CHERRY HILL SCHOOLS ELECTION: Here are the board candidates running who want your vote on Tuesday.

School districts across New Jersey are facing complex academic and budgetary challenges.

While a district superintendent may be a strong leader, most of the big decisions rest with the district's citizens who sit on the board of education.

Voter apathy and a lack of candidates weaken many elected offices everywhere.

But, in Cherry Hill, voters are fortunate to have 10 candidates running in next Tuesday's election for three seats on the school board.

In partnership with the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University and NJ Spotlight News, 70and73.com surveyed Cherry Hill's 10 candidates about the issues and their backgrounds.

Eight candidates responded to our request for information, which included a follow-up request when the first request went unanswered. We edited for grammar or errors in their submissions, but what you read below is what they submitted in their own words.

Your job? Make your choices and show up at your polling place next Tuesday.

REVIEW CHERRY HILL'S FULL SAMPLE BALLOT HERE.

The Board of Education election is for a three-year term. Select three candidates.

Omar Alkahily

Preakness Court

Age: 38

Occupation: Entrepreneur and adjunct university instructor

Personal background

I hold an MBA from the University of Kent and am expecting to earn my Ph.D at Temple University in 2025. From Temple, I also have a Certificate in Higher Education Teaching, which has allowed me to teach at the university level. This experience has given me valuable insights into the skills and qualities that help students succeed in higher education, which I am committed to fostering in Cherry Hill students. I've worked with global leaders like Procter & Gamble and Baker Hughes in operations management, gaining experience in leadership and strategic planning. As a serial entrepreneur, I've focused on ventures in media, marketing, and advertising. My entrepreneurial journey has ranged from a complete failure to multi-million-dollar valuations/exits.

Public service background

I had the pleasure to be selected for the Empowering Dialogue and Interfaith Networks program by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in 2021. In 2017, I was part of the YouTube Creators for Change program, tackling xenophobia through digital media. Additionally, I was recognized as one of Procter & Gamble's 40 under 40 most accomplished alumni in 2016. In my free time I teach Arabic, and work on funding underprivileged students to continue pursuing their undergraduate degrees.

Reason for running

I believe our students deserve an education that prepares them for the future. With the rapid rise of AI and other emerging technologies, it's crucial that our curricula evolve to ensure students are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in this new environment. As someone with a strong background in technology and communications, I see firsthand how AI is reshaping industries and economies. This perspective enables me to advocate for educational programs that not only emphasize traditional academic excellence but also integrate critical thinking, digital literacy and ethical use of technology. Over my 15-year career, I have worked with a variety of groups and teams in different disciplines. I believe I am able to collaborate with fellow board members to come out with the best possible outcomes.

Candidate's biggest issue

Resolving teacher/staff frustrations; approach to digital citizenship, we need to prioritize safety in addition to preparing our students to not fall behind; clearer methods of information sharing and capturing of community feedback, shifting from data dumping to data visualization will enable that and bringing teachers to the conversation in defining issues and priorities.

Approach to budget cuts and spending

I come from a startup background, and efficient processing as well as automation can function as cost-saving approaches to counter cuts. I do not believe the board should make budgeting decisions in isolation without a process that involves staff/teachers input.

David M. Bercovitch

Carriage House Court

Building Community Together

Age: 41

Occupation: Lawyer

Personal background

I am a lawyer, small business owner, husband, father of 3 beautiful children and committed to improving our school system. I grew up in Queens, New York. I am one of three siblings. We are all first-generation Americans. Both my parents grew up in Israel. They moved to the United States after serving in the Israeli army. I attended the New York City public school system until I graduated high school. For undergraduate studies, I attended George Washington University. I then attended Villanova University for Law School. During that time I was living in Philadelphia, where I met my now wife. It was never really a question where we were going to settle down. It was always going to be Cherry Hill. In addition to being a proud graduate of the Cherry Hill School District, my wife's immediate and extended family all still live in Cherry Hill. That is a great testament to how they feel about the township and the school district. I own a successful law practice based out of Philadelphia. Our primary practice areas are Immigration and Personal Injury. We have been recognized by Super Lawyer, Lawyers of Distinction, Philadelphia Inquirer - Philly Favorites 2024.

