The 2022 SPF Board of Education Candidate Endorsement
and
Election Resources
The 2022 General Election is important, for it will directly affect our Scotch Plains-Fanwood students at all grade levels . Below are the Board of Ed candidates we endorse (and why), plus election resources to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents:
Board of Education Candidate Endorsement Announcement
Election Resources
- About the Endorsed Candidates
- How to Support the Endorsed Candidates
- How to Learn More About All the Candidates (ie: You don't have to take our word for it)
- SPF BOE Candidates Night Q&A Forum Video Breakdown
- About the Board of Education
- Union County, NJ Election Information
R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF Endorses
Amy Winkler (Fanwood)
Stephanie Suriani (Scotch Plains)
and
Nancy Norris Bauer (Scotch Plains)
for 2022 SPF Board of Education
Local elections are critical to the advancement of representation, equity, anti-racism and literary diversity in our schools.
In BOE races across the nation, candidates have expressed troublesome views around these ideals - and our towns are no exception.
Voters understand that most candidates in any race can appear to be the right fit for supporting these ideals, but upon closer inspection, some are not. After careful research and consideration, R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF endorses the following candidates for the Scotch Plains and Fanwood Board of Education seats:
Continue reading to learn more about the endorsed candidates and why we chose them, and to access helpful election resources for all Scotch Plains-Fanwood voters, then please vote in the 2022 Primary Election.
Our students are counting on us. Let’s get R.E.A.L.
R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF Team Leaders
* * * * * * * * *
Election Resources
ABOUT THE ENDORSED CANDIDATES
There are two candidates running for one Fanwood seat and three running for two 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, and why we are doing so.
Amy Winkler - Fanwood
- Incumbent, up for re-election
- Column #1 on Fanwood Districts 1 and District 2-7 Ballots
Already doing the DEI work we want to see, Amy Winkler has been immersed in the goals outlined in the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan personally and professionally for years, and has the experience, ideas and connections to help achieve them for the district.
On top of that, her natural drive for studying the finer details, fact-checking, and thoughtful review makes her an invaluable asset to the management of district policies, old and new--the foundation our school district builds up and out from as we grow.
Current BOE Committees:
- Curriculum, Personnel, Policy Chair, Wellness & Equity
- Negotiations: SPFEA/Board Relations, Teamsters
- Liaisons: PTA Council, Union Co. School Boards Assoc.
From our interview:
"I envision a school district where all students feel welcome and valued and contribute positively to the school community, and where parents are partners in the educational process bringing a broader perspective to the work.
I also envision all of our students graduating with confidence in themselves and with the skills necessary to be productive members of the wider world."
Learn more about Amy Winkler:
Read all of her answers to our interview questionsHear her responses to the SPF BOE Candidates Night Q&A Forum
Read her interview in the Patch
Plus:
- She regularly seeks additional training via the New Jersey School Boards Association, which has honored her with Certified Board Member, Master Board Member, and Certified Board Leader credentials
- She has been a Board member of Social Justice Matters for the last 8 years (including as President), a local organization dedicated to eliminating inequity, and lifting diverse voices via community connections, education and advocacy
- She is on the steering committee for the NJ Faith Allies for a Reparations Task Force: Say the Word, which received the Community Builder Award from the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice in Oct. 2022.
- She was an active PTA member throughout her children's education in SPF
- She shows up to support students in various ways, including attending 2021’s high school student-led 'Stop Asian Hate Rally' in Scotch Plains
- She has regularly volunteered through her temple and other efforts in the community
I hope to work with the board and administration to bring an expansion of our facilities in the near future, and [the] implementation of the strategic plan."
- Amy Winkler, 2022 Patch Interview
Stephanie Suriani - Scotch Plains
- Incumbent, up for re-election
- Column #1 on Scotch Plains Districts 1, 2, 7 and District 3-6, 8-23 Ballots
A longtime outspoken advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, Stephanie Suriani (LCSW) looks at everything through a lens of wellness, asks thoughtful, important questions, then gets involved to move progress forward for all students.
