I originally ran for a position on the BOE because I had 5 children in the Parsippany schools, and I wanted to ensure that all children were able to have the benefits of a well-rounded education. I want to continue working for the residents and the current students to ensure Parsippany schools are able to provide the necessary education for all students to achieve their highest potential.
My previous BOE experience has helped me understand the role of a BOE member and how to work together with other members. As a CPA working with many individuals and businesses, I understand the importance of listening to all parties and ensuring that the decisions made are in the best interest of the students.
This is definitely getting tougher as costs increase faster than the allowable revenue increases. Our district has been fortunate to have very strong staff and Administrators who watch expenses carefully and ensure the money is spent wisely towards the community goals and statutory requirements. In addition, as 1 of 3 accountants currently on the Board, I am very comfortable looking at the budget, financial audit and expenses and understanding what the money is being spent on. Unfortunately, the portion of the budget that is discretionary is very small.
The majority of curriculum is based on the state requirements. The teachers and Supervisors make any necessary adjustments to ensure they are kept current, relevant and developmentally appropriate. I believe teachers should be able to work with their students at their individual level. If I could make any changes, it would be to give the staff more flexibility on how to meet the state standards and their students' needs.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
We need to have people who are not afraid to speak up and take action when it is needed. We need to make sure do our research and find the most favorable outcomes for the space and financial situations we are encountering.
No one on the Board or the Administration have the experience of such a large expansion project we are currently being forced to undergo. We need to think outside of the box. MAYBE - One new HS for the district with MS Students moving into the HS buildings; 3-4-5 grades move into the MS buildings; Elementary schools would now only be K-2 so we would not need the 10 buildings so one can be used for Pre-school and 1 for special needs only. Unoccupied buildings can be sold.
In the early 70s there was an increase in Parsippany’s population, the Council and Mayor at the time made sure that the developers build schools for the community. Northvail and Eastlake schools were built by developers of the time at zero cost to the taxpayer and the school district. Unfortunately, that was not something that the previous administration or the current one thought about during negotiations.
The genie can't be put back in the bottle, but we can imagine a better Parsippany.
I have a BA in Psychology with a specialization in Industrial Organizational Psychology. I attained the NJSBA (NJ Schools Board Association) Board Leader Certification the first ever in Parsippany in 2019.
During my tenure on the board, I have taken every opportunity available to take and attend workshops and classes in areas such as Student Achievement, Special Ed, Labor Relations and Negotiations, budget building, board ethics, Open Public Meetings Rules, and School Security.
I have over 30 years of experience in Business Operations and HR. I have managed many departments within these industries: Manufacturing, Printing, IT, and Medical.
I have been able to bring groups of people to come together for the common good and make things happen. I was able to garner support for the Turf fields for both HS from the 2 opposing sides at the time.
I would continue to keep an environment of openness where Staff, Students and Residents know that they can come forward with their ideas, comments, praises and complaints and be received without prejudice. I will also make sure the truth is being communicated to all.
Our intent on the board over the years has been to keep costs within budget caps without affecting the quality of our education.
Though we are a large district, made up of people with varying ideas, we manage to maintain a healthy environment for all. We have an excellent school district where everyone cares for each other.
If I could dream and make any change, it would be to spend more money on K-2nd grade.
Classrooms with less students, an additional teacher or Para. Make sure that no child comes out of 2nd grade without being able to read at grade level.
Students in 3rd grade begin to do harder math with word problems. If they have problems reading, then they will not do as well in math at this point.
Money is often spent remediating students in Middle School, when by that time we have lost the attention of the student. We can help them improve, but by this time they have so many issues to deal with such as: Acclimating themselves to a new building, new teachers, and making new friends (5 elementary's pour into 1 middle school) self-awareness and self-esteem comes into the picture, looking at themselves and others as part of growing up.
5 to 7-year-olds are sponges who want to learn and make their guardians in school and home proud. We should take advantage of this and help our children during these formative years.
Encouraging our kids to be life learners will help them succeed.
