The 2021 General Election is an important one for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood community, particularly for our students. Below are the Board of Ed candidates we endorse (and why), plus other election resources to help you make an informed decision.
 

Table of Contents:

Board of Education Candidate Endorsement Announcement

• About REAL Parents x SPF

Election Resources

• About the Candidates
• SPF BOE Candidates Night Debate Video Breakdown
• Support the Candidates
• Union County, NJ Election Information

We believe that the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education has the responsibility to ensure that our district is responsive to the needs of every student in our increasingly diverse community. 

This election, there are three of the nine total BOE seats on the ticket, all for Scotch Plains. We interviewed every candidate, both incumbent and challenger, to understand if their priorities align with our mission to bring more Representation, Equality, Anti-Racism and Literary diversity into every corner of our schools' lessons, libraries and leaders. 

All the candidates were asked the following three questions via email:

1. What accomplishments, either in your current Board of Education role or in your personal/professional life, demonstrate your commitment to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood school district community?

2. What is your vision for the future of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District?

3. If elected, how will you contribute to bringing more Representation, Equality, Anti-Racism and Literary diversity to our schools' lessons, libraries and leaders?

Five of the six candidates responded. 

After careful consideration of their answers to these questions and their messages during Candidate’s Night, the REAL Parents x SPF leadership team has decided to endorse Tonya Williams, Debora Brody and Karen Kulikowski for re-election for the Scotch Plains Board of Education. These candidates were unequivocal about their support of the initiatives for which REAL Parents x SPF advocate, such as:

• Improved inclusion of diversity in textbooks, library collections and other educational materials

• A curriculum representative of every student in our district

• Professional development for the educators that gives them the tools to more confidently teach the curriculum to students of all backgrounds, identities and experiences in a more fruitful and inclusive, less harmful way

• Increased diversity in hiring

Each of these three candidates is a parent, professional and volunteer that has used her unique skills, experiences and education to move equity efforts forward in our district in partnership with the other six members of the Board of Education. We believe that together, they can continue that momentum of multifaceted positive progress to the benefit of all the students.

This year Board of Education races all over the country have been swarmed by candidates using misinformation and fear mongering in an attempt to curb the advancement of diversity, equality and inclusion measures in schools - measures such as anti-bias training, more diversity hiring and more representation across all aspects of school life. These are the same measures that we have been fighting so hard to include in our district’s strategic plan. 

We are sharing our endorsement of Tonya Williams, Debora Brody and Karen Kulikowski because we have heard some of the fear mongering and misinformation pop up in our own Board of Education meetings and within the community over the past couple of months. We refuse to go backwards in our progress toward equality for all in our school district.

Local elections have consequences. Make sure you cast your vote in favor of representation, equality, anti-racism and literary diversity in our schools. 

Our students are counting on us. Let’s get REAL.

REAL Parents x SPF Team Leaders

www.REALParentsxSPF.org 
 

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Election Resources

ABOUT THE CANDIDATES

There are six candidates running for three Scotch Plains seats (each a three-year term) on the SPF Board of Education during this election. Below is more information about the three candidates we are endorsing:

Dr. Karen Kulikowski 

• Incumbent
• Column #1 on Scotch Plains ballots

Bio:
A dentist by trade and former professor at the School of Health Related Professions at UMDNJ, Dr. Kulikowski moved to Scotch Plains twenty years ago in order to raise her family here. As her son attended SPF schools, she served the community in countless roles, including various positions in the PTA and committees on the BOE, and is currently the President of the Board. 

From our interview:
“I fully support the Curriculum Committee with the improved inclusion of diversity in textbooks, library collections and celebrations of festivals and cultural traditions to broaden the knowledge and acceptance of all in our schools.”

“I enjoy working for the students, families, teachers, administrators and fellow Board members to ensure that all participate in a fulfilling educational process.”

Learn more about Dr. Karen Kulikowski via her interview in the SPF Patch. (COMING SOON)


Debora Brody

• Incumbent
• Column #2 on Scotch Plains ballots

Bio:
A lifelong learner with two masters degrees, this finance expert and business owner has lived in Scotch Plains for thirty-two years, and has been involved in the school district in both volunteer and elected positions since her youngest of four children was in grade school.

