Today the school board, tomorrow the White House Web site, campaign manager give BOE run a political spin BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer Michael Collins HOLMDEL - As school board elections approach in communities in Monmouth County, Holmdel residents will recognize a familiar face among the candidates running for a seat on the township Board of Education. Holmdel High School 2007 graduate Michael Collins, 18, has signed on for the race and, like national political candidates, has a dedicated Web site, a campaign manager and a platform that touts his experience as a student in the district. "I truly believe that decisions that are made don't have a younger perspective," Collins explained. "I followed all of the controversy surrounding the district when I was a high school student and I spoke out against some of the more controversial things at board meetings." Collins is now a freshman at New York University, living in Manhattan, with a double major in politics and journalism. "I am trying to run a positive campaign," Collins said. "There is a lot of potential in the Holmdel School District, and I want to see it brought out." Mike Collins goes door to door in his campaign for a seat on the Holmdel Board of Education. As for his qualifications to run for the board, Collins said he has seen firsthand the effects of program cuts. "My campaign has done extensive research into past budgets, and I feel that I have a unique perspective on how a budget works in the schools," Collins explained. "Oftentimes, the voters vote things down because they see large increases, and I would like a chance to look at that." Collins isn't alone in his dedication to his hometown. Krishna Jhaveri, 19, a former classmate of Collins' at Holmdel High School, is acting as treasurer and press secretary for the campaign. "I've knownMike for a long time," said Jhaveri, a Rutgers University political science major. "Mike is very close to the people, and he understands the direction people want to see the schools go in." Jhaveri believes Collins can offer a new and fresh perspective on addressing issues. Apparently so do other Holmdel residents. Alumni, parents and townspeople have been donating to Collins' campaign both in person and online through a PayPal link on the campaign's homepage, www.mikeforboe.com. "We have been accepting donations from alumni of Holmdel High School, parents and people from the town," Jhaveri said. "I can't disclose how much, but everyone has been donating in compliance with New Jersey election laws." Other school board candidates say they appreciate Collins' run. "I think it is nice that such a young person has taken an interest in the school board," said Jim Shelton, who is vying for one of the three seats up for election on the Holmdel Board of Education. Shelton, Winthrop Drive, is a former naval officer and retired strategic planning manager for both AT&T and Lucent Technologies. "I want to offer Holmdel my interest, my experience and my counsel," Shelton said. "I am really committed to maximizing transparency and active communication to find the best opportunity and provide the best service and the best economies." Incumbent Barbara Garrity, of Stoney Brook Road, is running for re-election. She currently serves as the chair for the budget and finance committee and also serves on the community relations and curriculum and instruction committees. John Scagnelli, of Riverside Lane, is also running for the board. Board members Phyllis Pascucci and Karen Strickland, whose terms expire in April, are not seeking re-election. According to Collins' campaign Web site, he believes in a responsible budget that allows additional costs only to provide tools necessary for success and that "inflated budgets are a threat to Holmdel since voters will correctly turn down budgets that are full of wasteful spending." A s for leadership in Holmdel schools, Collins states on his Web site that "the Board of Education must change policies. ... Rather than appoint strong leadership to the principal posts at all four schools, we have seen weak principals posted at schools so that the Board of Education has more centralized power. I know that when power is placed at the school level, the results are much better." As a student at Holmdel High School, Collins attended Board of Education meetings and, according to his press release, spoke out on various issues, including student placement policies and curriculum inconsistencies. "I am running for the school board for the same reason any other person would run - because I passionately care about the success of our students in school," Collins said. "Votes of no confidence have been taken inside our schools in the past. I can assure you that by voting for me, you can have confidence that I will prevent the 'revolving-door policy' from ever resuming again." Collins was recognized for his production work and role as host on Holmdel High School's "Baseball Primetime," winning the National Student Television Award for Excellence, New York Chapter, in 2005 and 2007. The Holmdel Township School District consists of four schools, which have an enrollment of 3,417 pupils as of Feb. 27. Residents can cast their votes in the school board election on April 15.