Early November included sad events for me. Mid-November provided time for contemplation and reflection. Late November was Thanksgiving — a holiday I use personally for spending time with family, expressing gratitude for the advantages in my life, and appreciating the sacrifice others contributed for our abundance.
Remarkably, Thanksgiving came very late this year as the calendar seemingly knew that I’d need more time to process early and mid-November phases.
On Nov. 2, I attended a memorial for my friend and school board colleague Roy Dollard. Roy was truly one of a kind.
In 2017, when Roy Dollard did not seek re-election, I wrote: “At the end of this calendar year, our school board will lose an important voice.” His lost perspective is particularly relevant during these turbulent times.
Here is an unedited excerpt from the same column:
“He is both the oldest and the longest-serving board member on our current Board of Education. Roy’s position as elder statesman has provided a vital perspective to balance other diverse views on our board.
As a retiree, he was quick to remind district administration that the two-thirds of Valley residents who have no students in our district must be considered in our service to the community.
When Roy was on the fence about running for his second term, I shared that I really looked forward to voting for him since I had not voted for him when he originally won his seat. He had run a rightfully angry campaign centering on our excessive New Jersey property taxes. At the time, I had two kids in elementary school and was scared that his conservative fiscal attitude would translate into cutting important academic programming.
My fear was unfounded. Roy has always abided by the code of ethics that requires the educational welfare of children guide all decisions. His unwavering principles compel him to make very difficult choices. Roy prioritized the good of the community over a strong personal friendship when he was the swing vote in a contentious election installing me as board president.
His example and commitment ensure that our district performs well. Throughout the majority of his tenure, Roy has chaired our finance and facilities committee. He has driven improved planning that contributed to our district’s statewide recognition as a fiscally responsible leader. The Certificate of Excellence For Financial Reporting we have received for the past five consecutive years has been awarded to less than 5 percent of school districts annually.
Further, we would not have been able to pass the recent referendum without his guidance to get our financial house in order to maximize the benefits to both our students and taxpayers.
Roy Dollard’s legacy is that district’s finance and facilities are in better shape than when he arrived. He has also contributed to the healthy diversity of opinions that result in stronger Board policy. Finally, he has shared his wisdom and mentored a stronger administration.
Roy Dollard has met and exceeded his civic duty and now the board of education needs someone that wants to have an impact on lives of students and communities to step up.”
My words were almost prescient. I met Roy through our shared experience as elected officials and his memorial was sandwiched between political happenings that he would have tracked closely. Locally, our school district failed a referendum and our nation elected Donald Trump as the 47th president.
Roy would have been satisfied with the outcome of both events. Whereas I am far more conflicted.
The school board we served on together was truly nonpartisan. Roy was MAGA and I progressive, yet school board members are not party affiliated and once elected, our contrasting perspectives were incorporated into collaborative decision making based on finding common ground.
My disappointment with the national election outcome was my wishful belief in the unity messaging — a president for all people. Instead, I sense continued polarization. Yet, if I am honest with myself, regardless of the national election outcome, a great number of our electorate would not feel that their voice was being heard or respected.
Coincidentally, my column last month entitled, “School board referendum — what went wrong? Part II,” received more engagement than any previous piece I’ve penned in the last seven years.
My analysis of our local school board referendum, replete with lessons learned, may have foreshadowed the conclusion of our national election with the reality that similar red flags were present for all to see.
Our nation’s concern about rising prices is a recurring theme in every election and takes priority in voters’ minds at all levels of government. Further, there is less trust and a desire for more transparency from our elected officials.
New Jersey notoriously claims the title for highest property taxes in the U.S. Therefore, it is not surprising that affordability is on everyone’s mind. These kitchen table issues may explain why New Jersey experienced its closest presidential vote in 32 years.
This observation reminded me that Roy Dollard was a trusted voice for fiscal responsibility among retired Hopewell Valley community members on the right.
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Upon further reflection, I fondly recalled Bruce Gunther, another former board member who passed in 2021. Bruce was the polar opposite from Roy’s serious, corporate demeanor. Bruce was a diehard, active Democrat with an easy laugh, who rode his Harley proudly after retiring as a school psychologist the Trenton Board of Education.
While Roy’s focus was BOE finances, Bruce preferred issues related to social emotional student wellness. Yet, they were friends who served together, both passionate about the economic realities of retired individuals while improving educational landscape for our students. Bruce often mentioned his sensitivity and experience being on a fixed income.
Bruce Gunther was a trusted voice for fiscal responsibility among retired Hopewell Valley community members on the left.
While both Roy and Bruce are no longer with us, they set a high standard for others to strive to meet, and have shown us what is possible when elected officials work together. I am thankful for the people with whom I have served and hopeful that our community and nation can find unity and balance.
On a personal level, I am grateful that I can partake in this holiday season with my family. I appreciate all of the opportunity and abundance available and wish a joy and hope to all of our readers. I’ll see you in 2025.
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