Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
vote for
3
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education; Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy
Children and Ages
Charles 15 and Jack 12
As a Fair Lawn Board member, educator, and parent, my priorities are centered on our students, our schools, and our community. I want every Fair Lawn student to have access to a high-quality education, strong academic opportunities, and the support they need to thrive. As an educator, I understand that students have different strengths and needs, and our schools must be prepared to support all learners. Responsible stewardship is equally important. We must protect the quality of our schools while being responsible with taxpayer dollars. I will continue supporting thoughtful, long-term planning for our facilities, programs, and resources while asking the questions necessary to ensure our investments benefit students. Strong community partnerships are key. Great schools depend on strong relationships among families, educators, administrators, students, and the Board. Having lived in Fair Lawn for 13 years and having deep family roots here, I am personally invested in our community.
I am a proud, current member of the Fair Lawn Board, where I have gained hands-on experience in district governance, policy, budgeting and finance, facilities planning, curriculum, student achievement, superintendent evaluation, and long-term planning. My tenure has strengthened my ability to analyze information, ask informed questions, collaborate with Board members and administration, evaluate district priorities, and make thoughtful decisions focused on students and the long-term needs of our schools.
As a special education teacher with a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy, I bring skills that complement my Board experience, including analyzing data, evaluating programs, identifying needs, problem-solving, communicating with diverse stakeholders, and balancing individual needs with district-wide priorities and available resources.
I am also a third-generation Fair Lawn resident. My great-grandfather, Thomas C. Browne, served on the 1945 Fair Lawn Board.
I want voters to know that I take public service seriously. Being a Board member means listening, asking questions, learning from others, and making thoughtful decisions on behalf of the entire community.
I believe our schools are one of the greatest assets of any community. They are often a major reason families choose to live in Fair Lawn and are the backbone of our community and the foundation of our children’s future. Maintaining strong schools is an investment in both our students and the long-term strength of Fair Lawn.
That is why we must think beyond the next school year or budget cycle. We have established important long-term goals for our schools, and I am committed to continuing that work thoughtfully and responsibly, building on the progress already made rather than continually starting over.
I believe Board members have a responsibility to look ahead, make informed decisions today, and protect the strength of our schools for the future. I am committed to continuing that.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
vote for
3
Education
MBA and B.S. in Finance
Children and Ages
3 children - one current high school student and two graduates
My top three priorities as a Board of Education member are student success, fiscal responsibility, and building a strong school community. I want to ensure that students have the academic resources, support and guidance they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. This includes expanding opportunities for students to explore and prepare for a range of post-graduation pathways, including college, vocational/technical programs, and careers. I also believe it’s important that district resources be used thoughtfully and responsibly, with spending decisions focused on what most directly supports student learning and provides teachers with the tools they need to be successful. Finally, fostering an environment where students, teachers, staff, and families feel supported, respected and heard is critical to a strong district. Fostering communication and collaboration is essential to building schools where students can thrive and educators can do their best work.
As a longtime Fair Lawn resident and parent of three children, I have been actively involved in our schools as a past PTA President, class parent, and volunteer for over 17 years. Professionally, I hold an MBA and a B.S. in Finance along with multiple industry certifications. My background in budget administration, grants management, and higher education provides me with a strong foundation for approaching the financial and operational responsibilities of the Board of Education. I was unanimously appointed to the Board in 2025 to fill a vacancy and reappointed in 2026, having completed the required governance training and gaining a strong understanding of the role of a Board member. I place a high value on maintaining a collaborative and collegial relationship with my fellow Board members, even when we may have different perspectives. I believe that respectful dialogue and a shared focus on students are essential to an effective Board and am committed to working towards that goal.