Public service background

Over the years I have been involved in a number of organizations and groups that give back to the community. Currently, I am a board member of Jewish Community Relations Counsel. In this role I help the Jewish Community liaison with other stakeholders in our community. Previously, I held leadership roles in congregations. I was a board member at Congregation Mikveh Israel, the Synagogue of the American Revolution. It is one of the oldest congregations in the United States. I am one of the "founders" at the Chabad of Fairmount. I had the privilege of assisting in the planning and construction of their new building by Eastern State Penitentiary. I have a leadership position in the local chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association. I serve as the liaison to the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor for our chapter. In this role we advocate for fair and equal treatment of foreign nationals in our justice system.

Reason for running

I am running for a seat on the Cherry Hill Board of Education to enhance the quality of education in our school district. I am a proud resident of Cherry Hill and a parent of three young children. I am committed to enhancing the quality of education in our district. As a lawyer and owner of a successful law practice in Philadelphia, I bring a vital perspective to the board. Problem-solving, advocacy, negotiation, and ensuring fair outcomes, are my current day-to-day duties and these are essential qualities for a Board of Education member. My professional experience has equipped me with the tools necessary to advocate effectively for our children.

Candidate's biggest issue

Fiscal responsibility. Academic Achievement. Communication. The school board makes up over 60% of the Cherry Hill property taxes. The school's spending has a direct impact on your taxes. My top priority is to ensure tax payers do not have to pay more taxes because of the school district. We are fortunate enough to have an approximately $250,000,000 budget. I believe there is room to analyze what programs are working and invest; and reshape or scrap programs that are not working. Academic achievement needs to be a top priority for our school system. Many people move or stay in Cherry Hill because of the quality of education and reputation of our school system. We need to make sure that our district remains at the forefront of educational excellence by focusing on the academic achievement of our students. Communication remains a challenge between the Board and the community. I am in favor of implementing policies that make Board actions transparent; receiving more input from the community for board decision; and broadcasting board events to the community.

Campaign slogan and meaning

Building Community Together We must engage all demographics of our township to improve the school district. Regardless of race, sex, age, religion, national origin or socioeconomic status we are all residents of our great township. The only way to understand the issues facing our township is to engage with all of our stakeholders. Together we can ensure Cherry Hill School District remains a marque destination for educational excellence.

Approach to budget cuts and spending

If elected, I would focus spending on teacher retention. I believe we need to adequately compensate teachers to attract the best talent and to keep our current wonderful teachers. School safety is another spending priority. Unfortunately, we have numerous threats to our children's safety from bullying to fighting. In this day and age, we also have to prepare for a mass threat event. I would make student safety a spending priority. As a community we also need to stay ahead of technological trends. Another spending priority is technology in the classrooms.

Additional information about candidate

I ask for your vote because I have a proven track record of running organizations. I am passionate about educating our children. As a husband and father of three children I am vested in our community. I am also not affiliated with any special interests so you know I only have the community's interests at heart. Vote for me to build community together.

Kurt Braddock

West Riding Road

Age: 43

Bracketing with other candidates? Yes, I am bracketed with Bridget Palmer. I chose to bracket with Bridget because we share similar ideas on how to best meet Cherry Hill students' needs in terms of financial responsibility, board transparency, data-driven decision-making and the protection for all students to read and learn freely and safely.

Occupation: Assistant professor of communication

Personal background

I am assistant professor of communication at American University in Washington, D.C. I have lived in Cherry Hill for five years, where I reside with my wife, infant daughter, and goofy bulldog. I received a bachelor's degree in business administration from The College of New Jersey, a master's degree in communication from the University of Delaware, and a Ph.D in communication from Penn State. I've also received official certifications in data analytics (from Google) and data science (from Cornell University). My work focuses on extremism and violence, and how best to prevent propaganda from promoting different forms of bias and hate. I also do research on how to engage in political communication in a way reduces confrontation and improves collaboration.

