Wyckoff Board Of Education Candidate Profile: Rachel Schulties

WYCKOFF, NJ — Candidates are set for the K-8 Wyckoff School District Board of Education race on the Nov. 8 ballot.

In anticipation, Patch sent questionnaires to each of the six candidates vying for the three open seats on the Board of Education, asking them to share facts about themselves and why voters should choose them to represent the township's school district.

Rachel Schulties is bracketed together with two other newcomers Lisa-Ann Michaels and Joseph Kiely, running under the slogan "Serving Our Students." The trio is facing another bracketed group comprised of one incumbent and two newcomers.

Here are Schulties' responses:

Name:

Rachel Schulties

Age:

38

Town of residence:

Wyckoff

Position sought:

Board of Education

Party affiliation:

NA

Family:

Michael (husband of 15 years), Jacob (10), Abigail (7)

Education:

Bachelors of Science from University Delaware in Leadership; Minor in Vocal Performance

Occupation:

Chief Operating Officer of Marketing Agency

Why are you running for this office?

I believe that your community is what you put into it. Because of that, running for some sort of office within Wyckoff has always been something I knew I would consider. So why the BOE? With two children currently at Sicomac School, it became clear to me that I needed to make sure that our schools had the support from district leadership to provide a well rounded education. This goes beyond academics. Kids today face challenges that we did not during our formative years, this has resulted in an increase in the need for social and emotional support within our school system. In addition to that, as a mixed race family we believe in raising our children within a community of acceptance and tolerance. This goes beyond the home, it must be modeled in our schools. In this role I will have an opportunity to ensure each and every child within our community has a safe place to be themselves.

What do you feel is the most important issue facing constituents, and what do you intend to do to repair or resolve it?

The biggest challenge I have seen during the last few months of this campaign is the lack of true understanding of what role the school board plays within the district. The school board is not here to write curriculum or impose its personal opinion on the students and community. The school board is here to ensure a quality education, opportunity, and safety for our students while maintaining fiscal responsibility. In order to address this I would like to educate the community on how decisions are made and who has the authority to make them. In addition to this, I will take a truly non-partisan stance on all issues - all decisions I have an opportunity to impact or make will always focus on the students and what is best for their growth.

What differentiates you from other candidates?

I come to the table with both a business acumen and a passion for the arts. This combination has taught me to be both practical and compassionate. I have strong opinions but ones that are based on fact, but I have the ability to change and evolve my opinion when presented with new evidence. Our understanding of the world is changing, therefore our approach each and every day must adapt.

What other issues or ideas do you feel deserve attention?

A topic of focus that I do not think has gotten the attention it deserves is school safety. Today we do not have security guards or police presence at each school consistently. This has not been a priority of the boards historically, but would be one of mine if I am elected. As a district we are behind on best practices and standards that are in place across many districts within Bergen County and New Jersey. I am not naive to the fact that these types of solutions require funding, but as a Chief Operating Officer one of my primary duties has been to align budgets with priorities, this is a skillset I would put to good work in order to help our district find the appropriate funding without sacrificing current programs and support.

What accomplishments in your past demonstrate that you are the best candidate for this job?

I have risen through the ranks of various companies by demonstrating time and time again my natural ability to drive effective outcomes from complex situations. This tenacity and focus led me to my current role as Chief Operating Officer at the largest agency within the state of New Jersey. I earned that role by pushing beyond expectations time and time again. Throughout the journey I gained the ability to communicate effectively, build relationships, and leave lasting impact along the way. I have been able to share these experiences by speaking at NJBIA events, national conferences, and most recently I was recognized at the WUPJ Empowering Women Awards.

Do you want to tell voters anything else about you or your positions?

As a leader, mentor, and collaborator I always say "growth comes with discomfort". This is something I have embraced and believe is a key driver to making a stronger district, community, and school system. As a member of this board I promise to always push past my personal comfort in order to research, question, and learn what is best for our students. Their needs will always come first, which means a focus on high quality teachers, unbiased curriculum, exceeding the state mandated minimum standards, and safety for all.