Michael Heller for Board of Education

I ask for the voters' support in my candidacy for Bloomfield BOE. I am Michael Heller, a 20-year resident with two daughters in district. I have been an active parent-participant for over 9-years, a former Board Member, and hold the New Jersey School Boards Association Certified Board Member designation.

Education is changing and faces many challenges, and Bloomfield needs long-range plans — curricular, facilities, and strategic – developed collaboratively with community and Township input that address where the District will head over the next 5 to 15 years that account for new developments' impacts.

The District has received approximately $6.5-million in additional state funding over the past two years. The current Board has provided about $300,000 in property tax relief while designating nearly $5.5-million for facilities. I have previously been a responsible steward of the District's $100-million plus budget, 72% of which directly comes from property taxes. If re-elected, I will:

• work collaboratively with Board Members and the Administration;

• engage substantively and deliberatively;

• follow current policies, revising these and introducing new ones as necessary;

• not simply rubber-stamp administrative directives;

• advocate against unfunded mandates and the many limits on teachers' ability to teach;

• and, help ensure that Board and District-approved goals and plans are met and followed.

Conversations, data, and community input will drive my decision-making to provide a high-quality education for almost 6500 children in Bloomfield's Schools. Decisions and outcomes will be actively communicated to the community.

My candidacy is endorsed by the NJ AFL-CIO, AFT NJ, the Essex West-Hudson Labor Council, and Montclair State University AFT Locals 1904 and 6025.

Find out more about me by visiting:
• www.facebook.com/heller4boe
• Twitter and Instagram @heller4boe
• www.heller4boe.com

Please support me Tuesday, November 6th and vote checkbox 2, line I.