Slogan
No More Lawsuits
Involvement in Community
Mother of two school age kids
My kids are the reason I am running for school board. I have two young children in district schools. I want our education tax dollars to go to supporting kids, teachers, and schools rather than legal bills or lawsuits caused by board decisions that are motivated by personal beliefs rather than legal obligations.
For my career, I've been an employment and labor attorney. I handle wage and hour issues, labor negotiations, executive compensation and employee benefits. That's the core of what a school board oversees: contracts, salaries, benefits and making sure policies hold up legally. My job is to help organizations prevent lawsuits before they happen. I read the fine print, I ask the hard questions early, and I look for workable solutions.
I'll bring accountability, preparation and respect for taxpayers to the board. My slogan is "no more lawsuits" because avoidable legal fights cost money and focus that belong in the classroom.
Rather than complain about the past decisions of the board, I want to volunteer my time to advocating for the interest of our kids and the community.
My priorities are supporting our kids, teachers, and community by being fiscally responsible and keeping the town out of court.
This year's budget carried a 3.6% tax increase. Families here feel every increase, so each one should be used for education, and not unnecessary legal fees.
To do this, I believe the board needs to revisit certain policies, such as Policy and Regulation 2535. On Policy 2535, board members were warned that adding their own language to the state template could invite lawsuits. They did so anyway. I agree that parents should absolutely have a voice in what their children read and learn; that's a legitimate concern and its already protected by the New Jersey Freedom to Read Act. Our process on these issues has to be clear, follow the law and be applied consistently. That protects parents, teachers and taxpayers alike.
These deserve priority because everything else depends on them. A board that's in legal fights or being careless with money can't stay focused on kids. Getting the basics right leaves more time, money and trust for what happens in the classroom.
This is simple. We need to bring down unnecessary legal and professional fees. This is where my background helps most. The cheapest lawsuit is the one you never have. That means adopting policies that follow state law and the district's own attorneys' advice, and handling staff issues carefully before they become grievances.
What I won't do is balance the budget on the backs of classroom teachers. Good teachers are the reason families move here.
As a parent, this issue worries me deeply, and I think most Readington families feel the same way.
First, I'd support limits on phones during the school day. Kids learn better and treat each other better without phones. Teachers also shouldn't have to referee phone use in class. The board should set a clear policy and back them up.
Second, partner with parents. The school's role is to support families, not replace them. I'd like to see parent information nights on apps, online safety and warning signs of cyberbullying.
Third, teach research skills as core academics. Students should learn how to check a source, tell fact from opinion and recognize manipulated content. These are commonsense skills that serve kids in every subject, not a political agenda.
Fourth, take mental health and cyberbullying seriously. That means clear reporting channels, fast follow-up and counselors who have the time to actually help students.
Finally, any new policy should be written carefully and match state law so it holds up and doesn't turn into the next controversy. Our kids need solutions, not another fight.
Slogan
The Right Leadership
Involvement in Community
I have been a member of the Readington Twp Board of Education since 2021. I have served as Chair of the Policy, Green, and Education/Technology Committees. I have also served on the Negotiations, Personnel, and Strategic Planning Committees. I currently serve on the Hunterdon County School Boards Association Executive Committee as the Alternate for the Board of Directors.
I’m running for School Board because I believe education is the foundation for strong communities. The Board of Education's role is to focus on education and put the needs of students at the forefront of decision-making. When the Board gets mired in legal matters such as book challenges and controversial policy changes, as has happened recently, it takes time and money that could be better spent in the classrooms. As a parent in the district and a taxpayer, I want to see my tax dollars spent on students!
My family and I have lived in Readington for 12 years. I have two children in Readington Schools and one child at Hunterdon Central.
I have earned recognition as a Master Board Member from New Jersey School Boards Association, which is the second highest recognition, for my extensive governance training. I am an experienced board leader with hundreds of hours of professional development and governance training under my belt.
I have volunteered for the H.S.A. in many capacities over the years, as well as coached or been parent manager for several sports teams. I have also been a scout troop leader and was on the executive committee for MOMS Club many years ago.
