Editor’s note: Robbinsville School Board member Kerri Fox, who is running for reelection, was given an opportunity to respond to the below letter, since this is the last issue before the Nov. 8 election. She did not submit anything to the Advance by press time. The statements attributed to Fox by the letter writer have been verified by the Advance.
There are seven candidates running for three open three-year seats on the school board. In addition to Fox, candidates include incumbents Christopher Emigholz, and Lauren Paluzzi. The four other candidates running are Raghu Nandan, Peter Oehlberg, Jeffrey Pierro and Allison Prabhakar.
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On July 26th, the Robbinsville Board of Education selected Kerri Fox to fill a vacancy over several other candidates. Two members seeking reelection, Lauren Paluzzi and Chris Emigholz, abstained but participated in deliberations, and the rest of the board voted to appoint Fox unanimously.
Kerri Fox is running for a full term this November on a slate with Lauren Paluzzi and Allison Prabhakar.
Their slate was given control of an already established Facebook page used by previous board candidates which still lists Vito Gallucio, current board president, as its owner.
Board member Scott Veisz is the slate’s campaign treasurer, councilman Ron Witt hosted a fundraiser for them, and mayor Dave Fried has contributed $1,500 to their campaign.
Fox has made several public statements that are vehemently against public education, as well as statements that are downright offensive and do not represent the values of the Robbinsville community:
“How anyone still believes in public schools and government involvement in education at this point is beyond my comprehension.”
“I’m saying eliminate the districts and all the stigmas along with them… I’m saying privatize the whole thing.”
“I’m all for privatization of education. I don’t feel a public education system ever should’ve existed.”
“They’ve tried to improve public schools several times by dumping more money into them to no avail…The worst private schools are better than the best public schools and they do it for less… To dump more taxpayer money into public schools is counterproductive and irresponsible.”
“I just think the private sector is the one to get the job done, not the government…saying schools need more money and it will be better is ridiculous. Private schools do it better for less.”
“…the public school experiment has run its course. It just burns money unjustifiably. It’s time to take the government out of education… let those who educate children better for half the price take over.”
“It’s time to cut [the state] off and reboot this all to factory settings. They can have public safety, parks upkeep, and waste management. End of list.”
“I think we need to get to school funding following the child as step one, then move to education being completely privatized and dismantling DOEs and other government education entities.”
“Create a space where parents can outsource their kids home schooling, it feels like a school socially, but not have it termed a school on the business declaration and licenses so it’s shielded from any state guidelines. That’s the dream.”
Clearly, Fox feels it is time to give up on public schools, stating that “they had their chance, they failed epically, and they wasted way too much money in the process.”
She also referred to public education as a “ponzi scheme” on numerous occasions and called reducing teacher pensions “a great idea.”
Fox has suggested her statements calling for the destruction of public education were simply due to frustration with COVID related school closures.
However, her language is unambiguous in its scope and permanency. Additionally, she has told us that this isn’t really the case:
“This is what I keep saying. COVID didn’t create the problems in public schools, it shines a spotlight on them. Time to move on from this ponzi scheme, usher in school choice as step one, and move towards complete privatization because that’s the only way things get done right.”
“I keep saying this… COVID didn’t create the issues in public schools. They’ve been there for decades. COVID crazy just forced us to really see them.”
Kerri Fox also said wearing a mask was like being told to just “get in the box car” and referred to parents who value AP classes as “tools.”
These statements have been circulating in the Robbinsville community for months, and Kerri Fox hasn’t backed away from any of them.
Other board members, local elected officials, Allison Prabhakar and Lauren Paluzzi have engaged in social media posts where these statements are mentioned and are undoubtedly aware of them.
Not a single board member has said that they regret appointing Kerri Fox. No board members, local elected officials, nor Fox’s running mates have condemned her comments. Given their silence or outright support of Fox, it can only be assumed that they agree with her views.
Paluzzi, Fox, and Prabhakar are a threat to Robbinsville’s great public schools and do not represent the values of our community. On Nov. 8, vote for candidates who value public education and will make sure our schools continue to thrive.
Greg DeLuca
Robbinsville
