School board candidates answer some questions
Three newcomers are running for seats on the Delaware Valley Central School Board of Education this Election Day, Nov. 5. The Courier asked them about some pressing matters facing the district, including the site of the proposed new elementary school, taxes, and security. (Interviews by Hope Franz)
DAWN BUKAJ, CHALLENGER
I am a wife and a mother of three boys. My oldest, 21, graduated from DV. I also have two adopted boys who are 7, both of whom have special needs. I am originally from Passaic County, N.J., but have lived in Dingmans Ferry for 17 years. I have worked as a portfolio property manager for Community Management Corporation in New Jersey since 2002.
Q: What is your stand on the proposed new elementary school site?
A: Between the financial burden taxpayers will have to endure and the location of it near a pipeline, I would have to say I’m against it for now. It doesn’t sound like the school is falling down at this moment and the students are not in a dangerous environment. So let’s admit that we may be wrong and reassess the situation and consider all options. Maybe repair the roof and do the necessary upgrades. I understand that there may need to be more parking, but parking is only an issue when events overlap. Perhaps make an agreement with WalMart and use their parking lot when ours is full. We do now anyway. If we are going to build a new building, I think we should build a Vocational-Technical school at the Ding-Del campus. We are not an elitist community. In most communities in New Jersey, the parents make more money than the teachers. This is not the case here. We need to really consider all options before breaking ground for a new school.
Q: Why are you running for the DV school board and why do you think you are qualified?
A: I am a parent and a taxpayer. I advocate for my special needs children, so I am constantly involved with the school. As a residential manager, I understand what it takes to work with, and for, people of very diverse backgrounds and personalities. I run board meetings and elections. I manage RFP processes, contract negotiations, etc. I work with several CPA firms and undergo annual audits. I’d like to give something back to our school district. Between my business experiences, along with being a mother of two children with learning disabilities, I think I would be an asset to the board.
Q: If elected, what can we expect from you?
A: You can expect me to work hard. You can expect honesty, common sense, openness and transparency. I would like to encourage a dialog between parent, taxpayers and board members. I would like to have parents and taxpayers more involved in decision making. If that means changing dates and times to make it easier for people to be at the meetings, then that’s what we will do. I would also like to have board members at the school’s open houses, or schedule meet and greets. It’s amazing how many parents don’t even know or have never met our board members.
Q: Taxpayers are complaining that money spent is spent frivolously. Do you agree?
A: I can sympathize with our taxpayers. When people drive by the new sign on the DV campus, they see dollar signs. And now with a new school proposal, people are asking, ‘How are we going to pay for this?’ I think we can certainly to do a better job at spending money.
Q: Do you think the current school board is doing a good job or could they be doing better?
A: I think there is always an opportunity to do better. Every dime taxpayers give us should be spent to benefit each and every student. The overall presence of the board to parents and taxpayers should be more accommodating.
Q: What is your response to board member Sue Casey, who asked how you plan to handle board meetings with two young children at home?
A: I think it’s the only thing she could find to discredit me. Out of six candidates, five have children all about the same age. Is it because mine have special needs? I took great offense to it.
Q: Do you think DV is prepared for any type of emergency or disaster response?
A: No, I don’t think they are prepared. The campuses are so spread out and so is security. The state troopers barracks is too far away. We can’t do this alone. I would like to see an outside agency like Pike County Emergency Management work with us and come up with an action plan. This is a great concern of mine and every other parent. The driveways to the schools are too narrow and there needs to be a plan on how parents can pick up their children in the event of an emergency.
Q: Which school board member (former or present) impresses you the most?
A: I would have to say Jessica Decker. She stands her ground and votes based on her opinion. For example, during one of the school board meeting, the board was discussing the existing problem with the elementary school on the DV campus. One of the problems mentioned was mold. Jessica quickly responded by asking why we have kids in a school where they are exposed to mold and asked if the building was dangerous. I think Jessica represents the change that is greatly needed on our current school board.”
Q: What are three things your friends would say about you?
A: I think they would say that I’m easy going or easy to get along with, I’m honest to a fault, and that I’m special because of what I do for our sons.
Q: What are three things your enemies would say about you?
A: To my knowledge I don’t have any enemies, but if I did, I think they might say that I stick with my convictions, I don’t back down and that I’m honest to a fault.
Q: If you won $3 million from the lottery, what would you do with the money?
A: That’s a great question. I guess I would pay off some bills and create a better financial situation for my family. I would also adopt more children.
Q: What is your favorite charity?
