Bernards School Board Election 2022: Erica Blackman

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township Board of Education general election on Nov. 8 has nine candidates running for four open seats.

Erica Blackman is running under the campaign slogan "Education For All" along with Guddia "Herpreet" Singh, Janice Corrado, and Suzanne Schafer-Skalski.

Another group of candidates running under the campaign slogan "For Bernards Children" includes Csilla Csipak, Nimish Amin, Keith Molinari, and Lawrence Rascio.

Deborah E. Penner Smith is also running on her own under the campaign slogan "Special Education Teacher."

Blackman is vying for one of the three, three-year full-term seats up for grabs.

Are you running for office in Basking Ridge? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Basking Ridge Patch.

(All of the candidates were given the same questions)

Erica Blackman

Age: 39

Town of residence: Basking Ridge

Position sought: Member of the Bernards Township Board of Education

Family: Married with three children

Education: Bachelor’s of Science in English Education from Florida State University; Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership from University of South Florida.

Occupation: Teacher

Previous or current elected appointed office: N/A

Campaign website: Bernardseducationforall.org

Why are you seeking to run for School Board?

I am running for the Board of Education because I absolutely love this town, our schools, and the entire community. Like many parents, we moved to Basking Ridge for the amazing school district. We knew this town could provide our children with everything they might need as they grow into adulthood. I want to preserve these fabulous schools for my own children as well as future children who will be growing up here. As a teacher, I have always believed that the public schools are how we can better our society. Not only through academics, but also through extracurricular activities, social emotional learning, and community involvement. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share my talents, passion, and drive to work towards the best education possible for all of the children in this district.

School finances have been an issue raised recently. Do you feel the Board and administration are handling this properly? And why?

Every year, the finance committee has to work together to make decisions depending on the needs of our schools. For example, this year the Girls Varsity softball field needed a major overhaul. Obviously, that costs a lot of money. Our top notch special education program also requires a lot of our budget. Luckily, we live in a town where we are able to fund so many programs and really get to support our students in whatever they need to be successful. We have also been given grants by the state to spend money in certain areas, and the board needs to ensure that those grants are used in the correct way. Some community members believe we can save some tax dollars by cutting programs or administrator’s salaries, but I support our administration who oversee huge parts of our children’s education, and I know that without them those parts would fall on the
shoulders of our already overworked teachers. I do not want Bernards Township to succumb to a teacher shortage like the majority of the country. To the best of my knowledge, I believe the current administration is doing what they can to allocate our funding appropriately.

How do you feel about the current sex-ed curriculum in the district?

Health education has been a major topic for our district this year. A few parents feel the material is not age appropriate. That is why I am so grateful that the superintendent and board of education have instituted an opt-out policy. With this policy in place, parents have a choice if they want their children participating in this curriculum. In my opinion, I believe the health curriculum is an important component of a complete public school education. It is with safety in mind that students learn the correct name for their own anatomy as well as how to protect themselves in our fast paced society. It is imperative that students learn about all of our community members without fear or judgment and I believe this curriculum can help ensure that will happen. With that in mind, our district has been extremely transparent with this new curriculum. They have had the entire curriculum online for any parent to view, have held a BT connect for parents and
community members to share their opinions, and have promised to share any materials
with parents before giving it to the students.

Would you be in favor of a later school start time for students?

I think the start times of our schools right now are appropriate for our students. There are many variables when dealing with school start time including availability of school buses, as well as extra curricular activities or after school jobs for our high school students. We must also keep in mind that many parents have start times on their jobs and need to ensure that their children are safely in school by then. With that being said, I would always be interested in looking at research and listening to parents about their concerns.

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

As a mother of three children in our school district, their safety, as well as the safety of all of our students and staff, is of utmost importance. Everyone has the right to go to school in a safe environment without the fear of threats. Unfortunately, we live in a time when it is possible that our school security could be threatened. It is imperative that we take all security measures possible while educating our students. I believe all of the schools in our district should have automatic locking doors for every entrance. Additionally, I believe the schools should request police presence for large outdoor gatherings. However, I also know that by nurturing the whole child, and ensuring that our curriculum includes social/ emotional learning, we can potentially stop a dangerous situation before it even begins. Research has shown that when a child feels safe and secure in their school environment, they are less likely to do harm to themselves or others. By
continuing the district’s initiatives to foster the entire student, not just academically, but
emotionally as well, we can ensure that instances of bullying, anger, and violence significantly improve.

What sets you apart from the other challenging candidates?

I am the best person for a Board of Education position because I truly believe in the benefits of a strong education for the good of the public. I am happy to pay my share in taxes to guarantee that every single student gets whatever they need to be successful as they learn and grow into adulthood. I support public education. I support equal rights for everyone. I support diversity and inclusion. I support teachers and their hard work in the classroom. I know they are not trying to indoctrinate our students, but rather support them and educate them to the best of their ability. Some people may think I am too outspoken, but I call that passion. I am passionate about including all groups. I have a strong belief that every marginalized community should feel included in our schools. Because of my experience and background as a Jewish woman, I have always had a strong drive to better the world and my community. I began that journey twenty years ago when I became a teacher, and I am excited to continue that journey through a
position on the school board.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

As a parent, teacher, and community member, I take my job very seriously. I believe student success is measured in a number of ways, all equally as important. Beyond academically, a student should also be kind, compassionate, and willing to work to make a difference in their community. We have an opportunity in our district to nurture the whole child. As a school board member, I will recognize the value of social emotional learning and support that initiative. I will fight for all of the wonderful programs that our schools provide including music, the arts, and athletics. Additionally, I will work with teachers and administrators to provide the absolute best curriculum for our students. Bernards Township has a well deserved reputation as an outstanding school district. That is why my husband and I moved here, specifically for the education and diversity
our children would experience in this beautiful community. I am dedicated to continuing to foster the kind of schools that parents want for their children. Our schools not only prepare our students for their future academically, but they also prepare our students to be strong, independent leaders. I am the candidate that will continue that legacy.