Slogan
Continue the Progress
My priorities are to maintain a strong educational program for our students while being responsible with taxpayer dollars. I believe we can continue to support our teachers, staff, and the programs our students need while looking for ways to control spending and reduce the tax burden on our community.
As a current Board member and Vice President, I have seen firsthand the importance of carefully evaluating our budget, identifying efficiencies, and making thoughtful decisions about where our resources are most needed. During my next term, I will continue to work collaboratively with the Board, administration, staff, and community to review spending, seek cost-effective solutions, and prioritize funding that directly supports student learning.
My goal is to find the right balance: protecting the quality of education our students receive, supporting the staff who provide it, and being mindful of the financial pressures facing our taxpayers. I believe good stewardship means making difficult decisions, when necessary, while keeping students and the long-term financial health of our district at the center of those decisions.
I believe our district should continue to expand opportunities that meet the diverse needs and interests of all of our students. In particular, I would like to advocate for expanded vocational and career-focused offerings that give students more opportunities to explore different career paths and develop practical skills.
At the same time, our district is unique in having a high percentage of students identified as gifted and talented. We have a responsibility to make sure these students are appropriately challenged and have opportunities to reach their full potential. I would like to see us continue exploring programs and enrichment opportunities that provide greater depth, creativity, and academic challenge for our highest achieving students.
I also believe we should continue to value our fine arts programs as an important part of a well-rounded education. I will continue to work with our administration, educators, and community to identify areas where we can expand opportunities while remaining mindful of our overall budget and the impact on taxpayers.
The components of our budget that directly support students should be protected. I would not want to reduce educational programs or staffing that have a meaningful impact on our students and the quality of their education. Our teachers and staff are essential to the success of our schools, and I believe we need to continue investing in them.
If reductions become necessary, I would first look for areas where we can achieve efficiencies or reduce costs with the least possible impact on students, staff, and educational programs. This requires asking difficult questions about how we spend our resources and making thoughtful decisions based on priorities.
As a current Board member and Vice President, I have developed a good working relationship with the district's administrators. That relationship is important when having the honest and sometimes difficult discussions necessary to identify savings and efficiencies. I also believe we should look beyond reductions and explore additional revenue-generating opportunities that can help offset costs and reduce the tax impact on our community.
Our district uses Title I grant funding to help identify students who may be at risk academically and to provide appropriate interventions and services. I support continuing to use these resources strategically so that students receive support as early as possible.
Our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) provides a framework for identifying individual student needs and providing increasingly targeted classroom interventions and services. I believe this early intervention approach is important because it allows us to address challenges before they become more significant.
We have seen a reduction in the number of students requiring special education services following the implementation of these supports. I believe we should continue evaluating the effectiveness of MTSS and other interventions, using data to determine what is working and where additional resources may be needed.
The Board's role should be to ensure that students and families have access to appropriate support while making sure our resources are being used effectively and responsibly.
I believe our district should continue to provide age-appropriate, fact-based health and sex education that meets New Jersey’s required standards while being sensitive to the age and developmental level of our students.
As a Board, we are required to follow state-mandated policies and curriculum standards. Failure to comply can have serious financial consequences, including the potential loss or reduction of state aid. Given the financial pressures facing Monroe Township, I believe it is essential that we protect every source of funding available to our district.
My approach would be to ensure that our district remains in compliance with state requirements while implementing the curriculum thoughtfully and appropriately for our students. I would also support clear communication with parents about what is being taught and why, while recognizing that the Board must fulfill its legal and financial responsibilities to the district.
As a school social worker with 27 years of experience working in an urban public school district with a large immigrant population, I understand that immigration policies can create significant stress and uncertainty for students and their families.
The role of our schools should be to follow all applicable state and federal laws while ensuring that our students continue to have a safe and supportive educational environment. The Board should make sure that the district has clear protocols for responding to immigration related matters and that staff understand their responsibilities under the law.
At the same time, we should recognize the emotional impact that immigration enforcement or the fear of family separation can have on children. Students affected by these circumstances should have access to appropriate counseling and support through our school counselors, social workers, and other qualified staff. We should also ensure that families are connected with appropriate resources when needed.
Slogan
Experience, Integrity and Commitment
I would continue the success I have had so far as a board member and now President. So much has been accomplished under my tenure on the board, e.g. full day kindergarten. Monroe Township did not have full day kindergarten until this year. We are continuously working on a program entitled "A Portrait of a Graduate. All things that can be implemented when the board, as a whole, works together for the sake of the children of the district. I just found out at the last Curriculum meeting that we are going to put some form of Robotics into our Kindergarten curriculum.
Our district is in good shape. There is always room for improvement. I would say that we continue to work on addressing areas, when identified, the needs of our student growth and offer and adjust to our ever changing needs of our student population.
Our local school budget is extremely well managed. However, our largest cost increases are around healthcare of our employees. These healthcare costs cannot be entirely absorbed at the local level forever. State and federal government must work to address the healthcare costs. Without addressing these rising costs, other critical components of the school budget could face reductions, and we should not have to do that..
