Goal of Merging Berkeley and Central Districts Won't Happen Overnight, Kowalewski Says

Noriko Kowalewski has been involved with her two children's schools for many years as a P.T.A. member. But something happened last year to push her into taking the next step by running for a seat on the Berkeley Board of Education.

She and her husband got their first tax bill on their lagoon home after the township-wide revaluation.

"I was hit hard with taxes this year," she said. "It just gave me that little extra to want to be involved. This time I want to be involved, to have a say in what's done."

Kowalewski, 44, Seagull Point, has lived in Berkeley for 13 years. She is married with two children who attend Berkeley schools. She attended Bergen Community College and is a former personnel director at Harve Benrd in Secaucus. She is a licensed dental X-ray technician and is currently a stay-at-home mother.

She is a parishioner at St. Barnabas R.C. Church in Bayville and is a member of the Berkeley Township Elementary School P.T.A.

Kowalewski is running on a slate with and Salvatore Ferlise for the three three-year available terms on the Berkeley Board of Education.

Kowalewski, Fulcomer and Ferlise have made the merging of the Berkeley and Central Regional school districts a focal point of their campaign. But she realizes that goal will take some time to achieve.

"This will take a long time," she said. "It's not going to happen overnight. I do believe it will be achieved."

Kowalewski said she supports the current board's decision to bring back  schools Superintendent Joseph H. Vicari for a year, while the board searches for a new superintendent.

A previous board in 2008 declined to renew Vicari's contract, after he had served as superintendent for six years.  Bayville School principal Arlene J. Lippincott served as interim superintendent for almost two years, until the current board recently voted to bring Vicari back. Vicari is working for $18,500. He had offered to work for free, but state law requires that certified school administrators be paid a salary.

"I truly believe that Mrs. Lippincott did a good job, " Kowalewski said. "I think the main reason going with Joe was the money situation."

Kowalewski has been involved with the P.T.A. for many years.

"I've been volunteering since my son was in the first grade," she said. "He's in ninth grade now."

Kowalewski thinks the annual trip to Stokes State Forest provides student with a worthwhile experience. Her son went as a fifth grader and her daughter will go soon.

"My son had a wonderful experience," she said. "He came back a different person. He kind of grew up overnight."

She doesn't think the cost of the Stokes trip should be included in the district's budget.

"If we are going to lose teachers, I'd rather see Stokes go," Kowalewski said.

But she does support the recently-created nonprofit foundation chaired by Board President James J. Byrnes to search for ways to fund the Stokes program outside of the budget.