HOWELL – After serving the Howell Township community for over 12 years, Board of Education President Albert “Al” Miller is officially leaving the school board.
This year’s school board election was a close race as four candidates were running to fill three open seats. Election results concluded that Miller was not re-elected, with only just a couple votes off from retaining his seat.
At the December Board of Education meeting, the district honored Miller for all of his dedication and love he has put into Howell Schools.
Drew Smith, Principal of Aldrich School, spoke about his experience with Miller as they’ve been colleagues and friends for many years.
“This individual is more than you see here. He is tried and true. He is dedicated. In the early years he served as a PTA President at Southern Elementary School. I think that was the beginning of his commitment to students and staff here at Howell Township, and that commitment has never waved,” Smith said.
Superintendent Joseph Isola noted how the closing of Southern Elementary School in 2009 really showed Miller’s passion to the school district.
“The closing of that school was devastating, but it yielded one hell of a board member,” Isola said.
“As Mr. Isola said, that ‘little’ bump in the road of southern, has brought to Howell Township one of the greatest and finest individuals you’ll ever meet. He works tirelessly for this district behind the scenes. When you listen to him give his report, he’s everywhere all over the state and beyond, and just a wonderful example of Howell Township and a great representee. He brings everything that he learns into our district,” Smith added. “We’re going to greatly miss him I know that. It goes very deep with me, and I just want to congratulate Mr. Miller on everything and thank you on everything that you’ve done and support of as I said the staff but most importantly the students of Howell Township.”
Miller is a retired NYC Fire Dept. Emergency Medical Service Emergency Medical Technician who’s been serving on the Howell Township Board of Education for over 12 years. He’s also the Past President of the Monmouth County School Board Association and current Board of Directors Delegate for Monmouth County to the NJ Schools Boards Association.
In addition to being the Past President of Southard Elementary School, Miller is the Past President Middle School North PTA, Past Vice President Aldrich Elementary PTO, as well as an active member of Middle School South PTO, Howell HS PAT & Howell HS Band Parent Association.
“When Southern closed, Mr. Miller was incensed. If you thought people yelling about the pandemic towards the board was tough, you should have seen Mr. Miller back then!” Isola joked. “That gentleman at the podium upset about Southern, found a way to harness his passion and make it positive and become an ambassador for the very school district he was once upset with.”
“He lives this. This district has meant so much to Mr. Miller, and Mr. Miller you should know that you’ve meant so much to this district. When I tell you Howell Township is losing its first family, I mean that. We are blessed to have the Millers as part of our community. The honor has been really all mine, since the day I met you,” Isola added.
Miller congratulated Ira Thor and Dr. Denise Lowe on their re-election, as well as Martianne Degliuomini on her election win.
“I want to thank my wife and daughters for allowing and understanding my time and commitment to the Howell Board of Education for the past 12 and a half years. I want to thank the staff, parents, students, and community for your support. Finally, I want to thank my fellow board members and central office staff for your friendship and support,” Miller said.
