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 our schools – this is entirely false. No such vote ever occurred. The only security-related split vote was on the budget, including the new RPO funding, where his preferred candidate voted against the funding. This deliberate misrepresentation of school security matters by a public official is troubling.
The facts paint a different picture than their politically motivated claims: Hardyston consistently ranks among Sussex County’s highest-performing districts. Our students have made exceptional progress in English and Mathematics since COVID, and the district achieved a 6% reduction in chronic absenteeism last year – one of the county’s fastest improvements.
The Board of Education’s strength lies in its non-partisan nature, focusing solely on educational excellence. Unlike some current officials who spread misinformation for political gain, our approach centers on proven results and honest leadership.
As voters consider their choice, they should ask: Do we want our PreK-8 schools guided by demonstrated educational success and truthful leadership or by those willing to spread misinformation about serious matters like school security for political advantage? Our children’s education deserves better than political fiction.
Sincerely,
David Van Ginneken