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I am running for the Pequannock Township Board of Education because education is the field I have dedicated my career to, and I would like to use that experience to give back to my own community. This is my 18th year working in education and my 13th year as a school administrator. I also previously served as a board member for the Hudson County Schools of Technology.
I chose to run because I would like to help Pequannock continue to make the best possible decisions for our students while also being mindful of the financial impact those decisions have on our community. I believe my experience gives me a good understanding of how school districts work and, just as importantly, how to ask the right questions when important decisions come before the Board.
My 18 years in education have given me experience in many different areas of running a school district, including curriculum, instruction, assessment, technology, budgeting, policy, staffing, and long-term planning.
I also previously served on a Board of Education, so I understand that the role of a Board member is different from the role of a school administrator. Board members are there to set goals, approve policies and budgets, ask questions, and make decisions that are in the best interest of the district. They are not there to manage the day-to-day operations of the schools.
I believe one of my greatest strengths is being able to look at an issue from different perspectives, ask questions, review the information available, and work with others to find a solution that makes sense for students and the community.
This is one of the biggest challenges facing school districts. We want to retain great teachers and provide our students with strong programs and opportunities, but we also have a responsibility to be mindful of what we are asking taxpayers to support.
I believe the key is making thoughtful decisions about where money is being spent and making sure those investments are benefiting students. Retaining good teachers is also about more than salary. Teachers want to work in schools where they feel supported, have the resources they need, and are able to do their jobs well.
As a Board member, I would want to carefully look at the budget, ask questions about programs and spending, and look for efficiencies before simply asking taxpayers for more. At the same time, I would want to make sure that cost-saving decisions do not come at the expense of the quality of education we provide our students.
I believe curriculum decisions should be driven by the district’s educators and administrators, who have the expertise and firsthand knowledge of our students’ needs. The Board’s role is to review and approve curriculum and ensure it supports the district’s overall goals for students.
What I would like to see is the district continue to look for ways to increase rigor and expand opportunities for all students. Not every student has the same strengths, interests, or plans after high school, so I think it is important to provide strong academics while also offering students opportunities in areas such as STEM, the arts, career-focused programs, and other electives.
As a Board member, I would want to support that work, ask questions, and make sure we continue to provide programs that challenge and support our students and prepare them for whatever path they choose after graduation.
My decision to run for the Board of Education is rooted in my desire to give back to my community in a meaningful way. With years of experience in education as a teacher, school counselor, and supervisor, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how thoughtful leadership and strong schools can positively impact students, families, and the community as a whole.
I believe my experience in different roles within education gives me a unique perspective that I can bring to the Board. At the same time, having young children in the district makes this work deeply personal. I care not only about the education students are receiving today, but also about building a school district that will continue to serve our children and future generations well.
I was a high school English teacher for 5 years, a high school and middle school counselor for 10 years and I have been supervising the school counseling department along with other elective departments for 9 years.
I believe the key to balancing these priorities is thoughtful, responsible budgeting that keeps student achievement and the quality of our schools at the center of every decision. Retaining excellent teachers is an important part of that equation. Our teachers are one of our district’s greatest assets, and investing in them helps ensure that our students continue to receive a high-quality education.
At the same time, I believe we have a responsibility to taxpayers to carefully evaluate how every dollar is spent. This means looking for efficiencies, prioritizing programs and services that have the greatest impact on students, and making data-informed decisions about where resources are most needed.
At this time, I would not propose specific changes to the district’s curriculum without first taking the time to fully understand what is currently being offered. While my years of experience as a teacher, school counselor, and supervisor provide me with a strong educational background, I believe it is important to listen, learn, and review the existing curriculum before determining where changes may be needed.
