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Training Our incumbent candidates are highly knowledgeable about the responsibilities of school board membership, having earned the New Jersey School Board certifications of Certified Board Member, Master Board Member, and Certified Board Leader. These certifications were achieved through extensive board member training, far exceeding the basic requirements that all board members must meet. In contrast,… Read more: Our Qualifications

Our team places the highest value on the security of our children and schools. Ensuring a safe environment for students is a priority we have consistently upheld. In May 2023, Councilman Santo Verrilli, Councilman Brian Kaminski, and Vally Cicerale (wife of Councilman Frank Cicerale) attended a Board of Education meeting to advocate for the introduction… Read more: School Security

Over the past ten years, our school district has seen significant improvements in its facilities, all achieved through careful planning and financial responsibility. Some of the key upgrades include: Elementary School Roof: Fully re-sealed to ensure longevity and safety for our students and staff.New Boilers: Installed in both the Elementary and Middle Schools, enhancing energy… Read more: Facility Improvements

In 2018, the passage of Senate Bill 2 (S2) fundamentally changed how schools in New Jersey were funded, eliminating adjustment aid and capping state aid growth. For our district, this meant a significant loss of funding—$1,162,080, or around 10% of the budget. Recognizing the gravity of this situation, David Van Ginneken and the Board of… Read more: Our Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility and Innovation

In any election, it’s easy to point fingers and cast blame. It’s far more challenging to show measurable results and provide the community with real benefits. Unfortunately, while some members of the opposing campaign have spent their time finding excuses for why they have been ineffective, we have been hard at work making sure the… Read more: While Others Blame, We Deliver Results: Hardyston Deserves Better

Let’s Stick to Reality Recently, there has been much talk about the potential for a digital sign to generate revenue for our school district, with some claiming it could bring in anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 a month. While this might sound appealing at first glance, it’s important to consider the facts before jumping to… Read more: Digital Sign Claims:

Recently, claims have been made regarding the hiring and support of Retired Police Officers (RPOs) in our schools, with suggestions that this initiative has been championed by Donna Carey since 2012. While we fully agree that the safety of our students and staff is paramount, it’s important to correct some misrepresentations and clarify the facts.… Read more: Setting the Record Straight on School Security

Recently, our opponents have posted a list of claims attacking the leadership and results of the current Board of Education, including our team. However, much of what they have stated is either misleading or entirely inaccurate. Our community needs to have the facts, and we want to take this opportunity to address these claims directly.… Read more: Fact-Checking the Opposition’s Claims: A Closer Look at Leadership and Results

In any leadership role, particularly one as important as serving on the Board of Education, attention to detail is critical. Decisions made by the board impact everything from student safety to fiscal responsibility. Unfortunately, our opponents have demonstrated a concerning lack of thoroughness, which raises serious questions about their ability to lead effectively. 1. Inflating… Read more: Leadership Requires Attention to Detail: Are Our Opponents Fit to Lead?

While our focus has always been on improving our schools and ensuring fiscal responsibility, it’s disappointing to see thousands of taxpayer dollars wasted on personal crusades. Our opponent has continuously used public resources in her ongoing attempts to target other board members, putting personal grievances above the best interests of our community. Instead of focusing… Read more: Our Opponent’s Personal Crusades Are Costing Hardyston Taxpayers

Our Board of Education is a non-partisan body focused on supporting our children, ensuring safe schools, and fostering community unity. It’s not about politics—it’s about putting students first. We’re proud to have the support of members from both major parties, as our team believes that the needs of Hardyston’s students come before any party affiliation.… Read more: The True Spirit of Non-Partisan Service

Actions speak louder than words, and recent actions by Hardyston’s entrenched Republican Club leadership reveal a troubling agenda. While most club members are dedicated to our community, a few at the top seem focused on gaining power at any cost, using tactics that mislead and distort the truth about our schools. Their approach is less… Read more: Deception and the Pursuit of Power: A Closer Look at the Hardyston Republican Club Leadership

Trust is essential in public service, yet recent actions by Deputy Mayor Brian Kaminski and Tony Alfano, campaign treasurer for Donna Carey, raise serious questions about their commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility. In a recent letter to the editor, Kaminski falsely claimed the Board of Education had a “split vote” on security. This is… Read more: Exposing Deception in Donna Carey’s Campaign

At the recent 2024 New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) Workshop, Hardyston Board of Education members Ron Hoffman and David Van Ginneken demonstrated their ongoing commitment to educational excellence through professional development. The annual workshop serves as a premier training event for school board members across New Jersey, offering insights into emerging educational trends, governance… Read more: A Commitment to Lifelong Learning: Board Members Hoffman and Van Ginneken Attend 2024 NJSBA Workshop

Dear Editor, Recent letters from Deputy Mayor Kaminski and Mayor Cicerale about the Hardyston Board of Education require factual corrections. I am writing this letter as an individual not as a member of the Hardyston Board of Education. Most concerning is Deputy Mayor Kaminski’s claim about a “split vote not to have” armed security in… Read more: Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, I want to thank the Advertiser for filling a vital role in Sussex County as our ONLY local newspaper, especially for covering community events. We appreciate your reporter’s past attendance at our Board Meetings, ensuring that the facts were accurately reported as they were presented. I am writing this letter as a public… Read more: Letter to the Editor

Hardyston residents have made their views clear: the proposed one-million-square-foot warehouse on Lasinski Road threatens our rural way of life. Despite overwhelming opposition, developer Mulvihill, one of the project’s few supporters, not only advocated for it at a town council meeting—where he sat alone next to Tony Alfano in the front row—but also took the… Read more: Donna Carey, “Kids First,” and the Warehouse Project: Is Hardyston’s Future at Stake?

In a recent article, Councilman Santo Verrilli endorsed Donna Carey and Robin Marotta of the “Kids First” team for the Hardyston Board of Education, supporting their push to consolidate Hardyston’s elementary and middle schools. But this proposal, which could close our elementary school, comes at a steep price—both financially and to the heart of our… Read more: Protecting Hardyston’s Heart: Why Our Elementary School Shouldn’t Be a Casualty of Politics

I write this opinion as a taxpayer and Hardyston citizen, not as a member of the Hardyston Board of Education. I have worked alongside Dave Van Ginneken and Ron Hoffman for the past 10 years. Their dedication to the constant improvement of our schools is commendable. Their focus on students and staff is steadfast. Their… Read more: Letter to the Editor – Demsak

I write this as a Hardyston citizen, not as a member of the Hardyston Board of Education, and most importantly as the father of four children currently enrolled in the Hardyston School District. I want my children to embrace the complete school experience: a rigorous curriculum, supportive teachers and administrators, various sports and clubs, and… Read more: Letter to the Editor – Drelick

As a Board of Ed member for the past seven years, I would like to encourage the Hardyston voters to elect Dave Van Ginneken, Ron Hoffmann and Jeff Altieri to the board for the next three years. Dave and Ron have been on the board for the entire time I have been there and have… Read more: Letter to the Editor – Lucarelli

I am writing this to throw my support for Dave Van Ginneken and Jeff Altieri for the Hardyston Township Board of Education. I have had the pleasure to serve on the Hardyston Recreation Committee with Dave for many years. Between running the rec soccer to volunteering his time on this committee and being a member… Read more: Letter to the Editor – Judd

My family and I are proud to call Dave Van Ginneken and Jeff Altieri friends. Dave is currently a member of the Hardyston Board of Education and running for re-election, and Jeff is running for one of the spots up for election this November. Dave and Jeff are hard-working people who are very involved in… Read more: Letter to the Editor – Maloney