Slogan
Support Every Student
My campaign slogan is Support Every Student because I believe the district could do a better job of creating individual learning plans for all students who could benefit from them to reach their potential, including students with learning differences and gifted students.
School safety is also a priority. I’d like to invest in panic buttons, which are widely documented to save lives during school emergencies when every second counts.
I also believe the district could improve transparency in its communications. For example, I recently learned from my daughter that Spanish is being eliminated at Orchard Hill Elementary School. When such significant decisions are being made, I believe community input should be sought and parents should be informed.
I also believe that it is important to support school staff. Recently, my daughter’s exceptional Kindergarten teacher left to work in a neighboring district. I don’t want to keep losing top educators.
I recognize that the town has recently experienced a significant tax increase and it is essential to use our limited funds wisely. I believe it is important to actively seek community and educator input when making decisions about where to allocate funding.
As a professor and program director at my university, I have experience writing and evaluating curricula, hiring and managing faculty and overseeing budgets. I believe this experience would be useful in carrying out these responsibilities and pursuing these priorities.
I believe we need a better approach to balancing screen time. As a member of the local group Screens With Purpose, I have heard from many parents in the district on this issue and almost all of them have been unhappy with the amount of time their children spend on screens at school and doing homework. As a professor, I study and teach this topic, have written 2 books on the subject, and have been contributing opinion and analysis pieces for over a decade to CNN on the effects of screen time. It is clear that a wide body of reliable data confirms that students almost always learn best by reading on paper and writing by hand. We could therefore implement guidelines for when screens should be used in classrooms: when teaching students how to use technology, when teaching students how to protect/ empower themselves online, when students are preparing for standardized tests that the state mandates be taken on computers, and when the material on the screen significantly enhances student learning in the view of the teacher.
I also believe the apparent elimination of Spanish in elementary school is unfortunate, since we know that youth is a critical window when children’s brains can learn a language in a way that becomes much harder later in life. I think the district could do a better job of teaching foreign language(s) more thoroughly in elementary school.
One of the most important responsibilities of a board member is ensuring that our limited funds are allocated wisely. As a school board member, I would listen to staff and the community to understand our district’s most pressing needs. It will always be essential to protect funds needed for school safety. I also believe that it is important to ensure that our funds are used to help the entire community, including kids who have special needs or would benefit from individual learning plans.
This is another area where I would seek input from educators and the community. I have heard from many parents that the school system does not do enough to address the needs of students with special needs. I believe the district could improve its individual learning plans for all students who could benefit from an approach tailored to their abilities and needs in order to reach their potential.
I would seek the input of educators here. I believe it is important to follow the data which tells us that teaching students about these topics is essential to protect their safety, health and wellbeing and that teaching students about sex does not cause them to have sex.
As a citizen, it is my opinion that it is reprehensible for ICE to carry out enforcement activities on or surrounding school property. Schools should be a safe space for all students. Of course, it is important for schools to follow the New Jersey Department of Education School Protocols for Immigration Enforcement.
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I listen, I learn, I’m fair. I approach every conversation with an open mind and value the diversity of perspectives on our current board. Understanding everyone’s experiences/viewpoints is important. Having served on the board for almost seven years, I have the experience/ knowledge to understand how it functions, allowing for a seamless transition. I would like to further opportunities for not just communication and transparency but understand what that looks
like for our community.
A board member's role should remain fair/ neutral. I'd like to revisit the highlights from our past strategic planning sessions, and I'm curious to learn more about what our community wants.
A few areas to prioritize:
Support the social-emotional well-being of students while partnering respectfully with families and honoring the important role parents play in their children's education
Ensure every child has access to strong academics and support needed to reach their individual learning potential
Promote respectful communication, conflict resolution, and positive peer relationships so students can learn to work through challenges with kindness and accountability.
Use technology thoughtfully and age-appropriately to support learning while encouraging healthy balance and responsible digital citizenship
Keep school safety/ security as the district’s top priority.
Strengthen trust through clear communication, collaboration, strong relationships w families, educators, administrators, community.
I would like to continue to hear from the community. And through our ACI meeting and board meetings continue to have these conversations. Our goal is to be able to meet the needs of all students to provide opportunities for all learners and for every students interest. We want to deepen and strengthen their emotional social well-being.
