School Board Candidate Frank Neglia Looks to Continue District Successes

Frank Neglia, 55, says that for him, it's all about family and children.

That makes sense, considering his work with the Par-Troy West Little League, the Parsippany Recreation Advisory Committee, the March of Dimes and, for the past six years, the township Board of Education, which he now serves as vice president.

The 46-year Parsippany resident, avid gardener and father of five also works in education as director of facilities for the College of St. Elizabeth.

He said providing children with a superior education is important and that he believes the Parsippany school district provides that to its students.

"Parsippany schools address the learning needs and promotes the success of all students," he said.

Asked what he considers the five most important issues facing the district, he cites maintaining the schools' educational quality, being fiscally responsible, keeping buildings and facilities in top condition, successfully negotiating contracts with district employee unions and establishing district-wide goals and objectives for the 2013-14 school year.

"Maintaining the high quality of education in our town and continuous improvement will ensure we have measurable results that will clearly show this, [and keep] high performing teachers in the district," Neglia said, noting that investing in technology, such as the ongoing iPad initiative now in Parsippany schools, will keep the district "moving forward with the times."

Neglia said the board can be fiscally responsible to taxpayers, residents, students and staff through "careful budgeting of taxpayer dollars," working with consortiums to "get lower prices on goods and services," continuing efforts to take advantage of energy savings initiatives to save money, looking at "ways to reduce cost of benefits keeping in mind the sensitivity of those we are affecting," and continuing shared-service relationships with the township.            

Facility maintenance, he said, must be done "in accordance with the district's preventative maintenance plan" and tailored to student needs. According to Neglia, the board needs to follow the district's deferred maintenance plan and work with its Buildings and Grounds committee to look for ways to improve facilities.

Neglia said it is crucial for the district to bring negotiations with employee unions to fair conclusions. Part of that, he said, will require looking "at ways to reduce the cost of benefits keeping in mind the sensitivity of those we are affecting" and keeping "an open dialogue with all employees so everyone is aware of [the] process."

In considering goals for the next school year, he said the board must "continue look at ways to keep class size down, support the remedial programs, support and move forward with the Ipad program and technology, continue to look at ways to improve student safety through anti-bullying methods and support sports and co-curricular [activities] at all levels."     

"I've attended every board meeting the last 6 1/2 years except one," Neglia said. "My family and I work everything around our BOE meetings so I can  be there for the Parsippany school district."