Public service background

As part of my work, I have engaged in substantial public service to promote community and reduce bias and extremism. I have given dozens of pro bono talks to various state-, regional-, and national-level organizations tasked with preventing extremist violence. In doing so, I have worked with organizations meant to undermine antisemitism, Islamophobia, LGBTQ+ hate, and aggression against all other public citizens. I have also been a teacher for nearly 20 years, engaging with and mentoring thousands of students.

Reason for running

Last year, I started attending board meetings regularly to gain an understanding of the school district I'd be sending my daughter to. In those meetings, I noticed that although the board did its best, there was plenty of room for improvement. Specifically, I thought the board could do a better job of communicating directly with the public and using hard data to make financial decisions to optimize the use of every dollar in Cherry Hill, as well as evaluate programs intended to improve academic achievement. These are two areas that I specialize in and think I can bring those skills to benefit the students of Cherry Hill. I am also a fierce champion for libraries and have grown concerned of a growing trend around the country of libraries, librarians, and books being attacked. I want to be a strong advocate for librarians and books to help preserve students' freedom to read. Finally, I think that my background in understanding the psychology of conflict can help reinforce a sense of community among Cherry Hill students, regardless of any differences they may have.

Candidate's biggest issue

Although there are several issues that require some attention, I think the greatest needs are to (a) improve transparency and communication between the Cherry Hill BOE and (b) leverage that increased transparency and communication to foster academic excellence among Cherry Hill students. To best serve the students of Cherry Hill, there needs to be openness between the Board, teachers, students, parents, and all other community stakeholders. Only by engaging with each other can we start to build out solutions that help our students reach their maximum academic potential.

Approach to budget cuts and spending

Any changes in state aid mean that the board has to do the hard work of recalibrating expenses so that no students are shortchanged of the education they need. The overarching priority always needs to be facilitating student achievement and academic excellence, so any cuts that might threaten that need to be overcome and addressed.

Additional information about candidate

I'm just very excited at the opportunity to help shape the future of education in Cherry Hill. We all want the best for the school district (and the schools themselves). If I'm elected, I'll do my absolute best to talk directly with parents, teachers, and students to understand what we need to do to promote the students' success. The students are priority No. 1, and I will do everything I can to help them become the best version of themselves that they hope to be.

Nouruz Chowdhury

Mimosa Drive

Candidate did not respond

Dr. Dean Drizin

Balsam Road

Compassion, Excellence, Reliability

Age: 40

Occupation: Corporate Development, Flight Surgeon in United States Navy Reserve

Personal background

I bring a background in medicine and management. I earned my undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College (Salutatorian Class of 2006), my medical degree (MD) from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and an MBA in Health Care Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. I lead the corporate development office of a national nonprofit home health care organization and serve as a flight surgeon in the United States Navy Reserve. My prior experience spans investment banking, venture capital, and military service as an active-duty flight surgeon in the U.S. Navy, during which time I deployed to Japan and El Salvador as the sole primary care provider to over 300 Naval aviation personnel. 

Public service background

As the sole primary care provider to over three hundred deployed active-duty military personnel, I served as part of a squadron’s executive team with the squadron’s Commanding Officer and Executive Officer. I successfully executed medical preparations and then provided on-call, primary and preventive medical care for a dynamic split-site deployment to SEVENTH (Japan) and FOURTH (El Salvador) Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AORs). I re-established Navy maritime patrol medical presence at Air Base Misawa and consistently maintained greater than 98% squadron medical readiness, the highest medical readiness of all maritime patrol squadrons in the Navy. My performance earned me the distinction of the Patrol and Reconnaissance WING ELEVEN Flight Surgeon of the Year (2018). I was the most junior flight surgeon selected for a reserve flight surgeon billet during the FY-21 Reserve Aviation Unit Flight Surgeon Selection Board and subsequently merit re-ordered to the top of the promotion list when I promoted to Lieutenant Commander in December 2020. In June 2024, I was selected below zone (i.e., early) to promote to Commander (O-5), a senior-grade officer rank in the Navy.

