League of Women Voters of Monmouth County

These are my answers to the questions from the League of Women Voters of Monmouth County:

What are the major challenges facing the community/district and how would you propose to address them if elected?

I am running for school board to improve excellence, transparency, and accountability across the whole district. While we have many important and exciting changes with our Vision 2020 building plan, there are other areas of transparency and accountability with in the school system that need to be improved. Holmdel has a reputation of being an excellent school system and we need to make sure we continually work to elevate all aspects of the educational experience.

I will work with parents, members of the community, and the administration to make administration policies, and the consequences of them, clear to all stakeholders and ensure parent and child voices are fully heard. My focus will be on making the schools better for the whole community by promoting operational change and does not involve any tax increases or bonds floated. 

What qualifies you for this position, both personally and professionally?

My children are fourth generation Holmdel residents and I am a third generation resident and taxpayer. We reside on our family’s organic tree farm in Holmdel, which is where I grew up and where we are raising our children. All of our three children attend Holmdel Schools and we have had direct experience of the entire system, from the Village School to the High School. I understand the unique history of Holmdel Township and the Holmdel School system which combines both academic excellence, and engaged and educated parents, within a pastoral environment. As our children have progressed through the school system, I have realized it is very important to be directly involved in the school community. I have attended board meetings, met with all the key members of the administration and I have been able to see the inner workings of the Holmdel School system.

After graduating from Smith College, I received advanced degrees in Arts Administration from NYU and Art History from Columbia. For over 20 years I have my run own business where I advise clients on acquiring contemporary artwork. As a small business owner, I am used to working from the ground up delivering quality on time for exacting clients.

I am running for the BOE to be an advocate for parents and children. If elected, I will set up and advertise regular public open hours where you can meet with me to voice your thoughts and concerns.Those that know me know that I will be a strong voice for children and families.

What factors are critical to the quality of life/education in your community and what would you do to improve or preserve them?

The most important part of raising children that are excited and interested in learning comes from the parents. Parents choose Holmdel because of the school district and many are involved and engaged. I am committed to helping all parents in the district understand and properly access the options that are available to them as they seek to better prepare their children for success in their adult lives. 

The addition of all day kindergarten to Holmdel was a necessary, and overdue, step forward. I will work to ensure that the district continues to serve fully the needs of all of the children within the community.