Fair Lawn needs more Ron Barbarulo's. Always there for the kids of Fair Lawn. The true power behind making Fair Lawn the place for parents to raise kids.

He is right, he is the most visible member and certainly the most vocal about what is being done for the children of Fair Lawn. If you cast only one vote this year, let it be for Ronnie!

I like having a trades man involed with BOE. i hope he fights to keep programs like woodshop, CAD drafting, and other trade related programs around. it was a shame when we lost the auto shop, i know people who were inspired by the class and now have good careers in that field.
its a shame that all schools seem to care about are standardize test scores which dont have much real world use (i personally did horrible on my english section but thanks to CAD drafting classes in high school i developed skills and an interest and i am now a mechanical engineer).
there are great careers in the trades; plumbers, contractors, drafters, electricians, etc. schools should help ALL students figure out what they want to do in the future, not just kids who plan to go to college. hopefully Barbarulo gives them a voice

heres an idea if any BOE or anyone with any pull in the school systems read this. have local plumbers, contractors, drafters, electrician etc come in and speak to the kids so they can get introduced to future career opportunities. maybe they could even go in the field with some of the professionals and learn first hand what different careers are all about.
i just really think the school systems does a disservice for kids who arent fit for college. when i started working in the real world i wished i learned about these career opportunities at an earlier age to help me prepare

I thought Mr. Tedeschi handled that years ago?

Yeah, what a wonderful guy, so how did he vote regarding the custodians? Anyone remember? Just a lesser of the evils on that board. Board of Ed needs a dose of reality when it comes to taxes, they are choking out the residents!

I applaud your vote Mr. Barbarulo against getting rid of the custodians, these are another set of people with eyes and ears for our children, with all the attempted luring incidents lately as proof as why we need people we know and trust in our schools. I do agree with TT regarding the rest of the board members you serve with, they seem to have lost sight and are out of touch with the town, Homes foreclosed, business and stores empty, and the Board of Education has an 86 million dollar budget which Fair Lawn residents shoulder the brunt of Special needs students also, of which in the opinion of many residents is beyond what Fair Lawn can afford any longer. Remember every vote counts, not just the custodian vote! Cut the budget, Fair Lawn can't afford it any longer!

Ronnie's has done a great job, he really does care about the children of Fair Lawn.

Regarding special needs students. All students in this town have the right to an education, regardless of whether they are special needs or not. This town has an excellent special education program and I don't understand how anyone can say we should cut it. It's such a shame that I keep hearing this.

He is not a member of NJEA, therefore he gets my vote.

Merideth, between having Manager Metzler the plumber and Board of Ed Barbarulo the plumber in charge of things, it seems thing are flushing down the pipes quickly!

As the parent of a student with special needs, what Fair Lawn does not need is taxpayers that would deprive some children of an education because they believe to educate them is a waste of their taxes. Considering kids with special needs a waste of money is thinking that is a throwback to the 1950's or earlier when we locked some of them up in institutions as a family embarrassment and left the rest of them to flounder though life as best they could. Shame on you.

My son has had the pleasure of working with Coach Ronnie and I can honestly say that as an outside influence on my son Coach Ronnie hands down has been one of the best! He truly is an asset to the town of Fair Lawn and MOST IMPORTANTLY the children! Having conversations with him re: the educational system and children whom need more attention than others (knowing first hand myself), he puts forth the effort needed to attend to these matters on and off the field! Not only does he have my vote for the BOE he has my overall support! Being a “Fairlawnian” I deal with the school system as well as the town and my goal is to ensure that my children are comfortable in all aspects of growing up here and Ronnie has played a part in that and for that we thank him! We need more people like Ronnie Barbarulo! Jennifer

I think Ron Barbarulo does a great job. Whether it is on the BOE or in coaching his involvement and focus is always on our kids and their well being. He asks the questions that need to be asked and he’s not afraid to take an unpopular stance on issues for the betterment of our children and their development. He is not on the BOE to win a popularity contest. Fair Lawn is an incredibly diverse community. We are people of different ethnicities, incomes, religions and beliefs with a common goal to help our children achieve success on whatever path life takes them. Ron does not dismiss any child for any reason. He does not make a decision, or vote, without complete immersion in the issue in order to make an educated decision that is BEST for the community as a whole. Not only can any parent go to Ron with a question or seeking help, but OUR CHILDREN feel comfortable going to “Coach Ronnie” for help on and off the field. We need people like Ron Barbarulo on the BOE to represent those diversities, ask the tough questions, take a firm position, go the extra mile and keep fighting for OUR kids.