I feel as though it is essential for community members and Baird members to understand what taxes support. Rising taxes aren’t unique to Montgomery. I want to prioritize what matters most while being responsible with taxpayer dollars. When looking at the budget, I believe there are areas that we can continue to look for opportunities to adjust. The budget isn’t working in progress. Assessing and reassessing the needs of our district.
Safety and security will always be my number one priority, along with staying up to date with special education, extracurriculars, and the teachers our students need to be challenged and supported, as well as supplies and facility updates.
Through testing and assessment and evaluation, our district continues the monitor the needs of our students. We continue to look for opportunities and strategies to provide for families and teachers. This is an area that we continue to strengthen and continues to grow.
I believe our school continues to provide an environment for students to feel safe , supported, and cared for. Social emotional, well being of every student is critical when providing an environment for student academics to reach their maximum potential.
A public school is run in a very different way than a private school. Public schools must follow guidelines provided by the state. I believe our teachers and schools continue to abide by these guidelines in the most gentle and age-appropriate ways.
This remains an unprecedented, complicated and dynamic topic, and one paragraph could not fairly assess a thoughtful and reasonable position. But with that said, I remain tethered to the core values to support our students always.
My current thinking is that the role of a board member should not address ICE.
I believe it is the role of a board member and the role of our district to support every single student despite race, gender, ethnicity, religion, etc. Our role is to provide an inclusive and supportive environment every single day. Every single day, our students need to feel valued and safe at school. Again, being a public school, I believe our role is to follow the guidelines of our local and state government.
Slogan
Support Every Student
My guiding priority is that all Board decisions must serve the best interests of our students. Before casting any vote, I will listen during discussion and, if the student impact isn’t clearly explained, I will ask targeted questions to ensure we have that clarity.
School is a place where students are exposed to a variety of experiences and given the opportunity to learn more about the world around them. By offering a wide range of options, schools can allow students to explore interests and discover skills they may never have had the opportunity to experience otherwise. I believe schools should bring opportunities to learn about different trades back into the classroom. Introducing students to careers in areas such as construction, plumbing, electrical work, automotive technology, and other skilled trades can help them discover valuable career paths and practical skills for their future.
Applying fine arts skills to real-world situations will allow students to understand the practical value of what they learn. When fine arts skills are connected to real-world experiences, students become more creative, adaptable, confident, and capable of contributing positively to society.
In addition, there should be a stronger emphasis on financial literacy in schools. Students should graduate with a basic understanding of budgeting, saving, credit, taxes, investing, and managing debt. These are essential life skills that many young people are expected to learn on their own after graduation. Teaching financial literacy in the classroom would help students make informed decisions about their money and prepare them for the responsibilities of adulthood.
Although I worked in the Montgomery Township School District for approximately 19 years, I was not directly involved in budgeting decisions. However, I believe that every financial decision made by the district must ultimately prioritize the needs of its students.
During the school year, staff members and their respective departments have access to their school budgets. The School Business Administrator and Assistant Business Administrator may be able to review and analyze departmental budgets throughout the year to determine whether adjustments or further evaluation are needed for the following school year. This type of ongoing review could help ensure that budget decisions are based on actual needs, while keeping student priorities at the forefront.
There are groups of at-risk students within every community, and it is important for schools to maintain open lines of communication with their families. Parents and guardians need to know that the school is there to support them in any way possible. Understanding family dynamics can also be essential in determining how best to support both the student and their family.
Monitoring student attendance, changes in behavior, academic performance, and other noticeable changes can provide some of the first signs that a student may be experiencing difficulties. Teachers are often the first people to notice these changes because they interact with students on a regular basis. Therefore, it is important that all school staff feel comfortable reporting anything unusual or concerning to guidance counselors and/or the principal so that concerns can be investigated and appropriate interventions can be put in place.
Schools should also work to remove barriers that may prevent families from communicating effectively with staff. When there is a language barrier, schools should provide translators or other appropriate language-support services to ensure that families can fully understand and participate in the process.
Schools can be one of the safest and most supportive places in a child's life. For this reason, it is important that students attend school regularly, feel connected to their peers and teachers, and know that they are valued members of the school community.
I am not aware of any new policies that would be needed for the sex education curriculum. Teaching respect and safety is already an important part of the curriculum.
Phys Ed teachers are the educators who deliver this instruction, and we need to trust their professional guidance regarding any changes or updates that may be needed. Input from school nurses and guidance counselors should also be considered, as they bring valuable perspectives and expertise.
