One-third of the seats on the Robbinsville Board of Education will be up for grabs Nov. 4, and residents will have their say about the direction the board is headed. Two incumbents—Shaina Rose Ciaccio and Sharon DeVito—and three newcomers—Craig Heilman, Andrew J. Usmiani and Richard Young—have stepped forward for the three available positions. Each candidate provided biographical information, as well as answers to three questions posed by the Advance.
Shaina Rose Ciaccio
Age: 27
Occupation: Adoption caseworker, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, State of New Jersey
Education: The College of New Jersey – B.S. in criminal justice, Villanova University – M.A. in criminology
Previous elected office: Robbinsville Board of Education, first term. On Negotiations, Education and Policy Development, and Community Relations board sub-committees
Community involvement: Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, coordinator from 2011-2012, member since 2009.
Connections to school district: None
Sharon DeVito
Age: 61
Occupation: Self-employed
Previous elected office: Robbinsville Board of Education (2008-present), BOE Personnel Committee, BOE Community Relations Committee chair
Community involvement: Robbinsville Education Foundation (founding member), Citizens Advisory Board – New Jersey School for the Deaf – Katzenbach Campus, statewide volunteer Advocate for Special Needs Children, Katzenbach Education Foundation (founding member, current president)
Connections to school district: Eldest daughter attended Sharon School, youngest daughter member of the first graduating class of RHS (2008). Middle daughter graduated from the New Jersey School for the Deaf – Katzenbach Campus.
Craig Heilman
Age: 45
Occupation: Finance manager for a major pharmaceutical company
Education: Bachelor’s from University of Pittsburgh and M.B.A. from Rider University
Previous elected office: None
Community involvement: Robbinsville Soccer Association Executive Board (VP and treasurer), township recreation committee, township planning board
Connections to school district: daughter and step-daughter attend Pond Road Middle School, step-daughter graduated from Robbinsville High School last year.
Andrew J. Usmiani
Age: 36
Occupation: Medical sales specialist for General Electric Healthcare
Education: St. Gregory the Great Academy, The Peddie School, Gettysburg College – B.S. in biology, Saint Joseph’s University – M.B.A. in business strategy
Previous elected office: Eta Phi Building Corporation and Alumni Board
Community involvement: Knights of Columbus Council No. 7677, SGGA PTA, advisor to Alpha Chi Rho undergraduates in career and curriculum development
Connections to school district: None
Richard Young
Occupation: Spokesman/Director of Media Relations for Verizon Communications
Education: B.A., The College of New Jersey
Previous elected office: None
Community Involvement: Coach for Robbinsville Basketball Association and Robbinsville Little League; Lector and volunteer at St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church, former member of Robbinsville Planning Board and Robbinsville Economic Development Advisory Committee, Volunteer for various events and causes associated with Robbinsville Schools
Connections to the school district: I have three children: Lizzy, in the 7th grade, Noah, in the 4th grade, both at Pond Road Elementary School. My son, Luke, formerly attended Robbinsville Schools. I’m married to Melissa Young, a school nurse at Pond Road Middle School and Sharon Elementary School.
Why are you running for the Board of Education?
Shaina Rose Ciaccio: We are expecting our first child, in February. This is my primary motivation because I can help shape and make decisions that will ensure the best education possible. Serving on the board is a rewarding experience. While it is a huge time commitment, it is worthwhile knowing you are improving education for our future.
Sharon DeVito: My why is personal. Experts said our deaf daughter would never learn to read past 4th grade. The Robbinsville school district committed its expertise to ensure she received an education to reach her full potential. I want the same educational opportunities for your children that my three children received.
Craig Heilman: I am someone who can’t sit back and watch. I have volunteered for many years in town, and the school board gives me the opportunity to help my daughter and step-daughter with their education, as well as make Robbinsville a better place for my friends and fellow residents.
Andrew J. Usmiani: To ensure academic excellence, improve fiscal responsibility and bring fresh talent and perspective to the board. I am a father of two boys, a Robbinsville native and plan to live here the rest of my life. I want to ensure the success of our schools for present and future generations.
Richard Young: Robbinsville is a highly regarded district we should all be proud of. As a parent with children in the schools, my goal is to help make our schools even better. I believe, however, our district could benefit by someone with new ideas and perspective. I plan to create an even better environment. Working together, we can help make Robbinsville a shining example for others to follow.
If you had absolute power, what would be the first change you’d make?
Shaina Rose Ciaccio: I would find a way to involve more residents in the policy making process. It is often difficult for residents to attend school board meetings. We need to get residents participating, not only for when they have issues. We need to be more open and inviting.
Sharon DeVito: To me, this means unlimited resources that yield smaller classes, expanded world languages, more courses and transportation. I am proud to be a member of a board that already made significant changes the past 5 years; increased courses, administrative consistency, yearly goals, a financial plan/perfect audits, and a healthy capital reserve account to care for our facilities.
Craig Heilman: I would make the school board more open-minded and accessible to the public and to differing opinions. Anyone that is a resident and wants a say in what goes in our schools and taxes should be welcomed, whether they agree with the school board or not.
Andrew J. Usmiani: Transparency. Every resident is a stakeholder and should have their say in the curriculum, books and programs. We all want a great school system since it contributes to our property resale values. However, we need to make sure the curriculum is non-political, and teaches values and integrity to the children.
Richard Young: I want to increase the opportunities to interact with district leadership. Let’s hear directly about what they think is right and what needs attention. Not everyone feels comfortable speaking at a meeting. Instead, let’s encourage events such as coffee with the superintendent as a way to address issues in a more open environment. Improvement in our district is incumbent upon collaboration.
Some have criticized the district, saying taxes have become burdensome. Is the criticism fair?
Shaina Rose Ciaccio: Taxes have continued to increase, and are burdensome. My husband and I know all too well this struggle as we begin to expand our family. The criticism is fair, and we need to take a harder look at our budget. We have to get out of the mindset of always raising to the 2-percent cap. Just because the law allows it, doesn’t mean we automatically have to raise every year.
Sharon DeVito: Unfair! Tax increases over past five years: county – 30 percent, municipality – 44 percent, and school district – 28.7 percent (includes debt service). District increases include enrollment (10 percent), per pupil spending (6 percent, still approximately $4,000 less than state average), and miscellaneous revenue (181 percent). Taxpayers support 84 percent of our budget, yet send millions to Trenton. We must continue seeking miscellaneous revenue.
Craig Heilman: Absolutely. The state allots a 2-percent increase each year. It is clear that this increase is the norm, not the exception. The budget needs to be something that is built with fiscal responsibility, not with a fixed increase that does not get challenged by the elected officials.
Andrew J. Usmiani: Absolutely. Our taxes continue to increase and our seniors are forced to move from the town they have beautified and lived their entire lives. I will ensure that we are the best stewards of the tax payers’ resources, providing the best return on investment for our children, and eliminating waste.
Richard Young: Board members need to be advocates for quality schools. At the same time, they have a responsibility to be good stewards of the tax dollars provided by residents. Since my children have attended our schools, I’ve seen great programs and others that need to be changed. Arbitrary cuts make no sense, but there are potential savings on the table, money that could be reallocated, rather than increasing taxes.
Ciaccio,
Usmiani,
