New Township Group Vows to Reform BOE in Parsippany

Nearly 20 residents met Thursday night for the second meeting of the newly-formed Parsippany Residents for a Responsible Board of Education held in the.

The group is a self-described as a coalition of parents and citizens who have come together for the purpose of addressing recent actions by the .

It was formed in response to the extension and pay increase to $216,240, granted by the BOE, which violates Gov. Chris Christie’s salary cap of $175,000 for administrators in districts the size of Parsippany.

During the meeting, it was announced that Gary Martin, a retired police officer, and Sue Golderer plan to run for the BOE.

A board member, who asked to remain anonymous, said the pool of candidates should be limited, and that, “10 candidates guarantee Choffo a win.”

Andrew Choffo, a six-year board member, recently Robert Crawford has said he l instead.

Although the group's first meeting was just two weeks ago, there are already 25 members. They aim to support candidates for seats in the BOE that align with their group’s goals.

They seek “a commitment to obtain a Board of Education that puts the needs of our children first in a fiscal, social and ethical way and to get a Board of Ed that is fiscally, socially and ethically responsible,” according to the group’s flyer.

Doreen Finkle, founder of the group, said it “doesn’t plan on stopping here [at meetings].”

“We want to make changes and be in the electoral process of the Board of Education," she said.

"We intend to set up a Board of Education watch group to make sure this does not happen again. I went to Board of Education meetings and came out shell-shocked.”

Parsippany residentof 40 years,  Joe Raich, who ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the BOE last year, said that the whole situation with Seitz is “outrageous.”

“When we elect the same people," he said, "we won’t get results.”