Schools
Eastlake Voter: 'It's Time for Some Fresh, New Blood'
Many votes have questions regarding BOE activities and how tax dollars are being spent.
Ballots continue to be cast thoughout Parsippany for today's school election. While foot traffic has been slow for much of the day so far, a visit to features a steady stream of citizens coming out.
The issues facing voters in today's polling include the makeup of the Board of Elections—three seats are contested—and the nearly $130 million school budget for 2011-12.
Catherine Kelly, fresh from voting, demonstates a sense of compassion toward the current board members.
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"They're doing the best they can," she said.
Still, she wants to see a change on the Board of Education.
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"I want to shake up some action," the former teacher said. "It's time for some fresh, new blood."
The controversy over Superintendent LeRoy Seitz's contract was not a factor in her vote, Kelly added. Her concern, she said, is motivated by the widening gap between student achievement in the United States and Asian countries.
"We need to think about extending the school [year] so we can catch up with Asia," she said.
For Parsippany resident Deilip Shah, taxes are the primary reason he is voting.
"Taxes go higher and higher. That's not good," Shah said, noting that he is out of work, having been laid off from his position within the cement technology field.
Shah, noting the tough economic climate, voted against the budget. To him, it's a matter of dollars and cents.
"How can I pay taxes, utilities? I have kids in college," he said. "Don't raise taxes."
Danielle Valenzano visited the polls at Eastlake School with her sons Stephen, 11, and Brandon, 9, in tow. Both boys are students at the school.
"I wanted them to see how the process works," Valenzano explained.
Asked about her reason for voting, the busy mom was concise: "Change."
Asked how she felt about the current board, she said, "Unhappy."
"I don't like what's going on with the money. I don't like whgat's going on with the Board of Education meetings," she continued. "I don't like the board as it is."
And the budget? "I voted for that," she said, pointing toward her boys. "The budget's for them."
The polls remain open until 9 p.m. Results will be revealed later this evening at the Board of Education building.
Patch has already visited the polling stations in , and .
Patch will continue to provide updates throughout the day and night.
