Take Five: Cranford School Board Candidate Brett Dreyer

CRANFORD, NJ — There are seats opening up on the Cranford Board of Education and Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the general election this November.

Questionnaires were sent out out to all candidates registered with the County Clerk's Office in the 2019 general election using the email addresses they went on file with. The responses will be posted on the site by those who submitted in the order in which they were received. They will also be included in an election preview wrap.

This Take Five features Brett Dreyer. His responses to the questions are below and unedited.

1. Why are you running for BOE?

I am running for the BOE to ensure that our children receive the best possible education that
Cranford schools can provide. I have extensive experience and knowledge in public
administration and think I would be an asset to the BOE. As a 4th generation Cranford resident,
graduate of Cranford High School and parent of two children in Cranford Schools (3rd and 6th
grades), I have a multigenerational understanding of Cranford, our community and its history.

2. What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

The Cranford School District is great. However, we have a number of persistent challenges
including the need for full-day kindergarten, shortage of classroom space, aging infrastructure,
evolving safety and well-being challenges, and need for basic amenities like air conditioning.
Currently a steering committee is forming to look at these issues and provide recommendations
for a possible referendum. I support this process and will look to act on their recommendations.
We must also not forget that in the not-so-distant future, our greatest challenge will be how to
accommodate a growing student population. The Birchwood development is nearing
completion. The litigation on the 750 Walnut development is soon to begin. I’m all for fighting
it, but precedent in New Jersey indicates that some form of high-density housing development
will be built at 750 Walnut. Other developments are sure to follow. Hoping for the best is not
enough. It is not premature to study the issue and start planning now. With an open, transparent
planning process, the town will understand our options if we add 100, 200, 300…. students to the
school district. Having contingency plans in place will ease the anxiety over what the future
holds and ensure that the solutions are fair and equitable.

3. What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Honest, Caring, Committed

4. What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

I have a variety of personal and professional experience that has prepared me to be an effective
leader.

I received my bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University, majoring in Spanish and International
Relations. I have a Master of Science in Accounting from Pace University and a Master of
Public Administration from Rutgers University.

Growing up in a family business, Dreyer Farms, I learned many lessons at a young age that have
shaped me: the value of hard work, responsibility, and how to collaborate with others, to name a
few. Anyone who runs their own business or is part of a family business can relate.

I have spent the past 23 years working for the federal government, I currently am a manager with
Homeland Security Investigations in Newark, NJ. I supervise four teams of criminal
investigators looking at crimes related to drug smuggling, intellectual property violations,
weapons and sensitive technology smuggling, cyber-crimes and money laundering. I have
extensive experience with public policy, creating and managing budgets, evaluating performance
of personnel and programs, overseeing contracts, and human resources.

I am a lifelong volunteer in Cranford, starting as an Eagle Scout in my teens and continuing
through today. I currently volunteer as a baseball coach, Cub Scout leader, and serve on the
Rahway River Maintenance and Cranford West Committees in town.

5. Tell me something about you, like hobbies or interests, that have nothing to do with the campaign.

Nicole and I have spent much of the past 9 years completely renovating and restoring our house,
dating to 1894. I’m quite handy and enjoy woodworking as a creative outlet. I can directly trace
this interest to my experience in several shop classes at Cranford High School. I didn’t realize it
at the time, but the seeds for my lifelong hobby were being planted back in the 10th grade. That
is the magic of teaching!

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