Get To Know Berkeley Heights School Candidate: Gentiana Brahimaj

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ — Gentiana Brahimaj is one of the three candidates running for election in the contested Berkeley Heights School Board election being held on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

There are two three-year seats up for grabs on the school board. Candidates include: Doug Reinstein, Christine Reilly and Gentiana Brahimaj.

Gentiana Brahimaj

Description:

My name is Gentiana Vandeventer Brahimaj. I am running for a seat on the Berkeley Heights Board of Education in the election this Nov. 6. My husband and I moved to Berkeley Heights 18 years ago and we are the proud parents of three children. Our older daughter and son are products of the Berkeley Heights school system. They now enjoy very successful careers in finance and the Navy, respectively. Our younger daughter is attending school in Berkeley Heights.

What experience do you have that would help you serving on the school board?

I speak four languages and hold degrees in French and Albanian literature. I have volunteered for many years in the Berkeley Heights school system, helping in the library, as a class parent and with multiple educational school trips. I'm also a keen supporter of PTO fundraisers and have helped with many other extra curricular activities organized by the school and the PTO.

Why are you running for the school board?

I decided to run for the Board of Education because I can offer a common-sense voice. Only one member of the current board has a child in Berkeley Heights schools. The board is well meaning but cannot appreciate the impact of its decisions if it does not experience the effects first hand. This leads to questionable decision making and spending priorities.

What issues would you like to see addressed if elected?

For example, parents today are struggling to control their child’s screen-time. Yet the board is forcing our schools to use tablet computers as an integral part of the classroom. Many young students are even issued their own devices to take home with them. I am all for using technology where it makes sense but, as a parent, I am not convinced this is good for our children. It also makes it much harder for parents to take part in helping their children with homework.

Over the coming weeks leading up to the election, I look forward to sharing more ideas with you all. The response that I have received since I decided to run for the Board of Education is overwhelming. As a parent and a taxpayer, I share many of your concerns. When elected, I will always seek feedback from our community and make sure that the board represents all residents. We must not only maintain the quality of our education system but also work hard to find smart ways to improve it.

— (If you are a candidate and would like to participate in the profile, please email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com)

(Image provided: Gentiana Vandeventer Brahimaj)

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