Meet Parsippany BOE Candidate Akshay Pujara

PARSIPPANY, NJ — With Election Day approaching, Patch is putting together a series of candidate profiles so readers can learn more about who is on their ballot.

Akshay Pujara is a senior manager in the pharmaceutical industry who has thrown his hat in the ring to secure one of three available seats on the Parsippany Board of Education.

Patch asked candidates to share some information about themselves and asked identical questions to all candidates.

See Pujara's responses below:

Background

• Full name: Akshay Pujara
• Age: 42
• Town of residence: Parsippany
• Position sought: Board of Education Member
• Family: Married and a proud father of two elementary-school-aged children.
• Education: Bachelors and Master of Biomedical Engineering
• Occupation: Senior Manager (Pharmaceutical Industry)
• Previous or current elected/appointed office (if applicable): NA

Questions

1. Why are you running for this position?

I am running for the Parsippany Board of Education because I care deeply about our students, our teachers, our schools, and the future of our community.

Before deciding to run, I reached out to members of our community and listened to their experiences and concerns. I heard from residents about unresolved issues involving school facilities, special education services, and transportation. These conversations motivated me to step forward and be part of finding practical solutions.

For me, this is not about a position or a title. It is about service, responsibility, transparency, and working together to make our schools better for every student.

2. What do you believe to be the most pressing issue in the school district, and what do you intend to do about it if elected?

I believe one of the most pressing challenges facing our district is maintaining high-quality education, ensuring students with special needs receive the support and resources they deserve, and managing rising costs in staffing, healthcare, transportation, and other essential services all while minimizing the financial burden on taxpayers.

If elected, I would advocate for responsible financial planning, greater transparency, and data-driven decision-making.

Before considering cuts to classroom resources or placing additional financial burdens on taxpayers, I believe we should carefully explore all reasonable alternatives. I would support regular budget reviews, long-term financial forecasting, and efforts to identify opportunities for greater efficiency in transportation, operations, and contracts.

3. What qualifications and qualities do you possess that make you best suited for the position?

I bring a combination of professional experience, analytical thinking, financial knowledge, community involvement, and a parent's perspective.

I hold a Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering from NJIT and have over 15 years of experience in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, including engineering, research and development, finance, vendor management, and project and program management.

These experiences have strengthened my ability to analyze data, manage budgets, evaluate risks, solve problems, and make informed decisions.

As a local business owner (licensed financial producer) and community volunteer for more than 10 years, I understand the importance of service, collaboration, and listening to residents.

Most importantly, being a father of two elementary-school-aged children has taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of providing every child with opportunities to succeed.

Together, my experiences have strengthened the analytical, financial, and decision-making skills, along with a caring parent’s perspective and commitment to Parsippany’s students and community, that I would bring to the Board.

4. What role do you believe parents should have in decisions about curriculum, school policies, and their children's education?

I believe parents should play an active and meaningful role in decisions about curriculum, school policies, and their children's education.

Regarding curriculum, parents should have opportunities to review curriculum information, attend Board meetings and curriculum presentations, participate in parent advisory committees when available, and share feedback with teachers and administrators.

Regarding school policies, parents should be encouraged to review proposed policy changes, attend Board meetings, provide public comments, participate in PTA organizations, and share their concerns and suggestions with district leadership. At the same time, I recognize that districtwide curriculum and policy decisions must follow applicable state requirements and the responsibilities of the Board and administration.

Regarding their children's education, parents should stay involved through parent-teacher conferences, regular communication with teachers, monitoring academic progress, and working collaboratively with educators when additional support is needed.

My goal is to ensure parents have a meaningful voice, feel informed and respected, and work together with educators and school leadership to support every student's success.

5. In a few words, what is your favorite thing about your school district/community?

Parsippany is home to families from many different cultures and backgrounds, and I believe that my favorite thing about Parsippany is its diversity, strong sense of community, and the dedication of our students, parents, teachers, and residents.

Families from different cultures and backgrounds come together, creating opportunities for children to learn, respect different perspectives, and grow. I believe this diversity and the collective efforts of our families and educators contribute to the success of our schools.

Having lived here for over 12 years, I proudly call Parsippany home and truly appreciate the community spirit that makes it special.

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Election Day is Nov. 3.