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My priorities for my term on the Board of Education would be long-term facilities planning, being financially responsible, and reviewing technology policy with a focus on the fundamentals of learning.
First, we need a realistic and responsible plan for our facilities. The assumptions behind the approximately $400 million high school proposal are old and the proposal in question included many frivolous extras. I'd push for updated cost estimates, multiple bids, and a committee that includes experts who are residents in our community and who can help us evaluate our options. I would give taxpayers real options and look more seriously at the proposals for a 9th grade center and phased renovation. If we are serious about addressing the high school, we need to give tax payers real numbers and look for grants and private funding. We also need to redistrict first to begin saving money on transportation costs and as part of a comprehensive facilities plan.
I'd build on my work with the Board's Advocacy Committee to develop a multi-year legislative strategy to improve school funding and look for budget solutions beyond tax increases. I'd encourage the district to create a strong AI policy, review its use of technology, and not spend so much on big tech programs. We need to focus on the fundamentals of learning. Our children do better when they take notes by hand. They need to work offline; they need typing classes for when they do have to use computers. Fundamentals first.
I helped fight to protect the language and music programs that make our district great and that improve student learning overall. As a baseline, we must continue to invest in these programs.
With regard to reading and writing, I would prioritize strong foundational skills and make sure that critical thinking and civics are included in the curriculum. As a college professor with 15 years of classroom experience, I know that students cannot effectively build more advanced skills if they do not have a strong foundation. We need to continue to adapt our English language arts curriculum so that students can get back to where they were before COVID. I would also like to see the district develop a thoughtful policy around artificial intelligence that recognizes its ubiquity but also understands that students must be able to think on their own first.
I would also keep laptops closed in the classroom and consider taking them away from younger children. I do not allow computers in my own classroom because students are too easily distracted and no educator can watch every student at the same time. Studies also show that students learn better offline. We need to address what isn't working since COVID. We also need to teach students how to type for when they must use computers. We cannot assume that students will build that skill organically. We need to listen to educators and give them space to work together and adapt.
We need to protect the things that most directly affect student learning. That means protecting classroom instruction, our teachers and support staff, special education services, and student mental health and safety. We must also protect the academic, athletic, and arts programs that foster student learning. These programs give our kids a safe space and a well-rounded education. I would be very reluctant to make cuts to these areas. Reductions should be made by redistricting to reduce transportation costs and thinking about using administrative properties at least partially for rental income if they are not fully needed. We must also review contracts for waste and make the most of shared service and multi-district partnerships. If needed, the highest paid should consider forgoing raises temporarily as past administrators have done.
We should also support the Public School Employees' Health Benefits Trust Act, to create a new statewide health-benefits trust for school employees to help increase bargaining power. Teachers deserve health insurance and we all know that the skyrocketing cost of that insurance puts significant cost pressures on schools.
The Board's advocacy work should include support for this bill as well as efforts to increase funding for mental health and special education (which is chronically underfunded). By law this funding from the state should be increased.
We are all incredibly fortunate to live in a wealthy country and in the well-resourced town of East Brunswick. However, that does not mean that poverty is not real. We have homeless children in our schools, children in the foster care system, and those who are generally experiencing economic hardship. We also have a growing population of multilingual learners who need more support and a strong English language arts curriculum to succeed. We have students who are struggling academically or with social and emotional challenges. We have a large special education student population that deserves our support but receives chronic underfunding from the state. Last year we did not rehire a counselor due to budget cuts; this is the difficult situation that we constantly face. Supporting the most at risk students costs money and there is never enough. Schools should use resources that exist in the community where possible by connecting families with food programs and outside support. For learning differences, early identification is best and this is why tools such as DIBELS that are used to screen for dyslexia and reading challenges are important. We should expand the use of tools that help educators intervene before solvable issues become significant. We should try to address absences and intervene before a student is failing. At the college where I teach we use a flagging system to alert students and their advisors before it's too late. We need to do more of this in East Brunswick.
New Jersey establishes requirements for age-appropriate health and sexual health education. Our district has an obligation to meet those standards.
All children deserve to feel safe in our schools and no child can learn if they are in a constant state of fear. No teacher can do their work if they are being forced to the frontlines of federal immigration policy. Schools should be protected spaces.
