Meet Washington Twp. BOE Candidate Laurie Bravo

LONG VALLEY, NJ — With Election Day approaching, Patch is putting together a series of candidate profiles so readers can learn more about who is on their ballot.

Laurie Bravo, who works in the finance and tech industry, is throwing her hat in the ring for one of three available seats on the Washington Township Board of Education.

Long Valley Patch asked candidates to share some information about themselves and asked identical questions to all candidates.

See Bravo's responses below:

Background

• Full name: Laurie Bravo
• Age: 44
• Town of residence: Washington Township (Morris County)
• Position sought: Washington Township Board of Education
• Family: Married to my husband Dave; we have two children together
• Education:
  • Montclair State University — Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems
  • Certified PMP® (Project Management Professional)
  • Holds a Real Estate Salesperson License in NJ
• Occupation: Director of Product Delivery in the Finance and Technology Industry
• Previous or current elected/appointed office (if applicable): N/A

Questions

1. Why are you running for this position?

As a mom of two children in the public elementary school, I am deeply committed and personally invested in our children’s education. When my first child was about two years old, I started focusing on information regarding local schools and school boards. I became very interested in reading articles, watching videos, and attending meetings about their budgets, policies, curriculum, school ratings, and overall performance. Our public schools were a primary reason my husband and I chose to make this special town our home.

I recognize the decisions made regarding our schools are of great importance because it is about the future of our children and it could impact them for a lifetime. I know in today's fast-paced environment, there is no room for complacency, especially in our schools. We must always be looking for ways to improve because the past success of our district does not guarantee its future.

I want to have the opportunity to ensure our students receive the best education, our teachers and staff receive the support they deserve, our communication provides transparency, and our taxpayers receive fiscally responsible stewardship.

These are my core objectives:

• Ensure our school board remains fiscally responsible so we can prioritize students' needs first.
• Support our current curriculum, enhance cognitive focus, and reduce screen time usage in our schools.
• Review and evaluate student support plans and educational accommodations and services to ensure we are doing our best to achieve student success.
• Carefully listen to others. Be a voice and an ambassador for our community.

2. What do you believe to be the most pressing issue in the school district, and what do you intend to do about it if elected?

I think the most pressing issue in the school district right now is ensuring fiscal responsibility. The challenge of putting students first while trying to avoid budget deficits is growing stronger. The state funding from 2019 has decreased drastically, while other expenses outside of our control continue to have sharp increases year over year, such as healthcare and operational costs. We need to make sure we are in a position where we can continue to keep students at the forefront, as we are also met with tax cap pressure vs property tax increases.

We need to make smart decisions so we do not find ourselves in positions like other districts faced with layoffs, program cuts, school mergers, etc. We need candidates elected that are financially savvy so we can continue to preserve and improve the opportunities our children have today.

If elected, I plan to:

• Think of creative solutions and strategically prioritize funds based on students' educational needs first.
• Comprehend contractual obligations such as technology, utility, and service operations, and review opportunities for renegotiation, sharing services, and cost savings.
• Understand each line item on the budget, asking pointed questions, and speaking up to identify potential areas for improvement.
• Ensure existing funds are being used efficiently and are put into an interest-bearing account with vehicles authorized by the state.
• Target revenue generation.

3. What qualifications and qualities do you possess that make you best suited for the position?

I have firsthand experience as a parent in the public school system. I’m honest, ethical, hardworking and I like to take action. I have served on a PTA and I am currently a member of the PTO, which provides a different angle and insight as to what is going on inside the schools. I love to help others, support events and fundraising, network, donate, and volunteer when I can.

Professionally, I have over 20 years of experience in the finance and technology industry managing projects for financial institutions. I collaborate with different teams of people across the world to plan and progress projects to completion, meeting our targets and achieving our goals. My experience includes managing large budgets, expenses, resources, and timelines. On a daily basis, I am faced with a variety of complex challenges. I am wired to work with teams and find solutions.

I have over 20 years of experience in real estate, and I understand how a school budget directly impacts property taxes, property value, and affordability. I also have experience reviewing contracts and negotiating.

Most importantly, I lead with common sense and efficiency.

4. What role do you believe parents should have in decisions about curriculum, school policies, and their children's education?

I believe a parent/guardian’s role should be to partner and team up with our educational staff when it comes to curriculum, school policies, and our children’s education.

I believe most parents want to do what is best for their children, and usually they know their child in a very unique way. Parents' voices need to be heard.

Also, our staff and professional educators hold a wealth of knowledge and want to see their students succeed. We are, and should be, on the same team.

To make the most informed decisions, while keeping student success at the center, I believe a role in partnering includes maintaining open and transparent communication between parents/guardians, teachers, staff, and educators. Being able to listen to one another with respect and an open mind I think is also a key factor.

When it comes to curriculum and school policies, I will always encourage parents to voice their opinions. The general consensus and community impact needs to be considered.

5. In a few words, what is your favorite thing about your school district/community?

One of the main reasons I moved to our town was for the schools and the sense of community. I know my children are getting a great education in our town, but there's much more to it than that. Our teachers go above and beyond. It’s clear to me that they are personally invested as well. They genuinely care and their students feel it. I value the educational aspect greatly, but also, my children come home happy, appreciate their teachers, and are enjoying their school day while learning. That is priceless.

We take pride in our community and it fosters deep connections and strong bonds. People look out for one another here. It takes a village and I am incredibly grateful for ours.

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Election Day is Nov. 3.