Michele Bernardino is one of two candidates running for two open seats on the Board of Education in the election that will take place on Tuesday, November 3. Since a candidates night that was to have been held by the Verona Conference of SCAs (School Community Association) was cancelled after a third contender, Joanna Breitenbach, withdrew from the election, MyVeronaNJ.com has offered Bernardino and fellow candidate John Quattrocchi a chance to present themselves to the community. Bernardino’s statement is below; you can read Quattrocchi’s here. The polls will be open on Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and voting also includes Verona’s state assembly seat, the Essex County clerk and the Essex County sheriff.
To Verona’s voters:
Last Tuesday evening I was informed that the BOE Candidates forum, scheduled for the following night, had been canceled. I understand that the circumstances were unforeseen and I hope that Mrs. Breitenbach feels a sense of peace after making the difficult decision to remove herself from the election. I wish her and her family all the best.
Despite the likely outcome at this point, I was looking forward to the forum, as it would give people a chance to get to know me and hear my views on important issues that affect our school and our community. I have confidence in the voting process and encourage all residents to be aware and informed voters. Therefore, I’d like to take this opportunity to share some of my beliefs with the residents and make myself available to answer any other questions. I have outlined below, some key areas that I am both concerned and passionate about and welcome any and all dialogue surrounding the issues.
Inclusive Community: I am looking forward to the findings of the BOE’s audit of the Special Education program. The cost for tuition, transportation and services for out of district placements amounts to over $2 million for the district. While some students may need resources that Verona is unable to provide, by improving our Special Education program we may be able to offer valuable services which would allow more children to be educated in their own community, while investing more money in our own district.
Taxpayer dollars: The recent paving, security and technology upgrades to our buildings were long overdue. While the referendum provided us with the resources to make these upgrades, we must find alternate methods to maintain an adequate maintenance budget for the future. I worry that we rely too heavily on the taxpayer, especially those with school-aged children, to fund the many projects and organizations that our schools depend on. We need to explore other possibilities that allow us to increase revenue while more effectively using our buildings and staff.
Whole child education: To ensure our students’ success and fulfill our mission statement, we must consider a whole child approach to education. With the support of the broader community (parents, teachers, coaches, students) we can increase our focus on character education and commit to educating the mind, body, and spirit of children. By implementing consistent practices across our elementary schools and continuing to bridge the gap to middle school and beyond, our community can successfully produce scholars, athletes, and upstanding citizens.
A Verona resident for the past 11 years, I am also the mother of three boys (one at VHS, one at HBW, and one at Forest Avenue School). I have worked as an Actuarial Analyst, the Executive Director of a preschool, and currently a 4th grade inclusion teacher for Newark Public Schools. I encourage discussion and dialogue regarding current issues and urge you to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Please visit my Facebook page for more information.
Warm Regards, Michele Bernardino
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
