Board of Education Candidate Profiles: Richard Dase

For the first time in history, Galloway Township Board of Education candidates are on the ballot in the November election. The Galloway Township School District has three open seats, each carrying a three-year term. Eight candidates are running for these seats.

Galloway Patch asked each candidate the same questions for this year's candidate profiles. Below are the responses from candidate Richard Dase.

1. Why are you running?

I am running because I want to help ensure that the children of Galloway Township continue to receive an excellent education. 

2. What do you feel are the most pressing issues?

The most important issue is to continue to give the children an excellent education and still keep the Galloway taxpayer in mind.

3. What changes would you make to what the current Board is doing?

I will continue to encourage our Board to seek shared services with other School districts in the area and our Municipal Government.  This will help ease the burden on taxpayers. We encourage all taxpayers to attend our meetings and ask questions and offer suggestions.

4. What are some of the positive things you believe the current Board is doing/has done?

One of the most positive things is increasing the technology available to our students.  Our staff does a great job in preparing our students for the future.  The solar panels installed at GTMS have decreased our energy costs. 

5. What would you bring to the Board that no one else can bring, i.e. strengths, experience, etc?

The thing that I bring to the Board is the fact that I am a Certificated School Board member.  This means that I have attended many classes in reference to the running of a School District.  Classes such as school law, school funding, harassment and bullying, evaluating administrators and staff and the role of a School Board member in overseeing the educational system.  Attending these classes are very important.

6. What is your educational background? Have you ever held political office?

I have 2 years of college with courses in Accounting, Business Law, Economics and several other business related subjects. I have never run for political office.

7. What are your thoughts on the election moving to November, and of the Board of Education approving the budget without putting it before the voters first?

I was not in favor of moving the School Board Election to November.  I feel that politics and children should not mix.  As the law stands the taxpayers do not vote on budgets that are increased by 2% or less, only on those that are larger than 2%.

8. What are your thoughts on the current busing situation?

In the past we have had problems.  This year so far everything is going fairly good.  We do save money by being part of a shared service consortium with Greater Egg Harbor Regional.  Here again, our children come first and if we have problems with lateness or drivers, we speak out as a School Board and our voice is heard.

9. Tell me a little about your personal background?

My wife and I have been residents of Galloway Township for 37 years.  Our 2 sons are both products of the Galloway School system.  I coached both of my sons in GTAA baseball when they were growing up as well as coaching them in basketball when they played for the Galloway PAL..  I am currently still involved in Galloway PAL serving the organization as its President.  I hope I can continue to insure the students receive the education they need to obtain their future goals.