This week candidates for the Voorhees K-8 Board of Education candidates were asked to give their final pitch to the voters of Voorhees Township.
Voters will take to the polls on Wednesday, April 27 for the elections. There are four candidates for three, three-year seats on the BOE.
Here are there responses.
Rich Wojdon: On April 27 you will have the opportunity to cast your vote in the school board election. I have proudly been a member of the Board for twenty-seven years. I feel that the most important thing is the quality education, which has allowed the children of Voorhees Township to go on and lead successful lives.
In the present economics of our lives, it is important that we consider all factors in the decision making process. It is imperative that we continue cost saving measures while keeping the high standards which Voorhees is known for in the education of our children. With funding cuts, which have taken place, we continue to achieve a thorough and efficient education of our students.
I am dedicated to the children of Voorhees. Many residents I have spoken to indicate that the main factor in choosing the town in which they reside has been the schools. Those residents who no longer have children in the schools know that the value of their property is linked to the excellent reputation of the school district.
I have lived in the town for 39 years. I am proud to have been a part of the growth of Voorhees. My children, and now my grandson, are recipients of the hard work that has been accomplished in the past to meet the needs of all children. Today, we must continue these demands.
I bring to the board many years of experience. With the new demands placed on all districts, it is imperative that we have the experience of its members. I would appreciate your vote in order to allow me to continue my lifelong dedication to the children of our town.
Thank you for your continued support.
Matthew Dortch: When my wife and I moved to Voorhees six years ago, the school district was a large factor. At that time the ET Hamilton School had just won a blue ribbon two years prior. We were pleased with the school district’s accomplishments and direction. For many years, as we didn’t have children in the schools, we trusted our neighbors with better knowledge of current school events, and vested interests, to vote and make decisions. My wife and I are now happily expecting our first child, and as I’ve begun to reassess the school district, I haven’t been pleased. As I’ve begun to take a fresh look, I see a district that has coasted for the past eight years without being challenged. I see a district that continues to rely on 20th century methods to teach 21st century students. I see waste, inefficiency, and neglect.
Did you know?
• Fifty-five percent of our real estate taxes go towards the Voorhees schools annual operating budget.
• Our real estate taxes fund two entirely separate school administrations for Voorhees schools. Grades 9–12 at Eastern High School roll up to a regional school board and administration, while K-8 rolls up to the Voorhees Township school board and administration.
• The Voorhees School District contains four separate K-5 Schools, each with a separate administrative staff.
• The Voorhees Middle School has a combined four principles, including an assistant principle for each grade, and one to oversee them all.
So, when casting your vote on April 27, I recommend asking yourself the following questions:
• Am I completely satisfied with the educational system in Voorhees?
• Do I believe my children are getting the best education possible?
• Do I believe that the district spends tax-payer dollars in the most effective and efficient manner possible?
• If you can answer yes to all of these questions… Don’t vote for me. Vote for all three incumbents.
If instead, you believe that we need to:
• Support the budget, but examine future distribution of funds more closely
• Ensure that tax dollars support strategic educational goals where results can be measured
• Challenge our administrators to reduce operating costs and consolidate responsibilities
• Challenge our teachers to infuse technology in the classroom, and provide resources for them to do so effectively
• Challenge our students to excel at academics, sports and arts
Then vote for me, Matthew Dortch, for the Voorhees Board of Education.
I have made a career out of helping Fortune 500 companies and government agencies improve services while reducing costs and I’m ready to put my professional skill set to work for Voorhees. I believe our children deserve a better education than they currently receive. I believe our educational strategy needs to be dynamic, and responsive to a rapidly changing world. We need to infuse our curriculum with technology, and encourage teamwork and innovation in the classroom.
It’s time for an education renaissance in Voorhees. Let’s help our children succeed tomorrow, by updating our education strategy today.
Richard Nelson: As a CPA and an attorney, I believe I bring a business perspective to the board and a set of skills that are important in these challenging financial times. I have over 30 years of experience as a business consultant and advisor. I have financially advised many business owners in a wide variety of industries. I have negotiated contract provisions and settlement agreements with federal, state and local governments. My broad business experience is an asset that I bring to the school board.
I freely give my time and experience to the Voorhees Township School Board because I want to give back to the community that I live in and to maintain the excellent education we provide to our children. This is really about our children. People move to Voorhees for its school system. The administrators and board members over the year have put together a program that makes us one of the top districts in the state. It is important to me as it should to all of you that we maintain, improve and manage all areas wisely. If I am re-elected I will continue our proud heritage.
As members of our community, each and every person should get out to vote. I ask that you vote yes and pass the budget. It is important that the budget does pass. This budget maintains all our programs, and will continue to provide a quality education to our children. I also ask that you vote for me and re-elect me for another three years.
Thank you and please vote.
Bruce Karpf: Ask yourself one question. Are you happy with your child’s education? Are you proud of people wanting to move to our community because of the schools? If the answer is yes, then vote for Bruce Karpf. I have been committed to providing the children of Voorhees the best possible education in grades kindergarten through eighth grade since 2003, and I never forget that it is the taxpayers who pay for this education.
I understand that if our schools suffer then so does our community. The desire of people to move into our community regardless of home prices and the future of our children is a direct result of the quality of education, which our schools provide. I am committed to maintaining this quality of education. I do realize that all of us are faced with challenging economic times. During these times we need experience in all facets of our schools.
I have the experience as a school board member since 2003, and as a businessman for 20 years. I understand the importance of cutting costs, while maintaining proper services. During the years that I have been on your school board, our state monitored test scores in the math and sciences have increased, our percentage of the amount of money that is spent on our children in the classroom has gone up in comparing us with other school districts, while our percentage of what we are spending on administration per student has gone down under this same comparison.
My focus is clear; we should spend our money in the classroom to continue to provide a superior quality of education. Vote for the children, vote for our community, vote for the continued success of our schools — Vote for Bruce Karpf.
