I’ve always had a passion for and supported education.
In April of this year, when I saw the Board of Education had a vacancy, I was inspired to apply. I was interviewed by the Board, and was appointed on May 26 to a term that expires this year.
I’m now running for re-election to continue my service on the board.
I’ve supported education through the years including
• Prior service on the Morris Plains Board of Education (1997-2000)
• Volunteering as a Narrator, reading text books with Recording for the Blind
• Volunteering with the Museum of Natural History indexing photographic plates from telescopes from around the world for digitizing and further study
• And teaching adult computer classes at County College of Morris and other adult education programs, including some at Morristown high school
I believe deeply that education is essential. Today more than ever, when we are all flooded with sound-bites, opinions, and AI summaries, we have a responsibility to our children to give them an educational foundation, along with critical thinking skills, to help them navigate life in the 21st century.
I have over 20 years’ experience in corporate America managing teams and projects, crafting budgets, negotiating contracts, and managing vendor relationships.
I believe with these skills and experience I can add a valuable contribution to the board, to our schools, and our community.
I understand that for many of us, the taxes we pay are a significant portion of our budget. My wife and I are retired and we watch our costs very carefully. The inflation we’re experiencing recently has made budgeting a challenge. It has forced some decisions regarding quality and cost and pushed us to carefully determine the best value for our money. I believe educating our children is worth the cost. That said, I also believe we need to ensure we get the most value for our money. Currently the district is doing an excellent job keeping costs down, saving money where we can, and spending where it’s required. Quality education does cost money. But you can be assured that we get the most out of every dollar spent. The district uses shared services wherever possible, joins Group Purchase Orders where we combine our purchasing with others to help drive costs down, and negotiates with all our vendors to get the most value possible.
There are no changes to the curriculum that I would make. Our schools are doing a great job, not only meeting state standards but providing an overall quality education. As a district we are constantly looking for ways to improve and innovate student learning.
My motivation to continue serving on the Morris Plains Board of Education stems from a deep commitment to our community and a desire to ensure our schools continue providing an exceptional, well-rounded education for every student. Having watched our schools thrive through strong community partnerships, I want to maintain that momentum. My goal is to ensure our district remains fiscally responsible while steadfastly prioritizing academic excellence, innovative learning opportunities, and robust support systems for both students and staff. Public education is the bedrock of our community, and I am running to ensure Morris Plains remains a place where families know their children are prepared for future success.
My professional career as an educator and educational administrator has provided a strong foundation for effective school board governance. Having spent 21 years as a music teacher in the classroom and currently serving as a District Supervisor of Visual & Performing Arts in the Westfield Public Schools, I bring a deep, practical understanding of curriculum development, instructional best practices, and daily school operations. This background allows me to collaborate effectively with educational professionals, evaluate program efficacy, and support sound policy decisions that directly benefit students and teachers alike.
Balancing teacher retention, high-quality education, and taxpayer sensitivity is the central challenge of modern school governance, and it requires strategic fiscal discipline.
First, attracting and retaining top-tier educators is essential because classroom quality directly dictates student outcomes; we do this by maintaining competitive compensation, fostering a supportive professional culture, and providing meaningful professional development.
Second, quality education must be protected by prioritizing resources directly inside the classroom, ensuring that every dollar spent aligns with our core educational mission rather than administrative bloat.
Finally, we respect taxpayers by identifying operational efficiencies, leveraging shared services, actively pursuing grants, and building transparent, multi-year budgets that plan ahead for capital needs. Fiscal responsibility does not mean cutting educational quality; rather, it means maximizing the value of every tax dollar so our community remains affordable while our schools remain elite.
Our district curriculum should continually evolve to meet the demands of a changing world while honoring foundational academic skills. Rather than sweeping overhauls, my focus is on continuous, data-driven enhancement. This includes ensuring strong alignment in literacy and mathematics, expanding opportunities that foster critical thinking, and ensuring students have access to well-rounded, creative opportunities. Curriculum decisions should always be guided by educator expertise, state standards, and what best equips our students to become adaptable, lifelong learners.
Honestly, it comes down to this — Morris Plains runs on people who show up. I've watched this community from the moment we arrived, and what strikes me most is how much people genuinely care. Volunteers, parents, teachers, neighbors — everyone invested in making this a great place to raise a family. That example motivated me. Our schools are in good hands and our educators work hard every day. I'm not running to fix something broken. I'm running because sustaining what's great here takes continued commitment, and I want to contribute mine. My oldest child attends Mountain Way and my younger will enter next year. I want every child in this district to have the same opportunity to thrive.
My background is in science and engineering, which means I'm trained to look carefully at evidence before drawing conclusions. I don't rush to judgment, and I try to understand a problem fully before proposing a solution. That includes listening to families, administrators, and the educators who work with our children every day. I think that's exactly the kind of thinking needed— especially when making decisions that affect children and public dollars. I come with no predetermined agenda — just a genuine desire to serve thoughtfully.
I think about this carefully because all three matter deeply. The reality is that great teachers are the foundation of everything — when we lose them, we lose far more than we save. So I'd start there. At the same time, I believe taxpayers deserve to know exactly how their money is being spent and why. Transparency isn't optional — it's how you build trust. My approach would be to look hard at where investments deliver real results, advocate for those, and be honest about what isn't working. It's not about spending more or spending less. It's about spending wisely, staying close to what educators and families are experiencing, and being accountable for the results.
I don't think this has to be complicated. A great education gives children both the analytical tools to understand the world and the creative confidence to contribute to it. Science, math, and engineering build one kind of strength. Arts and music build another. In my view, those things belong together. Before advocating for specific changes, I'd want to understand what our teachers are seeing in the classroom — they're closest to where students are thriving and where they need more support. What I'd bring to that conversation is a firm belief that we should protect and invest in both our academic and arts programs with equal seriousness. That combination is what prepares a child for everything that comes next.
