3 Takeaways From The Bridgewater-Raritan School Board Debate

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Seven candidates vying for three, three-year seats on the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School Board faced off during a forum hosted by The Council of School Associations and streamed by BRTV Live on Monday night.

The candidates include Ashish "A.J." Joshi(incumbent), Kimberly Lucci, Jennifer Loughran, Stacey Friedlander, Richard "Dick" Myers, Hiral Desai, and Fabiola Folino.

Each candidate was given two minutes for an opening statement to include their personal or professional background, as well as what they feel their role will be as a Board of Education member.

Each candidate was also asked three questions and then had two minutes each to give a closing statement.

Here are the three questions asked of the candidates:

What are the strengths of BRRSD that need to be preserved and protected because they directly contribute to the district's success? What opportunities for growth?

Teachers and staff were the answer almost all of the candidates cited as a strength to be preserved and protected in the school district.

School infrastructure was one of the top answers among candidates as an opportunity for growth. Some other issues mentioned were full-day kindergarten by Friedlander, transparency by Lucci, offering more resources for students by Folino, and supporting teachers and staff to maintain them by Meyers and Desai.

"Teachers need more support with resources to get the job done," said Desai. "If they feel supported our children will feel supported."

What are your fiscal properties?

School infrastructure was the main priority across the board with candidates.

"We must spend our money wisely and efficiently," said Joshi who noted that the overall debt service will be coming off allowing the district an opportunity to tackle projects.

Those projects included improving buildings and grounds, maintaining ballfields, offering full-day kindergarten, providing air conditioning to all schools, improving security measures, and maintaining staff.

Regarding administration, how would you support the new leadership and support longevity in their careers in the district?

A majority of the candidates noted improving transparency and open communication with the board, community and administration.

"Burnout is real. We need to create an environment where one wants to stay and grow with us," said Friedlander who mentioned improving communications between parents and the Superintendent and live streaming of Board of Education meetings.

All of the candidates were also given two minutes for a closing statement.

Missed the forum? Watch it below:

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