Thank you!!

Thank you for all your support!

As you probably know, I didn’t make it. However, I am very honored that you came out for me! I am also VERY PROUD to have run a campaign on the issues only.

The reality is that my message isn’t what the vast majority of the voters in Barnegat wanted. I will not judge that as being good or bad; it’s simply a fact.

Clearly, one of the many lessons (mostly marketing lessons) learned here is that direct mail works. I’ve read many books on the subject, so I know and understand these principles. I knew from the start that winning a campaign based solely on online marketing would be an arduous endeavor. Be that as it may, I feel good about how I ran my campaign, and I am thrilled that 493 people agreed with what I said!

We now have a brand new Board of Education. For the good of all the children, I believe we need to leave everything negative behind and wish the best to everyone on the Board, new and old, in their work on the difficult tasks before them. I mean that sincerely.

See you at the meetings.

Thanks again for supporting me!

Vote Today

This is it! It’s been a long and difficult campaign season for Board elections, and today is the day when we decide the future of our school district. Polls are open between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

As you know, much is at stake today. Five seats will be determined, and that’s the majority of the Board. Also at stake is the school budget, which I fully support.

I appreciate your support, and your vote. Please call your friends and neighbors and ask them to support me today.

THANK YOU!!

Eye of the (Bengal) Tiger

Ah, 80’s music flashback. So with one day to go, I want you to know that I will be focused on what I’ve said. I want to accomplish the goals stated in this blog. Here is a summary of what I’ve said so far:

1)	I will contact every Board member and let them know that the past is the past, and I want to work with them to move forward.
2)	I will work to end the Board’s infighting and lawsuits.
3)	I will always ask myself the question, “Does this build on our foundation?” when making decisions.
4)	I will work on adding more language courses.
5)	I will work on improving the website to include more public information starting with the Policy Manual. Additionally, I will work on improving the online interactivity of the district website.
6)	I will work on creating a committee that works directly with the public to answer questions and concerns before they become political issues at Board meetings.
7)	I will accept criticism as an opportunity for improvement.
8)	I will work to add a few more meetings to the schedule that will be geared specifically for public comment where there can be more back-and-forth exchanges.
9)	I will be accessible to the public. Email is the best way to reach me: scott@barnegat2008.com
10)	I will work on adding more online high school courses for supplemental classes.
11)	I will work on adding more instruction for software applications other than Microsoft.
12)	I will not make snap decisions.
13)	I cannot promise to “lower taxes” because that issue (school tax), in my opinion, needs to be resolved at the state level. However, I will work to make sure every dollar spent is spent efficiently and in the best interest of education.

Candidate Profile

Information about my campaign appeared in today’s Asbury Park Press (page B8--back of Local News section).

Click on the graphic (or here) to see the in-print version. (This article is also online.)

MISSION: Build on our foundation

Near the end of the last Board of Education meeting, Ralph Splendorio spoke about his time on the Board and what he felt the new Board needed to do. What Ralph said not only made a lot sense, but it also made me rethink how the Board needs to focus as a group. Ralph said, “Build on your foundation. Don’t continually reinvent what has been done.” We need to move forward.

We all arrive at solutions by asking ourselves questions. The better the questions, the better the answers. It’s so simple and true. In fact, I believe that this should be the mission statement of our newly-elected Board. The Board as a whole, and individual Board members, should ask themselves, “Does this build on our foundation?” before taking actions or making decisions. If the answer is “no,” then everyone needs to go back to the drawing board.

On another note, fiscal responsibility is a key issue today because of rising prices and rising taxes. I am very proud to be passionate about saving money. To that end, I mentioned in my last post that I was going to be interviewed on Action News (Channel 6, Philadelphia) yesterday, Monday, 3/31/08. The story aired and was reported on by Nydia Han, Consumer News. Check it out below.