Brian Hargrove Chatham Borough School Board Candidate

CHATHAM, NJ — The School District of the Chathams Board of Education has a contested election this fall, for both borough and township candidates.

There is one three-year seat and two candidates running from the borough, as well as one seat for a one-year unexpired term.

Brian Hargrove is challenging Chris Delsandro for the one-year unexpired term.

The other candidates on the ballot for the three-year Chatham Borough seat include:

• Ann Ciccarelli
• Lara Freidenfelds

Representing Chatham Township, there are four candidates for two, three-year seats, who include:

• Michelle Clark
• Lata K. Kenney
• Kyle C. Roberts
• James A. Nau

Editor's Note: Are you a candidate on the ballot? Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the General Election. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) may contact jennifer.miller@patch.com.

Brian Hargrove

Name: Brian Hargrove
Town of residence: Chatham Borough, 16 years
Position sought: Chatham Board of Education (1 Year Term, Chatham Borough Position)
Family: Married 22 years to my wife, three children educated in the Chatham school system
Education:
· Executive Certificate MIT Sloan School of Management (Technology, Operations & Value Chain Management)
· MBA, International Business, University of Brighton (England)
· BA, History, Saint Edward's University (TX)
Occupation: 20-year Sourcing, Procurement & Vendor Management senior professional

Previous or current elected appointed office: This will be my first elected position

Why are you seeking to run for school board?
Educating our children is one of the most important responsibilities we have in this community. I am running for the Chatham Board of Education (BOE) to ensure Chatham remains an excellent school district that will prepare our children for the 21st century in a global economy. My family with our three children have lived in Chatham Borough village for 16 years.
My first job after graduating from college was as an English teacher in Japan. This experience provided me insight into the challenges that teachers are faced with as educators. I continued my exposure to education from an international perspective by completing my MBA in England. I was accepted and spent roughly a year and half in the CIA recruitment program for Contracting Officers. I ultimately chose a different direction in my life. I further continued my education with an Executive Management Certificate from MIT, focusing on strategy, technology and value chain management. In addition, I have actively participated in community service organizations such as the Morris County Homeless Solutions, Table of Hope-Spring Street Ministries (Food Pantry) and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. This exposure has allowed me the opportunity to excel in different professional, educational and community settings.
I have a history of building internal partnerships among executive management teams, with a primary focus on enhancing an organization’s resources. I am an entrepreneurial business and procurement leader with demonstrated ability in the negotiation of pricing and contractual terms for products and services of global organizations. I have a proven ability to deliver cost savings and drive “Value” through successful management and control of the entire sourcing and negotiation process through the coordination of managing staff and leadership of multi-function teams for all affected company divisions. I have developed by means of community service and my work experience strong leadership, communications, negotiations and team-oriented management skills. My education and background have provided me with the ability to develop practical solutions to organizational opportunities and problems. These experiences will allow me to provide fiscally sound quality service, policy management and leadership to the Chatham BOE.

What is your stance on masks in schools?
The Chatham school district has done a good job following the health protocol requirements and keeping the students, teachers and administrators safe. The continued focus of keeping the students in class and receiving personal instruction during the pandemic has been possible through the adoption of intelligent safety requirements from the health department. Moving forward I would continue the alignment of health and safety requirements, wearing safety face masks within school protocols to ensure everyone within the school system remains safe and can learn in a safe environment.

Should schools offer a virtual option?
The school system should do everything possible to keep schools open and have the children and teachers onsite in the school. Again, the continued focus of keeping the students in class and receiving personal instruction during the pandemic has been possible through adoption of intelligent safety requirements from the health department. With the current levels of safety being maintained within the school system the virtual option should only be offered as a last resort.

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in the school district?
The School District of the Chathams is a very accomplished school district. The primary responsibility of a Board of Education member is to assist in developing and establishing policy and providing support to the school district in these efforts. In addition, we must continue to provide a superior educational experience in a fiscally sound platform. I want to continue the accomplishments of Chatham in academic excellence and community programs in a fiscally sound manner. I also believe that representation of sound educational guidance is required in all of the schools within the district.
To that end, I will also be supporting the re-establishment of the librarian position at Milton Avenue Elementary school. Teachers are currently providing double duty responsibilities in providing librarian services and meeting teaching requirements since the reduction of the librarian resource. We must continue to identify competitive edge practices in educating our children. This will allow the tactical focus of supporting the necessary critical roles in the school while allowing the strategic teaching to be performed appropriately with teachers and librarians accordingly.
In addition, I will push for the continued embrace and focus on supporting the emotional health of the students during this time within the pandemic. Increasing assistance programs and support measures for parents, teachers and administration to help students navigate emotional, social and educational assistance required that Covid has created as a result of any gaps or fractured school norms over the past two years.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?
I grew up in a military family. My grandfather served in the Army, serving in Europe during WWII. My father served in the Air Force as a Major for over 20 years. Both my grandfather and grandmother after receiving their masters became lifelong educators in their school system and within their local community. Both my parents after receiving their masters served at a senior level in the community as well. I was exposed to community service early in my life. Being part of a strong community, sacrifice, and ultimately providing service to the larger community was instilled in me at a young age. A core foundation of what I was taught growing up was that hard work with a strong education are the tools for life long personal achievement and success in the larger community. These experiences will allow me to provide quality service and leadership to the Chatham Board of Education.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?
Qualifications:
· 20-year Sourcing, Procurement & Vendor Management senior professional
· Executive Certificate MIT Sloan School of Management (Technology, Operations & Value Chain Management)
· MBA, International Business, University of Brighton (England)
· BA, History, Saint Edwards University (TX)
· JET Program (Japan Exchange & Teaching Program) (Kagawa, Japan)

If Elected Will:
· Continue Health and Safety for School Students and Administrators
· Promote inclusive educational community
· Push for the return of librarian for Milton Elementary school (within budget)
· Continue strong tradition of excellence in Chatham educational system
· Encourage love of education at all levels
· Provide fiscally sound quality service, policy management and leadership to the Chatham Board of Education

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.