Meet The Candidate: Brian Rivera For Edison BOE

EDISON, NJ — An educator for 22 years, Brian Rivera is running for a seat on the Edison School Board. Rivera said COVID-19 has created a huge disruption to learning and the priority for this year should be to “have students and staff return to a safe and positive learning environment.”

A lifelong Edison resident, if elected, Rivera hopes to be a “voice for all stakeholders in the Edison Public Schools.”

Nine candidates are running for three open seats on the Edison School Board this election. Election Day is Nov. 2.

Read below to learn more about Rivera and his platform for the upcoming election.

Name: Brian Rivera

Position Sought: Member, Edison Township Board of Education

Age (as of Election Day): 44

Party Affiliation: Non-partisan

Family: I am married with two children, ages 5 and 8.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Education: M.A. Urban Education (Administration/Supervision), New Jersey City University; B.A. History, Minor Puerto Rican Caribbean Studies Rutgers University

Occupation: I have been in public education for 22 years. I was a teacher for eight years and currently a school administrator for 14.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Recently appointed to the Edison Township Human Relations Commission.

Campaign website: https://buildbrightfutures.com/

Why are you seeking elective office?

I decided to run for the Board of Education because of several concerns occurring in Edison Public Schools, including the functionality of the board. Great school board members have a clear vision for their district. They work together to set the vision, goals and measure the success of the district and superintendent against the goals while keeping the public informed of our district's progress and challenges. The BOE needs to welcome our residents and empower our school community to be involved by soliciting their input and engaging their participation in the problem-solving discussions. A culture needs to be created that is more of a partnership where power and responsibility are shared. Something I do not see on this current board.

The single most pressing issue facing our board, the district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

There are several pressing issues that the Edison Public Schools are facing including student achievement, enrollment, transportation, overcrowding, fiscal responsibility, and accessibility. All important issues, but during these challenging times, getting our schools back open safely is a key. COVID-19 created a huge disruption to learning. Priority for this year should be to have students and staff return to a safe and positive learning environment so our children can continue to grow academically and emotionally. We need to address any learning losses or gaps that some of our students may have encountered due to COVID-19. A plan needs to be developed by our district to assess students and narrow that gap. We also must address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic trauma which may have caused disruption in the lives of some of our students leading to an increase in mental health concerns. We must continue to support the social, emotional, and mental well-being of our students, staff, and parents. To assist in this area, school-based supports need to be in place.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As a father, an educator for 22 years, and a lifelong advocate for kids, I know that education is the greatest tool we can offer our children. Having proudly worked in education for over 22 years at various levels, I feel that I am well-suited to approach a Board of Education position from the perspective of both a parent and an educator. My goal is to be a voice for all stakeholders in the Edison Public Schools.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency).

I do not want to criticize or state that any individual failed the community, but much work still needs to be done to move Edison Public Schools forward. A good start would be to change the culture of the Edison Board of Education. If you have seen a Board of Education meeting on TV or on YouTube, you will understand my statement.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The Three Pillars of Building Brighter Futures:

• Focus on student achievement: ensure students and staff return to a safe and positive environment. Address any learning loss/gaps in achievement caused by COVID-19. Support the social, emotional, and mental well-being of students, staff and parents. Further develop advanced placement/honors course offerings for our highest achieving students, while strengthening programs for our learners who struggle the most.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Vendors need to be reviewed and analyzed using a rubric to ensure we are getting the highest quality of services for students, staff, and parents at the most affordable cost. Eliminate waste and mismanagement. Utilize competitive bidding.
• Increase Accessibility: Keeping the public informed and being available to address concerns. Work together with the community to set the vision, goals, and criteria to measure the success of the school district.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am a lifelong resident, born and raised, in Edison Township. I have worked in the education field for over 22 years. I have experience working at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. My certifications include NJ General K-8 Teaching Certificate, NJ Principal Certificate, NJ Supervisor Certificate, and an NJ School Administrator Certificate of Eligibility.

Some Professional Organizations I have been involved in include the National Association of Elementary School Principals, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, NJ Principals & Supervisors Association and Vice President Perth Amboy Administrators & Supervisors Association.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The decisions that you make project the values that you hold to the world around you. A former friend, mentor, and superintendent told me the decisions you make in life and in the workplace should be based on three questions. When deciding; 1. Is it ethical? 2. Is it legal? 3. Is it moral? If you must contemplate any one of those questions, then the decision you are considering needs to be revisited.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am running with Biral Patel and Doug Schneider under the Building Brighter Futures Platform. Check out our website https://buildbrightfutures.com/ for more information on our team. We are parents, not politicians.

In anticipation of the upcoming election, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns. We will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.