Get To Know Springfield School Candidate: Jason Silberfein

SPRINGFIELD, NJ — Jason Silberfein is one of the four candidates running for election in the contested 2018 Springfield School Board election being held on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

There are four candidates vying for the three three-year seats on the school board. Candidates include: Hector J. Munoz, Paula Saha, Jason Silberfein and Anthony Delia.

Jason Silberfein

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

My name is Jason Silberfein, I am 41, a Springfield resident since 2007 and have a second grader at Edward V. Walton school and a fourth grader at Thelma L. Sandmeier Elementary School. I am a nonprofit professional with an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and have nearly 20 years of experience in the field. I am the Registrar at a Pre K to 12th grade school in West Orange and have also led an 18-month consulting project for a school in Los Angeles on leadership development, strategic planning, and fundraising.

I am an active member of the Springfield community and believe that volunteering for the Board of Education is one of the most important civic duties a resident can perform.

Why are you running for the school board?

I started attending meetings a few years ago to learn more about the Board and its role. In that time, it has become clear that the primary responsibilities of a board include writing, adopting and reviewing policies, development of goals and a district vision in partnership with and input from the constituents that are reflective of the community’s needs, installing and evaluating the superintendent and the annual budgeting process. Through my professional and volunteer roles, these are all areas and skills that I have experience and expertise to best support the students and residents of Springfield.

In meeting with and hearing from various neighbors and friends there is a belief that our district can achieve at the highest levels among New Jersey’s public schools. They are looking for leadership from the board in adopting policies which create safe, accessible and welcoming environments for all students, stronger communication to further create collaboration between educators and parents, and a more thorough means to evaluate and measure success for the school leadership and district.

What issues would you like to see addressed if elected?

It is my hope that as a member of the board I can help our district achieve these goals, including balancing innovation with research-based practices, maintaining a fiduciary responsibility to the town through smart, and responsible fiscal practices and fostering a stronger sense of partnership with the community.

I hope everyone will come out to vote and wish all the candidates the best of luck.

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

(Image provided: Jason Silberfein)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.