Election 2023: Anthony Libecci, Holmdel Board of Education

HOLMDEL, NJ — Anthony Libecci is one of four candidates seeking three full-term seats on the Holmdel Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election.

Libecci is running as a team with two other candidates, Alison LoPresti and Reham Taha.

Current Board of Education President Peter Reddy is also a candidate, seeking re-election to the board.

Two other current board members whose terms expire this year but are not seeking re-election are Eileen Briamonte and Linda Zhang.

Libecci cited several areas to develop in the district, with the goal of enhancing educational quality, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and "providing a nurturing environment for our students' growth and development," he said.

In these profiles, candidates provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues, as they see them.

Read more from Anthony Libecci:

Background:

Candidates were asked to provide their professional or volunteer information, school board experience, campaign links, and personal background.

I own Benemont Worksite Advisors, an employee benefits enrollment firm in Holmdel.

I volunteer as a wrestling and baseball coach for HYAA and initiated Holmdel's first Bocce League at Ackerson Park, exclusively for Holmdel residents.

Additionally, I am a member of the Holmdel Chamber of Commerce and serve on the Board of Directors for the Richmond University Medical Center Foundation.

My wife, Lauren, and I have three children, Anthony, 9; Leo, 6; and Amelia, 3, all attending Holmdel Schools.

Top issues:

Candidates were asked about the important issues in their district, and how the school board can address them.

In assessing the district's top issues, there are several critical areas that demand our attention to ensure the continued excellence of our schools. These include:

• Teacher Quality: The quality of our educators is paramount, as they have a direct daily impact on our children's education. We must maintain the highest standards in hiring and retaining exceptional teachers.
• Instructional Materials: Ensuring that our instructional materials are up-to-date and aligned with best practices is essential. Our children's education depends on having the right resources.
• Safety and Transportation: The safety of our students, both within school premises and during transportation, is of utmost importance. We must continue to provide a secure environment and reliable transportation services.
• Next-Generation Education: Preparing our students for the future is crucial. We need to equip them with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world, emphasizing skills beyond the classroom.
• Class Size Reduction: Maintaining manageable class sizes is vital for effective learning. Smaller classes allow for more individualized attention and better student outcomes.
• Equitable Revenue Sharing: Achieving a fair and equitable sharing of revenue, especially in light of the pilot program at Bell Works, is essential. This can contribute to tax stabilization and support our schools.
• Diverse Representation: It's important to have diverse perspectives from families with children in all our schools. This ensures that we consider the unique needs and experiences of students throughout the Holmdel school system.
• Nutritional Well-being: Ensuring the nutritional well-being of our students by closely monitoring the quality of school food offerings and promoting healthy eating habits.

In addressing these critical issues, we can work collaboratively to enhance the quality of education in our district, maintain fiscal responsibility, and provide a nurturing environment for our students' growth and development.

Policy 5756:
Candidates were asked if they wanted to comment on state Policy 5756, which provides guidance regarding transgender students, including communication with parents. Some districts in the state are repealing or amending the policy. (Holmdel's school board is expected to confirm repeal of the policy at its regular meeting Oct. 25.)

In my view, every child deserves dignity and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation or religion. However, I have concerns about Policy 5756 for two main reasons: 1. It places an unnecessary burden on our teachers, forcing them into silence when they may genuinely want to support a child in need. 2. It is unacceptable that anyone can hide information from parents or guardians.

There are more effective ways to address this issue, and I eagerly anticipate being a part of the committee that will work toward creating a safe environment for all transgender students.

Candidates for Holmdel Board of Education: (Full term; vote for three)

• Peter Reddy
• Alison LoPresti: Parental Rights & Education
• Anthony Libecci: Parental Rights & Education
• Reham Taha: Parental Rights & Education

Note: Candidates who have not received their request for profile information from Patch should check their spam folders or can contact Pat McDaniel at [email protected] for the email with candidate questions.