School Board Candidate: John Tavis

Eight candidates are vying for seats on the Board of Education in the April 27 election. Today, Wall Patch continues its election coverage with the latest in a series of candidate profiles.

All candidates have been invited to participate in a short interview and provide a brief biography and a photograph.  Additionally, Wall Patch has provided a short slide show of the candidates’ closing statements from the April 5 candidates’ night, which can be accessed by clicking on the icon to the right.

Candidate: John Tavis

Age: 63

Address: 1610 Holly Blvd.

Children: Two adult children

Experience: Seeking first term

Like the two others on his candidate slate John Tavis, up against incumbent Pam Perrotto for a 1-year unexpired term, cited budget concerns, the search for a new superintendent and increased communication between the board and the community as issues paramount to his run for office.

Tavis, part of a trio of candidates that also includes Robin Cervantes and Anne Moonan, said he would leverage his experience as a superintendent in the Oceanport school system as part of the Board of Education.

“I’ve done budgets in the past,’’ Tavis said. “I actually have an understanding of the line items and where they can be cut.”

Tavis said the other side of the budget equation – revenues – could and should be explored further. While he said the option to advertise on school busses is a potential revenue generator, it would require staunch policing to ensure the messages advertised are in line with public taste.

But, he said, bringing in tuition students is another means to raise money for the school, along with the possibility that private businesses might be willing to lend a hand as well. He pointed to the success in engaging Jersey Mike’s Subs, which donated money toward sports programs in the Wall school district and others.

“There might be others out there willing to do the same,’’ Tavis said.

The key, he said, was letting the public know what the board is considering during, not after, the process. The budget, for instance, is a good place to start, Tavis said.

“The board, I think, does a very good job in March,’’ he said. “But by then it’s often too late.  You need the involvement of the community.”

Tavis said a good place to start would be to open committee meetings to the public. Often, committees of the full board present an overview of their meetings in a short presentation at the board meetings and that’s all, Tavis said.

“That really isn’t enough,’’ Tavis said. “I would like to see those meetings opened to the public.’’

Tavis also said an increased use of the district’s web site and possibly increasing the number of meetings may bolster community support.

The contract of schools Superintendent James Habel expires next year. Although Habel has not said publicly that he will not seek an extension, the school board at its Jan. 11 meeting cited the search for the district’s next superintendent as one of its top priorities, according to meeting minutes.

Tavis said he would be looking for a person with integrity, who will respect the district staff and believes all children can learn. He said he’d also be looking for a superintendent who had financial acumen and was communicative.

“But again, we need to find out what the public’s looking for,’’ he said.

Tavis said he favored a series of discussions at each school’s parent-teacher group and volunteers from each could form a larger, district-level ad hoc superintendent search group, to include some people who no longer have children in the school system.

“You’ve got to tell people from jump what you’re considering,’’ Tavis said. “Not after you’ve made a decision.’’

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Other School Board Candidate Profiles: