Teenager Running Unopposed For Millburn School Board

MILLBURN, NJ - Lifelong Short Hills resident, Eagle Scout, rising senior and Class President James Serruto is looking to add a new title to his resume before heading off to college, school board member.

The seventeen-year-old (he turns eighteen in October) is running unopposed this November for a one-year-unexpired term on the Millburn Board of Education and seems a lock for the position. For Serruto, the move is a natural extension of his experience and interests.

"I will be a senior at Millburn High School this coming fall and have gone through the Millburn Public School system full circle, K-12," Serruto told Patch. "I am an avid community volunteer and a strong believer in civic involvement and service to others."

The Eagle Scout has served as Class President for the entirety of his high school career and serves as one of 30 student ambassadors representing student athletes for the NJSIAA.

"I have attended the National Student Leadership Conference as well as the American Legion Boys State government program. I have volunteered with the Millburn Short Hills 4th of July Committee, Millburn Short Hills Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Millburn, HomeTowne TV, and spend my time assisting, promoting, and attending community events and activities," Serruto said. "I believe that we are a stronger community when we are working together for the betterment of everyone."

With his extensive resume and connections in town, Serruto said he has a good understanding of how the school administration and those they deal with work. Serruto also noted he has a vested interest in the future of the school district.

"As a student, I see and hear firsthand the ways that the board’s actions affect the students, faculty, and community. My experiences as a community leader have given me a vision of what needs to be done and what we can do to move the district forward," he said. "The township continues to change with new demographics, cultures, and ideas that I feel should be embraced."

When he announced his plans, Serruto said his friends and family were fully supportive and thought it was the perfect opportunity for him. As for what he sees as issues the school board need to address, Serruto says the district’s strong emphasis on academics should be looked at.

"While grades are important, I think it is important to validate the talents of every student that comes into Millburn Township, including athletics, volunteer work, or other extracurricular activities," Serruto said. "It is important for our students to feel supported, whether one is an overachiever, average student, or one with a different learning style. We need to provide a well-rounded education that encourages students to get involved in their community and give back through real-world applications."

Serruto said the district has academic focus towards more STEAM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics), where there is more problem solving and self-learning.

"While I believe STEAM is additive to a student’s education, it is important to acknowledge that a broader, traditional Liberal Arts style has been a key component in 21st century learning, and fosters a balanced student mindset," Serruto said. "All students are special in their own ways, and Millburn Schools should provide each student with the opportunity to pursue learning in a variety of fields."

If elected, Serruto said during his one-year term he would work with everyone and continue to maintain a strong relationship with district staff, students, and the public at large. He also said there needs to be a comfortable learning environment with adequate and up-to-date facilities.

"In addition to upgrading our learning and athletics facilities, we should also strive to modernize our assessment mechanisms," he said. "It would be my goal for the Board of Education to be seen as an accessible organization that strives to serve the entire community. I would also like the BOE to be responsive to the pulse of the majority, even when we are faced with ideas and issues that do not historically fit into the Millburn mold."

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.