Reason for running

I am running because I believe I can contribute a fresh perspective to Cherry Hill's Board of Education and our community. I am deeply invested in the future success of our school district, as my children are early in their educational journeys. My son is in first grade and my daughter is in pre-K. My family and I value education. My grandmother and aunt were public school English teachers, my mom recently retired as the principal of a public elementary school and my sister-in-law is a speech therapist. My mom, in particular, served as principal of a public elementary school for over 25 years, ultimately leading her school to achieve recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School. I witnessed day after day how my mom's hard work, commitment to data-driven continuous improvement, and tireless support of her teachers contributed to the school’s success. I similarly commit to working hard and collaboratively to support our students, teachers, and administrators. I believe all children have the ability to learn and reach their best potential. Education should foster curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility, teaching our children how to show kindness and understanding of each other's points of view.

Candidate's biggest issue

The biggest issue or policy priority in this school board race is academic preparedness in literacy and mathematics. The upcoming election is particularly important for Cherry Hill, as next year's Board of Education will be responsible for setting the school district's five-year strategic plan. None of the school district's current (i.e., 2024-2025) goals focuses on academic excellence (Source: Cherry Hill Public Schools website). If elected, one of my top goals would be to focus on developing and implementing targeted strategies to boost reading and math proficiency, including supporting the Cherry Hill School District's professional staff and providing culturally relevant instruction.  

Campaign slogan and meaning

Compassion, Excellence, Reliability These core values express what ought to be most critical to our work in education and on the Cherry Hill Board of Education. We must include a focus on academic excellence in the district's new five-year strategic plan. The Board should increase its reliability with the community through increased transparency and communication. And we must always work with compassion, making sure that everyone in the community feels genuinely cared for, valued, and consistently supported throughout their educational journeys in the Cherry Hill School District.

Approach to budget cuts and spending

Coping with State Aid Cuts: Cost-Benefit Analysis. Prioritize a thorough analysis of all programs and services, ensuring we retain those that provide the most value to our students and staff. Advocacy/Communication: Work to strengthen our advocacy efforts at the state level, engaging with local legislators to highlight the needs of our district. Community Engagement: Encourage open forums with parents, teachers, and community members to gather input and share our challenges. Alternative Funding: Seek innovative funding strategies through grants, partnerships with local businesses, and philanthropic contributions to help mitigate the impact of state cuts. My Spending Priorities: Staff Development and Retention. Our teachers are our greatest asset. I would prioritize professional development programs and competitive salaries to retain top talent and support their growth. Student Support Services. Investing in mental health resources and special education services is crucial. We must ensure that all students, especially those with unique needs, receive the support they require. Classroom Resources and Technology. Ensure that classrooms are equipped with the necessary tools and technology to facilitate effective learning. Infrastructure and Safety. Invest in the maintenance and improvement of school facilities to provide a safe and conducive learning environment.

Ava Friddell

Gately Court

For The Students

Age: 19

Occupation: Swim instructor for neurotic and neurodivergent children as well as a college student

Personal background

I have attended schools in Cherry Hill: Clara Barton Elementary, Carusi Middle School and graduated from Cherry Hill High School West Class of 2023. I currently attend Rowan College of South Jersey and will graduate in the spring with an associate's degree in psychology with the hopes of becoming a child psychologist. I have worked as a lifeguard at local pools for the past three summers and have for the last two years taught swim lessons year-round. In addition, I also have been a babysitter for local families since the age of 13.