If re-elected to the Readington School Board I hope to continue the great work the district has already been doing. The Board just approved a 5 year strategic plan that addresses academics, future preparedness, belonging and human connection, and fiscal responsibility. Readington schools are very special in that class sizes are smaller and teachers really take the time to understand each child and their needs. I will do my best to support the staff and administrators in their roles as educators and confine my actions to governance, appraisal, and policy making.
One initiative that I have been instrumental in advancing as the former Green Committee Chair is the expansion of the district’s solar program onto all four school properties. This expansion will allow the district to lock in electricity costs below market rate for the next 25 years while creating budget certainty, and beyond that will potentially generate free electricity for the district. I support the district's efforts to continue to find cost savings measures like these, wherever possible, and seek out federal and state grants to offset ballooning costs reducing the tax burden on residents.
I see firsthand the impacts of social media on teenagers' self-esteem and would support initiatives that promote healthy use. In terms of misinformation and disinformation, oftentimes my children are more informed than me about what is real vs AI generated. Our educators are doing a great job staying ahead of the curve on this growing technology and helping students to seek out sources and have integrity in their work.
Disclaimer: These survey responses are made in my capacity as a private citizen, they are my opinion, and do not represent the views of the Board. I am not authorized to speak on behalf of the Board.
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I care deeply about the Readington community and want to help ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. I believe a strong school district is built on academic excellence, a safe and positive learning environment, strong teachers and staff, responsible fiscal management, and a partnership among families, educators, administrators, and the Board. In addition to raising my family, I have volunteered with the ASPCA and local homeless shelters, experiences that strengthened my commitment to compassion, responsibility, and community service. I have been a resident of Readington for 7 years and also have been an active participant at Board of Education meetings, staying informed about the issues affecting our students, families, staff, and taxpayers. I believe effective leadership requires listening before acting, asking thoughtful questions, considering different perspectives, and making informed decisions.
My priority is to maintain and strengthen the quality of education Readington students receive while ensuring that our schools remain safe, supportive, and focused on student success. I support academic excellence and making sure students leave Readington schools with the knowledge, critical-thinking skills, confidence, and preparation they need for their next stage of life. This requires supporting excellent teachers and staff, maintaining appropriate resources in the classroom, and fostering an environment where students are encouraged to learn, grow, and take responsibility for their education. I believe fiscal responsibility must be a priority. A high-quality education and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars are not competing goals; they must be addressed together. We want to make thoughtful decisions that protect instructional quality while ensuring the district is using available resources as effectively as possible.
I would begin with a careful review of expenditures to identify efficiencies and eliminate unnecessary costs before considering reductions that directly affect the classroom. Another area I would examine is employee healthcare and other benefit costs, which are placing increasing pressure on school budgets. I support exploring competitive options, shared services, cooperative purchasing, and other efficiencies that can reduce costs while continuing to provide competitive benefits that help us attract and retain high-quality teachers and staff. I would also look closely at administrative and operational expenses for potential savings. I would be cautious about short-term savings that create greater costs in the future. My goal would not be simply to reduce spending; it would be to maximize the value of every taxpayer dollar. Responsible budgeting means making difficult choices when necessary while keeping the classroom and student outcomes at the center of those decisions.
I support a balanced approach that recognizes both the benefits and the risks of social media. Schools cannot control everything students encounter online, but they can help students develop the skills necessary to navigate the digital world responsibly and safely.
I support age-appropriate digital citizenship and media-literacy education that teaches students how to evaluate sources, identify misinformation and disinformation, recognize manipulated or misleading content, protect their privacy, and understand how social media algorithms can influence what they see. Students should be encouraged to pause, question information, verify sources, and think critically before sharing
Slogan
For Traditional Values
I care deeply about the Readington community and want to help ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. I believe a strong school district is built on academic excellence, a safe and positive learning environment, strong teachers and staff, responsible fiscal management, and a partnership among families, educators, administrators, and the Board. In addition to raising my family, I have volunteered with the ASPCA and local homeless shelters, experiences that strengthened my commitment to compassion, responsibility, and community service. I have been a resident of Readington for 7 years and also have been an active participant at Board of Education meetings, staying informed about the issues affecting our students, families, staff, and taxpayers. I believe effective leadership requires listening before acting, asking thoughtful questions, considering different perspectives, and making informed decisions.
