CAMPAIGN 2008:
SCHOOLS AND POLITICS?
GOP CANDIDATES BOCCHINO & HERRMANN MEET WITH SCHOOL OFFICIAL OVER FOOTBALL FIELD AND ENCAP!
WHY IS SUPT. OF SCHOOLS MEETING WITH PARTISAN POLITICAL CANDIDATES TWO WEEKS BEFORE AN ELECTION?
NORTH ARLINGTON - NA Today has learned today that Republican candidates Jim Bocchino and James Herrmann have met with Supt. of Schools Oliver Stringham apparently over the issue of a new football field as well as discussions on the construction of a new school facility should the EnCap project move forward.
While details are sketchy, apparently the two Republican candidates were given an audience with the educational leader of the district. While certainly not illegal, one has to wonder the reasoning of meeting with political candidates for public office versus meeting with the actual members of the governing body.
"Dr. Stringham seems to have no problem taking a very public position in a partisan political contest. Like BOE trustee Anthony Blanco, Mr. Stringham is also a Republican. It is disturbing that he would afford his time as superintendent of schools to promote the political agenda of Mr. Bocchino and Mr. Herrmann," said one Democrat upon hearing about the meeting.
According to other sources, Mr. Stringham recently attended a political fundraiser for both Bocchino and Herrmann.
"I thought the Republicans were against EnCap. Why would they be meeting with a school official about the construction of a new high school? If in fact Mr. Bocchino and Mr. Herrmann met with Dr. Stringham about EnCap, it flies in the face of the borough's ongoing battle to stop EnCap once and for all," said one supporter of Mayor Peter Massa, a former school board trustee and president.
Democrats found the whole situation disturbing.
"This kind of political meeting sends the wrong message to homeowners. The superintendent of schools is supposed to be a non-partisan educational leader for the whole community. His own political views are his own. But to take a very public role in the waning days of a highly charged political campaign is divisive and not in the best interests of North Arlington taxpayers," said one Democrat when asked to comment about the apparent meeting.
"If Ollie Stringham is seeking support for the district, why doesn't he start with the mayor of North Arlington?" said another resident.
According to sources, the meeting included discussions about the potential construction of a new high school should EnCap become a reality. Local Republicans claim to be against the project, but this apparent meeting with Stringham changes the dynamics of the campaign as it relates to EnCap, eminent domain seizure and the construction of low income housing.
"How can you claim to be against EnCap while having conversations with school officials about a new school? Are Bocchino & Herrmann so naive to believe they're going to receive some "free" high school if they flip-flop on EnCap? Don't they understand EnCap wants the deal on the table and the deal on the table is nearly 2,000 units of housing, eminent domain seizure of Porete Avenue and the construction of low income housing?" said another supporter of Councilman Steve Tanelli.
While the issue of politics is once again clouding this embattled school district, others are quietly wondering about the district's relationship with the North Arlington Education/Athletic Foundation.
The foundation is known as a 501C, which is a not-for-profit organization according to federal filing returns.
According to the organization's federal tax filing, they list 44 Webster Avenue as their operating location which is the Roosevelt elementary school. They also list a North Arlington Board of Education extension as their phone number.
According to the 2007 Form 990 (Click Here), former Mayor Leonard Kaiser serves as president. Mr. Kaiser is a former borough councilman, county freeholder and executive director of the Bergen County Utilities Authority. He is also a state appointee to the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC). The foundation's Vice-president is Brian Fitzhenry, a former school trustee and unsuccessful GOP candidate for borough council in 2004. The secretary is Peter Scandariato. Mr. Scandariato was North Arlington's borough attorney when Kaiser served as mayor. He is not a resident of North Arlington. The treasurer is Robert Landolfi. Mr. Landolfi served as borough administrator, acting municipal clerk and executive director of the now defunct North Arlington Redevelopment Authority. Superintendent of Schools Oliver Stringham serves as a trustee to the organization.
No Democrat serves on the foundation's board. No current elected official on either the governing body or Board of Education have a role in the administration of the NAEF.
The most recent filing was prepared by one Wallace P. Nowosielecki, the chief financial officer (CFO) of the Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) and a former Republican councilman from Elmwood Park.
The report, which was dated 5/13/07 reports total receipts between 2003-06 of $1,089,131.
$326,903 was dedicated to the operation of the School Age Child Care (SACC) program and $101,439 was expended on it's summer camp.
$43,326 was raised for an annual golf outing of which $14,426 was the net proceed. The event had $28,900 in expenses. The golf outing's expenses reflect 67% of all monies raised.
Only 33% of the event's proceeds were dedicated to the foundation's charitable efforts.
Total revenue was $442,768 of which $279,321 was for program services and $112,872 in management expenses. The foundation had excess funds of $50,575 and overall net assets in cash of $142,861. The foundation made a single donation of some $10,000 for scholarships.
According to the filing, the foundation pays no rent for usage of the district's facilities.
Of the $271,446 dedicated to salaries, $29,280 was for payroll taxes and $11,500 in accounting fees. It was unclear who was employed by the NAEF. It did not state the number of employees, their names or the actual salaries of those employed. While salaries account for 63% of the foundation's expenditures, it was not made clear through the filing who actually manages the day to day operations.
According to the filing, Mr. Kaiser receives no compensation in his capacity as president.