We, in Monroe Township, have a diverse set of offerings to meet the needs of all of our students. We have to keep on top of the of the Mental Health needs and support our students at all levels. We have outside connections which we also offer to the at risk students and parents. We have an open door policy and parents should feel free to contact us for further information that is needed for their child.
The district follows the State of New Jersey regarding the curriculum content on sex education. In general, any parent can reach out to building administration for support.
There is no need for a policy. We make sure that all students and families know that we are on top of this issue . Our job is to see that the students are safe at school, that they are being educated and we don't want them to worry about what is going on outside of their school day. If there are any incidents, we always contact our board attorney.
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Slogan
Restore Public Trust
Having previously served on the Board of Education, including as Board President, my priorities have always been clear: provide our students with the best education possible while being fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars.
During my term, I will focus on student achievement, strong educational programs, responsible budgeting, and transparency and accountability in district decision-making. I believe we can maintain high-quality educational opportunities while also taking a hard look at spending, administrative costs, and opportunities for greater efficiency.
I plan to implement these priorities by asking informed questions, reviewing the data and financial information carefully, listening to parents, teachers, students, and taxpayers, and working collaboratively with the administration and Board. Every major decision should be evaluated based on its impact on students, educational quality, and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
My goal is simple: put students first while making every taxpayer dollar count.
Monroe has strong academic offerings, and I believe we should continue expanding opportunities that prepare students for college, careers, and life after graduation. That includes strong core academics, career and technical education, vocational pathways, and fine and performing arts.
I am particularly proud of Monroe’s growth in the fine arts. During my previous service on the Board, when I served as Board President, the Board approved the creation of a Supervisor of Fine Arts position. That investment provided dedicated leadership and helped support the continued expansion of arts programming. I fully support continuing to grow these opportunities and more.
I also support expanding vocational and career-focused programs that give students practical, hands-on skills and multiple pathways after graduation. Students should have opportunities to explore careers in areas such as technology, trades, healthcare, business, and other growing fields.
Monroe also offers dual-enrollment opportunities through college partnerships, allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school. I would support expanding these relationships to include additional colleges and creating more opportunities for students to earn credits before graduation.
My goal is to provide students with strong academics, meaningful vocational pathways, robust fine and performing arts opportunities, and access to college-level coursework—while remaining responsible with taxpayer resources.
The budget should protect the programs and resources that have the greatest direct impact on student learning, including classroom instruction, student support services, special education, safety, and programs that provide students with meaningful academic, vocational, and extracurricular opportunities.
During my previous service on the Board, including as Board President, I made it a priority to ensure the Board established a concrete budget philosophy for the administration to follow. That philosophy provided clear direction for spending priorities and was transparent to the public. I believe the same level of transparency and accountability needs to be brought back because it is currently non-existent .
Rather than identifying specific programs for cuts without first reviewing the data, I would look carefully at administrative expenses, duplicative services, operational efficiencies, contracts, and other areas where savings may be possible without compromising student education.
My strategy would be to establish clear budget priorities before the budget is developed, require meaningful review of proposed increases and expenditures, examine the return and necessity of major expenses, and communicate the reasoning behind budget decisions to the community.
Students should come first, and every taxpayer dollar should have a clear purpose. The goal should be to protect educational quality while continually looking for efficiencies and responsible savings.
Every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, and Monroe already has important systems in place to support students who may be struggling academically, socially, or emotionally. I would support strengthening these programs and ensuring they are producing measurable results.
Early identification is critical. Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments, classroom performance, teacher observations, attendance, and other data can help identify students who need additional support. MAP should be one tool—not the sole measure—and should be used to guide targeted interventions and measure progress.
Monroe also provides Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programming throughout the district, along with counselors, social workers, psychologists, special education professionals, and other student-support staff. I support continuing these resources while ensuring SEL complements, rather than replaces, strong academics. Monroe’s special education services, ESL support, Title I interventions, and parent involvement through SEPAG (Special Education Parent Advisory Group) are also important resources for students and families.
As a Board member, I would support early intervention, tutoring and academic assistance, mental-health and counseling resources, strong special education services, and meaningful communication with families. I would also support partnerships with community organizations when additional resources are needed.
I recognize that much of the health and sex education curriculum is mandated by the State of New Jersey, and the district must comply with state requirements. At the same time, I believe parents should have a clear understanding of what their children are being taught, particularly when it comes to sensitive subjects.
I support parents’ ability to review the curriculum and opt their children out of sex education when permitted by state law and district policy. I would also support greater transparency from the district by providing parents with clear, accessible information about what topics are being taught at each grade level and what instructional materials are being used.
Parents should not have to search for information or attend a Board meeting to understand what their children are learning. My goal would be to promote transparency, parental awareness, and meaningful parental involvement, while ensuring the district complies with all state requirements.