I am running for the Board of Education because I have a vested interest in our students, our schools, and the future of our community. As a current parent and an engaged member of our school community, I want to bring my experience, perspective, and commitment to the Board.
I want to build on the work I have already done in our schools, including running the Mountain Way Book Fair, serving as Vice President of the DEI Committee, and participating in the Leadership Roundtable. These experiences have given me a deeper understanding of our schools, our students, and the important role that parents, teachers, staff, and administrators all play in creating a successful school community.
I want to help ensure that our students continue to receive an excellent education and have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed. I want to make sure our children are prepared not only for their next step in school, but for whatever comes after it. I want to promote diversity of thought, strengthen our school community, and advocate for and support the teachers and staff who are so important to our children's success.
In my professional career, I work for an insights and analytics consulting company, where I lead teams and bring people with different perspectives and areas of expertise together to solve complex problems. This experience has taught me the importance of listening, collaboration, thoughtful decision-making, and keeping everyone focused on a common goal.
I currently lead a team supporting a large client, so I am comfortable managing projects, navigating change, resolving challenges, and bringing people together to move initiatives forward. I also understand the importance of clear, consistent, and transparent communication with both internal teams and the broader community.
I believe these skills will translate well to serving on the Board of Education. I can help foster collaboration while keeping our shared goal at the center: supporting our teachers and staff and providing the best possible educational experience for our students. I also see an opportunity to strengthen communication with parents and the community, and I am confident my experience can help make that a priority.
I believe these three priorities are interconnected, and the goal should be to find the right balance while keeping our students and the long-term health of our community at the center of every decision.
We are fortunate to have exceptional teachers and staff who are committed to our children. Retaining these educators is critical to maintaining the quality of education our students receive. As taxpayers, we are investing in our children's future, and part of that is ensuring we can attract and retain the best educators to help our students learn and grow.
At the same time, taxpayers have every right to understand how their money is being spent. The Board has a responsibility to be thoughtful with those investments and transparent about where tax dollars are going and why.
I don't believe the conversation should simply be about raising or lowering taxes. It should be about making responsible, informed decisions that balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of our students and staff. We should continually ask: What are we investing in, why, and how does it benefit our students and community?
I believe our district has a well-rounded curriculum, and would not advocate for major changes. Mountain Way does well of meeting students where they are, using creative approaches to engage them while exposing them to different cultures and other experiences to broaden their perspectives. At Borough, students build on that learning with greater depth in science and history, while continuing to develop math & language arts skills. Art, music, & STEM further provide a strong balance of academic and creative learning.
That said, I believe there are opportunities to better prepare students for the world they are entering. I would like to explore ideas on responsible and effective use of AI. We should help students understand its limitations and recognize potential pitfalls, without replacing critical thinking and learning.
I would also like to explore incorporating more practical skills, including problem-solving & financial literacy, so students are better prepared to navigate new environments and make responsible decisions. Ultimately, I want to build on our strong curriculum to prepare students not only for academic success, but to be confident & responsible beyond our schools.
I have dedicated 35 years to education and remain passionate about using my experience and knowledge to support our district, strengthen teaching and curriculum, and ensure that every student receives an excellent education each day.
My connection to Morris Plains schools is also deeply personal. All seven of my children attended the Morris Plains School District, and in two years, my granddaughter will begin kindergarten here. I am committed to helping our schools continue to provide an outstanding education for today’s students and for generations to come.
I bring 15 years of experience serving on the Morris Plains Board of Education, along with 35 years as an educator. I am a Certified Board Member, having completed the extensive training required for this certification, and have a strong understanding of school governance, policy, fiscal responsibility, curriculum, and the importance of keeping student achievement at the center of every decision.
I currently serve as a vice principal at Roberto Clemente Elementary School in Newark, a Title I school with a large bilingual population. Working in a school every day gives me firsthand insight into the needs of students, teachers, administrators, and families.
In 2016, I received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the nation’s highest honor for K–12 STEM teaching. I believe my combination of board experience, educational leadership, and classroom expertise allows me to make informed, thoughtful decisions while working collaboratively to ensure the best possible education for every Morris Plains student.
Balancing these priorities requires thoughtful, responsible decision-making and an understanding that they are closely connected. After 35 years in education and 15 years on the Morris Plains Board of Education, I know that excellent teachers are one of our greatest investments. Retaining them requires competitive compensation, but also a supportive work environment, strong leadership, meaningful professional development, and opportunities to grow.
At the same time, we have a responsibility to our taxpayers to ensure that every dollar is spent wisely. This means carefully evaluating programs and expenditures, seeking available funding opportunities, and directing resources toward areas that have the greatest impact on student learning.
I do not believe that maintaining educational excellence and respecting taxpayers priorities are competing goals. The Board must continually examine priorities, ask difficult questions, and make fiscally responsible decisions without compromising the quality of education our students deserve.
I believe curriculum decisions should be thoughtful, evidence-based, and focused on providing every student with a strong foundation for future success. The Board’s role is not to manage day-to-day instruction, but to ensure the district is well run, to ask informed questions, and to approve curriculum that is rigorous, relevant, and aligned with appropriate standards.
Rather than advocating for change simply for the sake of change, I believe we should continually evaluate our curriculum using student achievement data, research, and feedback from our educators to determine what is working and where improvements may be needed.
Mathematics is an area in which I bring particular expertise. My doctoral research focused on mathematics instruction, and throughout my Board service I have used that knowledge to offer thoughtful suggestions and ask questions about our math curriculum. I will continue to bring my educational experience to Board discussions while respecting the expertise and professional responsibilities of our administrators and teachers.