She is particularly proud of helping get counselors on site at every SPF school, increasing access to mental health support throughout the district.
Current BOE Committees:
- Community Relations, Curriculum Chair, Policy
- Negotiations: Teamsters
- Liaisons: Municipal Alliance Committee (MAC) alternate, Union Co. School Boards Assoc. alternate
From our interview:
"I have always strongly believed in the importance of civic engagement. [...] I thought that Board membership was the perfect combination of my desire to be community-involved using my strengths and skill set as a social worker focused on youth."
"I participate in every way possible in events that bring together the school board and community, such as the coffees with the Superintendent and the Board, because I believe community feedback is valuable.
When the national model of Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation was brought into our towns by Social Justice Matters and each town government and the school district were asked to participate to bring this model into practice, I volunteered to be the school board liaison, as I believe having the tools and community conversations around race and equity are vital to our community."
Learn more about Stephanie Suriani:
Hear her responses to the SPF BOE Candidates Night Q&A Forum
Read her interview in the Patch
Plus:
- She has a Masters in Social Work from NYU
- She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
- She is a Program Manager (supervisor) at Tri County Care Management Organization, under the umbrella of the Department of Children and Families in NJ
- She is a Certified Nurtured Heart Approach® trainer
- She is the Joint Committee for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) liaison for the BOE, and is in the process of getting certified as a facilitator of Racial Healing Circles
- Her work is featured on NJ.gov: A presentation on “Workforce Development: Developing and Supporting Healing Teams” (co-written and presented by Suriani)
- She was a speaker at the 2018 Anti-Bullying Conference
- She supports having all teachers trained in cultural competency (a mandated training for social workers) as part of professional development to ensure safe and inclusive learning spaces
- She supports engaging student voice around their opinions on gaps and areas for improvement in the school district
- She has supported efforts to increase the diversity of staff, especially at the administrative/supervisory level
"I am ready to continue to do my part to move forward the district’s current strategic plan...
I have tried over the past six years to use my values, such as incorporating student voice, positive communication between the district and parents/community at large, and promoting wellness as well as achievement in our schools. I believe in innovation and positive change, and think the Board holds our leadership accountable for this."
- Stephanie Suriani, 2022 Patch Interview
Nancy Norris Bauer - Scotch Plains
- Incumbent, up for re-election
- Column #2 on Scotch Plains Districts 1, 2, 7 and District 3-6, 8-23 Ballots
A multiple-award-winning educator of educators whose professional experience and personal efforts have improved the lives of NJ students and faculty throughout the state for years, Nancy Norris Bauer's unique value to the district is one that cannot be overstated.
Add that to being a long-serving member of the Finance Committee, and she has the tools, insight and commitment to successfully address challenges facing our district (like increased enrollment and staffing shortages) in partnership with the rest of the Board.
Current BOE Committees:
- Community Relations, Curriculum, Finance, Personnel Chair, Student Activities & Athletics
- Negotiations: SPFEA/Board Relations
- Liaisons: Garden State Coalition
From our interview:
"My vision has always been for a district that empowers students, staff and parents with a shared vision of success. Key to this is an emphasis on the whole child and student voice and choice.
Students need to be heard and provided opportunities to lead...Learning takes place when students are engaged, feel valued and are respected. We want students to leave SPF with the knowledge, skills and confidence to be successful and engaged citizens."
