VOTE411 Voter Guide

Our children are growing up in a world where digital tools are everywhere, and as parents and educators, we must guide their use thoughtfully.

(a) Impact of social media on student self-esteem and the promulgation of falsehoods? On social media, I support policies that help students build healthy habits. Social media can harm self-esteem and spread falsehoods, so schools should teach students how to evaluate sources and set healthy boundaries. We should also partner with families to encourage more real-life connection through sports, clubs, and community activities, so screens don't dominate.

(b) Use of AI, both for classroom instruction/student assessment and for student research/writing? The AI tools are here to stay, and we must help students and teachers use them wisely. AI should never replace critical thinking or the personal connection between student and teacher. But it can be used responsibly to assist teachers with lesson planning or to give students new ways to explore a topic. With a strong academic foundation, students can use AI as a tool to think critically, communicate clearly, and prepare for productive lives.

Teaneck faces budgetary constraints, and we owe it to families and taxpayers to spend every dollar wisely. The priority must be protecting classroom instruction and all state-mandated programs.

When looking for savings, I would focus on administrative and non-classroom expenses, making sure the district runs as efficiently as possible. This means reviewing contracts, reducing duplication, and ensuring accountability. I also support greater transparency in the budget process so the community can see how funds are used.

At the same time, dollars should flow into academics, athletics, and activities that directly benefit students. If a program or expense does not support students or teachers, it should be carefully reconsidered.

By focusing on wise spending and accountability, we can safeguard what matters most: excellent education in the classroom and opportunities for all students to thrive, while respecting the taxpayers who make this investment possible.

My vision for Teaneck Public Schools is that every student receives an excellent education that prepares them for life. That means strong academics at every grade level, opportunities in athletics and the arts, and a culture of accountability where families feel heard and respected.

Over the past eight years, I have been deeply engaged in Teaneck. I serve on the Youth Advisory Board, connecting teens with leadership opportunities and civics. I regularly attend Board of Education and Town Council meetings, learning how Teaneck operates and the issues our community faces. I have organized youth sports, volunteered in civic initiatives, and supported neighbors through many projects.

I also bring the perspective of a longtime homeschool parent who understands the diversity of educational needs and who values the role public education plays for every family in Teaneck. I believe in supporting our teachers with the resources, training, and respect they need to succeed. By building goodwill and strong relationships across the community, I will work to strengthen Teaneck schools for every child and family.

(a) Each school campus has a Student Code of Conduct that students are required to read. The Code of Conduct also places limits on the use of social media during school hours. The promulgation of falsehoods can fall under Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB), which is already addressed in New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act, enacted in 2011.

(b) AI plays a prominent role in our society. Yes, I am in favor of providing instruction that helps students develop a deeper understanding of Large Language Models (LLMs), prompt engineering, and RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation). This way, students can learn to think critically, recognize the limitations of AI, and avoid being misled by inaccurate or biased outputs.

For over a decade, districts like ours have faced a strict 2% budget cap while costs for capital projects, energy, and healthcare continue to rise. As a trustee, I work to ensure every dollar is used wisely and transparently. Serving on the Negotiations Committee, I dedicated many late nights to reach a fair agreement with the TTEA, whose commitment to students and realism about financial constraints I greatly value. Beyond negotiations, I will continue pursuing grants-such as School Improvement, Safety Upgrades, and Preschool Aid-that highlight our staff's creativity and help save money without harming instructional priorities.

Now my focus is on leading the effort for a referendum that will spread costs over time, take advantage of the state's 35% cost share, and give our residents schools they can be proud of. Teaneck has not had a referendum in 25 years, and many of our buildings are more than 90 years old. This is responsible, forward-looking leadership.

My vision for Teaneck Public Schools - whether for Teaneck Public School students educated in-district or out-of-district - is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential in a safe and supportive environment. Achieving this requires two priorities: supporting our teachers and managing our budget responsibly. I first ran for the Board three years ago because I believe deeply in preserving the social contract that guarantees every child in this country access to a quality education from highly qualified, certified teachers. Public education is about more than academics - it's about shaping character, fostering community, and preparing students for life beyond the classroom. My own children went through the Teaneck system, and for my family, the diversity of ideas, cultures, ethnicities, and religions was just as valuable as the academic opportunities.

