Superintendent’s Contract Extended

By Alyssa Riccardi HOWELL – Members of the Howell

Ocean County, there’s been 27 fatal crashes that resulted in 28 deaths. Monmouth County saw 19 crashes resulting in 19 deaths. These numbers are on pace to match or exceed the last few years.

In 2022, Ocean had 48 crashes resulting in 52 deaths. Monmouth had 46 crashes with

Township

Board of Education

extended the contract

of

Joseph Isola, Superintendent of Schools.

At the most recent board meeting, members voted in favor to extend Isola’s contract for another five years until June 30, 2028.

“I have served Howell Township in a leadership role for about 20 years - two decades. This has in so many ways been home for me,” Isola said at the meeting. “Moving out here in my career in 2004, I didn’t know what I was getting into. And little did I know I found a community that I have rather quickly fallen in love with and I continue to work on the behalf of our entire community.”

Isola was born at Fort Dix while his father was stationed there as a captain in the U.S. Army. Although his grandfather, father and

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55 deaths.

In 2021, Ocean had 43 crashes with 44 deaths. Monmouth had 32 crashes with 34 deaths.

In 2020, when there were a lot of COVID quarantines, Ocean had 30 crashes with 30 deaths. Monmouth had

33 crashes with 34 deaths.

In 2019, Ocean had 37 crashes with 39 deaths. Monmouth had 33 crashes with 36 deaths.

In 2018, Ocean had 31 crashes with 39 deaths. Monmouth had 28 crashes with 29 deaths.

In 2017, Ocean had 52 crashes with 53 deaths. Monmouth had 40 crashes with 43 deaths.

In 2016, Ocean had 39 crashes with

41 deaths. Monmouth had 47 crashes with 50 deaths.

Sgt. Philip Curry of the New Jersey State Police said that the NJSP Fatal Accident Unit comes out when injuries seem serious. Looking at this data, certain trends emerge.

“Driver inattention, pedestrian violations and unsafe speed are typically the top three contributing factors in fatal crashes,” he said.

It’s important to note that driver inattention could mean cell phone use, a distraction in the vehicle, or even falling asleep at the wheel, he said. “Driver inattention” is also marked as a contributing circumstance when a vehicle runs off the road with no other explanation as to why.

If a pedestrian violation is noted, it means that the pedestrian’s action caused the crash, such as crossing where prohibited, he said.

“Based on the top 3 Contributing Circumstances year after year, crashes could potentially be reduced if drivers avoided distractions and drove defensively. Pedestrians should cross roadways designated for pedestrian crossing and should always use due caution for their own safety,” he said.

Statewide Deaths Rise

Statewide, the fatalities follow similar trends to Ocean and Monmouth counties. On the years that Ocean and Monmouth were really bad, the rest of the state is really bad, too.

2023 to date: 295 crashes causing 310 deaths

2022: 650 crashes causing 694 deaths.

2021: 667 crashes causing 697 deaths

2020: 550 crashes causing 587 deaths

2019: 524 crashes causing 558 deaths

2018: 524 crashes (same two years in a row) causing 563 deaths

2017: 591 crashes causing 624 deaths

2016: 570 crashes causing 602 deaths New Jersey looks at these figures much deeper in their annual Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash Report. The most recent report available at this time is from 2021.

In 2021, roadway fatalities increased a frightening 18.7% over the previous year in the nation’s totals. There were 697 deaths in 2021 in New Jersey alone, 110 more than 2020. It is the highest number in 13 years.

The 2021 report put some of the blame on COVID-19 regulations fading. Regardless, it was still estimated that it was the worst since 2005.

The report explained that this works out to an average of almost two deaths per day.

Of these deaths, 97 involved motorcycles, 36 involved tractor trailers, 26 involved bicycles, and 217 (almost one-third) were pedestrians.

There was alcohol involved in about 30 percent of the crashes, and in 12 percent of them, a driver was legally drunk.

Perhaps there are some trends that follow a pattern. For example, in 2016 and 2017 – locally and statewide – the numbers of deaths were very high before they dropped. Then, they rose again coming up to today. It could be that the statistics are cyclical and rise and fall regularly.