Learn more about Nancy Norris Bauer:
Read all of her answers to our interview questionsHear her responses to the SPF BOE Candidates Night Q&A Forum
Read her interview in the Patch
Plus:
- She has a BS and MS Education from Florida State University
- She is the Director of Professional Development and School/Community Partnerships, College of Education at William Paterson University
- She is the Vice President of the Garden State Coalition of Schools
- She received the 2022 Exemplary Professional Development School Achievement Award by the National Association of Professional Development Schools
- She received the 2016 New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award, in recognition of her extraordinary public service and volunteerism. This is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious award for public service
- She received the 2010 William Paterson University Directors' Council Recognition Award
- She received the 2000 New Jersey Historical Commission Award of Recognition
- She continues to educate educators in ways that allow them to make a bigger impact on their students
- She connected the district with the statewide “Diversifying the Teacher Workforce Convenings,” which they now participate in annually
- She helped establish pay to play sports creating an SPF ice hockey organization, and made connections for the district with programs/groups like the Met Opera and the Sankofa Collaborative
- She was active in the PTA throughout her childrens' SPF education
- She was a Girl Scout leader for 13 years
- Nancy Norris Bauer, 2022 Patch Interview
- Vote! Here's how.
- Request we place an Endorsed Candidate Lawn Sign on your property
- Hang a free printable sign in your home's windows:
- Printable version of our lawn sign with all three endorsed candidates
- Printable version of Amy Winkler (Fanwood) lawn sign
- Printable version of Stephanie Suriani (Scotch Plains) lawn sign
- Share this post on your social media.
- Talk about this election with trusted friends and neighbors. You are welcome to share the resources here with them to aid in the conversation and research.
If you're not sure yet, take the time to learn more about all of the candidates on your ballot before voting. Keep reading to learn how.
The best way to make an informed voting decision is to learn as much as you can about each candidate and the position they are seeking.
Here are some resources for how to do so for the 2022 SPF Board of Education election.
- Learn more about what the Board of Education is, what it does, the expectation and limits of its members, etc.
- See which committees current SPF BOE members sit on/chair, then listen to them speak at BOE meetings during committee updates, or read the meeting agendas and meeting minutes to see how they participate, which projects they support (2021-2022, 2022-2023).
- Check the finer details, progress or resources behind what they say by searching the district website, NJ Dept of Ed website and/or reaching out to them directly.
- Listen to the challengers speak at BOE meetings during Public Comments (there are two of these at each BOE meeting, once at the beginning at once at the end).
- The current challengers have spoken at meetings on 10/20/22, 10/6/22, 9/21/22, 8/25/22, 6/23/22, 6/1/22 and 5/19/22,
- Check the finer details or resources behind what they say/ask by searching the district website, NJ Dept of Ed website and/or reaching out to them directly.
- Watch the Candidates Night Q&A Forum in full.
- Read election interviews with each candidate, then check the finer details behind what they say.
- Read all the candidates' answers to our interview questions in full here.
- Interviews are in the SPF Patch, and in the past have also been on TAPintoSPF (online), and in the Union County Hawk (print).
- For current BOE members, the district newsletter has "Meet the Board" mini interviews that are also shared on their Facebook Page.
- Google them! Use search terms like award, honor, community, or others that are of particular interest to you to see their accomplishments and activities.
- Search for their name in local media coverage (like SPF Patch and TAPIntoSPF) for articles that could show what they've been up to in the community.
- Talk to them. Many will make public appearances at local events before the election. Reach out and ask them what you'd like to know.
- Ask trusted community members what they look for in a BOE member, who they are considering voting for, and what convinced them to do so.
The live recording of the SPF BOE Candidates Night Q&A Forum with the SPF PTA Council and League of Women Voters via the SPF BOE YouTube channel happened Wednesday, October 19th, 2022.
The questions were submitted by members of the community.
We broke the video down for you by topic to make it easier to review, and included reference materials below some questions, in case the viewer is unfamiliar with the particulars.
PART ONE
00:04:05 Opening Statements Video Clip
PART TWO: QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY
00:15:48 Question #1 Video Clip
What do you think is the most pressing issue facing our school district?
00:21:47 Question #2 Video Clip
What changes will you work to achieve in the next three years?
00:27:34 Question #3 Video Clip
The SPF School District’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan’s first goal is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to “increase opportunities to develop a district committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion through hiring practices of educational and support staff, curriculum development and student empowerment.”
How important is this goal to you, and what concrete actions will you take to actively help our district achieve these goals?
