Berkeley Heights Board of Education Candidate Statement

I am asking all parents and residents to make their vote count in the Board of Education election next Tuesday, November 6th. As a parent of a Berkeley Heights student, when elected I will make sure to be your common-sense voice and represent you.
My primary focus will be to make sure:
-We have more parent and resident input on all the important decisions our Board is making with regards to the future of our children. Using surveys, targeted public meetings, PTO and social media, I will be your voice and you, as parents and residents, will have a choice.
-The board uses its budget with consideration for our tax dollars and without waste. All new technology and methods implemented should phase in so our teachers have the necessary time to make sure our students are benefiting.
-I am an independent voice and will use my independent judgment on all the important decisions made by the Board. I will honor the standards and ethics of what a board member represents to schools and our town.
-There is an agreement in place with our local government to provide the necessary funds to our schools when needed, as a result of all the new developments happening in our town. These developments can cost our schools and residents extra tax dollars and we need to prepare for it.
-To address the quality and the choices of our lunches in our elementary and middle schools. I will work with our current food service company to explore ways to improve our children’s meals at school while maintaining our budget. It can be done and I will work hard to make it happen.
-Our teachers do not work with an expired contract every 3 years. I value our teachers. They go above and beyond for our children not just as their job but also as their protectors in the classrooms. We must stop the trend of our teachers working without a contract. It has become demoralizing and costly to them and we can do better.
When elected, I will honor the values and standards of which we teach our children everyday at home and at school. I will listen, engage, and represent you.
Please vote for Gentiana Brahimaj this November 6, COLUMN 3 for Berkeley Heights Board of Education.
Thank you
Gentiana Brahimaj