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Six Haddon Township residents are running for three available three-year terms on the Haddon Township Public School District Board of Education: Christopher Cook, Mark Henley, Joshua Kennedy, John Lavell, James Lex, and David Ricci.
All candidates have been invited to reply to the same set of prompts, telling voters about themselves, their priorities, and their views of the current state of affairs in their community. Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
Chris Cook, 53
Self-employed IT Consultant
NJ PEN: Tell us something about your hobbies, interests, and/or family.
CHRIS COOK: As an IT consultant, I spend much of my professional time in front of a computer.
Volunteering in various ways around Haddon Township is a big part of my social life.
I’m an avid baker (@ckcook227 on IG). I also love to read, knit, and travel.
NJ PEN: What is your philosophy of education?
COOK: Children are naturally inquisitive.
They are constantly trying to learn about the larger world around them. As such, the most important thing we can do as a school system is to ensure we foster and nurture that drive.
Once our Haddon Township students leave the district as young adults, their passion for learning will be key to their success as young adults. Today’s students, once they enter the workforce, will need to constantly learn new skills and technologies to be successful.
The most successful adults will be the ones that adapt quickly to the changing landscape. It’s never been more important for our families and our schools to produce lifelong learners.
NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?
COOK: I have served in leadership roles in both the Edison and Rohrer Middle School PTAs. I have served on the Board of the Haddon Township Education Foundation (HTEF) for the last six years.
I previously served on the Haddon Township Board of Education from 2020 to 2022, and was Board president in 2022. During that time, the Board had to deal with selecting a new Superintendent and the logistics of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
NJ PEN: Why are you running for office?
COOK: Having previously served on the Board of Education, I would like to return to continue my service to the people of Haddon Township.
The Board of Education is critical to the proper functioning of the school district. As such, the Board is at its best with experienced members who understand school finance, understand the role of the Superintendent in relation to the Board, can balance the needs of students and the needs of taxpayers, and keep a critical eye on what’s happening in our schools and ask questions when issues come up. I bring just that experience.
NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?
COOK: In Haddon Township, budgets are almost always going to be on the top of that list — specifically, the roughly one-third of the annual operating budget that comes from the New Jersey Department of Education.
A combination of factors — local property tax levy being capped at 2 percent, the incredibly short timing between when a district finds out what their state aid is and when the next year’s budget must be submitted, and huge variance in state aid from year to year — causes huge issues when that state aid is reduced.
I’ve joined an advocacy group, led by our own Board of Education President Kellie Hinkle, working to tackle these issues at regional and state-wide levels.
The other big issue that comes to mind is the recently passed bond referendum. Since the referendum passed in March, many projects have already begun, but the projects will be spread out over several years. It will be critical that current and future BoE members provide thorough oversight of these projects.
NJ PEN: What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
COOK:
- The district budget process and advocating for more and more consistent state aid.
- Oversight of the ongoing construction projects enabled by the recent bond referendum.
- Working to restore staffing levels that were recently cut because of reduced state aid.
John Lavell, 62
Retiree
NJ PEN: Tell us something about your hobbies, interests, and/or family.
JOHN LAVELL: I have been a lifelong resident of Haddon Township.
My wife and I chose to live here and raise our four children here, two of whom still live in town.
I enjoy camping with my family, reading, and doing woodworking and pottery in my shop.
NJ PEN: What is your philosophy of education?
LAVELL: I believe all children should be expected to learn and taught to their highest level of achievement. Programs to meet the needs of all students should be available so they are prepared for whatever path they choose.
NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?
LAVELL: I have been a public school teacher and administrator for my professional life. I have experience with implementing programs to promote student achievement while maintaining fiscal responsibility for the community.
NJ PEN: Why are you running for office?
LAVELL: I feel that with my depth of knowledge I would be an asset to the board.
NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?
LAVELL: Every district faces financial issues. My background as a school administrator would be beneficial in this area. I also would like to keep moving Haddon Township schools forward towards academic excellence.
NJ PEN: What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
LAVELL:
- Financial stability
- Academic growth, specifically for the Gifted and Talented students along with our under-represented children
- A safe and welcoming environment for students and families where diverse needs are met and nurtured
David Ricci, 52
Estell Manor School District Superintendent
NJ PEN: Tell us something about your hobbies, interests, and/or family.
DAVID RICCI: I have been married to my wife Thea for 20 years.
We have two daughters: Lexi, who is a freshman at West Chester University, and Kenzi who is a junior at Haddon Township High School.
I love watching Philly sports and spending time with my family. I also love spending time at the Jersey Shore.
NJ PEN: What is your philosophy of education?
RICCI: My philosophy of education is to make a difference in students’ lives and bring out the best in every student. I believe in working hard and caring about people. As an educator, and now a school administrator, I firmly believe that if you show the students you genuinely care about them you will be incredibly successful.
NJ PEN: What personal and professional experiences would you bring to the table as a school board member?
RICCI: I have been on the board for the last six years, and am now running for a third term. I love to volunteer my time to give back to the Haddon Township community. I have 28 years of experience in education and feel like a bring a great deal of knowledge to the table.
I have held every possible position in education: paraprofessional, substitute teacher, teacher, assistant coach, head coach, vice principal, principal, and now superintendent.
NJ PEN: Why are you running for office?
RICCI: I want to give back to the community I love. I believe it is vitally important for people to give back. I am where I am today because of my mentors and people who have shared their knowledge with me, and I would like to do the same.
NJ PEN: What are the biggest challenges your school district faces?
RICCI: School funding is the obvious answer. We have lost a great deal of state aid in the past and are trying to find creative ways to keep programs and teachers so that students can unequivocally attain success.
I also think that safety is a big challenge not only just for Haddon Township but all across the country. We need to do whatever it takes and put measures in place so that our students and staff feel safe at all times.
NJ PEN: What are three key issues on which you will focus if elected?
RICCI: Safety, school funding, and the completion of the bond referendum projects.
