School Board Candidate David Healy: Tenure System Needs Change

Seeking his second consecutive three-year term on the Washington Township Board of Education in an uncontested race, David Chance Healy, 38, has lived in Long Valley for nearly 10 years. For more information on the election, see . The following are Healy’s answers to questions asked by Long Valley Patch.

Long Valley Patch: How many of your children are going through/have gone through the district?
David Healy: I have 4 children that will ultimately go through the district. Declan is a sixth grader at , Aidan a fourth grader at , Reagan will be in kindergarten next year and Caelan will follow her big sister the following year. With 4 children in-district, we'll get a little more than most out of our tax dollar!

LVP: What is your educational background?
DH: I graduated high school from Pope John in Sparta and College from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Florham Park with a degree in Political Science.

LVP: What is your current occupation?
DH: I grew up in the restaurant business, which is why I like to think I'm an entrepreneur at heart, but I've spent the better part of the past 15 years involved in financial services, both in institutional sales and retail. To "quench" my entrepreneurial pursuits, I am also a partner in a wine store in Mendham.

LVP: Do you have any past political experience?
DH: This will be my second term as a school board member. I initially got involved 3+ years ago because I wanted to have a better understanding of how our schools worked and, more importantly, how I could help challenge the norms. I'm a strong believer in participating–not complaining.

LVP: What volunteer activities have you been involved in?
DH: I've coached baseball, football and basketball each year for the past 7, as either an assistant or head coach. I'm also actively involved in the Long Valley Baseball Club where I serve as vice president.  

LVP: Why should voters feel comfortable with you representing the board of education?
DH: I think it is vital for voters to know that during my first 3 years as Board Member and Finance Committee member our district has had 3 consecutive reduced budgets. As a financial professional, I understand the current economic climate very well–it's critical that we as a district are prudent and responsible with our taxpayers' hard earned tax dollars, yet I also realize it's essential we prepare our children to compete as twenty-first century learners and provide them with the resources needed to remain one of the premiere districts in the state. It's a delicate balance, but I think our dedicated board and our superb administration understand the dichotomy very well.  

LVP: In your opinion, what are the most important issues facing the district, and what do you intend to do to fix them?
DH: Without question, the most critical issues facing the district and the state is tenure. Tenure simply does not work. It is merely the carrot that the teachers union holds over the teacher's collective heads to, in turn, get the teachers to pay their $900 in annual dues, which then feeds the NJEA propaganda machine. I personally know dozens of wonderful, talented teachers who I actually think are underpaid. I believe a merit-based system would motivate teachers to bring out the best in our children. The teachers who consistently under perform will be let go rather than protected as they are in our current system. I understand the need for a union but I'd personally like to see smaller, more intimate bargaining groups in our state. One size does not fit all–a teacher in an urban area such as Camden or Newark does not have the same concerns or needs as a teacher in Morris County. Let's create smaller, smarter bargaining groups that can specifically target the needs of teachers in a particular set in order to customize training and benefits–a more fulfilled, higher compensated teacher will be a more productive teacher.