Morris Schools Board Of Education Election: Kathleen 'Katie' Cole

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — It won't be long until Morris Township elects candidates to the Morris School District's Board of Education. Patch has asked local candidates in contested races to share their thoughts before the Nov. 2 General Election.

Patch sent out emails to all candidates in contested elections to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will get published between now and Election Day.

Here is the response from Kathleen "Katie" Cole, who is running to represent Morris Township on the Morris School District's Board of Education.

Name: Kathleen "Katie" Cole
Age (as of Election Day): 41
Party Affiliation: Since this is a non-partisan role, not applicable.
Family: My husband Yemi Cole and I have three daughters, in 9th, 7th and 5th grades. Not originally from the area, I am a loyal transplant and have also recruited my parents, sister and several family members who are now Morris Township and Morristown residents.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education: Smith College

Occupation:

Head of School - 3 years
Learning Center Director - 4 years
Elementary School Teacher, primarily 5th grade - 12 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: none

Campaign website: https://www.katiecole4msd.com/...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I believe that it is a critical time to be in service of our community. We are facing unforeseen challenges as we navigate a global pandemic. It has never been more important for people to come together to share their strengths and reinforce our community. With my children spanning 5th through 9th grade, it is an ideal time for me to run as a parent, as an educator, and as a resident of the township.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

With Mackey Pendergrast’s retirement, the most pressing issue facing our district is the opportunity to hire a new Superintendent. This is the key role of the board. It is important the district attracts and hires a leader that can serve the unique needs of our community and continue the progress we have made. If I were elected, I intend to work with the current board to understand what the priorities are in the search, to identify the themes coming from the forums already in progress, and work cohesively to determine the best fit for our district.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Each candidate has their own set of experiences and passions that they are offering as candidates. I am a lifelong educator and I believe that this overlaps with my commitment to this community. Education is always at the core of what I do, for work and in community service. This time poses unique challenges and opportunities for how we educate our students. My experience in a variety of educational institutions will allow me to look at difficult issues with and knowledge and curiosity. Running a classroom, or a learning center, or a school requires you to balance the needs of many, to listen, and to respond. I understand the complexity of issues facing administrators, teachers and families as they navigate the current climate. I also understand that is only my perspective, there is still a lot to learn about the perspectives of the community and the specific responsibilities of a member of the Board of Education. Each of these issues deserves thoughtful consideration.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

I have great appreciation and respect for what the current board has accomplished and their unity in extraordinary times. I believe that the stability of the board has been critical in the success of the district. I hope to have the opportunity to look for additional ways to help each student in our district, to learn from the current board, and to offer my experience in education where relevant.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Each of my previous and current roles has led me to understand that there is no straight line in educating a student. Each one comes with a diverse set of needs and experiences that shapes their education. As a community, it is a privilege and significant responsibility to make decisions that help each of our students to learn, grow, and be prepared to be responsible citizens. Unity and collaboration are critical for the board to make sound decisions and to represent varied experiences. Students should feel a sense of belonging and success. Our district should continue to seek ways for a student to engage and learn, and that should always be at the center of our work.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In addition to the work of educating students and developing teachers, my professional responsibilities regularly include employee management, building community, managing budgets, and community outreach. I believe these will serve me in potential committee positions.

Above all, I have a strong record of collaboration. Particularly in the time of a new Superintendent, it will be critical that we defer to the expertise of those involved and share the concerns of the community. It must be done thoughtfully and in collaboration with the administration who is charged with the day-to-day responsibilities.

As a volunteer, I have served as HSA co-president at Hillcrest and Alexander Hamilton and currently serve on the board for the Morris Education Foundation. These roles s offered an opportunity to see the way the Superintendent and building leaders partner with the Board of Education and volunteer organizations to provide a well-rounded education, with opportunities for all students to engage. With strong and stable leadership, the district has made student-centered and data-driven decisions to maintain what is good and improve when possible. It is my hope that we can continue to build on these foundations and lead with curiosity and respectful collaboration to continue to improve the experience for all students in our district.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

There is never a good time, you will never have enough time. Take time to do the things that matter most to you.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Morristown has been a wonderful place to raise our family. In addition to a strong educational foundation, we enjoy the extraordinary offerings for musicians and athletes and you will likely find us in the audience at a concert and any school musical. If not there, we are likely cheering for Colonial sports or Wildcat football.

We've experienced firsthand what the district offers to support diverse learners. From special education services to advanced math, each of our daughters has been served on their unique path of education. In a district as large as Morris School District, it is remarkable to see the way the teachers, administration, and community come together to support learning and belonging for each student.

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