- SPF School District 2022-2025 Strategic Plan
- NJ Dept of Education Student Learning Standards: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Educational Resources
Do you support an inclusive Sex Ed curriculum that educates all students on varying gender expression, sexual orientation, or biological conditions that exist outside of the typical definitions of male and female?
- NJ Dept of Education 2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health & Physical Education
- NJ Dept of Education Student Learning Standards: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Educational Resources
00:38:31 Question #5 Video Clip
Students have missed critical learning during the pandemic. Several years later, tremendous learning gaps are evident.
As a Board member, how do you plan to continue to monitor those gaps and provide compensatory education to general education students to close that gap?
- SPF Public Schools Summary of Standardized Testing (2022-2023)
- The District publishes testing results/data on the website (type "Testing" in the District website search bar) and reviews it in detail at BOE meetings, which is announced in the Agendas.
00:44:12 Question #6 Video Clip
Which Board Committees are you on/will you hope to join, and what experience and skills do you have that directly benefit those committees' objectives? 00:50:09 Question #7 Video Clip
With new housing developments being built, please address how the School Board plans to support the education of existing and new students with anticipated overcrowding.
00:54:50 Question #8 Video Clip
What is your position on NJSLA, Start Strong and similar assessments?
- NJSLA info here and here
- Start Strong Assessment
1:00:02 Question #9 Video Clip
Your position on Social Emotional Learning:
What are some of your thoughts on how we can better support students in that area?
1:05:00 Question #10 Video Clip
Several school districts in New Jersey have holidays such as Eid, Diwali, and Lunar New Year included in the school calendar.
Will you support inclusion of these holidays in the calendar?
If yes: What steps would you take to include these holidays?
If no: How do you justify excluding the diverse growing population of our district?
1:09:31 Question #11 Video Clip
Considering the diversity within our community, lack of childcare, and the current studies supporting changing starting times, school calendars, teaching methods:
How will you help keep Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District at the forefront of education, and leave behind a system that doesn't fit current-day lives that benefit the students?
1:15:47 Question #12 Video Clip
How, as a School Board member, do you think you can bridge the gap between the community and the school administration to make meaningful change and progress forward in the next few years?
- At the 9/25/22 BOE meeting, the Board approved contracting Laura Bishop Communications Services to provide professional services such as ongoing updates regarding district news to the community through social media from September 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
- District Social Media: Twitter, Facebook
- District Newsletter
- SPF School Newsletters
PART THREE
1:21:35 Video Clip Closing Statements
Moderator: Eileen, League of Women Voters
Host: Suzanne, SPF PTA Council President
The following resources contain information that many find helpful for making a more informed voting decision:
- New Jersey School Boards Association's FAQs about the roles, rules, limits and legal requirements of Board of Education members
- New Jersey School Boards Association video series and additional resources on the role of Board Members
- NJ Leader's "13 Things School Board Members Wish People Knew About Them"
- Current SPF Board of Education and their Committees
- SPF Board of Education District Policy on Public Participation in Board Meetings
- SPF Board of Education District Policy on Board Member Use of Social Media
- SPF School District 2022-2025 Strategic Plan
- Vote By Mail ballots were sent out late September.
- Voters can use them once they arrive.
- Drop your ballot off at a certified drop-box:
- Fanwood residents: Fanwood Historic Train Station & Museum, 230 North Avenue
- Scotch Plains residents: Scotch Plains Library, 1927 Bartle Avenue
- Then track your ballot
- Early Voting is from 10/29-11/6/22.
- Find where to vote early in person
- Find where to vote early in person
- Find your polling place for Election Day
- Look at your sample ballot to get ready for the big day
- Election Day is Tuesday, November 8th, 2022
And so much more.
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 R.E.A.L.
We are Scotch Plains-Fanwood public school parents, alumni, neighbors and educators united to bring more Representation, Equity, Anti-Racism and Literary diversity to our school libraries, lessons and leaders.
Click the button below to join us!