Parents and schools should work together to support students, and families should have the information necessary to make informed decisions about their children’s education.
Schools have a responsibility to provide a safe, supportive learning environment for every student and employee. Students and staff should always feel safe in our schools, regardless of their background or circumstances.
The district’s role is to educate students and maintain a safe school environment—not to take on the role of immigration enforcement. At the same time, the district must comply with all applicable federal and New Jersey state laws, court orders, and district policies regarding requests from law enforcement or federal agencies.
I would support clear procedures and communication for administrators and staff so they understand how to respond appropriately to any situation involving ICE or other law-enforcement agencies. I would also support clear communication with families about their rights and the district’s responsibilities, while protecting student privacy as required by law.
Above all, our schools should remain places where students can learn without fear and where staff can safely do their jobs. Safety, education, compliance with the law, and respect for every student and family should remain the priorities.
Slogan
Students Above All
My priorities are simple: students first, fiscal responsibility, and restoring trust in our school district.
As a Board member for seven years, I have seen both strong leadership and decisions that could have been handled better. I believe the Board’s focus must always remain on education and student success—not political agendas.
A Board should not be a rubber stamp. Board members have a responsibility to review the budget, question spending, challenge assumptions, and make sure taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly and where they have the greatest impact for students. We need transparency, accountability, and thoughtful oversight—not simply approving what is put in front of us.
We also need to respect the professionals who lead our schools. Disagreements over policy or decisions should never become personal battles. Administrators and principals should be evaluated based on their performance and the needs of our students—not targeted simply because Board members disagree with them.
And we must be responsible with taxpayer money. Legal counsel and outside firms should be used when there is a legitimate need—not as a way to pursue personal disagreements or repeatedly seek opinions until we find one that supports a predetermined position.
Every Board member should have a voice, regardless of political affiliation or viewpoint.
We need to prepare our students for the world they are entering, not the world we grew up in. That means keeping our academic programs strong while expanding opportunities beyond the traditional college pathway. Artificial intelligence is already changing education and the workplace, and our students need to understand what AI is, how it will impact their future, and how to use it responsibly to enhance their education. We also need to expand opportunities in the skilled trades, where the demand for qualified workers will continue to grow, and provide more hands-on career pathways for students. We should continue expanding college partnerships and dual-enrollment opportunities while supporting strong fine arts programs. Every student has a different path to success, and our goal should be to make sure every Monroe graduate is prepared for college, a career, the trades, the arts, and the rapidly changing world ahead.
I believe a school budget should always begin with one question: What directly benefits our students and the quality of education we provide?
The areas I believe should be protected—and increased when financially justified—are classroom instruction, teachers and support staff, special education, student safety, technology that directly supports learning, and programs that prepare students for college, careers, and life after graduation. We need to retain quality teachers and provide them with the resources they need to succeed. We also have a responsibility to make sure students with special needs receive the services they are legally and educationally entitled to.
At the same time, protecting these priorities does not mean every line in the budget should be automatically protected. Administrative expenses, outside professional services, unnecessary consulting, excessive legal expenses, duplicative programs, and expenditures that do not demonstrate a measurable benefit to students should receive much greater scrutiny.
My strategy would be to conduct a line-by-line review of the budget, rather than simply applying the same percentage increase to every department. Every major expenditure should be evaluated based on its necessity, cost, contractual obligations, and direct benefit to students.
I would also look for opportunities to:
Renegotiate contracts and pursue competitive bidding wherever permitted.
Consolidate services and eliminate unnecessary duplication.
Review overtime
Yes. Every school district has students and families who may face circumstances that can make academic success more difficult. These can include economic hardship, homelessness or housing instability, learning disabilities, language barriers, family crises, mental-health challenges, chronic absenteeism, and other circumstances outside a student's control.
The Board's responsibility should be to make sure these students are identified early and connected with the appropriate resources, while treating every family with dignity and protecting their privacy.
I would support strengthening programs such as school counseling, tutoring and academic intervention, attendance outreach, special-education services, family resource referrals, and partnerships with qualified community organizations. We should also make sure families know what services are available and how to access them.
I would particularly emphasize early intervention. Waiting until a student is failing or has become chronically absent is much more expensive—and much less effective—than identifying problems early and working with the student and family.
At the same time, the Board should regularly evaluate these programs to ensure they are actually producing results. We should measure attendance, academic progress, graduation outcomes, and other appropriate indicators so that taxpayer dollars are directed toward services that demonstrably help students.
My goal would be simple: no student should be held back
I would support a age-appropriate, transparent curriculum that focuses on health, safety, responsibility, and respect. Parents should have clear information about what is being taught, and the district should follow state requirements while ensuring families have an opportunity to ask questions and provide input.
I respect federal law and believe schools should focus on their primary responsibility: educating and protecting students. The district should comply with all lawful ICE requirements while maintaining a safe, respectful environment for every child and providing families with accurate information about available resources.