A: I firmly believe that charity starts at home, but if I had to choose I would have to say St. Jude’s or Make a Wish Foundation. Both do amazing things for children and their families during an incredible time of need.
Q: Describe a situation where it’s appropriate to lie.
A: I don’t think it’s appropriate to lie to someone. It’s better to face the truth now because if it’s ugly today, it will be ugly tomorrow. Yes, I have lied to my children about Santa Claus. Is it lying or are we just being good parents? I think parents, including myself, lie to protect their children, or possibly for our own sanity. Like when you tell your kids that a very noisy toy is broken when you intentionally removed the batteries.
Q: What’s your favorite movie?
A: Great question. I would have to say “Rudy,” a very inspiring movie about a person determined to overcome the odds and fulfill his dream of playing football for Notre Dame.
BRIAN CARSO, CHALLENGER
I grew up in a working class family surrounded by dairy farms. I attended good public schools and took advantage of the educational opportunities available to me. Today, I am a husband, father, college professor, lawyer, and citizen who cares about his neighbors and our children.
Q: What is your stand on the proposed new elementary school site?
A: I look forward to reviewing the latest site studies and making a deliberate and careful assessment of the site’s suitability for an elementary school.
Q: Why are you running for the DV school board and why do you think you are qualified?
A: There is very little that we do as a society that is more important or rewarding than preparing our children for the future. I have experience as an educator, a government administrator, and a lawyer that will help to keep DV an excellent school district.
Q: If elected, what can we expect from you?
A: Level-headed and serious analysis, civil and courteous deliberation, and the skills to turn ideas into action.
Q: Taxpayers are complaining that money spent is spent frivolously, for example, on the new electronic sign. Do you agree?
A: Not all taxpayers are complaining about the electronic sign. In fact, I have heard plenty of taxpayers compliment the sign. If the sign communicates useful information, which I believe it does, then it is not frivolous. That said, we should always be careful to spend tax dollars wisely.
Q: Do you think the current school board is doing a good job or could they be doing better?
A: We are fortunate to have a very good school board in place right now.
Q: What is your response to Sue Casey asking Dawn Bukaj how she plans to handle board meeting with two young children?
A: I have interviewed and hired many people in my various positions in education, government and law. I know what questions I would ask, and how I would conduct an interview. I was not at the meeting in question, so I will let others address what occurred there.
Q: Do you think DV is prepared for any type of emergency or disaster response?
A: At Misericordia University, where I teach, I am director of the program in Government, Law and National Security, and when I served in the administration of former New York Governor George Pataki, my duties also concerned matters of security and public safety. So, I know something about this. We must always be attuned to safety and think several steps ahead of changing risks, while not paralyzing our schools with a bunker mentality. It is serious work. That said, I am confident that DV is doing very good work to provide a safe environment.
Q: Which DV school board member (former or present) impresses you the most and why?
A: Any person of good will who volunteers time and effort to serve on a school board impresses me tremendously.
Q: What are three things your friends would say about you?
A: I’m honest. I have a good sense of humor and I like adventure.
Q: What are three things your enemies would say about you?
A: I try very hard not to have enemies, so if they exist, they are probably just muttering irrational gibberish.
Q: If you won $3 million from the lottery, what would you do with them money?
A: Save for my children’s education, establish a charity, then go fishing!
Q: What is your favorite charity?
A: I give most frequently to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Q: Describe a situation where it’s appropriate to lie.
A: It is rarely if ever appropriate.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “Saving Private Ryan.” For the final words spoken by Captain Miller: “Earn this.”
JACK O’LEARY, CHALLENGER
I’m a husband, father, taxpayer and union member. I moved from New York City to Matamoras in 2001. I’m active in the community and in general, I’m just looking to make a difference in our children’s lives.
Q: What is your stand on the proposed new elementary school site?
A: As a parent, it is my responsibility to give my children more and better opportunities than I was given. I could give you the nicest house with the best of everything, but if I placed that house at the end of the runway at JFK Airport, would you sleep comfortably? What are the odds of a plane skipping off the runway and hitting the house? Same with the school. Why would you want to build a beautiful school and place it near a high pressure natural gas pipeline? The odds of an explosion might be low, but the result would be catastrophic. Why take the chance when there are other options and localities available?
Q: Why are you running for the DV school board and why do you think you are qualified?
