Our childrens' education is one of, if not the most important, duties of public responsibility! The recent uproar regarding the School Board at the Barnegat Township Committee was an unfortunate display of just how wrong well-meaning people can go. It's time for our municipal government to act professionally and not like bickering school children!

The children of Barnegat Township should not be used as political pawns in disputes between the Township Committee and the School Board. As voters, we elect people to represent us as municipal professionals - not in a manner that deserves a "time-out". The finger pointing that has been going on for the past several weeks has got to stop!

The Board of Education needs to focus on running the school system - providing a quality education and a safe school environment. Barnegat has much to be proud of with our school system. It is a reason that influences many people to choose to purchase homes within the Township. The Board is not the enemy. They deserve a reasoned, substantive discussion of differences in opinion and method on all sides. No one (least of all our children) benefits from grandstanding. Calling upon a resignation of the Superintendent at a township committee meeting is out of order and purely political.

As a candidate for the Barnegat Township Committee, I call upon our governing body to put our students first and stop the theatrics. Meet with those you would condemn and resolve those conflicts in a way that genuinely improves our school system.