3 Takeaways From Bridgewater-Rartian School Board Candidate Debate

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Voters got a glimpse of the seven candidates seeking election for the three available Bridgewater positions, and two candidates seeking election for the one open Raritan position for the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education last week.

BRTV and the BR Council of School Associations hosted the Candidates Night on Oct. 17. Candidates running for one of the three, three-year full-term seats representing Bridgewater included Rebecca Hassouna, Jarrett Hahn, and incumbent Barry R. Walker and Hector Menedez.

Candidates running for the one, three-year unexpired seat representing Raritan included Umesh Agrawal, incumbent Michael M. Pepe, and Jeffrey McNally.

The night allowed candidates to give a 2-minute opening statement, answer 3 questions, and a closing statement.

Three Main Takeaways From The Night:

Question 1: What are the strengths of BRRSD that need to be preserved and protected because they directly contribute to the district’s success? And what are the opportunities for growth? Please name 2 in each area.

Menendez: "We need to focus more on the basics. On getting our children a well-rounded education that teaches them not only to think critically but to think independently. And to encourage the rewards that can only come from performing a child’s full potential in academics, sports, and the arts," said Menedez. "Transparency and communication is another area the school district could improve upon."

Walker: He mentioned that two of the greatest issues are student learning and fiscal responsibility (the budget). "For student learning the district must focus on the student growth along with the social and emotional growth of the students. Curriculum and instruction must be constantly reviewed." He also mentioned the referendum which he said will bring Bridgewater on par with other districts.

Agrawal: "The biggest asset is our teachers. We should keep investing in their professional development, we should do everything possible to not have a low turnover of our teachers.
Second, diversity of our students. Many think of diversity as ethnic and cultural. In the Bridgewater-Raritan school system, it is the ecosystem of our diversity. It's the nationality, it's the ethnic background, cultural diversity as well as curriculum diversity. What we offer not many too many schools offer the same breadth of programs." As far as growth he said the district needs to work on improving academic excellence and parent engagement.

McNally: He noted the schools have an outstanding reputation with great teachers, and arts and sports programs. As far as growth, McNally said "we should strive to keep any political agendas out of our school. We need to focus on core academics especially in kindergarten through 8th grades. Let the kids be kids and enjoy their experiences without being distracted by social or political activism or agenda."

Pepe: He noted that the district's two greatest strengths are staff and students. For growth he mentioned the opportunity of bringing full-day kindergarten with the referendum and improving the graduation rate. "Compared to other districts like ours we are a little bit low and I am glad to see the administration is finding ways like the PSAT, like alternative courses, to get kids to graduate."

Hahn: The district's students and teachers are its strengths, said Hahn. For improvements, he said the district needs to work on core academics and cyber security noting that there was a breach this past December and also a glitch last week where some parents were told their student was marked absent.

Hassouna: Strengths included the district's staff, students, and community, along with the implementation of Chromebooks. For growth, Hassouna noted the importance of full-day kindergarten. "The state curriculum for kindergarten is planned for a full-day kindergarten because everyone else has full-day kindergarten so our district has to adapt the programming into a shortened day. This leaves little time for play-based learning and exploration."

Question 2: Regarding the district’s transportation issues over the past few years, what are some changes you would make to ensure students make it to school on time and arrive home on time?

Agrawal: He suggested the district use technology to connect buses with interconnected video systems allowing remote monitoring of the interiors. "This measure will ensure that the school authorities can verify that all students are picked up, transported safely, and dropped off on time."

McNally: "Let’s just cut to the chase. The transportation issues are a real problem. It is not acceptable for a parent to not know where a child is for over an hour while traveling home from school," said McNally. He noted that along with the recent Board approval for GPS tracking of buses, he would like to see other devices installed on buses.

Pepe: He said that when he talks to residents around town they have said that transporting was not great at first, but better now. He then credited drivers, dispatchers, and the administration who brought in a consultant and GPS units. "Things for the most part are back on track so hang in there. And I appreciate everyone's patience with the transportation and am glad it is working much better now."

Hahn: He said the district needs to focus on the quality of companies that provide transportation. "From what I can see transportation has not been handled well and it has been this way year after year with no solutions."

Hassouna: "We have to ensure that the companies who bid and win our transportation contracts have the means and plan to succeed for our students. Requiring practice day for all of the drivers, making sure phones are always answered."

Menendez: He suggested implementing more advanced logistic systems that can track buses in real-time. "We can explore apps for parents to keep track of kids. Start with sitting down with transportation officials."

Walker: "Transportation is a problem not just in Bridgewater but nationwide." Walker serves on the Somerset County Educational Services Commission who just shut down their transportation department due to lack of drivers. Instead he would advocate for appropriate safeguards for students such as more sidewlaks, and better crossing guards. He noted that the Board did bring in a consultant to help improve routes and added that the referendum will also address some of the pickup and drop-off issues.

Question 3: What are you uniquely bringing to our students as a candidate?

Pepe: "I am the only classroom teacher on the Board. I am honored to bring the perspective of a classroom teacher who sees what children and teachers go through on a day by day, class by class and lesson by lesson basis," said Pepe who works in Hunterdon County.

Hahn: Said he brings discipline and resilience, both physically and mentally. "I am in what is considered the gym business. Physically I push myself and others every day and to lead by example not only for my own children but for anyone who wants to better themselves. From a resiliency standpoint. My business survived the greatest government overreach in our lifetime. One that saw roughly 3 out of every 10 businesses permanently close… when times get tough and unforeseen problems arise you need to reassess, recalibrate, and take action. Kids need to be taught that things don't always come easy. Discipline and hard work trumps all."

Hassouna: "I am coming into this election with no agenda. I have seen what is happening in other districts in our state and our country. I fully support parents having the opportunity to opt their child out of things they disagree with. I would also never take away another parent's rights to allow their child a full and enriched education which includes a child’s freedom to discover and appreciate all of the books curated by our librarians."

Menendez: "As a father of school-age children, I understand the challenges young kids face… childhood and adolescence is an important time when many of the skills that help determine future success are learned. I recognize the important collaborative effort between a supportive family environment and dedicated teachers where independent thinking, responsibility, and goals are rewarded to shape a well-rounded student... I will use my diagnostic, scientific background to identify problems and solutions while focusing on the greater good."

Walker: "In the 9 years on the board I have gained a great breath and depth of experience." Walker noted he has served as Board Vice President and Community Chair and served for five years on the Somerset County Educational System Commission being President for two of those years. He also noted he has served on the Somerset School Board where he has developed relationships with other board members throughout the county and the state. He is also on the New Jersey School Board Association Board of Directors. "My breath of experience on the 9 years on the board I feel will be better to serve the community of Bridgewater."

Agrawal: "I will bring extensive financial acumen and experience. I will be the only true financial professional on the Board of Education with real-world experience with a highly respected Fortune 500 company. I will be someone who will not be afraid to ask tough questions. I will be someone who will be challenging our administration to drive educational experience."

McNally: "I have a unique background as a tradesman… the past 35 years as a business owner has been great and rewarding. As with any business, there have been challenges and obstacles along the way. You learn to be creative and resourceful while also considering the initial and any ongoing costs. My career is built on the hands-on, boots-on-the-ground perspective."

To view the entire Candidate's Night see the video below:

To view each candidate's Patch profile click on their names below:

• Hector Menendez
• Jarrett Hahn
• Rebecca Hassouna
• Mike Pepe
• Jeff McNally
• Umesh Agrawal
• Barry Walker

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