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North Brunswick School Board elections
Community service: Celebrate North Brunswick Committee; North Brunswick Lions Club; North Brunswick Woman's Club; founding member of the North Brunswick Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Team; past chair of the North Brunswick Municipal Alliance; past member of the North Brunswick Affordable Housing Committee; team parent and coach for the North Brunswick Soccer Club
Ability to make a time commitment to the board: said she takes her commitment to the board very seriously, and has done so for the past 12 years as a member of the board Opinion on this year's proposed school budget: "I believe that this year's budget is a very efficient budget that was very well thought out with minimal increases without jeopardizing the quality of
Belief that the board is politicized: "I do not feel that we have a political board, although at times the perception may be that it is. I do feel that politics does not have a place on the Board of Education, but I do believe that we need to have a close and workable relationship with the mayor and town Council." Confidence of voting fairly without pressure from other board members: said she has always looked at the facts before voting before what she felt was in the best interest of the students and the community; feels she votes fairly without being influenced Concerns about residents leaving town due to a perception of a low quality of education in North Brunswick: believes people are looking to move to town for the schools, but that people in general are leaving New Jersey because of the overall cost of living
and proficiency: by giving teachers and students the tools they need, creating new opportunities and funding programs How to prepare students for the global economy and the competition of emerging countries: by providing the best possible educational foundation that keeps them abreast of technological developments Opinion about the current facilities: being kept in the best possible condition while factoring in capital expenditures and budgetary restraints Teachers' benefits: North Brunswick offers comparable benefits to other districts; benefits are "necessary to attract quality educators." Extracurricular activities: are an integral part of the educational system that help develop concepts of fair competition and teamwork to form well-rounded individuals Carlo DiLalla Residence: 23 years Education: bachelor's degree in economics and finance; holds an insurance license in N.J., N.Y. and S.C.; holds a security license for N.J. Community service: four-year president of the North Brunswick Soccer Club; soccer coach for the past 11 years; current coach of the boys U-19 travel soccer team; Youth Sports Festival Committee; member of the Greek Peak Resort HomeownersAssociation; former CCD teacher at Our Lady of Peace Church Reason for running: strong organizational skills; experience with budgets and solving problems; strongest attribute is financial background, especially in the area of employee benefits; wants to increase the number of students who pursue a fouryear institution after graduating from high school; will work toward replacing retiring teachers with competent ones; focus on safety and enforcing the code of conduct Ability to make a time commitment to the board: able to work from home; he doesn't think he will have a problem with attending meetings Opinion on this year's proposed school budget: "fantastic"; many programs being offered for a small increase Belief that the board is politicized: said he thinks Superintendent Brian Zychowski is one of the best supervisors in a long time, and that discussing opinions will help bring decisions about Confidence of voting fairly without pressure from other board members: if strongly disagrees with the board, said he will not vote with the crowd Concerns about residents leaving town due to a perception of a low quality of education in North Brunswick: thinks this may have been a reason in the past but things are turning around; because the schools needed to be physically expanded, he believes people are coming back to town for their education How to improve student achievement and proficiency: curriculum should be assessed annually and matched to students' needs; strive for smaller classrooms and quality teachers How to improve the prestige of the high school to colleges: need to accommodate all students, especially since only 60 percent go on to a four-year institution after graduation; courses for carpenters or plumbers are needed; should offer the ACT, not just the SATs How to prepare students for the global economy and the competition of emerging countries: motivate students; hire the right teachers; adjust the curriculum to help students move forward Opinion about the current facilities: district did great by hiring the Energy Education consulting firm to help make the district "green" - those energy savings should, in turn, be put toward money for fields, such as artificial turf surfaces for track, soccer and lacrosse Teachers' benefits: "I don't think we should ever compromise"; the benefits for young teachers should be examined Extracurricular activities: does not believe any should be cut because they are just as important; additional grants are needed Seema Moondra Residence: 16 years Education: interior design courses; master's degree in art