Black Horse Pike Regional School District Board Candidate: Kevin Bucceroni

Editor's Note: Gloucester Township Patch will share profiles of each candidate in the Black Horse Pike Regional School District (BHPRSD) and Gloucester Township Public Schools board elections who responded to our request for answers to a handful of queries.

The candidates' responses will be published in their original, unedited form, as they were submitted by the candidates.

A new profile will be published each day this week, through Saturday, beginning at noon.

Today, we open the profiles with BHPRSD Board President Kevin Bucceroni. BHPRSD Board Vice President Joyce Ellis will follow on Tuesday.

School board elections will be held next Wednesday.

Name: Kevin Bucceroni

Residence: Blackwood, where he has lived for the past 33 years

Relevant volunteer experience: Has coached in Blackwood Kiwanis Little League for nine years and with GT Stallions Football for four years

Marital status: Bucceroni is divorced. He is the father of two boys, 13 and 15 years old.

PATCH: Why are you seeking re-election? How many terms have you served to this point?
Bucceroni: This will be my second term, if re-elected.  I feel that I bring a lot to the Board, with a strong mechanical background for the needs of the facilities which are an important part of every organization.

PATCH: As a current member of the board, how do you feel the board functions as currently constituted? Where do you see room for improvement?
Bucceroni: The Board works well with each other and the Administration. All members have an equal say and their opinions are valued.

PATCH: Do you feel federal No Child Left Behind legislation places too much emphasis on standardized testing? Please explain your response.
Bucceroni: I see the need for this Legislation in certain districts. I feel that our district is second to none in its ability to educate our children. And I do feel there is an over emphasis on standardized testing.

PATCH: New Jersey property owners are fed up with seemingly ever-increasing taxes, already among the highest in the country. The state government has either frozen or minimally increased school aid in recent years. What do you feel school districts, particularly BHPRSD, must do to move forward and provide students with what they need under these constraints?
Bucceroni: As a taxpayer, I understand the plight of others who are having difficulty paying their taxes. I choose to live in Gloucester Twp. and pay higher taxes so my children can go to good schools. If we do not properly (equip) our schools, WE as parents, educators, and taxpayers are doing a tremendous disservice by not allowing them to have a top notch education. If we don't spend the money to educate them, it would cost us more money in the long run when these students cannot succeed in the working world because we did not give them the proper tools that they will need to succeed.

PATCH: How do you feel about a charter school opening in the township this fall?
Bucceroni: I have no issues with charter schools in our township as long as we have a level playing field. In the public school system, we take many children with different learning abilities. The State and Federal government set the standards that we must meet. A charter school can select its students, we cannot do that.