About
Why are you running for the board?
I am running for the BOE to support our children's education by ensuring our schools receive the resources needed to improve student test scores and by listening to parents to uphold our town's family values. Additionally, I will be committed to using tax dollars responsibly while strictly adhering to the 2% property tax cap, ensuring that we maintain fiscal responsibility without compromising on the quality of education.
What do you consider to be the three most important challenges facing Montgomery Township School District?
Balancing the wise use of tax dollars with the 2% property tax cap to ensure fiscal responsibility, while delivering high-quality education, will be a challenge for our district. It is essential to manage budget constraints effectively while still supporting strong educational programs. By adhering to these principles, the Board of Education can allocate resources efficiently, minimize unnecessary tax burdens on the community, and continue to support vital educational initiatives.
Due to all the new construction on Route 206 corridor and other areas in town, it is obvious that in the next two years there will be an increase in our student population. Classes have already gotten larger in the last few years and will increase at a quick rate. Now is the time to prepare for the expansion of schools and/or increase staff to meet these future needs.
Currently, the country is facing a substantial loss of teachers and staff. Given that teachers are fundamental to our competitive educational system at MTSD, it is essential to examine the underlying causes of this trend and identify ways to mitigate future losses. By addressing these issues proactively, we can develop strategies to retain our valuable educators, ensuring the continued strength and effectiveness of our educational programs.
What professional and personal experiences have prepared you for serving on the board?
My professional experience in the construction management industry has allowed me to gain valuable expert knowledge in building and civil construction, public bidding practices and accounting practices related to the construction industry. My professional experience also includes employee staffing and retention of qualified individuals who meet our current and future needs.
Additionally, I analyze and create budgets for complicated construction projects, hence I am able to decipher and cull a budget so that it is beneficial to all stakeholders. I believe this would not only enable me to have a comprehensive knowledge of the future building and infrastructure projects, but the budget as a whole.
Having raised two incredible teenage daughters over the past seventeen years, I've had the chance to be deeply involved in their education throughout their time in our district. For eleven of those years, they've been students here, and during that time, I've been actively engaged with their teachers and counselors. I’ve gotten to know each school’s environment, stayed on top of their curriculum, and been aware of their friendships. I’ve also organized group activities at home, which has given me a great sense of the diverse student community in Montgomery. Plus, with my spouse teaching in the district for twelve years, I have a solid understanding of the educational world from the teacher's point of view.
The success of Montgomery Schools impacts everyone in Montgomery and Rocky Hill, whether they have a student enrolled in the district, have a home whose value is impacted, or both. What do you propose to improve transparency and community involvement?
Transparency is crucial when it comes to decisions that affect our children. To enhance transparency, the district should make decisions that impact families promptly and respond to all stakeholders' questions quickly and honestly. To address inquiries made during meetings or via email, I suggest not only responding to the person who made the inquiries, but also posting responses on the Board of Education’s webpage. Additionally, improving the user experience of the district’s website would make it easier for everyone to find the information they need, which would assist in BOE's effort to be transparent.
The community's involvement in the school system is often a key reason why people choose to move here or stay for so long. To strengthen this engagement, I propose that the Board of Education hold regular meet-and-greet events with parents throughout the year. These informal gatherings would provide a valuable opportunity for parents to share their concerns and perspectives on pressing issues in a more relaxed setting than a formal board meeting.
What would you do as a board member to ensure our students receive the quality education to which they are entitled ?
As a board member I would advocate for equal education for students of varying abilities to ensure that all receive the same quality of support. Our district is renowned for its excellent special education program and advanced courses; however, a significant number of "average" students do not receive comparable support. Many of these students are pushed into higher-level classes, leading to failure or burnout as they struggle to keep up with the demanding material. This disparity results in students falling through the cracks, which undermines the principle of equitable education. Additionally, there is a growing population that is getting pulled out of their IEP because they tested out of the state test that is administered. However, due to the high expectations of our district, some students still require their IEP. The solution to the aforementioned issues need to be investigated and improved upon.
What do you think the district is doing right?
I believe that the district as a whole is educating our children at a level that most districts can not obtain. The level of teachers here are second to none as we have many teachers with a lifetime of experience, doctorates and masters degrees, as well as teachers who have had a career in their subject in the corporate environment. Students are in a supportive environment that not only educates them, it also builds their confidence in their social and emotional skills. Additionally, schools make a very strong effort to create a family atmosphere where students feel comfortable to talk to a teacher or counselor about any struggles they might have. One of the main jobs a school has is to keep our children safe and I believe our schools have successfully been working on the security systems for each school.