criticism; bachelor's degree in art history, drawing and painting Experience: was an active member of the John Adams Elementary PTA; organized assembly programs and exhibits at John Adams for six years; volunteered at North Brunswick Township High School with the Swim Parents and the Band Parents associations; started an oral history program at the high school in 2006 Community service: started the 4-H Indian Langoor Club in 1996; organized the 4-H Center Beautification Project in 2007 for the 4-H Youth Development Program; worked for 12 years with youth to teach Indian culture and promote cultural exchange within the community; organized the "Best of India" workshop in 2000; organizes activities at the North Brunswick Library and the annual North Brunswick Heritage Day; created "Grandparents-Kids Connect" program in 2005 to help children understand immigration and assimilation issues Reason for running: "I strongly believe that youth learn to value education, respect cultures and become aware of their civic duties when they see the significance their community places in these issues. I am committed to building upon our achievements and strengthening our education system in a fiscally responsible manner"; wants to strengthen parental involvement and community support, make the student body aware of district goals, enhance recognition programs, seek additional grant funding, support and recognize teachers and staff members, involve senior citizens to share their life experiences, and increase the utilization of stateof the-art facilities Ability to make a time commitment to the board: said she will give 110-percent of her time; a fellow board member already gave her a list of "never-ending" board meetings, so she said she knows what she is in for Opinion on proposed school budget: pleased with the "excellent way" the board arrived at the budget. "We are bringing back special education kids to our town. I think that's the best thing they can do for our kids." Belief that the board is politicized: said politics interferes in everything, but that "it is not about your ego or the fact that you are a board member; I think the focus should be on the kids of this district." Confidence of voting fairly without pressure from other board members: will listen to everyone's point of view and think about her own decision. "It is important to keep your focus, and my focus is on the kids and education, and everything that works for that is good." Concerns about residents leaving town due to a perception of a low quality of education in North Brunswick: said her own friends have left the district because they felt the level of education did not meet their needs; said she, herself, came to the township because the schools have high standards; thinks the district is moving in the right direction How to improve student achievement and proficiency: kids must be made aware of the district's goals, mission and strategies; they must be inspired to motivate themselves and understand what they need to do to help themselves How to improve the prestige of the high school to colleges: help students get into different areas, if not college; create mentors; partner with universities How to prepare students for the global economy and the competition of emerging countries: must motivate students to excel; make sure proficiency is stressed at every level; everyone has to be in sync; form a partnership with parents; cultural diversity must be accepted Opinion about the current facilities: due to the expansion projects and contamination issue, kids have had to be transported to other fields for practice; said the board has to do the right things and see how to use other facilities in the township; since the schools are upgraded, she said it may be time now to upgrade the facilities as well. Teachers' benefits: things that affect families should not be compromised Extracurricular activities: they are as important as classroom activities; students learn to work with the community, generate new ideas and develop personalities; summer academies could bring in revenue that can be used to support extracurriculars Ram Tirumala Residence: almost 5 years Education: bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering; registered professional engineer in N.J., N.Y. and Pa.; N.J. Department of Environmental Protection- certified for environmental evaluations; USEPA asbestos project designer; active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Consulting Engineering Council, the New York Building Congress, the Alliance for Action of N.J., CIANJ, the Newark Regional Business Partnership, the N.J. Chamber of Commerce and the N.J. Business and Industry Association Community service: president of the Nrithyanjali Institute of Dance; organized fundraisers for the North Brunswick Library, Valley Health Organization, Eastern Hospital, Kids Peace USA, AIM for Seva, tsunami victims and the Wellness Foundation; served on the board of the Ranganatha and Balaji temple; volunteered as a deejay for seven years for a classical music program of Princeton Radio Reason for running: will focus on improving the quality of education, fiscal responsibility and putting students first; has extensive knowledge and experience with school construction projects; will help the board get the most for its money at facilities Ability tomake a time commitment to the board: is relocating his office so he will be