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Continued From Page 1 issue that the district is currently facing he said, “at the moment that is the cost of non-public transportation and the impact that is having on the overall school budget. This needs to be addressed at the State level through legislation and changes to the funding for this transportation.” Spalthoff said, “the other most and more important issue facing the school district is the mental health of our students and staff . The past three years have pushed everyone to their breaking points and the district needs to make sure that the mental health of our staff and students is priority number one. “I’ve seen many things taking place over the past year that shows Jackson’s dedication to the mental health of our staff and students and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to support this important work,” he added. He said he began his career in 1998 as a 5th grade teacher and continued to teach 4th and 5th grade for seven years. “During that time, I obtained my Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. In 2005, I began my administrative career serving as an Assistant Principal for fi ve years and then the next seven as a principal. Spalthoff said in 2017, he became a superintendent/principal in Monmouth County “and still have that position. In that capacity, I also serve as the facilities director and special education director. Additionally, I have coached both recreation and travel soccer for Jackson Soccer Club for the past 10 years with the last seven years as the head coach of the current U17 Jackson Power Girls Travel Team. “I am also a current Board member for the Monmouth Ocean Educational Services Commission and a founding member of the Monmouth County Schools Partnership for Wellness. These vast experiences have and continue to give me a solid background on how best to serve the children of Jackson as a Board of Education member,” he added. Spalthoff has lived in Jackson with his wife Megan since 2003. “We have three children that have all attended Jackson Schools, with our sophomore twin daughters currently at Jackson Liberty. Our son, Timothy, is a Freshman at Belmont University in Nashville.” As to challenges ahead for the school district, Spalthoff said, “the biggest challenges I see facing the district are the funding issues created both by S2 (State Aid Funding Formula) and the cost of non-public transportation. Proactively, we need to continue to push Trenton to change or assist with these funding issues.”

Gardella said he has chosen to run for a Board seat again because “I have a stake in the Jackson educational system. I am not only a taxpayer; I am a parent of three school-age children. In my opinion students are the main focus.” Gardella said the most pressing issue facing the BOE is “slashes in state funding have put pressure on district administration to evaluate ways in which to balance a smaller budget with required spending, all while hoping to maintain the superior programs for which Jackson is touted. “Schools are one of the backbones of any community, therefore diffi cult discussions need to be had regarding current and projected student enrollment, population and programming needs for the current demographics, along with a review of building usage and possible redistricting,” she added. Gardella added, “innovative ideas to increase funding for extracurricular, sports, arts and enrichment programs, such as ways to bring in outside community partnerships to help off set reductions in funds.” “The challenges ahead will focus on the balance of funds to programs. The state requires that all school districts fund special education services, transportation, along with auxiliary

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