Public service background

Growing up, I was a member of Girl Scouts. I have assisted my mom in various collections (school supplies and food drive) I have volunteered at 5K's handing out water to participants.

Reason for running

I am running for a seat on board to help be the change I want to see, while ensuring that our staff and students have a voice and are included on conversations that will help us make decisions affecting them.

Candidate's biggest issue

There are many priorities, but to pick one I would select special education and ensuring that students with IEP's are able to attend their local school, are offered the opportunity to take honors and AP classes. While also making sure that their families voice is respected and considered when making educational decisions.

Campaign slogan and meaning

For The Students My responsibility as a board member is to make decisions that are in the best interest of all students

Approach to budget cuts and spending

Nobody knows what our budget will look like in following years. I believe that the possibility of decreased funding should be taken into consideration while making plans and decisions for the following years. I feel as though our first concern should always be student safety and teacher retention.

Additional information about candidate

As a longstanding member of the district and a recent graduate who had an IEP, I feel that I can bring a new perspective that our current board is lacking.

Samia Mian

Partree Road

Success for Every Student 

Age: 44

Occupation: Physician

Personal background

I am a mother, wife, physician leader, educator and a humanitarian. I come from a family with great emphasis on education and community. Pursuing my goal of wanting to make a difference in people's lives, I went to medical school where I met my husband. My husband and I have lived in South Jersey for over 16 years and have called Cherry Hill our home for over a decade. We have three kids who go to public schools here. I have served my community working as a professor of medicine and as medical director of a dialysis center for over a decade. I am also a big proponent of fitness and healthy living. In my spare time, you can find me outdoors with my family hiking, running, playing pickleball, growing vegetables in my community garden and baking sourdough bread.

Public service background

Apart from my professional life as a doctor, I enjoy partaking in activities that allow me to give back to my community. I volunteer with Lasagna Love making meals for needy families, prepare sandwiches for the homeless, organize arts events for the community, and hold voter registration drives to get out the vote. I am also the membership chair for Beck Middle School PTA and also a founding leader of the Cherry Hill chapter of Sisterhood of Salaam and Shalom. 

Reason for running

As a physician leader and someone deeply rooted in making a difference in people's lives, I began to be mindful of the school board procedures as my kids go through their schooling in Cherry Hill public schools. I recognize the impact of technology in our children's lives, reading and arts education and am driven to advocate for meaningful ways to improve student achievement and holistic growth. In addition, I am committed to improving parental engagement in schools as it will not only help student achievement but also create transparency and better communication between the school administration and the community. I also believe that every child, regardless of capabilities, can receive the tools to succeed in school and I am committed to promoting inclusive policies for everyone. My training as a doctor and values including discipline, hard work, justice and opportunity for all, engagement and collaboration, and evidence-based decision making make me an excellent candidate for the school board.

Candidate's biggest issue

Safe and intentional use of technology: I am committed to effective use of technology in elementary schools. Use of technology should be judicious and intentional. We need to consider goals for usage and whether it provides functional improvement to a learning task. This concern is echoed by parents and teachers alike. While utilization of technology is the demand for our times, we need responsible technology access. In May 2024, I successfully engaged parents and ran a petition limiting children's access to non-educational websites on their school computers.

Campaign slogan and meaning

Success for Every Student I believe that every child, regardless of capabilities, can receive the tools to succeed in school.

Approach to budget cuts and spending

I acknowledge that this would be a difficult situation. We will have to prioritize needs over wants, engage the community, advocate for equity, and for additional funding, come up with long-term plans and be transparent about trade-offs.  My spending priorities would be supporting teachers by increasing teacher pay, wellness initiatives and professional development, as well as supporting programs that would enhance student achievement, stronger reading programs, arts education and safe technology. These initiatives will help improve academic achievement and address the gaps that are currently existent in our community.

Additional information about candidate

Success for Every Student As a physician and a parent, I understand the importance of making thoughtful, evidence-based decisions that prioritize the well-being and success of our students. If elected, I will continue to listen, learn, and advocate for policies that reflect the needs of our community. I’m committed to finding solutions together with my fellow board members, teachers and parents.