working about five miles away; has already attended meetings or at least read through the minutes Opinion on this year's proposed school budget: impressed with its presentation and the benefits the community is getting, especially the high school summer programs Belief that the board is politicized: does not support having politics on the school board; said he will work based on the issues and what is important for the district and the taxpayers Confidence of voting fairly without pressure from other board members: has certain areas of expertise but will engage others to understand areas he is not familiar with; if not comfortable, may abstain from a vote; will evaluate each condition, do the necessary background work and then decide Concerns about residents leaving town due to a perception of a low quality of education in North Brunswick: believes the district should apply again for Blue Ribbon status; since education is not stagnant, teachers need to be updated How to improve student achievement and proficiency: he said if you know a student is not proficient, it is already too late - students need to be evaluated ahead of time and provided with extra support; more public relations is needed How to improve the prestige of the high school to colleges: said in India you can't talk to someone or get married without having a degree; all programs should be celebrated, such as the Robotix team, just like football is How to prepare students for the global economy and the competition of emerging countries: "We must adjust and modify our curriculum to include what is beyond America." Opinion about the current facilities: the fields are not excellent but are sufficient; he has worked on projects that have converted fields into state-of-the-art Olympic fields; knows there are costs involved, so he can use his background to fiscally analyze solutions; the school district should work with the township to utilize town properties Teachers' benefits: fees should be negotiated so the lowest fee for the highest befits package is retained Extracurricular activities: called them "essential." "They are an opportunity [for students] to express themselves other than through academics." Arthur Lee Young III Residence: 16 years Education: majored in music education and psychology; bachelor's degree in psychology and human kinetics and a Master's of Education in counseling psychology; two years of study at theNewBrunswick Theological Seminary in the Master's of Divinity program Community service: vice president of the board of trustees at The Oaks at North Brunswick; 2007 treasurer for the board at The Oaks; counselor and teacher with the AWANA Club; unordained pastor and teacher at the Kendall Park Baptist Church, the Franklin Care Center and Rutgers University Reason for running: will work to provide guidance through policy, a program of quality instruction, effective management oversight and two-way communication between the community and the administration; said one-third of students in the United States drop out before graduating from high school and the highest rate is among black students; wants to make school safe again and eliminate fearful students; said he is school-wise, streetwise and government-wise Ability tomake a time commitment to the board: said he is a single man with no children. "I have the time to devote to the needs of our kids and the community." Opinion on this year's proposed school budget: said he has a love-hate relationship, because he "loves what is proposed but when I have to pay my taxes, I hate it." Belief that the board is politicized: said he is a man of faith but believes people of all faiths can work together Confidence of voting fairly without pressure from other board members: "I stand up for what is right and people respected me for that," he said of his challenge with racial discrimination in the 1970s Concerns about residents leaving town due to a perception of a low quality of education in North Brunswick: said he hopes the families who are moving out of town are the ones who were bringing the quality of the district down; he said high-level education must be maintained because "education is one of the most important things we can leave our kids." How to improve student achievement and proficiency: must find reasons why students are not scoring well, whether because of problems at home or at school How to improve the prestige of the high school to colleges: students need to be given goals to strive for so they can see those goals being fulfilled in college How to prepare students for the global economy and the competition of emerging countries: "As you learn, you get smaller…because you begin to realize, more and more, how small you are in the world. I think education is important and has to start at an early age if you are going to prepare our kids." Opinion about the current facilities: board members must be concerned and should present their opinions about how important the improvement of facilities is Teachers' benefits: "Benefits are for teachers, benefits are for kids. Unhappy teachers, unhappy kids. Happy teachers, happy kids." He thinks it is "extremely important" that teachers are cared for
Extracurricular activities: "They provide kids with education that is valuable to the whole community without the community having to pay an arm and a leg to receive them." |
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