Stephanie Suriani: Scotch Plains-Fanwood BOE Candidate Profile

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — The race for the Scotch Plains seats is uncontested with Stephanie Suriani and Nancy Norris-Bauer both running for the two, three-year Scotch Plains seats in the election being held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The race in Fanwood, on the other hand, is contested with Scott Brelinsky and Amy Winkler both running for the one, three-year Fanwood seat.

Here is a look at who Suriani is and why she is running. Candidates were asked to answer the same questions and each candidate profile will be posted on Patch's site as it gets closer to the election.

Stephanie Suriani

Describe yourself:

• I have been a resident of Scotch Plains since 2006, grew up in East Brunswick
• I am a mom of two kids in the school district, ages 7 and 11
• Graduate of Rutgers University BA with Highest Honors 1997, Master of Social Work NYU 2001
• I am an Licensed Clinical Social Worker. My work experience includes six years in the child welfare system in New York City as a social worker, and 12 years as a social worker/supervisor in the New Jersey Children’s System of Care, a contract agency with the Department of Children and Families.

Why are you running for school board?

• As a social worker, I am committed to community involvement and a top-notch education for all kids, which is what motivated me to run for my first term three years ago.
• Commitment of continual community involvement since age 12 as volunteer, volunteer leader, locally and abroad

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

• I have two kids in the school system so I have first-hand knowledge of being a parent within the school system.
• Supervisory experience, policy development and strategic planning experience
• Bring a strengths-based, social work systems perspective, collaboration and communication skills, and a knowledge of the functioning of school systems and special education as a social worker who has worked with kids with special educational needs for 18 years.

What are some issues you would like to address if elected?

I am very proud to be part of SPF schools and feel that our curriculum, teachers and administration are truly special. I would like to address:

• Continued need for diverse staff at all levels
• Continue programmatic excellence and support innovative curriculum and new initiatives, such as potential block scheduling
• Support students’ mental wellness and health in addition to academic success (part of current strategic plan)
• Continued monitoring of student achievement and closing the achievement gap
• Continued attention to school security (we just updated our systems and added security features to our facilities)
• Continued planning for growth in the district related to any additional housing/affordable housing
• Increased use of technology/media outlets/social media to convey highlights of the BOE and district-wide, not just individual schools

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

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