Quadsia Birat Niaz

Cooper Landing Road

Empowering Every Student

Candidate did not respond

Bridget Palmer

Chestnut Terrace

Age: 41

Bracketing with other candidates? Yes, I'm bracketed with Kurt Braddock. Kurt and I got to know each other and realized we shared many of the same priorities, values and concerns about the future of our schools. It seemed natural to run as a team. 

Occupation: Director of Government Relations for Bancroft

Personal background

I have lived in Cherry Hill since 2014 with my husband, our two children, and our dog, Woofy. Like so many young families, we chose Cherry Hill in large part because of our schools, the quality of our education system, and the opportunities a Cherry Hill education could provide. Today, my children are thriving — graduates of Thomas Paine Elementary School, current seventh graders at Carusi, athletes, musicians, well-rounded individuals —  and that's largely because of their education thus far. I am a Philadelphia native and proud Penn Stater, with vast experience in communications, community relations, and advocacy — including eight years working for Cherry Hill Township. I'm currently director of government affairs at Bancroft, where I focus on advocacy around state funding and legislative/policy issues that affect people with disabilities across the lifespan.

Public service background

This is my first campaign for elected office. I saw firsthand the impact that good public servants can make on the community during my eight years working for Cherry Hill Township, where I served as constituent services manager and communications director under former Mayors Bernie Platt and Chuck Cahn. I will bring to the Board the same philosophy that was modeled by those leaders: The job of an elected official, at any level, is to be a voice for your constituents and make decisions that create a better world for them. 

Reason for running

I believe I bring to the Board a combination of personal and professional skills that will enhance and strengthen the current board -- including nearly two decades of work in communications and community relations, as well as advocacy at all levels of government. I share a fundamental belief that all students have the right to learn in an environment that is safe, respectful and inclusive, and where they have access to the tools and support they need to thrive. I'm running because my children have had a wonderful experience in Cherry Hill's schools — and I want to make sure it stays that way, while working to build a better educational experience for the many students for whom we continue to fall short. I also believe we need board members who will publicly commit to doing everything they can to protect all Cherry Hill students, and am a proud Gun Sense Candidate, and an advocate for the Freedom to Read, and ensuring we continue to protect LGBTQ+ students.

Candidate's biggest issue

The board has a lot of work ahead for the coming year — but there are three issues that stand out as most critical, long-term issues for the board: The first is Elementary School redistricting — a process that was deeply flawed when we saw our middle schools realigned a few years ago, but which has the potential to impact every family with school-age children in Cherry Hill. The second is the development of a five-year strategic plan that will set the vision for our schools for the immediate future — and where I believe we can and should have meaningful conversations about issues including Special Education, SACC expansion, the future of our preschool program, school start times and academic performance. Last, but not least, we need to focus on improving academic achievement across the board. We continue to see declines in both state testing and graduation readiness scores. While the district has begun to make inroads — there is still significant work ahead.

Approach to budget cuts and spending

It starts and ends with advocacy. We need to build close relationships with our representatives in Trenton, who are responsible for finalizing the state budget that includes public school aid — and we need to maintain those relationships throughout the year, not just at budget time. If state aid is cut, we must mobilize all stakeholders: Superintendent Kwame Morton, our board members, students, families, community leaders and the existing Fair Funding committee to reach out to legislative leaders, budget committee members and the Governor's office to show the value of our schools — and the devastating impact of cuts. In terms of budget priorities, we need to ensure we are spending every dollar responsibly and efficiently. We must prioritize salary and benefits so we can attract and retain highly qualified, talented and dedicated teachers and staff. We need to invest in academics and curriculum, technology and our buildings and facilities. We also must ensure that we continue to fund arts and extracurricular activities that are so essential to helping develop well-rounded citizens.

