Meet the Candidates: Leslie Winograd

A lot has changed since Leslie Winograd graduated from Livingston High School in 1983.

"It's a different place than when I was there," said Winograd recently when she sat down for an interview to explain her candidacy for a first-term seat on Livingston's Board of Education in the April 20 election.  

The high school and the district are vastly improved, said Winograd, but she's concerned that if the upcoming school budget doesn't pass — even with its proposed cuts to popular programs and staff positions that were made under pressure following Gov. Christie's decision to eliminate aid to Livingston for 2010-2011 — the high quality of education that Livingston is known for may be at risk.  

"We're going to lose 10 to 20 years of progress," said Winograd about the budget if it doesn't pass, which is why she is hoping residents will approve it.  

While Winograd is sympathetic to tax increases — the average household in town will see a tax increase of about $300, if the budget passes — she still supports the budget and is hoping to have the chance, as a Board member, to fine tune it to re-evaluate some of the cuts.

But it's not just budget issues that she wants to work on, if she's elected.  Winograd is enthusiastic to help the district in every capacity that she can. 

"The school system, it's the heart of the community," said Winograd, who lives in town with her husband and three children, all of whom attend Livingston schools. "I care about my community and I think the schools are the most important part."

She's been assisting the district as a parent volunteer since 2000 and has served as a co-president of the HSA at Riker Hill elementary school and has participated on the Budget Task Force and the Strategic Planning committee.  She also works with the Livingston Education Foundation and is active in other community organizations including the Essex County section of the National Council of Jewish Women.

"I think I bring a fresh perspective and I see a lot of things from a parent's perspective," said Winograd about the strengths she can offer as a Board member.  She notes that all of her children are at various levels — from high school to elementary school — which gives her a full perspective on issues facing the schools.  In her candidate's statement, she indicated that she would like the district to focus on the elementary and middle schools (to read her statement, click here). 

Winograd has an extensive business background in consulting and has an MBA.  Her analytical skills are sharp, she said, but she's not afraid to ask even "dumb" questions; if she doesn't know something, she said, she wants to learn and hopes that her questions help others, too.  

"I think I'm very approachable" said Winograd, adding that if elected she would welcome residents and parents to talk with her about issues facing the district. Among the many contributions she'd like to make — outside of addressing the special needs program and continuing the Strategic Plan, two areas of concern for her — she'd also like to see the Board have better community outreach.

Winograd has suggested that the Board rotate meetings among the schools to draw more involvement from the community.  She said she also might like to have the Board take a cue from Mayor Arlene Johnson, who has been holding monthly "Fireside Chats" at the library that are open to all residents.

"I have a sense of energy and excitement," Winograd said.  She hopes voters will, too — for her — on April 20.