Politics & Government

Meet John Morella: Montville School Board Candidate

John Morella is running against Diane M. Bordonaro, Carmela Novi and Michael F. O'Brien.

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Montville Patch has reached out to local candidates to find out more about them. Here is information from John Morella.
  • Incumbent Morella has lived in Montville (Towaco) for 12 years
  • Age: 44
  • Family: Wife: Anna Morella , Daughter: Juliana Morella Son: Luke Morella
  • Education background? Finance Degree - Rutgers University.
  • Why do you think you are qualified for this position? I have served on the Montville Board of Education since 2010 and I am seeking Re-Election.  With my vast experience working with schools systems and Boards of Education, I consider myself a huge asset to the Montville School system.  My Finance background,  experience in managing grants and their budgets is an area where I provide assistance to the district.  Along with, contributing my knowledge of state laws and agreements, when it comes to juveniles and schools.  Education is the key to success and I would like to continue to have the opportunity to contribute to the Montville Board of Education by Putting Montville Students First to achieve this success.
  • West Orange Police Officer for 19 years; Promoted to Sergeant in 2006
  • Supervisor of the School Resource Officer Program (SRO), Community Services Unit and Traffic Bureau
  • Involved with the writing, maintenance and finalizing of multiple federal, state and county grants

  • Knowledgeable in the Following Areas

    • Memorandum of Agreement between Education and Law Enforcement Officials
    • School and Student Policies and Procedures
    • State and Federal recommended School Lockdown Procedures
    • School Safety and Security
    • New Jersey Educational and Department of Children Protection and Permanency (DCPP) Laws

    Programs Initiated and Involved with

    • Created and Oversaw the New Jersey’s Largest School Mock Active Shooter
      Program in conjunction with Picatinny Arsenal, Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, to help enhance School Safety
    • Co-founder of the New Jersey Association of School Resource Officers
      (NJASRO)
    • One of 250 people invited to President Bush's White House School Security Summit as President of NJASRO
    • Assisted in getting a state mandated curriculum passed and made into law requiring for School Resource Officers to be trained prior to being placed into a school  
  • Why are you running for this elected office? As a parent, I feel it is not only the responsibility of the family to point our children in the right direction to succeed and thrive in life, but it is also the responsibility of the community and the educational system as a whole.  I would like to continue to offer my expertise and services to our great community of Montville. It would be a privilege and an honor to continue to serve as a board member for the Montville Board of Education and I hope that you see that I and my credentials would continue to be a strong asset to this township’s educational system.  I still have that the vision and the passion to help our children succeed in life. Montville is a wonderful place to live and raise a family and I would like to continue to make an immense contribution. Please help me contribute to our wonderful community by supporting me for my upcoming re-election and putting Montville Students First.
  • What are the three issues that most concern you? 
    • Continue to Control Budgets that Support Academic Excellence
    • Continue to Improve Safety and Security in the Montville School District
    • Continue helping Open Communication between the Board and the District's Parents, Students, teachers and Administrators
  • Have you held elected office before? Please provide details of what position and for how long: Yes, Montville Board of Ed one term of 3 ½ years
  • What organizations do you belong to? West Orange PBA
  • Campaign Website: www.montvillestudentsfirst.com
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    Editor's Note: Patch will be posting these candidate questionnaires in the order that they are received back. For candidates who have not heard from Patch, please contact Kim@patch.com.

    For township council, there are four candidates running for two committee seats with 3-year terms.

    Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

    For the school board, there are four candidates running for three seats with 3-year terms.

    • Diane M. Bordonaro
    • John Morella (incumbent)
    • Carmela Novi (incumbent)
    • Michael F. O’Brien

    For the unexpired 2-year term available on the board, David Modrak is running unchallenged.

    Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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