Investing in our children's futures requires significant resources, and we cannot afford to reduce critical programs or compromise the quality of our curriculum. Fiscal responsibility means more than balancing a budget—it requires transparency, accountability, and community engagement at every step. As a board member, I will be a strong advocate for ensuring that every dollar is spent wisely and effectively, always with student needs at the center.

Fiscal responsibility also means:

• Prioritizing funding for academics to strengthen instruction, reduce class sizes, expand student support services, and provide teachers and staff with the tools they need to deliver high-quality, evidence-based instruction.
• Long-term planning to address our aging facilities, ensuring safe and modern learning environments.
• Seeking alternative funding sources—such as grants, partnerships, and state/federal programs—to reduce the burden on taxpayers and fill budget gaps.
• Ensuring cuts come from the top (administrative overhead), while protecting classroom resources, curriculum, and extracurricular opportunities that enrich student life.
• Engaging the community in budget decisions to build trust and ensure that financial planning reflects the values and priorities of West Orange families.

With thoughtful care and clear priorities, we can uphold fiscal responsibility while continuing to invest in the academic, social, and emotional growth of every student in our district.

Our schools must prepare every student for success by delivering high-quality, research-based instruction across all grade levels. Academic excellence is not achieved by chance—it requires intentional investment in proven practices, modern curricula, and equitable supports that meet the needs of all learners.

To accomplish this, I will advocate for:

• Evidence-based literacy instruction by incorporating the Science of Reading and Orton-Gillingham methodologies in the earliest stages of reading development.
• A modern, hands-on science curriculum that encourages critical thinking, inquiry, and problem-solving, preparing students for the careers of tomorrow.
• Increased resources for Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions to ensure struggling students receive timely support and do not fall through the cracks.
• Closing achievement gaps by prioritizing supports for historically underperforming student groups, including minority and economically disadvantaged students.
• Professional development for educators to strengthen instructional strategies and expand the use of data-driven practices in classrooms.
• Smaller class sizes and additional support staff to allow for more personalized learning and meaningful teacher-student engagement.

Academic excellence must be both rigorous and inclusive—ensuring every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive.

Our diversity is our strength, and our schools must be places where every child feels safe, valued, and affirmed as their whole and authentic selves. I am committed to fostering a school culture that reflects and uplifts our diverse student body—physically, socially, and emotionally. This means advocating at an institutional level for policies and practices that prioritize safety, inclusion, and belonging, while ensuring our curricula are culturally responsive and inclusive.

To achieve this, we must:

• Strengthen and enforce anti-bullying, harassment, and discrimination policies.
• Provide faculty and staff training on equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed pedagogy.
• Expand support services for neurodiverse students and families, including access to technology and learning materials.
• Address the rise in chronic absenteeism by centering the mental health and well-being of our students.
• Involve community stakeholders to build cultural bridges and strengthen partnerships that enrich the educational experience.

By being intentional in our advocacy and resource allocation, we can ensure that every child in West Orange schools learns in an environment where they feel safe, supported, and celebrated.