Bridgewater Board Of Education General Election 2025: Emily Calistri

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater's general election on Nov. 4 has seven candidates running for three open seats on the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Board of Education.

Board President Steven Singer, Board Vice President Emily Calistri, and Board member Lanfang "Lucy" Li are all running for re-election to the board.

The candidate field includes four challengers: James Maloney, Kim Fajardo, Deanna Nye, and Ketrin Maxwell.

Are you running for office in Bridgewater? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Bridgewater Patch.

Emily Calistri

Age: 41, turning 42 in October

Town of residence: Bridgewater

Position sought: Board of Education

Family: I am married and have 2 sons. Thomas is 11 and Christopher is 8.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Special Education Certificate

Occupation: Real Estate Agent

Previous or current elected appointed office: Current Bridgewater Board of Education Member

Campaign website: votecalistriboe.com

Why are you seeking election for Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education?

I am seeking re-election to the Board of Education because I believe we need fair-minded, thoughtful leaders who prioritize the best interests of our children. I have no political motivation; my only goal is to do what’s right for students and support the success of our schools. With a background in education, I bring a deep understanding of how schools operate and what students and teachers truly need to succeed. During my three years on the board, I’ve developed a strong understanding of educational policy, school governance, and the complex challenges our district faces. This experience has reinforced my commitment to serving students and has equipped me to advocate for them more effectively. My campaign slogan, "Protecting Our Future," reflects the core of my mission: ensuring the physical safety of our students while also preparing them to become capable, confident individuals by the time they graduate. Our responsibility goes beyond academics — it’s about helping raise well-rounded, resilient young people who are ready to thrive after 12th grade.

School finances have been continuously discussed in the district. The district recently approved a budget where 33 staff positions were cut and a 2.46 percent tax increase. Do you have any comments or suggestions on how the district could handle its budget?

Budgeting in education is always a delicate balance. Districts across the state — and the country — are facing rising operational costs, from transportation and utilities to special education services and staff compensation. Many districts have had to raise taxes significantly or cut essential programs just to stay afloat. Our district has tried to do the best it can with the resources available, and I think we've done a good job of staying ahead of the curve. Instead of waiting for a financial crisis, we've focused on planning ahead and reducing costs. We've adjusted our hiring practices based on declining enrollment without affecting programming. We are reviewing programs regularly to ensure they are effective and efficient.

Even with rising costs, we’ve been able to avoid the excessive tax increases we are seeing in neighboring districts. It has not been easy to do, but it demonstrates our strong commitment to students and taxpayers. Moving forward, it’s going to take continued planning, creativity, and open communication to keep things stable, but I believe we’re on the right track.

The district is looking at adjusting its school start times, possibly later for high school students, and transportation options. What do you think about this?

I understand that changing school start times is a complex issue — with so many students to transport each day, the district can’t have every school start at the same time, which would be preferable. Balancing transportation logistics with the diverse needs of all age groups is a real challenge. However, our goal is to do what’s best for the greatest number of students.

The above question asked about finances — well, here's one way we're cutting costs and making our bus routes more efficient. With enrollment declining, we need to reduce the number of buses on the roads to avoid unnecessary congestion.

I understand changes may cause some inconvenience and will require adjustment. However, streamlining this service could potentially make room for late buses — an initiative I strongly support, especially for parents of student-athletes.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the school district?

As a former special education teacher, I understand the daily challenges families face just to ensure their children receive the support they’re entitled to. I’ve worked alongside students with IEPs, advocated for their services, and witnessed the frustration when their needs were treated as secondary to the budget.

Now, as a candidate running for reelection to the Board of Education, I want you to know that I carry those experiences with me. I understand the importance of individualized support, early intervention, and a team that truly listens to families. Special education shouldn’t be an afterthought— it should be part of the foundation of how we build a school community where every child belongs.

I’m running to make sure students with disabilities are fully seen, fully supported, and fully included. And I will always stand with the families who know that advocacy is not a choice—it’s a necessity.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

What sets me apart is my ability to listen openly and build common ground, even with those who see things differently. At a time when many struggle to hear differing perspectives, I believe thoughtful listening is essential to making informed, rational decisions. Our shared goal should always be the success of our students and achieving that requires collaboration and mutual respect.

My years of experience as a teacher have given me a deep understanding of how schools function day to day, while my three years on the board have broadened my perspective on educational policy, governance, and procedure. These experiences have strengthened my ability to navigate complex issues with clarity and purpose.

I would be honored to continue serving on this board to support our students, strengthen our schools, and ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?

I want the community to know that I am running for the Board of Education because my sole focus is doing what’s best for our children. I am not pursuing any personal or political agenda. I believe the Board’s primary responsibility is to advocate for the needs of all students, helping them succeed both in school and in life. It’s important that we support every student — not just those at the highest or lowest achievement levels. Often, the needs of students in the middle are overlooked, but we must ensure all students are recognized, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential.