Middlesex Board of Education Choose 3
The Middlesex Board of Education consists of nine unpaid members, who serve three-year terms. While the Board is legally responsible for school programs and operations, it delegates authority for the district s daily operations to the Superintendent of Schools. Three members are elected each year.
Biographical Information
Campaign Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/DeJesus4BOE
Please explain why you are running and describe the personal and professional experiences/skills that you possess that make you uniquely qualified to serve on the Board of Education.
I am running for reelection to continue the work underway to improve our school district. As Board members we listen to all stakeholders and while we can not publicly comment be assured that their concerns do make it into our discussions. I believe in Middlesex Boro's ability to be more than a good school district. A common quote in our town is, “Middlesex is small but MIGHTY! I want to help prepare our students to be MIGHTY and the BEST at whatever they decide to do as adults.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and CST Social Worker, I have a strong mental health and special education background. In addition, my professional career has allowed me to develop strong negotiating and consensus-building skills. Both of which are essential to the work of the School Board.
What are your priorities for your term on the Board of Education?
This will be my second elected term, during this term I intend to help our board communicate more effectively with the stakeholders. We have already begun to make plans to improve our website to include a School Board Corner. I am excited to be a part of this! Lastly, I will continue to ask the difficult questions to ensure all our students have access to and receive the best possible education in a safe and nurturing environment.
What components of the school budget should be protected and perhaps increased, and what components do you think could be reduced? Please explain your answer and your strategies to accomplish this.
The school budget can be complex and spans everything from supplies and materials needed to run our schools to hiring the most qualified and exceptional staff. There is so much that goes into it. One thing that I believe needs to change is that the State needs to contribute more towards special education programs. Many small school boards do not have the money to create and maintain programs. Our students deserve a Free and Appropriate Public Education. We are often forced to pay top dollar for private school programs. If the State contributed more we can reduce the number of students that need to be educated outside of our local schools. This will also reduce the local tax burden. The School Board has a delegate to the NJSBA, I will support the work being done, by the Education Senate Committee.
Teacher compensation should be at fair market rates, that is one area of the budget that needs to be protected. We need to be able to attract and maintain the best teachers.
When groups of parents disagree about Board of Education policies, please state what steps you would take (beyond listening to both sides) to resolve the issue.
Sometimes the community may not support or understand the decisions made. Due to privacy laws (Labor and FERPA), we can not explain those decisions that lead to unease. As a school board member, I will gladly speak to anyone, to provide the information that can be shared. By providing accurate information (data, research) and the space to discuss their concerns we all learn.
I will push for more community involvement and inclusion to the extent possible in the decision-making process. This will build trust, which will lead to community buy-in.
What issues, if any, do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?
We need to address our low test scores, which are not unique to our schools. When we compare our school's scores to the Statewide scores we are close to and in many areas above. However, we should want and expect more. It is not enough to give our students the basics. They need to learn critical thinking skills and become problem solvers and innovators to compete in the global economy. We need to continue to offer our high school students varied experiences. I would like to see more CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs being offered.
Biographical Information
Please explain why you are running and describe the personal and professional experiences/skills that you possess that make you uniquely qualified to serve on the Board of Education.
Candidate has not yet responded.
What are your priorities for your term on the Board of Education?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What components of the school budget should be protected and perhaps increased, and what components do you think could be reduced? Please explain your answer and your strategies to accomplish this.
Candidate has not yet responded.
When groups of parents disagree about Board of Education policies, please state what steps you would take (beyond listening to both sides) to resolve the issue.
Candidate has not yet responded.
What issues, if any, do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Please explain why you are running and describe the personal and professional experiences/skills that you possess that make you uniquely qualified to serve on the Board of Education.
Candidate has not yet responded.
What are your priorities for your term on the Board of Education?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What components of the school budget should be protected and perhaps increased, and what components do you think could be reduced? Please explain your answer and your strategies to accomplish this.
Candidate has not yet responded.
When groups of parents disagree about Board of Education policies, please state what steps you would take (beyond listening to both sides) to resolve the issue.
Candidate has not yet responded.
What issues, if any, do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Please explain why you are running and describe the personal and professional experiences/skills that you possess that make you uniquely qualified to serve on the Board of Education.
Candidate has not yet responded.
What are your priorities for your term on the Board of Education?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What components of the school budget should be protected and perhaps increased, and what components do you think could be reduced? Please explain your answer and your strategies to accomplish this.
Candidate has not yet responded.
When groups of parents disagree about Board of Education policies, please state what steps you would take (beyond listening to both sides) to resolve the issue.
Candidate has not yet responded.
What issues, if any, do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?
Candidate has not yet responded.