Community Corner
Putting Students First By Fixing the Deficit
Holmdel deserves leaders who can manage a $72M budget, protect teachers and programs, and make every tax dollar count

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My husband and I moved our family to Holmdel 9 years ago for one reason - its schools. We wanted to provide our two children the best opportunity to succeed in a district known for academic excellence and strong values. I was the first in my family to attend college —earning my accounting degree at Fordham while rowing competitively. I know firsthand that a strong education can help achieve your dreams.

The Holmdel Board of Education (BOE) represents the voice of Holmdel taxpayers. Its role is to set the goals for Holmdel schools, manage the budget accordingly without raising taxes, and partner with the administration to ensure that these goals are effectively implemented. Currently, the BOE manages a school budget of $72 million dollars, which is funded from 69% of property taxes. There’s no doubt that Holmdel families support excellent schools. Unfortunately, the district school budget faces a $2.5 million deficit, putting school busing, teacher retention. hiring, building facilities, and potentially academics, at risk. It’s crucial that the next BOE members have the right skillset to tackle the deficit on day one.
I spent 10 years in corporate tax departments of Goldman Sachs and other global companies before transitioning in 2007 to financial advisor roles at firms including Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and HSBC before going independent. Currently, I'm a financial advisor with a focus on retirement planning and tax-efficient strategies. With real-world tax and planning experience, I can review complex budgets and financial statements to effectively find savings and eliminate waste. In making smart budget decisions, I would advocate for a robust vendor bidding process so we can get the most cost-effective and competent vendors. If elected, my financial planning background will be useful in addressing the $2.5 million deficit.
People say everything is political. But when it comes to our children's future, especially where artificial intelligence may change the landscape of career opportunities, the BOE is the last place for politics. I will work to bring fiscal transparency back to the forefront of the agenda and emphasize accountability in every budget decision.
Like many of you, I believe that our children deserve the best education to prepare them for the future. With your support, we can help push this important goal forward. Our children deserve nothing less.
Learn more at https://www.educationnotpolitics.com/
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