The first time I ran for a Board seat was in 2021. The country was still immersed in Covid lockdowns and mandates. Along with many parents, I strongly objected to government compelling children, by force, to wear masks and I initially spoke up against that mandate. I am running for my second term and as a member, I think I've made a significant and positive contribution. My main reason to serve on the board is to help maintain an environment for students to discover their talents and meet their full potential. I have been a strong proponent of the school district, both as a board member and as a private citizen, in the continuing negotiations with the town on PILOTS. I am also a proponent of empowering parents. Parsippany has an excellent school system. I want to do whatever I can to make sure Parsippany parents eagerly want to send their children to Parsippany Schools and that the students are challenged and are able to grow into good citizens. Being a board member is service to the public that has been a fulfilling and satisfying experience. I've been both humbled and honored to have been elected and hope the town sees fit to reelect me.
Throughout my adult life, I have had an interest in education because a quality education is the best way for people to realize their full potential in life. I taught several college level classes as well as a graduate class, all in corporate finance, on an adjunct basis, in the 1990's. For the last 24 years, I have been a senior financial executive of a multi-national media planning software company, with 18 years served as Chief Financial Officer and the last 5 years as Group Treasurer after a successful sale of the company. Though I have only served one term on the Board of Education, I have sought to make the most of it, serving on as many committes as possible and volunteering for the numerous tasks that inevitably arise. One example is this year speaking on behalf of the BOE on suggested reforms to the NJ State school funding formula. It was an excellent opportunity to employ my financial background. I like to think I can convey complicated concepts in an easy to understand way. I have also spoken on behalf of the BOE at the last two Parsippany Hills graduations. I grew up in Parsippany and attended Littleton, Brooklawn and Parsippany Hills.
In the last several years, the school district has faced a fiscal challenge, the onslaught of inflation. Along with most school districts in NJ, the Parsippany School District is limited to a 2% revenue increase from the prior year. For most of the last 15 years, there was low inflation and cost increases could be managed within that 2% revenue constraint. In the last 3 years, inflation has surged so costs have grown at a higher rate than the 2% revenue cap. This dynamic is unsustainable and has resulted in the Parsippany School District waiving the cap on class sizes along with some staff reductions. Because the district has always been fiscally responsible, the problems it currently faces, were borne by other school districts in past years. The other emerging problem for the future is the onslaught of residential PILOT (Payment in lieu of Taxes) Projects. While commercial PILOTs don't negatively impact the school district, residential PILOT projects DO impact the school district because they inevitably come with additional students and no additional revenue. So far the impact has been small but it will grow in the years ahead, which will exacerbate the fiscal problem.
I would like to see greater emphasis on reading the great books, what is referred to as the Western Canon as well as the teaching of as many facts as possible, which will lead to inductive thinking and reasoning. Without facts, thinking can not occur. In some places, there has been a concerted effort to give up the great book assignments in favor of more current "studies" that lack substance compared to the classics and will likely not be remembered a century from now. Separately, I also think the rules on Harrassment, Intimidation and Bullying are too strict and there should be more room for administration discretion in coming to a HIB finding. Reforms are needed in this area. Greater emphasis should also be placed on Civics and on Personal Finance.
As a Parsippany resident for over 23 years, I have a deep personal connection to our schools. My children, nieces, and nephews have all been or are being educated here, and I’ve seen both the strengths of our district and the opportunities ahead. With technology and AI transforming the world, and with my own background in leading educational technology used by tens of thousands of students, I believe our children deserve more than a strong academic foundation — they need preparation for a future where adaptability, critical thinking, and digital skills are essential. I am running to help bring that vision home to Parsippany: world-class education for every student, real support for our teachers, and a renewed focus on transparency and restoring fiscal responsibility for our taxpayers.
I serve as Director of Software Engineering, leading 40+ engineers while managing multimillion-dollar budgets, vendor negotiations, and risk under tight timelines. Earlier, as technology lead for Huntington Learning Center, I built the platform used by all franchisees and worked closely with the Curriculum and Training departments to design and deliver tools that helped teachers, trained students, and ensured they used the system effectively to improve scores. During COVID, I partnered to expand online learning quickly, supporting both educators and families. These experiences showed me that technology, when applied thoughtfully, empowers rather than overwhelms. I also bring fiscal leadership, having turned departments from a $500K loss into over $1M in operating profit. Combined with my network of Parsippany educators and higher education leaders at Fordham and St. John’s, I bring the right blend of educational, technical, and fiscal experience to serve.