From the Board of education minutes, Pupils on Roll - Special Full-Time, 825.
This is a substantial increase and burden upon Fair Lawn taxpayers, Every year the special numbers increase because surrounding communties want Fair Lawn to pay for this, of which Fair Lawn can no longer afford! Fair Lawn has more special students than most towns have students!

I think people who do not understand what special education is about should attend a BOE meeting or FLASE meeting. We have the largest special Ed numbers because we are one of the best and other towns send their kids here for that reason. Remember, every parent wants the best for their child and that's what we try to provide. I would be happy to discuss the details with anyone, anytime

When the board of education and its policy's cause the extinction of Fair Lawn residents thru skyrocketing taxes you will be talking to the mirror! Admit Fair Lawn school taxes are outrageous then we can talk! The days of champagne wishes and caviar dreams are over. Time to cut!

I hear what everyone is saying, but I don't see 50 people vying for the BOE positions. Be a part of the change, run for office.Sitting in a chat room that 12 people read isn't going to make a difference.

Is that why you post here Stu? Same reason? NOT

Just telling ya Robin that most of Fair Lawn is not reading the patch. I am telling you that if you want your voice heard, you should get to the meetings.

Been to the meetings, and guess what? You get treated like dirt. Very little gets accomplished. Watch the council meetings and see how residents get treated!

I have been to the meetings.I have always been treated with respect. Sorry to hear of your bad experiences.

As a resident with an FLHS student, I have to agree with many things RB is supporting. I'm especially impressed with his handling of MMS's boiler system problems. However, a serious issue which is not being addressed in these comments is his want to increase spending on the football team's utilities. In all honesty, our football program is not great(better described as mediocre) and is unlikely to improve. Those funds could easily be used not just for other sports (Like: tennis: better lighting, covered courts. Fencing: measly budget with aged equipment that is all repaired by the coach.) But could also be used for academics, the real reason FLHS exists! Many classes are in need of new textbooks, lab equipment, etc. As much as it pains me to say it, I have to agree with my child's chemistry teacher, "Secondary education-where education is secondary". As for special education, I agree that cuts need to be made. Unlike every other student, which has felt the pain of cuts, most Spec. Ed. programs have been protected. They are a tiny part of the student population, yet more is spent on SE students individually than any "normal" student. Cuts need to be made, because many of these "normal" students are, just like in the rest of the country, struggling with the standard class level and for tutoring, can only rely on other students, unless parents can pay for a private tutor! I'm lucky enough that my child has the genes and opportunity to succeed, but we have to help everyone!

Putting "normal" in quotes does not make your comments about special education any less ignorant. There are laws in place to guarantee that children with disabilities get a free and appropriate education, just like any other child. Not every family is blessed with genes and opportunity. I'm curious if you know enough about FL's Special Ed. Program to make true suggestions about what to cut. Educating children with special needs in our own schools is a huge cost savings. The tuition at private special education schools is often at least double the cost of educating kids right here in Fair Lawn.

From the article:
"If reelected, Barbarulo said his goal is to find money in the budget to bring back a number of the music programs the district has had to drop in recent years due to budget cuts. He’s also hoping to eventually find funding to install lights and artificial surface at the football field, and work with the FLHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee to find a dedicated home for the school’s athletic artifacts."
So your stated goal is to spend even more of our money? Seriously? Realize, when you say "find money in the budget" what you are really saying is "find money in the already wildly overburdened taxpayers' pockets". The schools are already excellent, the goal of the BOE now should be to cut costs to bring down our insane taxes.