The 2024 SPF Board of Education Candidate Endorsement
and
Election Resources
The results of the 2024 General Election will directly affect our Scotch Plains-Fanwood students at all grade levels in various ways. Below are the Board of Ed candidates we endorse (and why), plus election resources to help you make a more informed decision at the polls.
Table of Contents:
Board of Education Candidate Endorsement Announcement
Election Resources
R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF Endorses
Scotch Plains candidates
Karen Kulikowski,
Deb Brody and
Tonya Williams
for 2024 SPF Board of Education
Local elections are critical to the advancement of representation, equity, anti-racism and literary diversity in our schools.
We believe that the members of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education have a responsibility to ensure that our district acknowledges, includes and is responsive to the needs of our increasingly diverse community.
Voters understand that most candidates in any race can appear to be the right fit for supporting the ideals above, but upon closer inspection, some are not.
There are currently three BOE seats open in Scotch Plains this election, and four candidates running for them. After careful research and consideration, R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF endorses the following candidates for the Scotch Plains 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 2024 General Election.
Our students are counting on us. Let’s get R.E.A.L.
R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF Team Leaders
ABOUT THE ENDORSED CANDIDATES
There are four 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, and why we are doing so.
A dentist by trade and former professor at the School of Health Related Professions at UMDNJ, Dr. Kulikowski moved to Scotch Plains twenty-five years ago in order to raise her family here.
As her son attended SPF schools, she served the community by volunteering her time in countless roles, including various positions in the PTA and committees in the BOE, and is currently the Vice President of the SPF BOE.
She is an experienced educator, regular volunteer and successful professional who says the district's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals are "very important" to her -- and her efforts reflect this. She'd like enriched curriculum and highly qualified staff to reflect the population of the diverse student body to help ensure all students and staff feel seen and welcome in our schools.
Current BOE Committees:
From our 2024 interview:
“My vision for our school district is to maintain reasonable class size, have the most qualified and diverse faculty members and offer courses that stimulate and engage our students and lead them to seek higher education &/or become gainfully employed when they graduate high school.”
Learn more about Dr. Karen Kulikowski:
Read all of her answers to our interview questions.
Hear her responses to the SPF BOE Candidates Night Q&A Forum.
Read her interview on the SPF School District website.
Plus:
A lifelong learner with two masters degrees, this finance expert and business owner has lived in Scotch Plains for over three decades. She has been involved in the school district in both volunteer and elected positions since her youngest of four children was in grade school.
If re-elected, Debora Brody wants to continue working in conjunction with her fellow BOE members in growing DEI efforts in the district, including “support any expansion of our curriculum to foster the trades as opposed to just college.
There are many students who leave our school district with talents that are not stressed enough. I would like these students to be presented and nurtured to being able to select other career options after high school.”
Current BOE Committees:
From our 2024 interview:
“My vision for the future is to be able to address our space needs for our students.
It was unfortunate that we were not able to pass the referendum. A problem still exists that we need to figure out how to rectify.
We heard the public and now we have to get back to work. In conjunction with the bond referendum failure, I hope to continue to work with the community for the betterment of our school district and community.”
Learn more about Debora Brody:
Read all of her answers to our interview questions.
Hear her responses to the SPF BOE Candidates Night Q&A Forum.
Read her interview on the SPF School District website.
Plus:
“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.”
- Debora Brody, R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF BOE Candidate interview (2021)
A realtor, small business owner, athletics volunteer, PTA volunteer, and mom of three, this current BOE member has demonstrated commitment to multi-tiered equity efforts throughout SPF for years.
Not only did Tonya Y. Williams grow up in SPF and graduate from SPFHS, once she had children of her own she moved back to the community she loved so they could experience it for themselves. She has the unique position of being able to see SPF schools in the past as a student and parent, and in the future.
A few things she would like to help with over the next three years are “bringing middle school sports back,” “focus on diversity and equity in our school district,” and continue to “focus on school environment and safety.”
