Dear Editor:
Three years ago we asked for the support of our friends and neighbors to get our son, Michael Schlemm, elected to his first full term on the Secaucus Board of Education. He is now seeking re-election to his second term, and we are again asking for your support.
Michael was first appointed to the board by his fellow trustees, after volunteering to fill the unexpired term of a trustee who resigned. During his more than three years on the board, working with the rest of the trustees, he has learned and accomplished much. Using his engineering and business background, as well as his extensive knowledge of computers, Michael was very involved in the board’s decisions to upgrade the Secaucus School District’s technology programs so they will serve students in all grades and prepare them for what they will encounter in the twenty-first century.
Serving on the board of education is just an extension of Michael’s community-minded spirit and commitment to Secaucus. He’s involved in coaching recreation sports and volunteers for anything that benefits children. His wife, Lana, shares his commitment to our school children and continues to serve as president of the Clarendon School PTA while also playing an active part in the Middle School PTA.
Because residents only read about the one or two public meetings the board holds, they don’t realize the amount of hours board of education trustees spend to do their jobs properly. Working within a committee system, it’s not uncommon for the board members to have two or three committee meetings a week, in addition to the public sessions. Serving on the school board takes a lot of energy, time and commitment, and our son Michael has demonstrated his commitment. He knows what the position requires and he does what it takes to do it right.
We are not asking you to vote for Michael just because he’s our son. We ask you to look at his record of accomplishment over the more than three years he’s been on the board and give him the opportunity to continue to accomplish even more. Look at the increased number of computers, workstations and Internet access in the schools, as well as the ongoing construction of extentions to our two elementary schools.
Michael and his wife are products of the Secaucus School District and have three children now attending the same schools. He has a vested interest in seeing that the local school district provides every child with the best education possible, yours and his. As a homeowner and taxpayer, he also realizes that the best education has to come at the best cost.
We believe electing Michael to a second term on the Secaucus Board of Education is a sound investment for the youth and all residents of Secaucus, whether they have school-age children or not. Electing the right people to the school board should be important to residents without children in the schools because a smooth-running school district with exceptional educational programs increases everyone’s property values. We ask that you vote for Michael Schlemm on Tuesday, April 17, and give him the opportunity to continue to serve his community.
Camille and Jerry Schlemm