Op-Ed in Support of Anil Patel for South Brunswick School Board

South Brunswick, NJ - Five people — Laszlo "Laz" Nyitrai, Anil Patel, Azra Baig, Lisa Rodgers and Harry Delgado — are running for three open seats on the South Brunswick Board of Education, and the election will be Tuesday, Nov. 8. All five candidates submitted biographies to Patch, and a short statement of why they are running, which you can read here. Here is a letter in support of Anil Patel:

As an alumnus who has been through the South Brunswick school system, I am proud and honored to endorse my father, Anil Patel, for one of three vacant spots available on the Board of Education. I have attended Monmouth Junction Elementary, Crossroads North Middle School, and South Brunswick High School. After going through these three schools, my father has seen firsthand what exactly is needed to make our school system that much better.

My father is a community leader who has taken up leadership positions in various organizations for the sole purpose of bettering the lives of those around him. After having my older brother and I go through the South Brunswick school system, he immediately noticed changes and improvements that needed to be made that would benefit future students and families.

As alumni, my brother and I both were actively involved in school programs. We both went through the after-school program, as well as many clubs, school, and intramural sports. Being involved with these programs helped shaped who we are today. These programs and schools allowed us to become independent adults that also give back to our community. As time past and we left the school system, he noticed the changes that were made and felt that families and students deserved the very best of what South Brunswick had to offer; like we were able to experience it.

My father brings to the table years of community leadership experience such as president and board member of the Indian Culture Society of NJ, as well as many other faith-based organizations. He takes these jobs seriously, looking to actively make improvements anywhere he sees fit. He also has over 25+ years of experience as a senior telecommunications engineer at Ericsson. Experience and leadership are only two of the qualities he brings.

He also comes with many ideas that could help improve the lives of families in South Brunswick. For example, communication between government and taxpayers is vital. He believes streamlining communication between the two will benefit both parties. Furthermore, with our education system constantly changing and transitioning such as PARCC Testing and common core curriculum, it is crucial government and policy makers know the reality that affects everyday taxpayers. He feels the Board of Education must make it a priority to help officials understand this reality, and suggest appropriate changes and processes that make it a beneficial situation for the children of our community, their education, as well as our officials.

My father is a man of honor and dedication who only wishes to see our district thrive. Students who graduate from the South Brunswick school system go on to be leaders in their own communities. He wants to carry this tradition by not having the quality of our education suffer in the slightest. Voting for him allows families of our community to be assured with the knowledge that their children are getting the best in quality education. I humbly request that on November 8th, 2016, you go out and vote for the best man for the job, Anil Patel.

Hina Patel