Her experience as a wellness coach "bridges the gap between wellness and academic success by advocating for programs that improve student health, which in turn enhances focus, attendance, and overall academic outcomes."
Current BOE Committees:
From our 2024 interview:
"If I am re-elected [I'd like to] ensure that all students in SPF have access to a fair, inclusive, and enriching educational experience that not only prepares them academically but also instills a strong sense of belonging and respect for all cultures and identities."
Learn more about Tonya Williams:
Read all of her answers to our interview questions.
Hear her responses to the SPF BOE Candidates Night Q&A Forum.
Read her interview on the SPF School District website.
Plus:
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEET THE CANDIDATES NIGHT Q&A FORUM VIDEOS
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 Tuesday, October 8th, 2024.
The questions were submitted by members of the SPF community.
Subtitles/closed captions and a transcript are available on this video, which is on the SPF Board of Education YouTube channel.
PART ONE
00:04:39 Welcome
00:11:14 Opening Statements Video Clip
00:11:40 Deb Brody
00:13:48 Karen Kulikowski
00:15:52 John Greenblatt
00:18:11 Tonya Williams
PART TWO: QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY
00:20:00 Question #1 Video Clip
Based on your experiences, what sets you apart from the other candidates seeking the vote of the Scotch Plains voters?
00:20:20 Tonya Williams
00:21:10 Karen Kulikowski
00:22:03 John Greenblatt
00:23:15 Deb Brody
00:23:56 Question #2 Video Clip
Why do you think the referendum did not pass?
We are definitely in need of space and our schools are and will continue to be overcrowded.
How would you have done things differently to help it pass?
In what direction would you lead the district in post-referendum, specifically: what process steps will you advocate so that the town can move forward with solving this problem?
00:24:51 John Greenblatt
00:25:59 Deb Brody
00:27:08 Tonya Williams
00:27:49 Karen Kulikowski
00:28:50 Rebuttal by John Greenblatt
Re: a Referendum “Task Force”: There was a Pre-Referendum Committee formed of interested SPF community members around the same time the community survey about the referendum was sent out. Meetings were held from 11/23 - 9/24.
Referendum/space expansion information and/or discussion (partial list) about finding a solution for the enrollment/capacity issue:
8/15/24 BrightArrow email blast
7/12/24 SwiftReach email blast
6/20/24 SwiftReach email blast
5/13/24 SwiftReach email blast
5/1/24 SwiftReach email blast
5/24 District newsletter
3/24 District newsletter
1/24 District newsletter
11/22/23 Building a Future-Ready SPF: Website launched for referendum info
11/9/23 SwiftReach email blast
11/23 District newsletter
3/22 District newsletter
9/28/21 Strategic Plan (2022-2025) Planning session #1
00:30:16 Question #3 Video Clip
How should the Board of Ed better engage the community in order to come up with a sustainable and workable path forward?
00:30:27 Deb Brody
00:31:26 John Greenblatt
00:32:33 Karen Kulikowski
00:33:40 Tonya Williams
The Board approved contracting Laura Bishop Communications Services at the 9/25/22 BOE meeting to provide professional services such as ongoing updates regarding district news to the community through social media.
District Social Media: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X
00:34:35 Question #4 Video Clip
Would you advocate for having a working citizen committee to improve engagement?
00:34:42 Karen Kulikowski
00:35:15 John Greenblatt
00:36:21 Tonya Williams
00:36:40 Deb Brody
00:37:22 Question #5 Video Clip
What initiatives or goals would you like to include in the district’s Strategic Plan for the next three years?
00:37:34 Deb Brody
00:38:31 Karen Kulikowski
00:39:29 Tonya Williams
00:40:05 John Greenblatt
SPF Public Schools’ 2022-2025 Strategic Plan + Strategic Plan Goal Tracker
Strategic Plan planning sessions 1-3 notes
The New Jersey Department of Education’s (NJDOE) 2022-2023 New Jersey School Performance Reports for SPF Public Schools
00:41:16 Question #6 Video Clip
What do you think the three biggest issues are that are impacting our schools?
