Fang Gong Seeks Re-Election To Livingston School Board In 2026

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Fang Gong has officially thrown her hat into the ring for another term on the Livingston Board of Education.

Livingston is among the New Jersey towns holding a school board contest as part of the 2026 general election on Nov. 3. Gong was one of two candidates who recently filed to run for a seat on the board, in addition to Neal Adam Ashinshy. The term lasts for three years.

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Gong, a local parent with children in the Livingston public school system, was elected by a wide margin in 2023 when she ran with a slogan of "Excellence, Empathy and Equity." She is running on a similar theme this year, basing her campaign on "Accountability, Belonging and Compassion."

Learn more about her platform and qualifications here.

On her campaign website, Gong says the Livingston Board of Education faces important decisions about finances, facilities, enrollment, student support and the future of its schools.

"Meeting these challenges will require the board, administration, educators, families, staff and residents to work together with accurate information, open communication and respect for different perspectives," Gong says.

Two important local issues include:

School Budget and Financial Sustainability – "The 2026–2027 budget presented Livingston Public Schools with a serious financial challenge. A sharp increase in employee health-benefit costs, reduced state aid, and other rising expenses required difficult decisions involving staffing, spending, fees, and taxes. These choices affect more than numbers on a spreadsheet. They affect students, educators, support staff, families, and taxpayers. The challenge is to manage public resources responsibly while protecting the educational quality and student opportunities that our community values."

School Facilities and Referendum – "Livingston Public Schools has been studying enrollment, building capacity, repairs, modernization, and long-term facility needs through demographic studies, facility planning, professional analysis, and public Board discussions. The district has presented possible referendum options, but the scope, financing, timing, and community impact must be carefully understood before the process moves forward. Our schools are a long-term community investment, and many of the needs under discussion are real. At the same time, the potential cost to taxpayers is significant. I believe we must examine both responsibilities honestly—supporting safe, effective learning environments while asking whether each proposal is necessary, appropriately prioritized, financially responsible, and clearly explained."

Born in Tianjin, China, Gong came to the United States in 2005 to pursue graduate studies. She earned a master of public administration degree from Rutgers University. Her professional background includes higher education administration, international programs, nonprofit research and project management.

Gong has served on several board committees and liaison assignments, including Curriculum, Equity, Policy, Long Range Planning, Strategic Planning, Parent-Teacher Council – as well as multiple school liaison roles. She currently serves as Livingston's voting delegate to the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Beyond her board responsibilities, Gong remains actively engaged in civic life throughout Livingston. She is an active member of the Arts Council of Livingston, the Friends of the Livingston Public Library, the League of Women Voters, the Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities, the Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion, and the Livingston Historical Society. She also serves as vice chair of the Livingston Chinese Association.

Gong recently received the 2026 Hazel Frank Gluck Award from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University's Eagleton Institute of Politics.

She was one of two local parents to graduate from a leadership skills fellowship hosted by JerseyCAN. Her project focused on the need for "clear and responsible artificial intelligence governance" in K-12 public education. Related: Fellowship Helps Livingston Parents Elevate Their Leadership Skills

"Early in my term, a former board member shared something that stayed with me: the first three years are the learning years – you learn the district, the budget, the policies, the people and the community," Gong said.

"Those experiences become the foundation that allows you to better support students, families, staff, and taxpayers in the years that follow," she continued. "After three years of observing, learning, and serving, I have decided to seek re-election and bring that experience, perspective and commitment to a second term of service."

>> Are you a candidate seeking local office in Livingston? Send campaign news releases and coverage requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

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