If you want to know a little about him below is a profile of him from Middletown Patch that ran back in April when he was seeking to be elected as a member to the BoE.
Ernest Donnelly has more than 40 years experience in the education field. He is a retired superintendent of Millstone Township School District; and, prior to that, he was the Lavalette school district’s superintendent and a school principal.
Though retired, he continues to serve in interim superintendent and principal positions, when called upon, throughout Monmouth County. He is currently the interim superintendent at Roosevelt School District, where he said he is involved in negotiating shared services and the hiring of a new superintendent.
Donnelly said he has a passion for the education process. One volunteer position he has held was serving on the ad hoc committee in Middletown for Buildings and Maintenance. That committee was charged with looking at the schools facilities.
"I feel there is a need in the community to look at the school facilities," he said. "We need to start fixing them up. If elected, I will bring that to the front page and follow the committee’s recommendations."
Donnelly explained that the middle and high schools in Middletown are first class facilities, but the elementary schools need work. "We need to be fiscally responsible to put money in the budget to start addressing the problem," he said.
As for the hiring of a new superintendent in the township, "The Board of Education has the opportunity to bring in a new superintendent," Donnelly said. "I find that the superintendent is key to education in a community."
He pointed out that Middletown has been through many superintendents, and needs someone in that position who can "bring about positive change. We need a good communicator, who is talented, who has experience, who can excite the community, and work with the township," he said. It’s a key decision for the BOE, and he wants to be a part of that decision.
Another issue, according to Donnelly, is implementing more cost savings. In line with that, he believes more shared services can be looked at. "In this time, I would be a positive candidate for the BOE," he said.
Donnelly explained that he feels having a board made of up people with different backgrounds is important. Someone like him, who as an education background is key, he said. As a superintendent himself, and hiring a superintendent, "I believe that I can help move that forward." He added the person being replaced on the board, Dan Skelton, had an educational background and he can fill that void.
Voters may notice that there are no political signs by Donnelly posted around town. When asked why, he said he decided to "go green and not spend any money on political signs." Instead, he said they will make a donation to the Great Race, for the kids in Middletown.
When asked why he is running for just a one-year term, Donnelly said that a one-year term is open and he feels he "has the energy now and the know-how." He said he will "see how it goes," and may run for another term next year, "if I am making a difference."
My thoughts on Donnelly's appoint are positive at this moment, I meet and spoke to him after the BoE candidate forum at Harmony School back in April and was impressed with his knowledge of and experience in education. He was very personable, soft spoken and warm to those that spoke to him afterwards. I think he will do well until a new full-time superintendent is hired and in place, which more than likely won't happen until the end of the year.
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