Bridgewater Board Of Education General Election 2025: Kim Fajardo

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.

Kim Fajardo

Age: 42

Town of residence: Bridgewater

Position sought: Board of Education member

Family: Husband, Kenneth; son, Noah (14); daughter, Lucia (6)

Education: BS in Business Management, Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT); all from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Certified k-12 English Teacher

Occupation: Associate Portfolio Director, IT Strategic Projects

Previous or current elected appointed office: N/A

Campaign website: facebook.com/kimfajardo4boe

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

There is a large part of me that misses being in the classroom and in public education. It was one of the highlights of my career. At this stage in life, however, and coupled with the other skills I have from the private sector, I believe my place in serving the community and students can be through active participation in the Board of Education. Over the last couple of years I have watched the Board make some really effective decisions, however I have also seen some challenges that have not been met head on. I strongly believe that I can add value to the Board. That I can bring a perspective that is shared by taxpayers in the community and parents within the district. I have a driving need to do what is right, at all times.

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?

Our Board and Superintendent deserve real credit for closing the 2025–26 budget gap in a way that protected students and eased the burden on residents. That took planning and a willingness to make hard choices. But the work doesn’t stop there. We need to keep looking for smart ways to stretch every dollar — finding savings, exploring new sources of revenue, and only then, if necessary, asking more of taxpayers. And if we reach that point, we owe the community a clear explanation of why the extra funding is truly needed.

Bridgewater-Raritan has earned its strong reputation because we invest in what matters: our facilities, our teachers, and the programs and resources that give students opportunities to thrive. To maintain that level of excellence, we have to keep asking the tough questions. Have we used every tool we already have? Are we getting the most out of our current budget before seeking more?

The township has a role here as well. Schools and the broader community are closely tied, and decisions about local services — from infrastructure to recreation — can ripple into the classroom. Thoughtful coordination is key. When township leaders and school officials communicate and plan together, we can make sure every decision supports students, families, and faculty.

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?

The science shows that the longer kids sleep, the better. There will be give and take, unfortunately in a district of our size the schools can’t all start at the same time; someone will have to start first and someone will have to start last. I do think the options reviewed at the Board Meeting on Tuesday, September 9th were encouraging. I saw compromise, I saw savings, and I saw considerations for our kids. I would like an understanding of the exact savings between the options, as well as outline what could be done with those savings.

Ultimately, the district hired a group of experts to provide us guidance and analysis based on their expertise. And they did just that. We can analyze what is presented, ask for modifications, as for validations, but then ultimately Bridgewater Administration will have to determine what is best for the district, the budget, and the students.

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

I’d like to dig into the current communication process the district follows. I have heard from many parents about the struggles for simple email communication with teachers (email not reaching teachers properly, etc). Additionally, putting information out there in the community is great, but if people don’t know where to get it, how to get it, or can’t read it to understand it - the communication is useless. Also, with the innovations of AI I wonder what language services could be tapped into to ensure the multilingual families in our district have access to the same information in an accessible language. Additionally there is an opportunity at the board level to solicit input from students, parents, the community, and staff. We need to look for ways to allow communication to flow in both directions. A main goal of the board is to listen to the community at large and incorporate their needs, feedback, and actions. My background in business, specifically IT and change management will come in handy here. I have been commended for my ability to communicate, over communicate, and communicate early/often. It is one of the cornerstones of who I am, professionally and personally.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

I believe we share far more common ground than differences. Anyone who chooses to serve on the Board of Education does so out of a genuine commitment to our district and our students. Still, there are a few ways I bring a different perspective.

First, I focus on making thoughtful decisions and following them through. I work toward solutions and stay committed to what’s best for every student.

Second, I see questions as a way to reach understanding and action—not as a way to stall or grandstand. Productive dialogue should move us forward.

Finally, my own background shapes how I serve. My children attend our public schools, and I hold an advanced degree in education with a teaching certificate and experience in public classrooms. These experiences give me insight into the needs of students and teachers that I believe adds value to the board.

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

I have lived in Bridgewater for the last 7 years with my husband, our two children Noah (14) and Lucia (6), and our rambunctious Australian Shepherd, Odin (5). Prior to living in Bridgewater, our family lived in Dunellen and then briefly in Costa Rica.

I grew up right next door in Hillsborough and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, for my BS, MBA, and MAT. I was also an educator in Hillsborough, specifically English in the middle school and high school. Prior to becoming a teacher I worked in the private sector in IT, in project management and operations, and currently I am back in IT as a portfolio director at a pharmaceutical company. This unique blend of business, IT, and education can bring a lot to the board, not only in skills but also in practical application of those skills in running organizations and classrooms.

I’m a parent with kids still in our schools. I care about making sure they, and all our students, get the best. I also recognize why we chose to live in Bridgewater for the same reason others might as well: excellent schools, strong community, and positive future outlook. Maintaining our schools is a cornerstone to continued community success and property values for the future. I’m not afraid to ask questions or speak up when something doesn’t make sense, because that’s how we make progress. With my background in business, IT, and time in the classroom, I know how to find solutions that work and avoid wasting time, money, or opportunities. Most importantly, I care deeply. I can’t leave things undone when it comes to our kids’ futures, and I will bring that same energy and commitment to serving our schools and our community.