a place for negativity and that every board member should be accountable for their vote by expressing why they voted a particular way. Randy believes in consensus building and will focus on bringing board members together to discuss things in an open and honest dialogue. Randy takes pride in our school system and truly wants it to be the absolute best it can be while keeping class size small, yet being fiscally respon- sible. In his own words he has said to me, “My only goal is to work with the other board members, the administration and staff to make sure our schools are run well and we can be proud of our achievements.” I believe that both Randy’s and Susan’s attributes will be assets to the board. Susan and Randy have my complete support, my total trust, my utmost respect, my best wishes, and also my vote. They need your vote, too, to keep our schools the best they can be. Lori Lazan Franklin Lakes Koulikourdis, Holst,& Dixon bring fresh perspective to BOE Dear Editor: After several years of conflict and consternation, with the hiring of a new superintendent, the Franklin Lakes school community is well positioned for a fresh start. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, I believe it is critically important that we infuse the board with new blood and elect new members who will bring new ideas, open minds and, most importantly, distance from the unpleasantness and rancor of recent years. Early indications are, even with the recent changes, it is business as usual with the majority of the old board. While not a charred, post-apocalyptic landscape, there is still scarring. The grudges and pre-dispositions of the past lurk in the background and we still see a majority of the exist- ing board marching in lockstep, making decisions based on preconceived notions and preordained agendas. Perhaps more disturbing is the insidious creeping of dogma into the debate. I read Mr. Davis’ letter of last week in horror – not for the cartoonishly ill-informed character- ization of school volunteers as “cookie bakers” (though the statement is patently offensive) – but rather for the mis- guided and grossly mistaken affirmative statements set forth therein. Contrary to Mr. Davis’ letter, there is no soft- ware that is replacing traditional teaching. Additionally, I am beyond concerned as to the concept of reviewing and changing curriculum based on a fear that it is propagat- ing the interests of the federal government. This position, borne of equal measures of paranoia and political dema- goguery, has no place in a conversation about how we run our K-8 school system. The classroom is no place for dogma and the school board is no place for political zealotry. The only zealot I want is someone who is zealously committed to the best interests of our children and fostering a nurturing, pro- ductive and first class environment for learning. I have no interest in, or patience for, anyone looking to advance a social and political agenda in my child’s school. We have a new superintendent. We have an opportunity. We can reboot: Move forward in a productive manner, free (continued on page 21)