Ostrowski BOE Write-In Votes Born Out of Opposition to Teachers Contract

Eric Ostrowski did not plan to receive the most write-in votes in last week's Board of Education election, he said a simple comment to friends brought the votes around.

"It was the kind of thing where people were sitting around talking about who to vote for besides Mitch Slater and I said 'write my name in' and some people did," he said. "We did not know who else to vote for to bring an element of change to the board."

At the end of the day Ostrowski received five write-in votes in the election, not a large amount, but larger than most write-in candidates receive short of a formal write-in campaign. The votes, cast during the BOE election with the highest voter turnout in Westfield history, were part of the extraordinarily high 88 write-ins cast during the election.

Ostrowski, whose total gave him fifth place in the election, placed ahead of other write-in candidates including Gov. Chris Christie who received four votes, Aaron Turnof who received three votes and Jersey Guys Ray Rossi and Casey Bartholomew who both received three votes. BOE President Ginny Leiz and BOE Vice President Julia Walker, both of whom were on the ballot received four write-ins and three write-ins, respectively.

Ostrowski said him and many people he knows are opposed to the new teachers contract, which was ratified by the BOE on March 9 and includes a 3.9-percent annual raise along with increased health care give backs and co-pays from teachers. He said he and others are concerned with BOE layoffs amid the pay raise and the Westfield Education Association's opposition to Christie's proposed one year salary freeze for teachers. The BOE voted to have 31 layoffs in the new budget as a result of Christie's decision to cut $4.22 million in state education aid to Westfield.

"The sticking point for me is the four percent salary increase," Ostrowski said. "If you are talking about losing 31 jobs because of the salary increase and a salary freeze will allow 20 jobs to be saved, why not? I am confused that the union is not promoting a salary freeze. In the circles I am in there is a lot of opposition."

WEA President Kim Schumacher has rejected the salary freeze saying it will not save enough jobs based on what she has seen in other districts. In addition she said that it will have a long term negative impact on teacher pensions. Schumacher's position has put her on a collision course with BOE member-elect Slater, who has been vocal in his opposition to the contract and his support of a salary freeze. BOE member Richard Solomon, who was unseated by Slater in last week's election, attributes his loss to his strong support for the contract and pay raise.

Schumacher and BOE officials have said the 3.9-percent figure will not be applied for every teacher in the system with younger teachers receiving larger raises based on the salary guide. Solomon has said that figures calculated by the BOE show that the raise and increased health care give backs and co-pays will have the BOE seeing a .8-percent annual increase from the new contract.

Ostrowski, 24, said he keeps hearing from many of his peers concern over layoffs in the private sector and having tax dollars funding a pay increase for teachers. He said that while he has no problems with teachers in the schools, he is concerned the layoffs are adversly effecting younger teachers based on seniority rules. Schumacher has said that many of the proposed layoffs will be offset by attrition through retirements.

Ostrowski, a life long Westfield resident who attended private school, said that he is also concerned that rising taxes have been pricing his generation out of his hometown. He said this includes the pay raise in the contract.

He said he hopes the Board of Education keeps a long term perspective on fiscal issues.

"When making decision they need to take into account not just what will happen now but think long term," Ostrowski said. "Westfield has some of the best public schools in the state."

Ostrowski had similar comments for state officials. While he said he did not favor Christie's specific cuts to Westfield's education aid, he believes the governor needs to focus on the state's fiscal crisis.

"What the governor is doing in general is necessary, we get unfairly hurt," he said. "For someone like me who is 24 years old, it is important that we face the issues now."

Ostrowski said he had considered running for the BOE this year but concerns over layoffs at his employer kept him from making the race. A 2008 graduate of Villanova University with a bachelor's degree in political science, he currently works for a Morris County based pharamaceutical company.

"I have wished that I could have done it this time around," he said. "Because of my own job situation, I could not commit to a three year term. I had to deal with worrying if I would have my own job."

This is not the first write-in vote that Ostrowski has received in town. During the 2009 election, he received a write-in vote for county freeholder.

Ostrowski, who did write his own name in but declined to reveal the rest of his votes, said he plans to look at running for the BOE in a future election, possibly next year. In 2011, BOE members Ann Cary, Alice Hunnicutt and Gary McCready are up for reelection. They have not said if they plan on running. Resident Daniel Bloomfield, who contemplated a run this year, indicated he is considering a race next year.

Ostrowski, who was not laid off earlier this year, said he would like to become involved in town affairs relating to education. He said he plans on reaching out to BOE members to discuss how to get involved.

"I would absolutely cherish the opportunity to be involved," he said.