A: The school board’s main purpose is to set the vision of the district. That vision is to be set by the input from the board, the school administration and the public. All three inputs are necessary. Right now I feel that the board sets the agenda, the administration is forced to accept it and the public has no input whatsoever. The school board says the reason why no one shows up to the meetings is because they are doing such a great job. I say no one is showing up because they feel they have no input and are afraid of retaliation. As a parent, an active member in the community, as successful small business owner, I am qualified. I am qualified because I have common sense which is not so common anymore.
Q: If elected, what can we expect from you?
A: You can expect honesty and transparency. I will listen to what school administrators, educators, staff and parents are telling me. I will listen to every citizen who pays school taxes whether they have children or not. I will stop spending tax payer’s money and I will start investing it. There will be no secret to where their money has gone. I will make hard to ensure that all voices are heard and worry free of retribution.
Q: Taxpayers are complaining that money spent is spent frivolously. Do you agree?
A: Yes. We are responsible for taxpayers’ money. Purchasing a piece of property without due diligence isn’t being responsible. And whether or not the new sign came from general funds, it was a frivolous purchase.
Q: Do you think the current school board is doing a good job or could they be doing better?
A: If I thought the school board was doing a good job or if I thought I couldn’t do a better job, I would not be running. The board can be awfully patronizing. If parents and taxpayers feel like they are heard and get something from going to the meetings, they will keep going.
Q: What is your response to Sue Casey asking Dawn Bukaj how she plans to handle board meeting with two young children?
A: I found the questioning “routine” for the current board. Only Bob Goldsack and Jessica Decker seemed upset. Personally, I found it to be offensive and discriminatory. The video and minutes have yet to be publicly posted on the web site. That alone speaks volumes of what is “routine” with this board.
Q: Do you think DV is prepared for any type of emergency or disaster response?
A: I would like to hope as a parent they are, but they keep us in the dark for obvious reasons. We have to trust our principals, teachers and staff. I do. My daughter’s principal is Aaron Weston and I know he would make the right decisions. He has proven himself as trustworthy to me during my past dealings with him.
Q: Which school board member (former or present) impresses you the most?
A: Jessica Decker asks the questions that should be asked. Bob Goldsack has always answered my questions honestly.
Q: What are three things your friends would say about you?
A: I have a hard time receiving praise for my efforts, but I think they would say that I’m very transparent, I’m a family man and that everything in my life is about these kids. My greatest reward will be heard in the laughter of these children. Lots of happy, smiling faces.
Q: What are three things your enemies would say about you?
A: It truly doesn’t concern me what my enemies have to say about me, but I can guess they would say that I’m incredibly focused and that I have great direction. I know like that sounds like a compliment, but sometimes when you are focused, it may seem as if you tune other people or things out.
A: If you won $3 million from the lottery, what would you do with the money?
Q: We would invest it wisely so we could stretch it out and be able to do more for others. Three million is not enough. If we won $300 million, we could build a school on a decent piece of property. We would set up a technical school for those who can’t or don’t want to go to college. We would set up a prescription drug program so that the elderly could get their meds instead of freezing in their houses in the winter and boiling in the summer, and so that they could eat decently. We could build cultural center-a place where kids could learn from professionals on music, art, dance, theater and television, etc… We would take over the old alcohol and drug rehab in Hugenot and renovate it and put kids in there that can’t get help because all of the detox centers have been closed. We could help feed a lot of mouths with that money. I say “we” because I am not in this world alone. In most everything I do, I work with others.
A: What is your favorite charity?
Q: Asking what your favorite charity is like asking “Who’s your favorite child?” Charity by definition is the love of humanity. A bad charity is when they waste the money given to them and only 10 percent goes to the intended who really need the 90 percent. The lady in the harbor with the torch says, “Give me your tired, give me your poor,” what she is saying is give us those who flee oppression (including hunger and poverty) and we will give you an opportunity to provide a good life for yourself. A good charity gives a hand-up not a hand-out. Instead of giving someone money for fuel, provide new windows, better insulation and a new efficient boiler. My favorite charity is a smart charity.
A: Describe a situation where it’s appropriate to lie to someone.
Q: To thine own self be true. Only a truthful man can admit to being a liar. A true liar never admits he has lied. I lie to my children all the time. I tell them there is an Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus. Lies to adults are different. For every good reason I have found to lie to an adult, I have found a better reason to tell them the truth. If someone gave me a horrid sweater for Christmas, I would say “I love it.” I would love it because it was given from that person’s heart.
A: What’s your favorite movie?
“Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” Specifically the last scene when Steve Martin brings John Candy home. That is kindness of humanity at its best, and that’s what Christ would do.