Additional information about candidate

I believe we are at a critical point for Cherry Hill's schools, with a new superintendent at the helm and large initiatives on the horizon. I am a listener at heart and will look to help build consensus among the board members. I am also one of the few candidates who has publicly committed to actively working to protect freedom of information and protection of LGBTQ+ students. These issues have flown under the radar in Cherry Hill and many of us want to believe they will never be challenged or questioned here; but we need to remain vigilant. Yes, academics is and always will be our number one job as a school district, but we also have a responsibility to allow our students to access the information they need to grow into productive citizens, and to do so in an environment where they know they are safe to be themselves.

Harvey Vazquez

Concord Lane

Innovation Engagement Fairness

Age: 60

Occupation: Retired, director customs and border protection

Personal background

I am a retired U.S. Army combat veteran and retired federal officer. I bring a wealth of experience from my decade-long role as director for customs and border protection, where I served as a liaison managing international and domestic relations. I am an executive member for the Cherry Hill Special Education PTA and a devoted advocate for special education families.

Public service background

My dedication to the special education community and my love for Cherry Hill inspired me to serve as an executive member on the Cherry Hill Special Education PTA for the past year and a half. 

Reason for running

My personal journey advocating for my child with autism and serving on the Cherry Hill Special Education PTA executive board has highlighted the challenges many parents face within our school district. My dedication to the special education community and my love for Cherry Hill inspire me to serve on the school board and make a meaningful impact for all of our students including those with disabilities. I see lack of transition services for our students in Pre-K especially for those with special needs. A smooth transition must include the equation of support and services thru assessments and evaluations early on in order to identify those students that may need help in progressing thru the school curriculum.

Candidate's biggest issue

Communication, redistricting, special education and Pre-K expansion.

Campaign slogan and meaning? Empowering Education, Embracing Special Needs

Approach to budget cuts and spending

I believe that the school district budget should be representative of our student population. A detailed report based on statistical data should accompany any request for additional funds from the state. This may include revamping the current curriculum by ensuring first that all core classes required for graduation are included and a deep study on those clubs or courses that are not required for the purpose of funding. The bottom line is that we receive the proper funding to begin with by engaging in budget talks early on in the school year in order to be prepared to present a detailed report to the state for funding if the budget is cut short again. The state issues these numbers in October based on the previous year enrollment and unfortunately if an increase in enrollment takes place the district has to attempt to cover these additional funds. I also would like to mention based on the percentage of the budget allowed for special education which is approximately15.9% I would like to see the entirety of that amount earmarked towards what it is intended for and that is in support of our special education students rather than redirecting for other projects. The total of 15.9% is already short of our special ed target as this particular disadvantaged group hovers around 20% of our total student population and I'm being broad in these numbers because I believe these numbers to be under-reported.

Additional information about candidate

As a devoted advocate for education and a committed parent of a child with special needs, I am dedicated to fostering our community's success through progressive and effective policies. As a board member, I would prioritize innovation and the development of new approaches to enhance our education system. Goal No. 1: Education. Investing in our local public education is paramount. As a school board member, I will advocate for a budget that accurately represents our population. Our future goals must include providing a curriculum that is above the state average, with a quantifiable database to measure success. Quality education is the cornerstone of a prosperous community, and I am determined to make this a reality for Cherry Hill. Goal No. 2: Proper redistricting of students should be top priority to alleviate overcrowding in some of our schools. Special emphasis must be placed on children with IEP's that are obligated to attend different home schools than their siblings because of open enrollment. A balanced enrollment will ensure equitable access to outcomes with a focus on our most vulnerable learners. Busing must be planned to where minimal travel is needed for students attending schools outside their home area. Goal No. 3:  Establish a well-functioning special education department that collaborates effectively with staff and parents, fosters positive relationships with families, and strives for the best outcomes for students while developing streamlined programs for the district. This begins with adequately staffing SPED classrooms in particular our self-contained classes to give teachers the best opportunity to focus on curriculum.