Bernards Township School Board Election 2026: Jennifer White

Why are you seeking reelection for the Bernards Township Board of Education?

I am running for another term on the Bernards Township Board of Education because I believe I still have meaningful work to contribute. After nine years on the board, I bring deep knowledge of our district and a strong commitment to our students, staff, families, and community. My perspective is shaped by my years as a teacher and by my experience as a parent of four children who all graduated from Bernards Township schools. I understand the realities of the classroom and the importance of ensuring board decisions work for both students and educators.

As board president, I have fostered conversations that have brought varying points of view together to make informed decisions. My experience has taught me how important it is to listen, understand priorities and to advocate for solutions that are best for the district. I believe we should preserve what works well, be honest about what does not, and be willing to consider new approaches when they can better serve our students.

As the district welcomes new leadership and is in a period of transition, I can provide continuity and institutional knowledge while remaining open to new ideas. I am running for re-election because I care deeply about this community and believe in public education. I want to continue to help maintain the excellent education and opportunities provided in our district while remaining fiscally responsible and responsive to our community.

Transparency in government is important for the community. Do you feel the BOE is transparent, and how would you increase transparency?

I do feel the BOE is transparent with the community. There are many different ways for residents, parents, staff, and students to stay informed and have their voices heard.

In addition to regular public BOE meetings, the district holds BT Connect meetings that bring the BOE, administration, and community together to discuss important issues and hear directly from stakeholders. Topics have included school start and end times, bus tiering and its potential cost savings, capital projects, school schedules, and their financial impact. BOE committee meetings also provide updates on areas such as curriculum, wellness, personnel, finance, facilities, policy, and technology, with their minutes reported publicly and made available on the district website. Bernards Township BOE meetings are both live streamed and recorded so all information discussed along with BT Connects and other presentations can be viewed as they too are posted on the district website and available to the public.

Communication also happens outside of board meetings. The superintendent provides regular communications to families, principals send weekly newsletters, and the BOE meets with PTO presidents throughout the year. There are opportunities for students to communicate directly with the board too such as our annual meetings with Ridge student government and WAMS/elementary schools' student councils.

There is always room to improve transparency which is one reason our district website has been revised and updated to make information easier to find and understand, especially regarding information related to financial decisions, capital projects, and changes that directly affect families. We are always looking to find ways to make information readily available to the community while providing the community meaningful opportunities to understand the issues, ask questions, and provide input before decisions are made. Over my years serving on the BOE, I have seen much effort put into how information is communicated and the processes to access it improved.

With rising healthcare costs and inflation, how do you propose keeping tax increases to a minimum?

I believe budgeting should start with a simple question: Is this expense necessary, and is there a more cost-effective way to accomplish the same goal? We can be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars without sacrificing the services that make Bernards Township such a desirable place to live. With rising healthcare costs and inflation, keeping tax increases to a minimum requires thoughtful planning, fiscal discipline, and a willingness to continually look for efficiencies. I have seen firsthand that responsible budgeting is about making difficult choices while protecting the quality of education our students receive. During my tenure, I have been part of initiatives that have saved taxpayer dollars while improving operations such as switching to a triple-tiered transportation system, moving to Ridge's rotating drop schedule, bringing maintenance in house and looking for added prescription rebates. We regularly evaluate contracts and services to look for opportunities to negotiate better rates and share costs, and take advantage of grants and other outside funding whenever available. Healthcare costs in particular require ongoing attention, and we are continuing to explore ways to control those costs while maintaining quality coverage. At the same time, cost savings should not come at the expense of the programs and opportunities that benefit our students. We have met and engaged in conversation with some legislators to get their help with the current health care cost issues and will continue to do so. Our board looks for responsible savings, prioritizes spending carefully, and makes sure our tax dollars are being used as effectively as possible.

There are several projects listed in the 10-year facilities plan, including roofs, HVAC, etc. How would you propose covering the expenses for these projects?

A presentation entitled, The State of our Schools took place earlier this month. The board voted on three goals for the year that included "developing a comprehensive, sustainable long range capital plan that prioritizes facilities, infrastructure, educational, and operational needs and establishes responsible funding strategies to guide future district investments." It was shared that currently we have identified 104 projects, about $82 million needed and are in discussion as to how best prioritize them. We make sure every capital project is evaluated based on both its immediate need and its long-term financial impact. Past capital projects such as the construction of Mount Prospect School or Ridge's Performing Arts Center, were financed through bonds and we will continue to look for tax neutral financing in order to fund current necessary projects. We have also been fortunate to have been able to procure energy upgrades such as the direct install program at a number of our schools that qualified for it and that comes from the state. We have also been able to fund many projects through ROD grants. There will be many opportunities through BT Connect meetings this year to hear from all stakeholders on this very topic.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the Township?

Bernards Township committee and the BOE do work together when it makes sense and benefits the community. This is why we enter annually into a shared service agreement, most recently this past December in order to assist each other with considerable savings to taxpayers. Services can include engineering services, preparing projects for public bidding and managing project work. Another example of shared services is our Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEO III) which are provided to us through the police department and are placed at each school building, in addition to a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Ridge High school. The board of education fully funds the security provided to our staff and students. The township has helped with paving our parking lots, and this past year we have done field work and they have consulted on costs related to repairing, building and addressing drainage problems.

But it is also important to remember that just because the Township and the BOE work together on certain things, they are still two separate entities with different responsibilities. The Township Committee is responsible for making decisions about the Township and its municipal services, while the BOE is responsible for running the school district. Each elected group are accountable to the residents for the responsibilities they were elected to handle.

An issue we, as a board have been keeping our eyes on is in regard to the new housing developments both under construction and approved for future construction as our district's enrollment can be greatly impacted by them. This is an area that we will need to continue to monitor.

What is your favorite thing about being a part of Bernards Township Schools?

My favorite part about being on the Bernards Township BOE is being a member of a community that is deeply committed to the success of its students and educators. As a parent of four children who all graduated from the district and as a board of education member for the past nine years, I have had the unique opportunity to experience our schools from many different perspectives. What I value most are the relationships I have built—with teachers, administrators, staff, fellow board members, and families—and the opportunity to work together to make our schools stronger. Over the years, I have been fortunate to contribute to meaningful changes, from improvements to transportation and school start times to expanding AP opportunities to growing the Pathways/internship program at Ridge High School. I have had the privilege of serving on multiple negotiating teams with the BTAA and BTEA, which strengthened my appreciation for the dedication of our educators and the importance of working collaboratively.

I take great pride in seeing our district continue to grow and adapt while maintaining the excellence it is known for. Whether advocating for student wellness, supporting professional development for educators, I have seen firsthand what can be accomplished when a community comes together. Ultimately, my favorite thing is knowing that I am contributing to a school community that gives students opportunities to succeed while supporting the educators who make those opportunities possible. There is no greater reward than seeing our students thrive and knowing that, in some small way, I helped make that possible.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?

I take great pride in our district. The staff, administrators and my fellow board of education members always strive to be the best. As a board, we bring to the table our different backgrounds, careers and experiences but work collaboratively. We may have varying opinions at times but at the end of the day our focus is and will always be doing what is best for our students. I moved specifically to Basking Ridge many years ago because of the excellent school Bernards Township is known for and my children benefited from this decision. Lastly, I am so pleased to be on the ballot with David Shaw and Janice Corrado as I both support and respect them as my fellow colleagues.