Get To Know Hillsborough School Candidate: Brett Cooper

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Brett Cooper is one of the six candidates running for election in the contested 2018 Hillsborough School Board election being held on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

In Hillsborough/Millstone School District, there are six candidates vying for the two three-year seats on the board. Candidates include: Jane M. Staats, Brett Cooper, Dana Boguszewski, Lisa Maroun, Christopher Pulsifer and Bonnie R. Kole.

Additionally, there are two candidates Thomas J. Zobele and Joyce Eldridge-Howard vying for the one one-year unexpired term seat.

Brett Cooper

Description:

My name is Brett Cooper and I am 44 years old and have three boys 13 (eighth grade), 9 (fourth grade), and 6 (first grade). My wife Lisa and I have lived in town since 2005. I am a lawyer and college professor who is now opening a kids consignment shop in Hillsborough.

Why are you running for the school board?

I am currently finishing up my first three-year term on the Hillsborough School Board and there are a lot of things that we have started that I want to see finished. The biggest thing is the new five-year strategic plan that involves a lot of moving parts and big projects and ideas that I am very proud of and I want to be there when it is presented to the community so they can see how much hard work I put in behind the scenes that is not always evident to the public.

What experience do you have that would help you serving on the school board?

I am an educator at the college level so I have seen students from all different walks of life and from all kinds of high schools. I know what students need in order to be prepared for a career after graduation whether they go on to college or not. I also have been on the school board for three years and can hit the ground running especially when it comes to the new five-year strategic plan. Finally I have three boys in the school district and I am very active in all of their schools. I also volunteer in the community as a coach of many different sports like basketball, baseball, soccer and track.

What issues would you like to see addressed if elected?

The biggest issue right now is preparing for the future of the in terms of the educational quality and the facilities as the town continues to grow and become more diverse. I want to see every child succeed in whatever they choose to do in and out of school and want the best learning environment for them. I like to focus on the big picture and the future and not get bogged down with niche issues or day to day issues that are the responsibility of the school principals and the superintendent and his staff. That is why they were chosen and I full confidence in them and the work they do on a daily basis.

— (If you are a candidate and would like to participate in the profile, please email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com)

(Image provided: Brett Cooper)

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