Take Five: South Orange-Maplewood BOE Candidate Thair Joshua

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — There are seats opening up on the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education and Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the general election this November.

Questionnaires were sent out out to all candidates registered with the County Clerk's Office in the 2019 general election using the email addresses they went on file with. The responses will be posted on the site by those who submitted in the order in which they were received. They will also be included in an election preview wrap.

This Take Five features Thair Joshua. His responses to the questions are below and unedited.

1. Why are you running for BOE?

I’m running for the SOMSD Board of Education because I want great educational experiences for all children in the district. I have two young children and their success is connected to the success of all of our neighbors. We are in this together. And as we embark on a true sea change in how our schools -- particularly the elementary ones -- look, feel and operate, I want to be on the ground floor to ensure those changes are implemented, monitored and communicated to the public with all students and families in mind.

2. What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

Facilities and segregation. Luckily, we have begun to address these with the Access and Equity plan, announced in 2016, the passing of the Long Range Faciities Plan and the upcoming Intentional Integration and Innovation plan. But there are challenges within these challenges. We must ensure safe learning environments during construction and that the project is managed prudently. The Integration plan must be one that is equitable and that helps unite our community, so we will need improved and consistent communication around the announcement, rollout and monitoring of the plan. I stand ready to support our new superintendent in both of these endeavors.

3. What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Honest, caring, responsible

4. What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

My 20 years of experience in financial services has prepared me to be a leader. I have worked with multiple business functions, finance, operations, technology, amongst others, and I know how to communicate with them differently to achieve what we as a team have in mind. I think that translates well to being a Board member, where I would communicate with administration and community members with the same goal in mind, to make sure all students are set up for success in our district.

5. Tell me something about you, like hobbies or interests, that have nothing to do with the campaign.

I love watching sports (baseball, football, basketball, tennis), Scrabble, trivia and spending time with my wife and our two young boys.

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