Piccillo and Hopman to lead board for year
Six-year member to serve his first term as president
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

Old Bridge

OLD BRIDGE - Two Board of Education veterans were elected to serve as president and vice president Tuesday as a third of the board's seats changed hands.

Frank Piccillo, who is starting his sixth year on the board, was chosen as president for the next 12 months, and Annette Hopman, who has previously served two years as president, was named vice president.

"Everything I will do, I will focus on addressing the academic, social and emotional needs of every single child," Piccillo said yesterday. "It's my belief that there is a unique advantage in having me serve as president."

Piccillo cited his 30 years of experience as an educator, including 18 years as a teacher, and 12 years in administrative duties, as both an assistant principal and principal. He is employed now as principal of a Jersey City school. According to Piccillo, having a vested interest in the Old Bridge district because of his own children also plays a role in his value as board president.

"I have an insight as to what programs will be more effective," Piccillo said. "I'm going to lead this board in a positive manner, and move forward and learn from our past mistakes."

As president, Piccillo said he will be open with information both to the rest of the board and to the public. He stressed the importance of working with every board member in the decision-making process.

Piccillo said he would also like to strengthen the board's partnership with parents in the district, to get them more involved in various matters in the school system.

"Without them, we can't do anything," Piccillo said.

Although Piccillo said he encourages the public to be involved in the workings of the district, he expressed disappointment with the way certain residents go about it. He said there are some residents who do not get involved in coming to meetings or participating in other matters with the board, other than to voice complaints in accusatory and nonproductive ways.

"They enjoy spending a lot of time being disruptive," Piccillo said. "Although those comments are negative and disheartening, we are not going to entertain them. My challenge to them is that they do everything possible to become part of the solution instead of being disruptive, and being part of the problem."

Piccillo said he is happy with the board's selection of Hopman as vice president, and that she has the necessary experience to fill the seat.

"We are going to be working closely together to achieve these goals," Piccillo said.

Hopman, who is in her third three-year term on the board, also has clear objectives for the coming year.

"My biggest goal, along with [fellow board member] Fred Colabella, is to generate enough money through a partnering program to help defray the costs, while giving children the best education we possibly can give them," Hopman said.

To that end, Hopman said she has been working with the board, as well as the shared services partnering committee she co-chairs with Colabella, in order to find more ways to bring revenue to the district without burdening taxpayers.

"I just know that there is money out there," Hopman said. "If it can happen in other townships, it can happen in Old Bridge."

Hopman cited Toms River's school district as an example of finding resources successfully, including partnering with businesses. She said Toms River Superintendent of Schools Michael Ritacco has provided a wealth of information on the topic, and has agreed to pay a visit to Old Bridge to discuss more options with the board.

Another goal Hopman spoke of was developing a proposed day-care program for the children of employees in the district. She said the program would incorporate the core curriculum of kindergarten classes in order to help children transition into their first year of school. It would also be available to members of the community on a lottery basis.

Also Tuesday, Eugene Donofrio, Abhishek Desai and David Josselyn were sworn in to their first three-year terms as board members. The three newcomers took the place of John Allen, Linda Ault-McLaren and Barbara Rossi, none of whom sought re-election April 17.

Board committee chairpersons will be announced publicly in 10 days, according to Piccillo. Although nothing is set in stone as of yet, Piccillo said that Desai expressed interest in serving as finance committee chairman, which he said would be a good fit for Desai.