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5 Crucial Issues In NJ Governor Race: Here's Where Sherrill, Ciattarelli Stand

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. ace-here-s-where-sherrill-ciattarelli-stand.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, October 16th 2025 at 18:09 GMT by Patch
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Sherrill Ciattarelli’s Vision for Livingston: Taxes, Schools, and Safety

Livingston’s political landscape is poised for a fresh voice. Sherrill Ciattarelli, a longtime resident and former educator, has announced a comprehensive plan aimed at easing the tax burden, strengthening public schools, and enhancing community safety. Her platform, outlined in a recent Patch feature, draws on her experience as a school board member and small‑business advocate to deliver a pragmatic roadmap for the town and the broader New Jersey 26th Legislative District.

Cutting the Tax Load

Ciattarelli’s first priority is to reduce property taxes—a perennial concern for many Livingston families. She argues that the state’s limited school funding is a direct cause of the town’s high tax rates. “If New Jersey allocated a larger share of the education budget to local schools, we could afford to cut property taxes without sacrificing quality,” she said. To this end, she is lobbying for a statewide revision of the school funding formula that would increase per‑student funding for districts with lower tax revenues.

Beyond school funding, Ciattarelli plans to introduce a modest property‑tax relief package for homeowners with fixed‑income incomes. Her proposal would offer a tiered deduction based on age, disability status, and income level, echoing similar measures that have proven effective in neighboring counties. She also seeks to streamline the county tax‑assessment process, reducing paperwork and shortening the cycle for reassessment notifications.

Prioritizing Public Schools

Education is the linchpin of Ciattarelli’s agenda. Drawing from her tenure on the Livingston School Board, she has identified three pillars for improving the local school system: investment in technology, mental‑health resources, and teacher recruitment.

1. Technology Integration
   With the shift to hybrid learning, the district’s aging computer labs and limited broadband infrastructure have become pressing issues. Ciattarelli proposes a $5 million grant—secured through state and federal education funds—to equip every classroom with modern laptops, interactive whiteboards, and high‑speed internet. She also plans to create a partnership with the local public‑library system to expand access to digital resources for students who lack home connectivity.

2. Mental‑Health Support
   The pandemic has underscored the need for robust mental‑health services in schools. Ciattarelli wants to hire a full‑time school psychologist for each elementary and middle school, as well as a crisis‑response liaison for high schools. Her plan also includes a school‑based program that trains teachers to recognize early signs of mental‑health struggles and refer students to counseling services promptly.

3. Teacher Recruitment and Retention
   Addressing teacher shortages in core STEM subjects is a critical component of Ciattarelli’s platform. She proposes a $3 million incentive package for new hires who specialize in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, coupled with a professional‑development stipend that encourages ongoing certification. In addition, Ciattarelli supports a tuition‑reimbursement program for teachers pursuing advanced degrees, with a cap of $10 k per year.

Enhancing Community Safety

Safety is the third pillar of Ciattarelli’s plan, and it takes a two‑pronged approach: proactive policing and community‑based mental‑health interventions.

Community Policing Initiatives
Ciattarelli plans to partner with the Livingston Police Department to implement a community‑policing model that emphasizes outreach and trust‑building. The proposal includes the establishment of a neighborhood liaison program, wherein officers are assigned to specific districts for longer periods to foster relationships with residents. Additionally, she seeks to secure a $2 million grant from the state’s Police and Fire Retired Officers Fund to provide officers with modern equipment, such as body‑cams and electric‑vehicle fleets.

Mental‑Health Crisis Response
Recognizing that many safety incidents stem from untreated mental‑health conditions, Ciattarelli proposes a joint initiative with the Livingston Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the regional psychiatric hospital. The program would train volunteers and EMTs to handle mental‑health emergencies, diverting non‑violent cases from police to specialized care. A part of the budget, she says, will be allocated to an on‑call psychiatric hotline available 24/7 for residents experiencing a crisis.

Community Input and Next Steps

Ciattarelli’s campaign has already begun to solicit public feedback. In a town‑hall meeting held on Tuesday, she answered questions from parents, small‑business owners, and retirees. The turnout—over 300 residents—highlighted a shared eagerness to see tangible changes in tax policy, school resources, and safety protocols.

She also announced the formation of a “Livingston Progress Committee,” composed of community volunteers, business leaders, and school representatives, tasked with reviewing the feasibility of her proposals and crafting a detailed legislative agenda. The committee’s first meeting will take place on May 5th, with a public forum scheduled for May 12th to discuss the committee’s findings.

A Call to Action

Ciattarelli concludes her platform with an invitation for residents to join her movement. “The future of Livingston depends on our willingness to act now,” she said. “I invite every homeowner, every teacher, every student, and every volunteer to stand with me as we build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous town.”

For residents interested in learning more, Ciattarelli’s campaign website (https://sherrillciattarelli.com) offers detailed policy documents, a schedule of upcoming events, and a volunteer sign‑up form. The original Patch article, which provided a deep dive into her proposals, can be accessed at https://patch.com/new-jersey/livingston/taxes-schools-safety-here-s-what-sherrill-ciattarelli-have-planned-new-jersey.

In a district where tax dollars are closely watched, school resources are continually scrutinized, and safety concerns loom large, Sherrill Ciattarelli’s vision offers a structured, community‑centric approach that could reshape Livingston’s trajectory for years to come.