To the Editor:
I am writing to voice my support for John Mason and Bill Herbert to be Hopewell Township’s newest members of the HVRSD Board of Education.
I first met John Mason when he coached one of my sons in the HVSA recreational soccer program almost ten years ago. In carrying out this often thankless task, John demonstrated a focus and determination to bring out the best in his players based on each player’s own unique set of skills and abilities, which at that age were all over the map. I am confident he would bring that same focus and determination to his School Board responsibilities for the benefit of all of our children.
I have known Bill Herbert for nearly 25 years. He is an intelligent, thoughtful, and conscientious person who strives to know all sides of an issue before working collaboratively to formulate a solution. Bill also understands that anyone elected to public office needs to be willing to compromise to achieve meaningful results.
Bill would bring a strong fiscal acumen to our Board based on his years serving in key leadership positions across multiple industries throughout his career. At the same time, Bill brings a strong belief in public education having attended public schools in Cinnaminson, NJ prior to his collegiate years at Duke University, his military service as an officer in the U.S. Navy, and his time in graduate business school at Vanderbilt University.
Bill’s younger daughter is a 2019 graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School, so his experiences as a parent in our District are recent and tangible. Bill believes strongly that a well-rounded education isn’t possible without exposure to the arts. He has been a tireless supporter of CHS’s performing arts program.
What our District needs most right now is to elect board members who can restore transparency and accountability to our budgeting process, but who can do so in a manner that will best serve the needs of the children of Hopewell Valley, who are our future.
For these reasons, I encourage my neighbors and friends to vote for Bill Herbert and John Mason to be Hopewell Township’s newest members of the HVRSD Board of Education.
Sincerely,
Tom Finn
