| Parsippany Focus submitted identical questions to each Parsippany Board of Education candidate. We print all answers verbatim. |
1. Board Meeting Attendance
How many Parsippany Board of Education meetings have you attended in person during the past 12 months? What have you learned from attending?
As I am a current board member, I have attended every meeting. I have learned a tremendous amount this past year while being on the Board of Ed; mainly how to facilitate good communication with fellow board members in order to ask questions that get to the heart of our role in the school district. I’ve learned that while I want to respond to the questions during the public session, the superintendent must answer first. It is up to the board to then follow up accordingly and ensure proper responses.
2. Understanding the Role
What is the difference between governing the school district and running it? What are three things that should be handled by the superintendent or administration rather than individual Board members?
Our role as board members is to conduct oversight on the school district and the administration. We provide due diligence on the information we are given; meaning being kept aware of changes or challenges, and continuing to ask relevant questions. We do not direct anything to be done. The Superintendent and administration must handle selecting and writing curriculum, appropriate staffing at all levels, and the operations in each building.
3. Three Changes
What are three changes or improvements you would like to see in the district, and why?
I believe we need to look at our facilities. We have aging buildings that are in need of renovations and upgrades. This is important because students and families taking pride in their schools go a long way in terms of performance and general morale. We also should be offering more vocational training in our high schools. This will enable students to remain at their home school, which saves the district money, while also offering more to our student population. I also think we can improve upon community outreach. We hold board meetings every 2 weeks or so, however, it may be within our purview to hold smaller events so the community can speak freely. This way we show that we are willing to hear from our constituents, and show that we are all truly here for the students, and the betterment of this township.
4. Budget & Taxes
The district is facing significant financial challenges. What areas of the budget deserve closer review, and what would you protect from cuts?
The administration and finance committee are well versed in the budget. I believe we can take a closer review at some administrative roles that have been created over the last several years to ensure we are functioning as streamlined as possible. We must preserve staff at the classroom level as they are truly the boots on the ground, interacting with the most important part of our schools- the students. We also must maintain our extra curricular programming, specifically in the arts. Well rounded students are proven to succeed!
5. Long-Term Planning
What should the Board do now to prepare for future budgets and avoid addressing financial problems one year at a time?
The Board should continue to conduct oversight on all aspects of the budget; including smart contributions to capital reserves. We should also continue to advocate at the local and state levels for financial support, and demand changes the school funding formula. The Budget is a constant moving target; challenges arise every year and it is important that we have the capability to address current needs while keeping the future in mind.
6. Enrollment & Development
How should the district prepare for changing enrollment and new housing when planning class sizes, staffing, transportation, and school capacity?
Currently, the district has been monitoring enrollment at each new housing development. The administration updates numbers frequently in order to remain on top of the constant changes. We can only work with the framework we have, which is why maintaining and upgrading our facilities is imperative in looking ahead and keeping up with the changing landscape of our town.
7. PILOTs & Township Cooperation
What role should the Board of Education have in discussions with the Township about new development and PILOT agreements that may affect the schools?
The Board of Education and the Township need to have open communication with one another. We ultimately are here to serve the public in each of our roles. While the Township needs the economics that PILOT programs provide, they MUST recognize the strain they bring to our schools. If our goal is a safe and stable community, we must work hand in hand.
8. Student Achievement
How should the Board measure student success? What areas of student achievement or opportunity need more attention?
As a Board, we are provided testing data from the state and district level; as well as graduation rates. I do believe we need to look further. We should be conducting round table forums at each school with a variety of students and staff members. This will enable us to hear directly from the sources about what is working, and what they feel they need help with. We should monitor all areas, and look to achievement in literacy, critical thinking skills, as well as the ever changing technology world. The world is evolving, and we need to help our students navigate the landscape with thoughtful programming.
9. Difficult Decisions
When the Board must make difficult decisions involving taxes, staffing, class sizes, programs, or facilities, what information should guide those decisions?
The Board needs to look at a variety of factors to make those decisions. Student well-being does need to be at the forefront. When you keep students at the center of decisions, everything flows from there. For example, if there are staffing or program decisions that need to be made, put yourself in the place of those students. Does that mean class size goes from 20-25, or 25-30? Does this mean a small group loses a program, or are we looking at a broader loss? Are the students safe and are their needs met – if so, that facility change may have to wait. If not, we better address that need now. Obviously, residents, including myself, do not want to keep footing the bill for changes or decisions that are made without logic. I believe in strong public schools – as they become the heartbeat of the community. If we have that in mind, I believe tough decisions can be explained and the population will understand.
10. Transparency & Accountability
What information should the district provide so taxpayers can better understand how their money is being spent and what results it is producing?
As a Board member during the last budget cycle, we worked extremely hard to educate the public on the budget and issues surrounding it. Continuing to provide updates on our board website; holding community forums; showing exactly what money we had, what the expenses will be, and how we plan to meet that need. We should then provide an additional presentation about 1/2 way through the school year to show any deficiency in the budget, as well as how the targets that were set are being met. The Board should strive to provide as much information as possible to the community.
11. Experience & Community Service
What professional experience and community service during the past five years have prepared you to serve on the Board of Education?
I was fortunate enough to be appointed to fill a Board vacancy last August. Since then, I have served on the board, attended training, and conferences. Prior to that, I taught 4th and 5th grade at Lake Hiawatha Elementary for 17 years. My background in education is of the utmost importance in preparing me to serve on the Board of Education. I have first hand knowledge of education, and specifically the education in this district. Apart from that, I served on the PTA’s at my children’s school as well as in High School Booster clubs. This allows me to understand the various ways our parents provide help to our schools. Professionally, after stepping away from a career in education, I am now in a corporate role dealing with Human Resources and internal finance of a small business. With this knowledge, I can also bring another perspective to the Board of Education.
12. Three Years From Now
At the end of your three-year term, what specific results would you want residents to use to judge your effectiveness as a Board member?
I want residents to see improvements, or at least thoughtful plans for improvements in our facilities. I would like them to see that we have logical and knowledgeable people asking meaningful questions and holding the administration accountable. I also want residents to see that students are at the center of each and every decision that is made at the Board level.