We also owe it to taxpayers to maintain a school system they can be proud of. Teaneck schools are thriving: free full-day pre-kindergarten, the International Baccalaureate program at Whittier, the Health Science Magnet Program at Hawthorne, more than 20 AP courses, and a dual­ enrollment pathway with Bergen Community College that lets students graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. These are real opportunities our students are benefiting from today, and I am committed to building on this success for an even stronger future.

(a) I like social media as a tool to get the word out and highlight accomplishments; However, I do feel there's always a threat of malicious behavior. That same effect can be found even in traditional forms like writing in periodicals. So while social media is a great tool, I believe age and maturity play a huge role in determining whether children are truly ready to use it responsibly. It's a simple concept-similar to the difference between G-rated and R-rated content. In many ways, social media carries R-rated risks that require a certain level of emotional and cognitive maturity to navigate safely.

b) I don't support AI in the classroom for instruction or student assessment because it does not teach our children the fundamental ways of research. Even with AI, you have to know what to ask. If you don't know how to form a hypothesis, how will you learn how to search for the results? Without mastering critical thinking, inquiry, and analytical skills, students may become reliant on tools that provide answers without understanding the process behind them

Costs have gone up across the board, so it's more important than ever to be creative in finding ways to save while still remaining financially responsible. With a background in corporate finance, I know that all businesses have some level of philanthropic obligation-it's just a matter of positioning ourselves as viable, impactful partners. Once those avenues are explored, we can strategically lean into grants. I've worked with several business entities-two of which I helped gain credentials and later secure government grant awards. Teaneck has a unique opportunity to tap into the resources of nearby big pharmaceutical companies and medical institutions for science-related grants. Additionally, our proximity to New York City opens the door to a wide range of humanities and arts funding opportunities that could significantly benefit our arts programs.

My vision for the Teaneck School District is to see it thrive as a place of excellence, with up-to-date campus buildings and a modem, inclusive curriculum that educates our children on the fu11 scope of history both local and global. I envision expanded opportunities in trade education, culinary arts, music, and other hands-on programs that empower every student to discover their path. I want to restore strong school spirit among students and parents, fostering a deep sense of community pride. Teaneck High School, once renowned as the "Castle on the Hill," was known for building young kings and queens in their respective fields. It's time we honor that legacy by remembering who we are and standing tall in what we believe in. (Proud Graduate Class of 2001)

Accountability truly matters to me and Maxine. I will push for better smartphone guidance in class. Smartphones can help our kids navigate throughout society, but they should not define our kids' social status while they are in school, learning. I believe implementing a K-12 social media wellness training lab can fill this void. Our kids' self-esteem and emotional safety must come first. That means a zero-tolerance policy on social media bullying, including harassment on group texts and negative photos. We need mindful learners who can challenge falsehoods together and rely on truth over fiction.

AI has become highly transformative for students. But it must do so with checks and balances. Teaneck deserves equitable AI applications that are deeply rooted in teacher oversight, student disclosure, and practical use. Teacher oversight should guide when AI is acceptable as a tool and when it is not sufficient. Disclosure means a student should be encouraged to disclose any use of AI in a transparent way that will not make them feel embarrassed or reprimanded. AI should enhance, not replace, human judgment. Our mission of 'Excellence for All' demands balance. AI must serve our children, not silence their creativity or put them at a disadvantage in the real world.

Budget constraints are a significant concern for the Teaneck BOE. I would safeguard the core curriculum, without cutting teachers. To reduce wasteful spending, we can take a look at: unused software, high-cost vendor contracts, and out-of-district special needs placements, which this year alone cost the district over $270,000. Nepotism, selective tenure-ships, and cronyism also have no place in our district. We must hold ourselves accountable as Board Members to reduce high-paying salaries for those not directly furthering our children's education. Families in Teaneck already pay a staggering 54% of their property tax to education. They deserve to see every dollar strengthen our schools.

Maxine and I's vision rests on three pillars: accountability, community, and excellence. I've walked this path personally. For over five years, I mentored a young adult (from Teaneck) who was mentally challenged, until his passing in 2022. Rest in peace, JC. I also worked in direct care with developmentally disabled adults, while working in a day program for the same, because inclusion is not a theory to me, it's life. I am a father of three Teaneck students, a daughter who graduated in 2024 from THS, a son who is a Sophomore at THS, and a 16 month old daughter who will be a future student in Teaneck schools. I've coached flag football with the Highwaymen, assisted in coaching basketball at the Rodda Center Rec league, and I recently served on the Strategic Planning Steering Committee spearheaded by Superintendent Spencer and Patricia Dent, shaping tomorrow's schools. My plan is simple: renegotiate vendor contracts, improve fundraising, vote to cut unnecessary spending, and create project funding reserves. This is about building schools where every Teaneck child thrives and continues to shine as a beacon of what true community can achieve.

