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 of armed security guards in our schools.
Recognizing the urgency, David Van Ginneken, alongside three other board members, attended the town council meeting on June 28th to voice the need for immediate funding to implement these security measures in the current school year. While other board members had to leave, David stayed through the executive session to ensure our collective message was clear when the vote occurred.
At that meeting, a motion was made to draft a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance school security for the Hardyston Township School District. Disappointingly, despite their earlier support for armed security, both Councilmen Verrilli and Cicerale—who are active supporters of Danuta Carey—voted against this important motion.
When it came time to fund Retired Police Officers (RPOs) through the budget, Danuta Carey voted against the budget, which included the necessary funding for these critical security personnel. In contrast, both Ron Hoffman and David Van Ginneken voted in favor, securing the resources needed to keep our students safe.
As candidates for the Board of Education, we pledge to prioritize transparency, consistency, and a genuine commitment to the needs of our schools and community. We are dedicated to making decisions that protect our children and ensure our schools remain safe and well-supported.