Daniel Croson: Warren Township School Board Candidate

WARREN, NJ — The Warren Township School Board has six candidates vying for three seats in the upcoming election on Nov. 2.

Daniel Croson, Jr. is one of the candidates running. The other candidates include:

• Mehul Desai - (is running together with Croson and Virmani)
• Aparna Virmani - (is running together with Croson and Desai)
• Tambudzayi Miranda Chibwe
• Ryan J. Valentino
• Eric Winch

All of the candidates are running for the three, three-year seats on the board.

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Daniel Croson, Jr.

Name: Daniel Croson

Age: 30

Town of residence: Warren

Position sought: Warren Board of Education

Family: Wife, Anjli

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Kean University

Occupation: Director of Strategy for Newark Opportunity Youth Network; former 4th grade teacher and Dean of Students.

Previous or current elected appointed office: Member of the Warren Recreation Advisory Committee; Governor’s Appointee to the New Jersey Commission on National and Community Service; former Vice Chairman of the Carteret Planning Board; former member of the Carteret Board of Education

Why are you seeking to run for school board? Education doesn’t look the same as it did last year. As we begin to navigate a post-COVID world, many challenges still await. From learning loss to budget gaps, our elected officials must think outside the box to address issues that will arise from such an unprecedented disruption to our systems. I’m running for the Warren Board of Education because this next chapter in our history requires leaders with creative solutions and a track record of getting things done.

As an educator, non-profit executive, and former School Board member, I have the experience needed to hit the ground running and to help ensure that our students continue to “shine brighter every day.”

What is your stance on masks in schools? I support the school administration’s position from early this summer on making masks for staff and students voluntary and am disappointed in Governor Murphy’s recent decision to impose a statewide mask mandate in schools. With access to the vaccine for those at risk of severe disease, decisions on masking should be left between parents and their children.

Should schools offer a virtual option? No. Numerous studies and lived experience have shown that nothing replaces the educational and social-emotional value of in-person instruction.

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in the school district? There are three main issues I’m focusing on during my campaign.

1. Continued investment in our capital improvement fund: Like most districts around the state, our school buildings are several decades old. We must continue planning for the inevitable by growing our capital improvement fund for smart-growth investing in infrastructure and facility upgrades - without raising taxes on Warren residents.
2. Creation of a Parent-Liaison Committee: The relationship between the Board and parents is vital. That’s why I’m calling for the creation of a Parent-Liaison Committee made up of School Board members and officers from each PTO. This committee will keep board members in touch with what’s happening on the ground level and elevate parents’ voices.
3. Revitalization of the Warren Township Education Foundation: Navigating a post-COVID world is going to require creative solutions and all hands on deck. Reviving the Warren Township Education Foundation will create a non-profit to help fund programs and initiatives, even if the district and PTOs are unable to because of budget gaps.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates? As an educator, I understand firsthand the challenges facing our public schools. This unique perspective will help the Board of Education and administration make strategic decisions that can more easily be implemented in classrooms.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign? I believe that voting is an act of trust. Every time a voter casts a ballot, they are trusting that the candidate they’ve supported will do what’s right. I intend to earn that trust by visiting every house in town before the election. As elected officials, we work for the people. Being accessible to hear their perspectives and concerns is central to this campaign and something that I plan to take into office.