From our interview:
“We are all one great community, and what we teach in schools should be representative of every student who attends. Every member of our school district needs to be respectful of each others’ similarities and differences and learn from each other. The only way to know this is being communicated is in the schools.”

“I believe great strides have been made thus far in creating a thoughtful, cohesive school community, but there is more work to be done. We need to keep the momentum going.”

Learn more about Debora Brody:

• via her interview in the SPF Patch
• via her interview in TAPIntoSPF 

Tonya Y. Williams

• Incumbent
• Column #3 on Scotch Plains ballots

Bio:
A realtor, small business owner, athletics volunteer, PTA volunteer, and mom of three, this current BOE member has demonstrated commitment to equity throughout SPF for years. Not only did Tonya Y. Williams grow up in SPF, once she had children of her own, she moved back to the community she loved so they could experience it for themselves. 

From our interview:
“Our schools must provide the environment and opportunity for all of our students to achieve and excel.”

“I was instrumental in hiring school safety officers in our schools and implementing safety procedures which are ongoing. I am passionate about ensuring the safety of our children and additional counseling in our elementary schools. I am also most proud of chairing the newly formed Wellness and Equity Committee, or as I refer to it the “WE” committee. As an elected official, my passion drives me to meet the equitable needs of the students. The WE committee is committed to bringing more diverse hiring in our staff, ensuring the safety, health and wellness and an excellent education. However, it takes more than passion, it requires the ability to collaborate, listen and respect others.”

Learn more about Tonya Y. Williams:

• via her interview in the SPF Patch
• via her interview in TAPIntoSPF

00:14:17 Question #1 Video clip
What is your position on diversity training and initiatives for our educators and students? 
 

00:18:38 Question #2 Video clip
How can the school district allow better transparency, communication and cooperation between administrators and families to allow for a more inclusive working environment?

00:26:42 Question #3 Video clip
Please speak to your thoughts about the district's technology -- both resources and programming -- and what improvements (if any) you’d advocate for.

00:31:30 Question #4 Video clip
How will you use your voice and seat to help address the learning loss all kids experienced while they were virtual or out of school? Be specific and give examples.

00:36:01 Question #5 Video clip
Given the growth that Scotch Plains and Fanwood will have with the incoming communities at Bowcraft and Parker, and considering the size of our schools, what is your plan and execution of the plan for the cost to increase the size of the schools, how to meet the needs of the student population, and how will you work with the township mayors to address the concerns of traffic, taxes, etc.?

00:41:32 Question #6 Video clip
If you are committed to ensure all kids truly have equal opportunity, representation and inclusion in our school district, what experience, education, and/or training have you had or will you get to not only understand our diverse student body, particularly the individuals whose identities and experiences differ from your own, but how to get them what they need? 

(Please note that “diverse student body” includes but is not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, nation of origin, physical ability, socioeconomic status, family dynamic, previous educational experience, IEP/504 Plan status, etc. of the students.)

00:48:15 Question #7 Video clip
What steps do you feel the district should be taking to make sure the staff reflects the diversity of the students?

00:52:22 Question #8 Video clip
What are the top two or three improvements/challenges that need to be addressed in the school district, and how will you contribute to implementing these changes as a board member?

00:58:33 Question #9 Video clip
What do you believe the top four priorities should be for the upcoming 2022-2025 Strategic Planning, and have you attended these sessions?

01:02:39 Video clip
Closing Statements

 

SUPPORT THE CANDIDATES

If you agree with our endorsement, there are easy ways to spread the word and help these three candidates win the race:

1. Vote!
2. Hang this free printable sign with the candidates' names on it in your home's windows.
3. Share this post on Facebook or Twitter by using the these buttons:

• Early Voting is from 10/23-10/31/21.
  • Find where to vote early in person
  • Drop your ballot off at a certified drop-box
    • Fanwood residents: Fanwood Memorial Library, 5 Forest Road
    •  Scotch Plains residents: Scotch Plains Library, 1927 Bartle Avenue
• Find your polling place for Election Day 
• Look at your sample ballot to get ready for the big day
• Election Day is Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 

And so much more.

 

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Thank you for being a part of the positive changes we want to see in our community! 

Our kids are counting on us. Let’s get REAL.