My priority is to maintain and strengthen the quality of education Readington students receive while ensuring that our schools remain safe, supportive, and focused on student success. I support academic excellence and making sure students leave Readington schools with the knowledge, critical-thinking skills, confidence, and preparation they need for their next stage of life. This requires supporting excellent teachers and staff, maintaining appropriate resources in the classroom, and fostering an environment where students are encouraged to learn, grow, and take responsibility for their education. I believe fiscal responsibility must be a priority. A high-quality education and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars are not competing goals, they must be addressed together. We want to make thoughtful decisions that protect instructional quality while ensuring the district is using available resources as effectively as possible.
I would begin with a careful review of expenditures to identify efficiencies and eliminate unnecessary costs before considering reductions that directly affect the classroom. Another area I would examine is employee healthcare and other benefit costs, which are placing increasing pressure on school budgets. I support exploring competitive options, shared services, cooperative purchasing, and other efficiencies that can reduce costs while continuing to provide competitive benefits that help us attract and retain high-quality teachers and staff. I would also look closely at administrative and operational expenses for potential savings. I would be cautious about short-term savings that create greater costs in the future. My goal would not be simply to reduce spending; it would be to maximize the value of every taxpayer dollar. Responsible budgeting means making difficult choices when necessary while keeping the classroom and student outcomes at the center of those decisions.
I support a balanced approach that recognizes both the benefits and the risks of social media. Schools cannot control everything students encounter online, but they can help students develop the skills necessary to navigate the digital world responsibly and safely.
I support age-appropriate digital citizenship and media-literacy education that teaches students how to evaluate sources, identify misinformation and disinformation, recognize manipulated or misleading content, protect their privacy, and understand how social media algorithms can influence what they see. Students should be encouraged to pause, question information, verify sources, and think critically before sharing
Slogan
Lower Readington Property Taxes
Involvement in Community
farmer producing local food and volunteer trail guide for the middle school Trail Walk field trip
Ben Skowronek is a lifetime Readington resident, and plans to raise his children here as well. Thus, his focus is to keep property taxes affordable. He attended the Readington schools and graduated Hunterdon Central in 2008. He graduated Rutgers in 2011 with a BA in Astrophysics and minor in Comp-Sci. Owning a small business in after school enrichment and serving on the board of AGHA, he will bring skills of fiscal management, policy management, and curriculum curation to the Readington Township BOE. As a 2nd generation farmer in Readington, he would love to help cultivate a program that connects students with local food production. He supports the current programs that educate students about Readington’s rural character: Seeds to Salad and the Trail Walk and Creek Visit field trips.
From running multiple business, Ben has good executive function to make quick decisions in the moment. From his scientific background, he prefers to have more time to research, use evidence based reasoning, and to confirm if findings are corroborated. He understands well that science and data are constantly evolving and thus is willing to change his stance as new evidence is evaluated.
Seeds to Salad has introduced Readington Township students to growing their own food utilizing the elementary school gardens. The middle school Trail Walk and elementary school Creek Visit field trips have been a great success in educating Readington's students about our town's local ecosystem and amazing open space trails. I would like to further develop our rural appreciation programs by connecting students with local farmers in support of the boards Strategic Plan initiatives. As I look at my peers, I think Readington and Hunterdon County have done a wonderful job preparing students for successful careers. However, most of my peers did not stay local. While there are plenty of opportunities nationally and globally, I want students to connect with local industry and food production. My hope is to garner appreciation for Readington and encourage our graduates to stay local and raise their future families here. Our schools have made a start by offering public preschool which is attracting young families to Readington. I think we can go further in making Readington attractive to young adults.
To pursue reigning in costs, I would like to help negotiate lower insurance rates in 2028, bring more preK classes in house, reduce spending on lawsuits, review bussing options, and provide wise stewardship of the referendum funding approved by voters in 2025.
Online literacy and Ai literacy are important topics for students to learn about. Specifically for Ai literacy, I think students need to have more than a handbook to explain and model appropriate use of Ai as a learning tool and not as a tool to avoid learning. I would support expanding the use of P.L.2022, c.138 in adding online/Ai literacy sections to relevant curriculums to address the importance of researching a source, finding cross references, and spotting misinformation. Educating students on appropriate internet use will reduce the risk of misinformation, disinformation, and harm.