Provide reasons and solutions.
00:41:29 Tonya Williams
00:42:13 Deb Brody
00:43:19 John Greenblatt
00:44:30 Karen Kulikowski
00:45:22 Question #7 Video Clip
How can the school district allow better transparency, communication and cooperation between administrators and families to promote a more supportive environment?
00:45:50 John Greenblatt
00:46:48 Tonya Williams
00:47:43 Deb Brody
00:48:52 Karen Kulikowski
In-person meetings with the BOE that the SPF community are invited to attend:
Board of Ed meetings, approx. 14/year
Ask the Superintendent meetings (aka “Coffee & Conversation”), 2-3x/year
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.
00:50:01 Question #8 Video Clip
Considering the teacher recruiting and retention issues nationally, how will you help to support the teachers that would positively help with recruiting new teachers, retention and maintaining a high caliber teaching staff if you are elected?
00:50:26 Deb Brody
00:52:09 Tonya Williams
00:52:56 Karen Kulikowski
00:53:40 John Greenblatt
SPF Public Schools’ Employment Opportunities
SPF Public Schools Human Resources
Scotch Plains Fanwood Education Association roles and agreement with the SPFBOE
00:54:52 Question #9 Video Clip
In regards to support staff, what changes would you make to retain support staff in our district?
Neighboring school districts and businesses pay significantly more than the Scotch Plains district. Our district is perpetually struggling with staffing.
00:55:17 Karen Kulikowski
00:56:00 Deb Brody
00:56:53 John Greenblatt
00:57:46 Tonya Williams
00:58:22 Question #10 Video Clip
John: For you, a new candidate, whereas the others on the Board are returning candidates, what are you bringing to the Board of Ed that is different?
00:58:41 John Greenblatt
00:59:46 Question #11 Video Clip
This is for the three incumbents on the Board: Can you please tell us about one accomplishment that you are proud of where you played an instrumental role in this past year on the Board of Ed?
1:00:00 Tonya Williams
1:00:34 Karen Kulikowski
1:01:03 Deb Brody
1:02:03 Question #12 Video Clip
In the spring of 2024 the district refused to give off for the first two days of Passover, a very widely-observed Jewish holiday that features seders that run late into the night, and to add insult to injury, multiple school events were scheduled on these days.
(Moderator repeated her note that she is reading questions from residents of the community, not giving her own opinion.)
Given the diversity of Scotch Plains Fanwood community, what do you think the district should do to better accommodate its Jewish community, because in 2027 when once again Easter and Passover will not coincide?
1:03:27 John Greenblatt
1:04:31 Tonya Williams
1:05:14 Karen Kulikowski
1:06:21 Deb Brody
SPF Public Schools District Policy #8210: School Year calendars
How the Calendar is created: “...there is a Calendar Meeting where all representatives of the PTA from every school meet with the Board, the representative from the schools, and they do also meet with Dr. Mast and the ministerium so that all religious leaders in the community do point out specific religious high holy days and celebrations…“ - SPFBOE member Karen Kulikowski (1:05:18)
1:07:24 Question #13 Video Clip
What are the top agenda items you have on your list which you want to address as soon as elected, which are not being handled currently or you would like to see handled differently?
1:07:53 Karen Kulikowski
1:08:46 Deb Brody
1:09:27 Tonya Williams
1:10:25 John Greenblatt
PART THREE
1:15:59 Video Clip Closing Statements
1:16:12 Tonya Williams
1:18:21 John Greenblatt
1:20:16 Karen Kulikowski
1:21:08 Deb Brody
Moderator: Joan Sturm, League of Women Voters
Host: Suzanne Appezzato-Bjorklund, SPF PTA Council PresidentAnd so much more.
For information on candidates from the top to the bottom of the ballot:
Click here to get a nonpartisan election guide that includes who is on your ballot from federal on down to local, along with information about them including their experience, education, political party, how to contact them, where they stand on big issues, and 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 R.E.A.L.