It’s not just in New Jersey. The nation saw an increase of 10.5% in fatalities from 2020 to 2021. There were 42,915 motor vehicle fatalities across the country in 2021.

Youth:

Continued From Page 1 experience.

became undeniably evident - many cadets return for multiple years of boot camp because of the incredible experience it offers them.

Headquartered at the Monmouth County Fire Academy, the seven-day camp is open to kids entering grades six through eight in September.

Graduation occurred at National Night Out after completion of a constantly moving program, which included several field trips, intense physical training, and written tests. The group had the opportunity to see how local officials collaborate with other law enforcement agencies.

The cadets toured the Point Pleasant Coast Guard Station and explored the Howell Police Department headquarters and ventured inside the Monmouth County Correctional Institution for an eye-opening

Contract:

Continued From Page 1 two brothers were involved in the family business of dentistry, Isola chose a career in education.

Isola and his wife Pamela have three grown sons – Joseph, Nicholas and Andrew.

In a district biography, Isola said he enjoyed coaching his children in multiple youth sports as they grew up. He’s an active

Their trip to the shooting range included a course on safety, with equipment demonstrations performed by camp staff.

Cadets also had the opportunity to see the drone police use when needed and learned about evidence gathering and crime scene investigations.

“On the last day, we did more of a fun day,” Officer Maureen McBride said. “We did a building skills activity, which included a ropes course. We all went to the movies, and they were dismissed from there.”

A few of the officers have enrolled their own family members to participate in the boot camp. McBride’s 13-year-old daughter, Julia Schenk is one of them and is in her last year of eligibility.

After she fi nishes 8th grade, Julia has the opportunity to become a member of the Howell Police Public Safety Cadet Program.

According to Julia, she and the other couple of cadets related to police officers don’t member within the community, as he volunteers with many of the youth organizations such as Pop Warner Football and Cheer.

Isola joined the Howell Township district as a middle school principal in 2004 and assumed the district’s chief education officer position in 2014, holding the title of Superintendent for nearly 10 years. During his time as Superintendent, he was able to envision and launch the Monmouth County Schools Partnership for Wellness, which is a partnership of about 60 school get any preferential treatment and while she doesn’t see work as a law enforcement officer in her future, she understands the value of the program.

“It’s taught me about discipline and fi nding my full potential. Since we have to call everyone here sir or ma’am, I also am doing it in other places, too. It sounds more respectful than just saying yes or no,” she said.

The boot camp has given Julia some appreciation for her mother’s job in her role as a school resource officer. She knows her mom works hard and understands a little bit more about how stressful the job can be.

Twelve-year-old Shane Sansil shared his excitement about attending his fi rst boot camp and was delighted to participate. He expressed his enthusiasm in being part of an experience none of his family members have had before.

Shane looks forward to becoming the fi rst in his family to venture into the world of law enforcement. “It’s very strict, but I districts focusing on SEL and mental health for students, staff and communities.

In the past couple of years, Isola was named the 2021 New Jersey Association for School Administrators Central Regional Superintendent of the Year and the 2020 Monmouth County Superintendent of the Year.

“Through the years I’ve worked with numerous board members and those experiences have been so enriching and fulfilling. I want to thank the Board, and also those who have come before you, for your faith knew it was going to be that way from day one,” “I watch a lot of shows about police and this has made me like things even more,” he said.

Shane said that teamwork is an integral part of the bootcamp. “If one person messes up, then we all messed up,” Shane explained. “We all failed together.” and confidence in my leadership. I don’t take that responsibility lightly. I think you all have witnessed that. It is something that I wear 24/7,” Isola said. “What an honor and privilege to be able to continue to serve this wonderful community and quite frankly it is humbling to work alongside such great partners that are here tonight and throughout our district.”

He said he enjoyed the field trips and physical training despite it being hard and intense. Shane found the challenge invigorating.

Julia and Shane both said the physical training exercises led by Officers Ray Tillotson and Eric Otten were much more demanding than any ordinary gym class. They ran the gamut from squats, runs, situps and burpees, and pushups.

Officers Jayme Higgins and Mike Migdon were actively engaged in the weeklong boot camp. They serve as school resource officers, and contributed toward enhancing the bonding experience between the agency and area students.

“Thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve and I will continue to do so with every heartbeat,” Isola added.