Moorestown BOE Candidate 'Extremely Proud of Volunteer Record'

Al Panzarella is a lot of things—coach, president of Moorestown youth softball, MooreKids trustee—but one thing he is definitely not, he insists, is a politician.

That being said, Panzarella finds himself running for public office for the first time in his life as he seeks a seat on the Moorestown Board of Education.

Panzarella’s bid seems like a natural extension of his aforementioned volunteer efforts, which also include being chairman of the township Recreation Advisory Committee and prior involvement in sports clinics for special needs children.

“I’m extremely proud of my volunteer record,” he said. “It’s all been geared toward trying to make Moorestown a better place for youth.”

Panzarella—who has a daughter in high school and another in middle school—believes he can make a difference as a school board member, not only because of his passion for and commitment to Moorestown, but also due to his business background. A certified public accountant, Panzarella has 20-plus years of experience in auditing, and currently works for a company that runs an auditing program for the federal government.

His financial experience, he believes, would be an asset working on a budget that makes up approximately 65 percent of the tax bill in Moorestown.

“It is very important we use the money responsibly … We have to use it efficiently,” Panzarella said. “Quality in education is hugely important, and it’s not all about dollars.”

While it’s difficult for a candidate looking from the outside in to say just how he’d approach fiscal efficiency, Panzarella said, if elected, he’d have “an open mind and a willingness to work hard.”

He said he’s also particularly interested in helping the district find a suitable superintendent.

“We need to find a superintendent that has a leadership and educational background and experience that can lead the district,” Panzarella said. “In Moorestown, we have pretty high expectations, and we need to find someone who will meet those expectations.”

Panzarella is seeking one of three open school board seats, alongside candidates Kimberly Kersey and Joe Ruccolo and incumbents Kathy Goldenberg and Matt Simeone.