Suzanne Schafer Skalski​: Bernards BOE Candidate Profile

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — There is a contested race for the Bernards Township Board of Education election this upcoming November election with five candidates vying for the three open seats.

Suzanne Schafer Skalski is one of five candidates running for the three, three-year seats in the election being held on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The other four candidates include: Ruchika S. Hira, Stephanus "Iwan" Juwana, Lauren Beckman, and Karen Gray.

Here is a look at who Skalski is and why she is running. Candidates were asked to answer the same questions and each candidate profile will be posted on Patch's site as it gets closer to the election.

Suzanne Schafer Skalski

Describe yourself:

I have lived in the district for 5 and a half years with my husband and two high school-aged children. I work for Rutgers University as an undergraduate regional admissions recruiter, and have worked in the field of university admissions or college counseling for my entire career. I have an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and a graduate degree in education from University of Rochester.

Why are you running for school board?

I decided to run for the Board Of Education last year for the one-year term because I wanted to be a part of the tough conversations and decisions that our board faces. After serving on the board for the last nine months, I am inspired by the hard working people who work as teachers, administrators, staff, and board members in the district.

My children are currently at Ridge High School after working through William Annin Middle School and Oak Street School, and through their experience I have seen the strengths of our district and the many things that make it special. I think there are places we still need work, especially in the area of managing expectation of outcomes and student stress levels.

I would like to see the district continue to make decisions that are in the best interest of the students, even when they pose challenges. I am a supporter of the alternate schedule at the high school as well as looking at the appropriate start times for our schools. My background in secondary education as well as higher education helps me contribute to the board, and I would be honored to continue to serve on the Bernards BOE.

— (If you are a candidate and would like to participate in the election profile, email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com)

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