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 Numbers to Justify a “No” Vote
Recently, our opponents claimed that a $400,000 increase in transportation costs was a key reason for opposing this year’s budget—one that included funding for securing our schools with RPOs. However, the actual increase was just under $40,000, driven by the state-mandated Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase of 5.81%. That’s a 10-fold exaggeration of the facts. If they can’t get basic numbers right, what else are they overlooking?
2. Misleading the Public with Inaccurate Information
By using these inflated numbers, our opponents not only misled the public but also used this misinformation to justify voting against a responsible budget that supports the needs of our students, teachers, and community. This kind of carelessness with information should be alarming to voters. If they are willing to misrepresent facts on such a straightforward issue, what other decisions are they making without full understanding?
3. Ignoring Key Financial Realities
Budgets for a school district involve much more than transportation costs. There are unavoidable, state-mandated expenses that must be accounted for—such as special education services, salary adjustments, and infrastructure improvements. Our opponents’ focus on a single, inaccurately reported figure suggests they may not have a firm grasp of these essential budgetary realities. Leaders must be thorough and fully informed before making decisions that affect our entire community.
4. The Importance of Accuracy in Leadership
Responsible leadership means diving into the details and ensuring that decisions are based on accurate data and thoughtful analysis. Whether it’s securing funding for infrastructure improvements or planning for future educational needs, you deserve leaders who understand the complexities of budgeting and policy-making. If our opponents can’t pay attention to the details, how can they effectively navigate the larger challenges our schools face?
5. What’s at Stake
As voters, you have the right to expect transparency, accuracy, and diligence from those seeking leadership positions. A lack of attention to detail doesn’t just lead to mistakes—it leads to misguided decisions that could negatively impact our students and our community. Our opponents have shown that they lack the precision and care needed to make informed, responsible decisions.
Real Leadership Means Real Attention to Detail
When you’re making decisions that affect the future of our schools, there’s no room for sloppy math or careless mistakes. Our team has consistently demonstrated the diligence and thoroughness required to lead effectively, always keeping the best interests of Hardyston’s students and taxpayers in mind.
We ask for your vote so we can continue to lead with integrity, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence—qualities that our opponents have yet to demonstrate.