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Jefferson Township Board of Education {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

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  • Candidate picture

    Jaime Grater
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Patrick A. Phalon
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Stacey Poulas
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Is there a particular issue, or a specific reason, that has motivated you to seek a position on the board of education? Explain why you are running.

What experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member?

How do you propose to balance the following factors: retention of good teachers, quality of education provided to the students, and the desire of most taxpayers for lower taxes.

What, if any, changes would you like to make to the school district curriculum?

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Campaign Email staceympoulas@gmail.com
There is still critical work ahead of us, particularly as we work through the ongoing budget constraints facing our school district. Getting through this requires creative thinking, finding ways to support our teachers and preserve student opportunities without putting an undue burden on taxpayers. I also want to keep building pride in our schools and letting people outside our town know just how much Jefferson has to offer. Ultimately, my core principle hasn't shifted: I am here to serve this community. Public service isn’t easy, there are challenges (Covid, loss of school funding and the closing of schools and buildings are a few examples ), but it also provides moments of profound joy. I made every decision and every vote as an informed member of the Jefferson Township Board of Education. I want to continue to serve because I care about our students, staff, taxpayers, and the future of our amazing community. I remain committed to analyzing the facts, listening carefully to our residents, and making balanced decisions that keep our district moving in the right direction.
Over the course of my terms on the Jefferson Township Board of Education, I’ve had the privilege of serving as both Board President and Vice President, as well as sitting on the Education, Policy & Personnel, Building Needs & Finance, and Community Relations committees. Working alongside my fellow board members and district leadership, we've delivered major district improvements. Academically and operationally, we launched Full-Day Kindergarten, implemented updated curricula in English Language Arts, Math, and Next Generation Science Standards, opened academies at JTHS, enhanced school security, implemented New Jersey Universal Preschool and conducted essential policy revisions to keep our district aligned with state standards. On the facilities side, we installed a turf field at JTHS, renovated the auditorium and successfully passed a bond referendum to fund substantial upgrades to our facilities within the district. With 15 years of proven leadership in our district, I bring the institutional knowledge required to navigate complex challenges effectively. I would be honored to earn your trust once again and continue working on your behalf.
This balance comes down to fiscal responsibility and return on investment. Delivering a high quality education protects community property values, which directly benefits every resident. To maintain that standard of excellence, our teachers must feel supported and respected so we can retain experienced talent and stay current with modern trends. On the financial side, we need to continue partnering with the town on shared services to eliminate duplicate costs and stretch every tax dollar further. Above all, real success happens when parents, educators, and taxpayers are actively involved and heard, keeping academic excellence at the forefront.
Curriculum development belongs to the qualified educators and administrative team, guided by state standards. The Board of Education's responsibility is governance: approving curricula, ensuring our schools have the necessary resources and professional development to implement them effectively, and holding the district accountable for academic growth. My focus is ensuring our teachers have the support they need to help every student succeed.