Cranford Board Of Education General Election 2025: Brian Niemsyk

NEW JERSEY - The general election season is in full swing in the Garden State and Patch has asked local candidates to share their thoughts before Nov. 4.

Editor's Note: 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. Contact edward.callahan@patch.com with any questions regarding coverage.

Name: Brian Niemsyk

Age: 59

Town of Residence: Cranford

Position Sought: Cranford Board of Education

Party Affiliation: None

Family: Married. One Child.

Education: BA and MA from Kean University

Occupation: Retired Special Education Teacher

Previous or current elected or appointed office: None

Why are you seeking office?

After 30 years as a Special Educator in Cranford, I have witnessed the evolution of our schools and a variety of positions within the district, as well as practices, that don't benefit our students. I know funds can be used more effectively to directly support elementary students and students with IEP’s and 504’s.

The Board is currently in the middle of its 2023-2028 Strategic and Action Plans Initiatives. What do you feel has been a missed opportunity so far, and what do you feel has went better than anticipated?

The full-day Kindergarten initiative has been put in place, this is a step in the right direction, but misleading the public about a vote for the budget was unfortunate.

The Board just voted to adopt a goal of partnering with the Township Committee to fairly earmark funds from PILOT payments (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) to help offset the increased cost of educating additional students stemming from residential developments that do not provide the benefit of increased tax revenue.

Taxpayers already pay their fair share.

Without fair funding, additional students could become an economic challenge for the district. Accomplishing this goal is essential.

What's one opportunity you would like for students to be able to have within Cranford Public Schools that they don't have now?

Better support for elementary students and students with IEP’s and 504’s. Additionally, I feel it's time to explore our ability to subsidize middle school sports again. This was cut from the budget over a decade ago when state aid was cut.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My experience. I spent 30 years as a Special Education Teacher in Cranford, 3 years as the Union President, 3 years as the Union VP, and served on 3 negotiation teams.

I have a very strong understanding of Board Policy and the collective bargaining agreements between the Board of Education, the Cranford Education Association, and Cranford Administrators Supervisor Association. I have also attended board meetings in Cranford for over a decade.

These experiences have allowed me an uncommon knowledge and understanding of Cranford Public Schools, its history, budget, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My 30 years as a Special Education Teacher in Cranford, 3 years as the Union President, 3 years as the Union VP, and service on 3 negotiation teams demonstrate that I am qualified to be a Board Member in Cranford.

What's a motto you live your life by?

I often recall a statement displayed in a military dorm while I was in the U.S. Air Force that said, "The contribution needed most often is common sense."

What does it mean to you to represent Cranford?

It would be both an honor and a privilege to represent Cranford on the Board of Education. Having called Cranford home for 50 of my 59 years, I have a deep, vested interest in the well-being of our community and our school system.

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