Bernards Township School Board Election 2024: Brett Omelianuk

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township's general election on Nov. 5 has five candidates running for three open seats for the Board of Education.

Brett Omelianuk is running for one of the three, three-year seats along with incumbent Robin McKeon and Michael Talbot. Opposing candidates include Yijia Liu and Pankhoori Agarwal Gupta.

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.

Brett Omelianuk

• Age: 51
• Town of residence: Basking Ridge
• Position sought: member of the Bernards Township Board of Education
• Family: Wife Kristy, Daughters Cora and Tess
• Education: Midland Park High School, course work at Ramapo College & William Paterson University
• Occupation: Division Manager for environmental engineered systems supplier
• Previous elected/appointed office: N/A
• Campaign website: talbotomelianuk.com

Why are you seeking election for the Board of Education?

I want to ensure our schools maintain the high standards and opportunities they’re known for. Things that go beyond academics and test scores. Our arts programs are outstanding - just go to any theater production at Ridge and you’ll see firsthand why they keep winning prestigious awards. Our athletic teams are often playing in championship games. Student clubs and special programs like the Pathways program capture the needs of so many students with different interests and talents. And of course, the wonderful teachers and administrators who make all of it possible. I want to also recognize the efforts of our amazing PTO’s that bring our school community together. US News and World Reports recently released a report ranking Ridge High School the best in Somerset County, the 25th best in the state, and 454 out of nearly 25,000 schools nationwide - that means we are in the top 2 percent of schools in the entire country. One of my opponents states that she thinks our schools need to be transformed. Transformed into what? In my opinion, our schools do not need to be transformed. Our schools are excellent. Of course, there is always room for improvement - nothing is perfect - and schools need to change with the changing needs of our students. I want to be certain those changes are what’s best for our kids, teachers and tax payers.

This past spring the Board wrestled with a large deficit in revenue during the budget process. How do you plan to address this in the coming year’s budgets?

The thing about any budget is you can only spend what you have. With the cost of everything going up that means either raising revenue or making cuts to the budget. It’s a fool's errand to promise that I won’t increase the budget, or that I know which program, or which employee’s job should be cut. Until I’m on the board it’s impossible to say with any certainty. What I can promise is that I will look at every line item to see where it makes sense to trim expenses. The same holds true for those items that might need additional funding. I promise to do it using data and facts, and with an eye toward long term sustainability.

The district recently switched to triple-tiered bussing to address transportation issues. How do you feel about this change?

Let’s be honest - No change to school start times would make everyone happy. Unfortunately, the board had to deal with a two-pronged problem - bus/bus driver shortages and the ever-increasing cost of transportation. They had to create routes that the bus companies would want to bid on. I think they knew that it was going to be difficult and they worked together to solve the problem. The board surveyed the community for their opinions. They were transparent by saying that the survey was not a vote, and that the most popular option may not actually be implemented. As a father of two daughters in two different schools, the change has been a bit of a challenge for my family but we are adjusting. As a potential board member, my personal situation would not have been a factor in my vote. I think the board did the best they could given all the challenges, and they have done a good job explaining their decisions to the parents.

A recent facilities condition assessment in May found that the district may need in excess of $35 million for repairs and upkeep of school buildings. How do you feel about the current state of the school buildings?

It’s no secret that our schools are aging. We have a large district which necessitates large-scale planning for facilities and infrastructure. Add in continued supply chain issues and maintenance worker shortages and problems compound quickly. My goal for dealing with facilities is to minimize disruptions to students and teachers by giving them a suitable learning environment while being mindful of the budget.

The district is in the midst of creating a five-year plan. I’d like to see that extend further into the future. Being in the construction industry I know how long it takes to plan, design and start a project; five years can fly by. My work experience - supplying equipment used in institutional and industrial building projects - gives me first hand knowledge working with engineers and trades to address whatever comes up.

