VOTE411 Voter Guide

School boards will continue to face difficult conversations about academics, student wellness and safety, budgets, facilities, technology, and limited resources. I believe disagreement can be productive when decisions remain anchored by students. As a Board member, I will listen to students, families, educators, administrators, and community members, examine the evidence, and ask how decisions improve student outcomes. I will bring transparency, sound judgment, respectful dialogue, and the courage to make difficult decisions. I will listen, learn, collaborate, and lead keeping West Orange students at the center of every decision.

I bring more than 20 years of public education experience, from teacher and founding principal to central-office leader and superintendent. I have led schools, developed educators and principals, managed complex systems and resources, partnered with families and communities, and remained accountable for results. As superintendent, my district achieved 20+ percentage-point growth in literacy, 30+ points in mathematics, and an 8% enrollment increase over three years. I would bring that experience to the Board not to tell West Orange what it needs, but to listen, ask informed questions, provide thoughtful governance, and help create the conditions for every student to thrive.

Put students at the center of every decision. That is what I mean by Anchored by Students. Improving education requires high expectations, excellent teaching, strong leadership, academic and wellness supports, and opportunities that prepare students for college, careers, and life. We must listen to students, use evidence to identify successes and gaps, and ensure our investments produce results. Schools cannot do this alone. Families, educators, businesses, and community partners all play a role. My priority is ensuring our people, resources, partnerships, and decisions produce better outcomes for every West Orange student.

I anticipate that our district will continue to face challenges related to budget constraints, staffing shortages, special education services, and maintaining the quality of our educational programs. As a board member, I believe these challenges require transparency ,accountability, and open communication with our school community. I would approach difficult decisions by listening to parents, teachers, administrators, and students carefully reviewing the available information, and considering how each decision affects our children's educational experience.

Even when we disagree, we must treat one another with respect and remain focused on our shared responsibility to serve all students.

My 25 years of experience as an educator, including serving as a paraprofessional, Spanish teacher, and school counselor, have given me a strong understanding of the needs of students, families, and educators.

As a grandmother and current Board member, I recognize the importance of providing every child with a safe, supportive, and quality education. My experience has prepared me to listen, collaborate, and make informed decisions that serve the best interests of all students.

I believe improving student education begins with providing every child with a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where they feel valued and have the opportunity to succeed. As a former teacher and school counselor, I understand that students learn best when their academic, social, and emotional needs are addressed. This requires qualified teachers, appropriate classroom resources, strong special education services, and meaningful partnerships between schools and families. We must also listen to our teacher. They work directly with our students every day and can provide valuable insight into what is working and where additional support is needed. Education is a shared responsibility. We must work together.

West Orange is going to have another nearly $10 million budget shortfall when the 2027-28 preliminary budget comes before the board in March 2027. There are no good answers to this problem. It is likely more staff positions will be reduced, more programs will be cut, and hard choices will be made. The only way to handle that discussion is to be proactive. I will insist that conversations on cuts begin publicly in November, communicating detailed plans via Town Halls and letters to the public. A multi-year plan is needed to relieve the pressure of yearly budget battles.

Teachers have been without a negotiated contract since June 2025. Rebuilding trust between administration and union is critical to finding a mutually agreeable solution.

I am a physicist, researching difficult problems, analyzing data and, most importantly, effectively communicating my findings to others. The ability to analyze information, research new topics and then communicate to others what I’ve learned and why I am making decisions is the essence of community leadership. The BOE supervises the superintendent, sets strategic direction, communicates long term plans, and ensures that choices represent the best interests of our children and the values of our community. Communication is the foundation of that job.

For the last 2 years I have been a leader of West Orange Parents for Education. I built a model of NJ’s educational finance structure to be able to effectively advocate for useful solutions.

We must be honest with ourselves as to what resources are available and how to prioritize those resources for our children’s education. That means looking carefully at everything, including technology, transportation, extra-curricular activities, support services, academic offerings, and the relationships with our employee unions to make sure we prioritize things that ensure every student in West Orange receives a high quality education.

The conversation on resources must also focus on Trenton. The SFRA no longer ensures all students in New Jersey get a thorough and efficient education. Immediate reform is critical. My research and relationships statewide are the foundation to pressure the state to fix NJ’s school funding structure.