Most importantly, we should maintain open communication with students and create an environment where they feel safe and comfortable asking questions. Students should know that they can seek information and support from trusted adults without fear of judgment.
The role of schools in addressing the impact of ICE policies in the community should be clearly understood by all students and families in the school district. Schools have a responsibility to ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and respected, regardless of the circumstances their family may be facing.
Every student must be supported emotionally and academically in whatever capacity they need. Open communication among staff is also essential. When staff members are empowered with accurate information and the appropriate resources, they are better prepared to create a safe and supportive environment for students. Staff should know where to turn when concerns arise and understand their role in protecting students and maintaining a welcoming school community.
The stress and uncertainty surrounding ICE policies can place enormous pressure on families. Schools can help ease some of that fear by maintaining open and respectful lines of communication with families. Providing clear information, listening to concerns, and connecting families with appropriate resources can help students and their families feel less isolated and more secure.
Ultimately, schools should be places where students can focus on learning and growing without fear. By supporting families and maintaining open communication, school districts can help create a safe and inclusive environment for every member of the school community.
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Slogan
Together For Students
As both a parent and business leader, I bring experience in strategic planning, financial stewardship, and organizational accountability that can help ensure Montgomery's schools remain among the best in the nation.
Our township deserves both outstanding educational opportunities and disciplined, transparent stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Montgomery schools are consistently ranked among the top public school districts in New Jersey and the nation, and my goal is to ensure we continue delivering exceptional opportunities while preparing students for success in an increasingly competitive world.
The Together For Students slate of candidates will advocate for clear goals, measurable outcomes, open communication with families, and budgets that prioritize classroom instruction and student development.
Taxpayers deserve confidence that their investment in our schools is being managed responsibly and effectively. By keeping students first, listening to families, supporting educators, and making sound financial decisions, we can ensure our schools remain a source of pride and value for the entire community.
Every student should have a pathway to success, whether that path leads to college, a skilled trade, military service, entrepreneurship, or another goal. Our district must prepare students for a range of opportunities while providing individualized assistance as needed to support their educational journeys.
I am an advocate of strengthening opportunities in STEAM, career and technical education, internships, and real-world learning experiences that help students connect classroom learning to future careers. At the same time, our fine arts and athletic programs remain essential components of a well-rounded education, helping students develop creativity, confidence, teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills.
Rather than adding programs simply to add them, or maintaining programs solely because they exist, we should regularly evaluate participation, outcomes, and costs to ensure we are making smart investments that maximize value for our students and community.
Students and classrooms should always be our top priority. When additional resources are available, investments that directly benefit students should come first. This includes supporting teachers, academic programs, student services, school safety, and educational resources that have a measurable impact on student success.
When evaluating spending, we should first examine administrative overhead, duplicative costs, and other non-instructional expenses before considering reductions that would affect students or teachers. We should also proactively explore additional funding opportunities, grants, shared services, and purchasing efficiencies to maximize the district's resources.
As a Montgomery resident, taxpayer, and CEO of a private company, I understand the importance of balancing priorities, managing resources responsibly, and ensuring accountability for every dollar spent. As a board member, I will advocate for transparent budgeting, long-term planning, and fiscal discipline to ensure we deliver the best possible educational outcomes while respecting taxpayers' investment in our schools.
Some students face challenges outside the classroom that can significantly affect their ability to learn and succeed in the classroom. These challenges may include economic hardship, mental health concerns, physical disabilities or health challenges, learning differences, language barriers, or family instability.
The MTSD should ensure that students have access to counseling services, tutoring programs, academic interventions, and individualized support that help them overcome barriers and reach their full potential. Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and supporting at-risk students strengthens our entire community.
Health education should be age-appropriate, medically accurate, and fully transparent to parents. Parents are a child's first and most important teachers, and they deserve a clear understanding of what is being taught in the classroom.
I support open communication, accessible curriculum materials, and meaningful opportunities for parental input. Before pursuing any policy changes, I would seek feedback from parents, educators, subject-matter experts, and community members to ensure the curriculum meets educational standards while reflecting community expectations.
The role of our schools is to educate students in a safe, supportive learning environment. Every student should feel welcomed, respected, and able to focus on learning, personal growth, and academic achievement.
School districts should comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies while safeguarding student privacy and maintaining a focus on student well-being. When students or families experience challenges that affect learning, schools should provide appropriate support and access to available resources.
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