The only way to keep the budget and our taxes stable is to plan for expenses while keeping an emergency reserve for when the unexpected happens. Jim Rollo, our business administrator, is doing an excellent job of finding grants (ie: ROD grants) and other ways for the state to help fund projects. However, eligibility for ROD grants requires matching funds in reserve, which we only have because of the administration and current board’s fiscal management. There is a lot that goes into the budget and as someone who is not yet a board member, there are things that I do not know. What I do know is that smart budget management is crucial to saving taxpayers money long term, and I will be open to listening to the experts and will share my knowledge of the industry in an effort to make the most of every dollar available.

What other issues would you like to tackle if elected to the Board of Ed?

There are several issues that concern me and need to be addressed.

The first is the rise of harassment, intimidation and bullying instances. It’s a small consolation knowing that cases are increasing nationally, and our district is not increasing at the same rate as other school districts. Any rise is still too much.

Teachers need training to identify harmful behavior between students and how to diffuse a situation prior to it escalating. But it’s not just the teacher’s responsibility - teachers cannot take the place of parenting. Rather parents and teachers must work together. To that end it would be great to see workshops for students, teachers and parents. And when a situation does escalate, we must be prepared to listen to all the families involved and to swiftly address them with empathy and action within our policies and state law.

Cell phones and technology are another area of concern. I attended the districts’ presentation on youth and technology. We all know that cell phones are terribly addictive, even to adults. Study after study concludes phones are detrimental to learning for several reasons. They reduce attention spans and create distractions. They inhibit human interaction. It’s also well documented that most cases of cyberbullying happen during the school day. However, I do recognize devices can also be very useful and be used as learning tools.

I think it’s fantastic that the board is being proactive in creating cell phone usage policies with input from students, teachers, and parents. At this point, I am not certain what the right answer is. Should phones be banned outright during the school day? Should their use be limited to certain times? What I believe, however, is that the chances of maximizing buy-in from everyone and having a positive impact increase when all voices are considered.

Finally, it is clear that student wellness is connected to their readiness to learn. I would like to see the BOE continue to implement programs that foster social/emotional learning; programs that teach children how to manage their emotions, show empathy, and forge positive relationships. I don’t understand how some can say they are “for student wellness” and yet be against these programs. It is programs like these, coupled with academics, that help develop the whole child and make for well rounded, future global citizens prepared for whatever tomorrow holds.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

My business experience and ability to see things from every perspective sets me apart from other candidates. When running a business every decision you make impacts the entire organization. It’s crucial to get input from everyone involved to make informed decisions. The approach that makes me successful in my job - collaboration, critical thinking, accountability - and the attitude I have in doing it - respectful and open-minded, will make me successful as a Board member.

I am committed to addressing immediate issues but also creating long-term sustainable solutions. We do not need to transform our schools, but to provide the necessary tools to support our teachers and administrators. We need to adapt and meet the challenges of our students’ ever changing needs. This doesn’t mean rubber stamping every thing that comes before the board. It means engaging in respectful thought exchanges and respecting our district's trained professionals as they work toward solutions that best meet the students' needs while balancing any impact on the budget and the community as a whole.

I want to send a clear message: our community deserves respect, accountability, collaboration and transparency from our board. The choices we make in this election will shape not only our school’s future, but our children’s future.

I am eager to bring my experience and dedication to this role.

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

There is no place for politics, personal beliefs or agendas on our school board. Our kids deserve better, and so do our residents. I will perform the duties of the board in an ethical manner, providing oversight and holding administrators accountable. I will value all of our students and our diverse, vibrant community. The board's job is to provide oversight and set policy and goals for the district. It is not the board’s job to replace our teachers and administrators by taking over day to day operations and setting curriculum.

Finally, I hope to bring continued stability to the board and help it regain the community’s trust. Stability on the board is vital. Chaos benefits no one, least of all our students. The board should be setting an example that it’s ok to do hard things and discuss difficult topics. We need to demonstrate that compromise often leads to the best solutions. Our students deserve that, and our community deserves it too.