Toms River School Board Election 2020: Bridget Maillard

TOMS RIVER, NJ — When voters go to the polls Nov. 3, they will be asked to choose three people to serve on the Toms River Regional Board of Education.

There are nine people seeking those three seats, which are three-year terms on the board.

Patch asked each candidate to answer questions to give voters information about who they are and their stances on various issues. We are printing their responses in full, unedited except for spelling or punctuation.

Here are the answers from Bridget Maillard, who is running under the Moving TR Forward slogan. Her running mates are Christopher Raimann and Robert Onofrietti Jr.

Previous elective office, if any:

N/A

Does anyone in your family work for the school district or in politics?

N/A

Education

Associate's Degree Liberal Arts, Ocean County College

Occupation

Client Services at EPA Financial Services

Why are you seeking a seat on the school board?

I began my journey two years ago when S2 had just been signed into law. I was the architect of the parent-led petition that received more than 16,000 signatures to bring attention to the state aid cuts being imposed on our district. I have attended Board of Education meetings regularly and provided recaps on social media for all stakeholders that were unable to attend. I spoke of revenue-generating ideas to provide community solutions to the funding crisis. During this time, I saw things I felt could be handled in a more efficient manner such as programs being cut for our students, valuable staff positions being eliminated or not renewed, and undisciplined spending by the current administration. This led me to seek a position on the Board of Education.

The single most pressing issue facing our school district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Robert Onofrietti Jr., Christopher Raimann, and I are the "Moving TR Forward" ticket. We feel the most pressing issue right now is spending and transparency. The spending in this district is reckless. Over the past five years administrative spending is up approximately 85 percent. Midyear transfers inflate budget numbers and then when the new proposed budget is introduced, stakeholders are led to believe there has been a reduction in certain areas, which is not the case. True transparency and real cuts need to be implemented immediately so we can finally stop listening to the administration threaten to take away our students' programs, co-curricular activities, and sports.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve on the school board seat?

Unlike the other candidates, we do not have the financial backing of a political party and that was done on purpose. The other six candidates will ultimately answer to their political donors, and we believe the board of education should be a nonpartisan board who answers only to the taxpayers, students, and staff.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

We would like to utilize the offer from the township of an audit. We have some severely understaffed and overstaffed areas in this district. It is time to provide help where needed. The professional service contracts need to be properly vetted every year. Political influence has seeped into this area and it’s time to have a fresh set of eyes on these contracts. We would also like to increase the lines of communication with our students, staff, taxpayers, and town. Respectful open lines of communication are imperative to the day-to-day operations of this district.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective on the school board?

Again, I was the architect behind the parent-led petition which evolved into the Save Our Schools movement. In addition to the over 16,000 electronic signatures, I brought the school funding fight to our local senior communities and received paper signatures. I was able to obtain print, radio, and web publicity to expand coverage of our crisis, both local and statewide. I resurrected the snack stand for Intermediate East wrestling this past school year, which helped provide vital funding for the team through 100 percent donated items. My determination, creativity, and tenacity will be tremendous assets not only for our school board, but for the children of this township.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a graduate of Toms River High School North. John, my high school sweetheart and now husband of 22 years, also attended North. We have threeoys that currently attend Toms River schools. I participate in fundraising efforts for the schools and volunteer my time to assist with my children’s recreational clubs. I strongly believe that we need to remember this board position is first and foremost about our children. Our students should have every possible opportunity available to them so they may succeed and enjoy a well-rounded education. Threatening vital programs while spending in other areas is not how our district should be run. That is why I began my charge two years ago and why I continue it now.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

From my husband John, "Hope is NOT a strategy!"