Balancing these priorities requires empathy, discipline, and transparency. Retaining great teachers means more than pay — it’s about professional growth, support, and respect for their expertise. Strong education quality comes from curriculum and training that truly impact learning, along with technology that helps teachers teach and students stay engaged. At Huntington, I worked with Curriculum and Training teams to ensure both teachers and students could use systems effectively, leading to measurable score improvements. For taxpayers, my approach is fiscal discipline. I’ve reversed financial losses by focusing on efficiency, smarter vendor negotiations, and tying every dollar to outcomes. For the BOE, my goal is to keep taxes steady while building a surplus budget, so we can reinvest in innovative curriculum, internships, and partnerships with colleges like Rutgers that expand opportunities for our students.
I believe our curriculum must prepare students not just for tests but for life. At Huntington Learning Center, I worked closely with Curriculum and Training departments to design tools, train teachers, and ensure students used systems effectively, which led to measurable score improvements for more than 30,000 students nationwide. That experience taught me curriculum change succeeds only when paired with proper teacher training and student engagement. For Parsippany, I would support expanding financial literacy, digital literacy, and age-appropriate AI exposure, while strengthening parent engagement programs to help families support children’s focus in today’s tech-driven world. I’d also expand career readiness through internships and partnerships with colleges like Rutgers. By keeping taxes stable and building a surplus budget, we can reinvest directly in these innovations — ensuring students benefit from forward-looking programs without adding new burdens on families.
I believe that a strong school district is built on a foundation of collaboration. My vision for Parsippany education centers on bringing together every voice—administrators, educators, parents, students, and community members—to work alongside a non-partisan Board. Together, we will foster a supportive and inclusive environment where every student feels they belong and that their unique needs are met. By providing a strong curriculum and diverse opportunities, we will develop well-rounded students who are not only prepared for the future but also inspired to create a better world.
Our town's diversity is its greatest asset, and it is our duty to ensure that every student feels safe, represented, and supported. We must provide a robust education that is accessible to all, with resources tailored to individual needs. By carefully managing our budget to meet the demands of a growing population, we can invest taxpayer dollars wisely to ensure all graduates are prepared for success after high school.
I am prepared, willing, and eager to do what's necessary to deliver for our students.
With over 30 years of experience coaching, mentoring, and supporting our youth, combined with a career in finance, I am prepared to continue serving our community. My decades spent delivering financial excellence, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation have equipped me to scrutinize and shape our district's fiscal needs since joining the Parsippany-Troy Hills District Board in January 2023. By taking an inclusive and collaborative approach, I seek input from valued colleagues and key stakeholders to examine facts and incorporate diverse perspectives, ensuring top-quality results. My professional background, passion for public service, and collaborative nature make me well-suited for continued service.
Retaining great teachers while providing a high-quality education and managing taxes is a complex task for any school district.
Parsippany has a strong culture of supporting its educators, which directly aids teacher retention. Our current programs, like mentorships for new staff and peer-to-peer training, provide valuable professional development that helps teachers grow their skills and, in turn, improves the quality of education for all students.
Creating a positive school culture is vital for retaining teachers. This includes actively listening to their feedback, enforcing clear student discipline policies, and recognizing their hard work. Offering wellness support, such as mental health sessions, also boosts morale and encourages staff to stay.
To be fiscally responsible, a district can pursue alternative funding sources rather than relying solely on local taxes. By seeking federal grants and forging strong community partnerships, such as local businesses providing discounts or community groups offering project-specific grants, the district can support teachers and students without overburdening taxpayers.
The Parsippany-Troy Hills School District has developed an outstanding curriculum that builds foundational knowledge in elementary school, preparing students for more complex subjects at the secondary level. Here, a wide array of courses and opportunities helps students explore their interests and prepare for their future. This is supported by programs like Target: Teach Parsippany for aspiring educators, a robust selection of Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment with colleges, and a Senior Internship Program that provides real-world work experience. Our curriculum ultimately supports the development of students into contributing members of society, and I am committed to ensuring it remains on the cutting edge of technology and critical thinking through consistent evolution.