(a) Policies I would recommend: - Survey parents and students to assess the impact of social media on mental health frequently - Restrict content for school registered devices and accounts and devices connected to the public school wifi - education on social media for students to include cyber bullying, misinformation, online safety and privacy

(b) Policies I would recommend: - Provide professional development to teachers on the "know-how" around appropriate AI integration into the classroom, as a tool - Address digital divide by ensuring all students have access to AI tools - Mandate teachers to disclose when and how AI tools are being used in the classroom - Require students to cite and/or disclose when AI tools are used for student research/writing (as one of multiple sources of information) - Require teacher review of AI generated assessments; grades and progress reports cannot be based on sole AI generated information

Careful review of all the current budget areas that have the least negative impact on instruction and/or student development, including - Conduct an energy audit to identify areas of energy and utility waste, that can yield long-term savings - Renegotiate vendor contracts i.e. food service and supplies - Optimize building use i.e. scheduling multiple programs at the same site and benefiting from community rentals

Every child in Teaneck deserves what they need to succeed and thrive. I am committed to building a stronger, innovative school district that ensures every learner has access to a high-quality education and is fully prepared for the future. My approach will focus on: Academic Excellence - challenging and supporting every student to reach their full potential Supporting Our Teachers - equipping educators with the resources they need to inspire learning Celebrating Our Schools - highlighting district accomplishments and the value our schools bring to our community Strengthening Engagement - creating more meaningful opportunities for parents, caregivers, and the community to collaborate I've spent my career helping students get to and through college with success and now want to ensure our local schools lay the foundation for that success. During my time in Teaneck, I have been an active and engaged parent. For two years, I served as a dedicated class parent at Bryant School and am a proud, dues-paying PTO member. Beyond the classroom, I have co-led fundraising efforts for my son's Teaneck Southern travel baseball team, helping them participate in both in and out of state tournaments

(a) The Board of Education recognizes that social media can strongly shape how young people see themselves and the world. Studies show prolonged exposure can harm a child's self-esteem and can spread misinformation quickly. Since students are still developing critical thinking skills, they're especially vulnerable. Our district's goal is to create a safe, supportive environment, whether that's in-person or in the digital space. To that end, we restrict personal use of social media during the school day and continue to review policies that help students engage responsibly. We also want to involve families and educators in conversations about digital literacy, so students learn to separate fact from falsehood.

(b) AI is a timely matter that presents both opportunity and risk. Some teachers are beginning to explore AI tools to support lesson planning and classroom activities, and we encourage thoughtful experimentation. However, I would not support using AI today for student assessment or as a primary source for research and writing. These tools still produce inaccuracies and unreliable references, and we must protect students from adopting flawed information. Before adopting formal policies, the district should hold open discussions with teachers, administrators, and board members to decide where AI enhances learning and where human judgment must remain central. Our approach should be measured: embrace innovation, but never at the expense of accuracy, integrity, or student growth.

As a board member, I would work closely with the Board's Finance committee with guidance from the Superintendent and the Business Administrator to determine which areas could be adjusted with the least impact academically. Keep in mind that the community values a holistic approach to education which emphasizes a well-rounded student. Therefore any reductions I would support must maintain a balance between solid academic opportunities, the arts and athletics.

Being a dedicated and committed board member throughout my 13 ½ years was my personal goal. Advocating fiercely on behalf of all of Teaneck public school children was another personal goal. During my tenure I have gone above and beyond what is required of a board member. I made a habit of staying informed and actively engaged with the community. In order to share information and ideas, I have gotten to know my peers on other boards of education and I have developed relationships with legislators at all levels of government. I am the champion or the driving force on the Board behind many of the District's greatest accomplishments. To name a few: there is the establishment and expansion of grant funded Pre-K; the renovation, establishment and renaming of the Theodora Lacey School; the establishment of the Board's Special Education Committee; re-establishment of the Forum's funding; and the establishment of a dual diploma/associates degree program. My vision is every student graduating from Teaneck High School will have some college credits and will continue to receive a high quality education, no matter the challenge. In addition, I support a future referendum which could address many of the long term facility issues.