Take Five With Madison Board Of Ed. Candidate David Steketee

MADISON, NJ - Patch asked Madison Board of Education Candidate David Steketee to take five with us and share some thoughts on the city, the campaign and beyond. His answers are below, with minor courtesy edits for style.

1. Why are you running for office?

Three years ago after watching a presentation on PARCC test scores, I downloaded the data and discovered the wide achievement gap between economically and non-economically disadvantaged students in our district. I am concerned we are not adequately serving all of the students in our district to the detriment of everyone. I want to focus on student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and strategic investments to ensure we have a district which serves all residents and their children for years to come.

2. What is the biggest challenge you see facing your community and how will you address it?

I believe the biggest challenge facing our school district is the achievement gap. The gap in PARCC scores for children in economically disadvantaged households in our district is worse than the state average, and the 8th worst among 29 districts similar to Madison. We need to invest resources to help underperforming students catch up as soon as they enter the district so they don't continue to fall behind year after year.

3. What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)? What do you bring to the table that others don't?

With the wide range of Board of Education responsibilities, I don't know that there is such a thing as an ideal candidate. But, I believe I bring a unique set of skills including data analysis, project management, and budgeting and planning which I believe will serve the district well.

4. What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

One of the challenges I've faced as an engaged member of the community is the lack of opportunity to have a dialog with the Board of Education on various topics. Currently, the only opportunity to raise issues is during the board meetings, but there is no opportunity to have substantive discussion on important topics. I would like to see the board hold town hall and small group discussions with residents to allow more in-depth discussions of issues important to the community.

5. What inspires you?

I'm inspired by the notion that capability is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. Schools are afforded the ability to level the playing field and expand opportunities for all children. Seeing children who, given the right opportunities, are able to thrive is truly inspiring.

(Photo courtesy of David Steketee)

Editor's Note: Patch has reached out to every candidate that has filed to run for office and is publishing all responses received. If a candidate does not have a story on the site it is because they did not respond. But they are encouraged to contact russ.crespolini@patch.com if they have any questions.