Where do Madison BOE candidates stand on $79M school referendum, LGBTQ+ policies?

An upcoming vote on a $79 million school expansion plan and the ongoing search for a new superintendent dominated the discussion during an online forum of Madison Board of Education candidates on Wednesday.

All four candidates offered qualified support for the referendum, though they said some details need to be clarified before residents can vote on the proposal. The four candidates also strongly supported the current state guidelines on LGBTQ+ students that has generated fierce debate in other districts, including nearby Hanover.

State law requires public school districts to accept a student's preferred gender identity and pronouns without parental consent. The Hanover district is currently embroiled in a court battle with the state Attorney General over a proposed policy that the state says would force school staff to disclose the gender identity and sexual orientation of LGBTQ+ students.

Superintendent search

The four candidates − Deirdre Ostrowski, David J. Duran, Eric Fontes and Lisa Ellis − also agreed that the district of 2,500 students need to hire a "superhero of a superintendent," as Ellis put it, to replace former schools chief Mark Schwartz. Madison needs a leader who will "stay here for the future," Ostrowski said.

Schwarz was hired in 2017 but left at the end of the last school year to become superintendent in Ridgewood. First-round applicant interviews for a replacement in Madison are scheduled to begin next month.

"I hope we find somebody who wants to be here, that knows our issues and has tangible solutions for how to solve some of the issues in our district," said Fontes, a teacher in the Summit School District. "They need to be able to inspire people because we are at a tipping point."

$79 million school plan goes to voters

The top of that tipping point would be the $79 million bond referendum to pay for priorities that include the replacement of floors, lighting and heating systems throughout the district, a new roof for Madison High School and air-conditioning for classrooms. Those projects are contained in the first referendum question before voters, which would cost $48.3 million.

Second and third questions, with projects grouped by priority, would add another $12.8 million and $18.3 million, respectively. The proposals are linked, so voters would only be able to vote on Question 2 if they approve Question 1, and on Question 3 only if they approve the first two. Some of the spending under Questions 1 and 2 would be covered by state aid.

If the entire referendum is approved, the average homeowner would see a $790 annual increase. The vote is tentatively scheduled for December 12, a few weeks after the school board election on Nov. 7.

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'Every proposed penny of this referendum is needed'

Ostrowski, Duran and Ellis said the funds are needed to address critical infrastructure needs in aging buildings, but all said they were troubled by several aspects of the referendum that are not finalized or appear unclear to voters.

"We can get there, but it would be a passion project of mine to ensure all line items are clearly communicated to the public," said Ostrowski. "We need to do a much better job at getting the community invested in voting yes."

"I'm really trying to remain patient" while awaiting more specifics, Duran said. "That list is not finalized. We don't have final costs or state funding."

"I do not doubt for a second that every proposed penny of this referendum is needed," said Ellis, a former board member from 2003 to 2018 and board president from 2005 to 2017. "However, the communication on this has been very troubling."

Fontes was more enthusiastic about the referendum. "We would love to see more details. With that said, I am for this referendum, questions 1, 2 and 3," he said. "The time is now because state aid is coming. It's state aid also kicking in with this. We need safe and healthy classroom spaces."

The district, which also serves high school students from Harding, estimates enrollment of 2,469 students this year, down from 2,554 the previous year. Harding enrollment has decreased in recent years, while Madison is on the rise.

The three board seats are open as three current members with expiring three-year terms - Daid Irwin, Heather Reddy and Pamela Yousey - are not on the ballot.

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On diversity and bullying in schools

The November ballot will include the name of Dionne James, who confirmed he has dropped out of the race to focus on his ongoing community work promoting "diversity and respect" in the schools.

James, formerly an after-school supervisor for Morristown Neighborhood House and a camp counselor for the Madison Area YMCA, said he decided to continue his work outside the district administration and serve as "a liaison between the schools and the community."

"I felt that there are many issues not only with bullying/harassment but also racist comments that were not handled properly within the school setting, especially the junior school," James said. "After many conversations, and seeing the many incidents that are happening in the school, it was evident that this was not only a school issue, but a community issue and it needs to be addressed as such."

James, who recently completed his master's degree in social work, will host a "Respect and Diversity in the Community" public discussion beginning 6:30 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church, 34 Cook Avenue, Madison. Duran, for one, said he planned to attend.

Duran volunteered his praise of James as the candidates discussed incidents of racism and bullying, particularly on the middle school level.

"I encourage the community to join because this is a topic the schools can't stop on their own," Duran said. "We need that conversation to be happening."

"It's wonderful that Dionne and Rev. (A Craig) Dunn are hosting these conversations, "Ellis said. "They are wonderful opportunities for community engagement. But these conversations have to happen within the schools themselves."

The candidate forum can be viewed in its entirety on the League of Women Voters of Morristown Area YouTube channel. Along with the League, the sponsors of the forum included the Madison Eagle and the Morris County NAACP Morristown branch.

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com 

Twitter: @wwesthoven

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Madison NJ school board candidates debate upcoming referendum