Arts Ed NJ Q&A

So that voters can better know me as a BOE candidate, I answered many questionnaires for the upcoming Tuesday, November 5, 2019 General Election.

The Arts Ed NJ organization surveyed school board candidates and the results are here: https://www.artsednj.org/survey2019/

3. In which arts activities have your children been involved in school? (Check all that apply).

One child has taken drawing/painting classes for over 6 years. Another child participated in a local theater program.

6. It is widely acknowledged that the provision of a well-rounded curriculum is a key component of a high-quality education. However, with the recent emphasis on the implementation of Common Core for Language Arts Literacy and Math as well as the tests formerly known as PARCC Assessments a recent survey revealed there has been a reduction in both time and program opportunities for students in the arts. If this were true in your district would you support the narrowing of the curriculum in this way.

The arts are an important component of a well balanced curriculum. In an ideal world, all aspects of the curriculum would be well funded, but unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world.

Because Hillsborough is faced with significant budgetary problems, I frame the issue as "what is the purpose of a public school education?" I believe the primary focus should be math, English, science, social studies and physical education (gym). Everything else, from arts to world language to sports to clubs, etc. are important but secondary in purpose and should be budgeted that way.

I acknowledge this is a terrible situation, but the district cannot spend money it doesn't have. The school district is funded by the local property base and state aid. With Hillsborough's decreasing state aid and the local tax levy limited to a 2% increase per year, combined with increasing health care and special education costs, there are few, if any, "knobs" left to adjust to achieve a balanced budget.

8. Extensive research has shown that the arts increases student engagement which is a key factor in addressing major educational challenges [closing the opportunity gap, reducing the dropout rate, preparing more students for college eligibility, and developing the creativity needed in the 21st century workforce]. Are you aware of the benefits of arts education for all students?

I acknowledge and believe there is significant benefit of arts education for students; however, school board members are tasked with setting policy and budget that benefit all students. Given the difficult budgetary choices, I believe the district must prioritize its spending on tested subject areas.

9. Have you or will you take a leadership position as an elected school board member that arts education is a critical component in the education of your district’s students?

Unfortunately, I cannot make this promise. Hillsborough will be faced with another set of difficult choices for the 2020-2021 budget. I predict that the district will have additional layoffs beyond what was cut in the 2019-2020 budget. My proposal is to make these cuts strategically, such that if the school board decides to go for a referendum to increase the local tax levy, these would be programs that could be more easily re-instated.

10. Please take this opportunity to provide additional comments or personal story highlighting your views regarding arts education and the role of the arts in the education of your students.

Hillsborough parents are highly engaged supporters of their children's participation whether in choir, marching band or drama club. There is an opportunity for the wider Hillsborough community - beyond parents - to support arts education with private donations, especially given the district's poor economic outlook. I am committed to developing private partnerships to supplement the arts curriculum.