As an immigrant and bilingual in English and Russian, I bring a unique perspective and firsthand understanding of the diverse needs, experiences, and voices within Fair Lawn’s community. My personal experiences have shaped my appreciation for the importance of ensuring that every family feels welcome and included in our schools. I believe that our diversity is one of our community’s strengths and I am committed to ensuring that all students and families have the opportunity to feel valued and supported.
vote for
3
Education
Masters of Social Work
Children and Ages
Lawler 12, Lincoln 10
My top three priorities are our students, fiscal responsibility, and good governance. Students must remain at the center of every decision we make. I want to ensure that Fair Lawn continues to provide strong academic programs, supports the social and emotional needs of our students, and meets the needs of all learners. We also have a responsibility to be thoughtful stewards of taxpayer dollars. That means making responsible financial decisions, looking for efficiencies, planning for the future, and making certain that our resources are aligned with district priorities. Finally, I believe strongly in professional and effective governance. The Board’s role is policy and oversight, not managing the day to day operations of the district. There are professionals hired to run our schools, and we need to give them the ability to do their jobs while maintaining appropriate accountability.
My professional background in education & social work has given me a strong understanding of the challenges facing our schools. My 6 years of experience on the Board has expanded that perspective to include the responsibilities of governance. During my time on the Board, I have served on every committee with the exception of negotiations. I was the Vice President of the Board in 2023 & am currently serving my 3rd term as President. During my tenure, I have worked closely with the Superintendent & fellow trustees with the community in mind. I believe effective Board service requires understanding the difference between governance and operations. Good governance requires preparation, listening, thoughtful questions & a willingness to consider different perspectives. Hard questions are necessary, but they should be part of productive, respectful discussions. My goal is always to make decisions based on facts, sound judgement, district needs & most importantly, what is best for students.
I care deeply about our community & I am proud of the work I have contributed on behalf of the Board. I also recognize there is always more to do. Responsible Board service does not mean everyone agrees. Different perspectives & difficult questions are essential. What matters is how we handle those differences. I believe the Board should foster thoughtful questions, honest discussion & responsible decision-making. Difficult issues should be explored with the Board & administration in a professional & respectful manner. There is no place for disruption, embarrassment, or public theatrics. Our schools deserves a Board that understands its role is to serve the community, not ourselves. I will continue to ask questions, listen to all viewpoints, advocate for students & remain mindful of taxpayers. Serving on the Board is a public trust. To me, Education with Integrity means making sound decisions while demonstrating the professionalism, respect & accountability our community deserves.
vote for
3
Education
FLHS '01, BA in Psychology with a minor in English from Montclair State University '05, Preschool through Grade 3 Modified Alternate Route from Montclair State University '06
Children and Ages
I have 3 children ages 12, 10, and 8
My top three priorities as a prospective member of the Fair Lawn Board of Education are to strengthen programs that foster a safe and respectful school culture as well as communication between schools and families, establish quarterly town hall meetings to gain input from all families, and to make sure we have academic excellence for ALL with high expectations, strong programs and equitable opportunities which includes trades through career and technical education (CTE) and testing for kindergarten readiness for students that miss the October 1st cutoff through December 31st.
I believe that I bring the qualifications, experience, and dedication necessary to serve on the Fair Lawn BoE. I am a certified educator with experience in leadership, special education, mainstream education, and even homeschooling, and have been involved in education for more than 25 years, beginning as a volunteer in FLHS's Service-Learning program. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Leadership at William Paterson University and teach with the Union County Educational Services Commission. Beyond the classroom, I serve as a class parent and PTO member and have been actively involved in youth sports programs as a coach and board member. Education is not simply my profession; it is my passion and a commitment I have carried throughout my life. I am ready to bring my experience, perspective and dedication back to my hometown and work to ensure that every Fair Lawn student has the opportunity, resources, and support to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.
I am running for the Board of Education because I have been deeply invested in my children’s education, and education in general, and I believe that I can bring a fresh perspective. My experiences have given me insight into traditional and alternative systems and have shown me the vital importance of involving family and community. For over 70 years the Moss/Thor/Reiz family has called Fair Lawn home, and with the third generation of our family attending Fair Lawn schools today, I believe in giving back to my community. Fair Lawn Schools helped shape me into the person I am and I want our community's children to have as many opportunities to grow and be challenged as possible. I believe that we can improve the transparency within our schools and provide more chances for our students' parents, caregivers, and families to be involved in their education. I strive to bring harmony back to the board and enhance the inclusivity of our town.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