We have excellent security staff at our schools. Staff should know exactly what to do if ICE officials come to a school, who is responsible for responding, and when administration and legal counsel need to be contacted.
If and when our schools have children whose families are impacted by immigration operations outside of school, we must provide those children with the same mental health and academic support that we would provide to any child.
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Slogan
Students First. Families Always. East Brunswick Together.
If elected my priorities would be to expand opportunities for students, support mental health and belonging, strengthen financial accountability, and prepare East Brunswick for the future.
I would work toward expanding full day pre-K by pursuing Preschool Expansion Aid and exploring partnerships with local providers. I would also advocate for stronger support for students with differing abilities and for continued improvements in mental health resources and the overall school climate.
Financially, I would carefully review spending, pursue grants and additional state funding, and make sure taxpayers understand what they are getting from our investments. I would also support responsible use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) so students are prepared for a changing world.
I would implement these priorities by listening to the community, asking thoughtful questions, working collaboratively with the Board and administration, and keeping residents informed throughout the process.
I believe East Brunswick should continue to provide a strong academic foundation while giving students more ways to explore their interests and prepare for life after graduation.
Academically, I would like to see continued support for students who learn differently, stronger use of technology, and more opportunities for students to connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world skills.
Not every student follows the same path, and our programs should reflect that.
I also believe we should strengthen vocational and career-focused opportunities, including partnerships, internships, and exposure to skilled trades and technical careers. Students should graduate knowing that college is one option, not the only path to success.
At the same time, the arts should remain an important part of a well-rounded education. Music, theater, visual arts, and other creative programs help students build confidence, discipline, and a sense of belonging.
My approach would be to review student participation, program outcomes, and student interest, then invest in the programs that provide meaningful opportunities and best return on investment.
I believe the parts of the budget that directly support students should be protected first. That includes classroom instruction, special education and student support services, mental health resources, and the maintenance needed to keep our schools safe and functional.
When it comes to reductions, I would not support across-the-board cuts. Instead, I would review administrative costs, contracts, subscriptions, and programs that may be duplicative, outdated, or not producing clear value for students.
Before reducing anything, I would like to understand the impact on classrooms and staff.
Moreover, my strategy would be to review spending carefully, ask for clear data on outcomes, pursue grants and additional state funding, and make sure the budget reflects our priorities.
I believe that every dollar should have a clear purpose, and taxpayers should be able to understand the value they are receiving from that investment.
Yes.
I believe there are students in our community who may need additional support because of disability, mental illness, financial hardship, housing instability, language barriers, or other social determinants that can make it harder to succeed in school.
The Board should make sure these students, and their families can easily understand and access the services already available to them. That includes strong special education services, mental health support, academic intervention, counseling, and connections to community resources.
I would also continue to support early intervention and additional holistic screening rather than waiting until a student is already struggling to intervene. Families should know where to turn for help, and students should feel comfortable asking for it.
Most importantly, I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every student has different needs, and our district should work with our school community to provide students with the tools and support they need to succeed!
I believe East Brunswick already has a strong health and sex education curriculum, but I would like to see it continue evolving to reflect the world our students are growing up in today. Our students should receive accurate, age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health education so they have the knowledge they need to make safe, informed decisions.
At the same time, East Brunswick is a diverse community with families from many cultural, religious, and personal backgrounds. I believe we can provide students with important health information while also respecting those differences.
I would support greater transparency around sensitive topics, including clear notice to parents about what will be taught and when. Families should have enough time to review materials, ask questions, understand available alternatives, and exercise their right to opt out when appropriate.
My goal would be to keep students informed and safe while also respecting the values and beliefs of the families we serve.
I believe the role of our schools is first and foremost to educate students and provide a safe, stable environment where every child can learn. Immigration enforcement is not the responsibility of a school district, but schools do have a responsibility to understand the law, protect student privacy, and have clear procedures in place if immigration officials approach a school.
The district should make sure staff understand those procedures, that any legal requests are properly reviewed, and that families know what resources and support are available to them. We should also recognize that immigration "enforcement" or the fear of family separation can affect a student’s mental health, attendance, and ability to focus.
Overall, I am going to support the superintendent as long as it will benefit all of our students.
