Election 2022: Joanne Lam, Holmdel Board of Education

HOLMDEL, NJ— Joanne Lam is one of eight candidates seeking three full-term seats on the Holmdel Board of Education in the Nov. 8 general election.

In these profiles, based on questions provided, the candidates give voters background about themselves and their positions on the issues. Patch is publishing individual profiles leading up to the election.

Lam says she is running with Mat Weisfeld and Alicia Unusan under the Holmdel Education First slate because they share a common vision of a "superior academic experience balanced with sports and enrichment programs." Experienced in various areas of finance, Lam says she also "would employ my real-world experience to confirm that our vendors are cost-effective, that every expenditure is justified."

Read more from candidate Joanne Lam:

Name: Joanne Lam

Age: 48

Town of residence: Holmdel

Position sought: Holmdel Board of Education Member

Are you an incumbent or have previous school board or civic experience?: No

Do you have a campaign designation or slate?: Holmdel Education First

Campaign website: https://holmdeleducationfirst.org/

Family: Married, 2 children

Education: Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Fordham University

Occupation: Financial advisor

Why do you want to run for the school board and what in your experience or background
prepares you for election:

A quality education was a key factor in my professional success in corporate tax and financial planning/advisory roles at global financial institutions. I am running for the Board of Education because I want to pay it forward and give Holmdel kids every opportunity to live out their dreams.

I spent 10 years in corporate tax departments of companies including Prudential, GE Healthcare and Goldman Sachs before transitioning to financial advisor roles over the last 15 years in Citigroup Smith Barney, Morgan Stanley & most recently HSBC before going independent.

With a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Fordham University, tax background and financial advisory experience, I am proficient in understanding complex financial statements and large budgets.

If elected, I would employ my real-world experience to confirm that our vendors are cost-effective, that every expenditure is justified and more transparent to taxpayers, and where necessary, reallocate existing funds to meet our goals without raising taxes.

If you are running as part of a slate of candidates, please explain the main positions of the slate if
there are agreed upon positions. Please name your slate and its other candidates:

I am running with Mat Weisfeld and Alicia Unusan under the Holmdel Education First slate because we share a common vision. Our platform is to emphasize a superior academic experience balanced with sports and enrichment programs.

As our children are inheriting a digital world that is progressing at an accelerated rate, we firmly believe that renewing our focus on a top-rated academic program with more attention on STEM and advanced courses is how we best prepare students for the 21st century economy.

We have no interest in leveraging the Holmdel Board of Education to launch political careers, so our decisions will be based solely on improving Holmdel’s already robust academic program. Wherever possible, we fully support empowering parents in making important choices that are best for their own families.

Name what you see as the top issues currently facing your district and how you plan to address
them. These can be local issues and/or statewide issues:

In recent years, the turnover of teachers, principals, and superintendents has been a significant distraction to the learning environment. We must be financially competitive in recruiting and hiring, as well as being consistent in creating an environment and culture where teachers/administrators are valued and supported. Celebrating the best of our teachers, building upon their successes, and providing them with opportunities for greater professional development is how we maintain the edge in recruiting AND retaining outstanding educators

Separately, an increase in bullying and in-class use of cell phones are also disruptive to a healthy school environment. At times, it seems that education is secondary to managing classroom and bus behaviors. Working with the superintendent, we would promote developing social media guidelines for each school that are supported by parents and teachers.

When necessary, we are in support of in-school suspensions that hold students accountable for their behavior while keeping them engaged in school. We need to foster a positive school culture and a safe environment that is necessary for our children to thrive.

Lastly, with over 68 percent of our taxes going to our schools (budget is $60+ million), we should not have to choose between academics or sports, yet there has been insufficient funding for some enrichment programs. Previously, Holmdel schools ranked in the top 10 for academics in New Jersey while spending less per student than the state average.

As a working mom and a taxpayer, I want to ensure that academics is the top priority, and where necessary, reallocate existing funds to meet our goals without raising taxes.

What changes or improvements do you see for the district that could enhance educational
life and is there a way you might accomplish that:

Our platform is to (1) renew the focus on a superior academic experience with more STEM/advanced courses, balanced with sports and enrichment programs, (2) effectively spend our tax dollars to prevent any unnecessary property tax increases, and (3) promote a positive school culture in a safe and healthy environment for our kids and educators.

Our priority is to improve academic excellence that will result in improved property value for ALL residents as well as holding the line against the property tax increases that Holmdel taxpayers have experienced in recent years.

Our combined real-world experience in education, business, financial planning, accounting, and mental health makes us uniquely qualified as a team to make the Board of Education better for our children and ALL Holmdel residents.

Candidates for Holmdel Township Board of Education:

Full Term - Vote for Three

• Deborah Wilson, School Community Advocacy
• Elizabeth Urbanski
• Chris DiMare, Save Holmdel Schools
• Jeff D. Mann, Save Holmdel Schools
• John Buckley, Save Holmdel Schools
• Joanne Lam, Education First
• Alicia Unusan, Education First
• Mathew Weisfeld, Education First